Both beautiful bikes😍 As a pure gravel bike, the Lauf seems almost unbeatable for value. About the same as the Canyon Grizl, which I think would be a better comparison for just gravel riding. I personally would go for the Lauf though, due to looks, frame design and suspension technology. But considering that a lot of buyers, want a one-bike solution for gravel and road, how do they compare on tarmac? Would love to see a route test with 50/50 gravel and road 🥹
Lauf geometry (slacker head tube, longer front center) is more stable at speed, making it a faster bike in real world conditions. More clearance using 700 instead of 650 makes it more practical. The front end look of 3T exploro (and Open, and Cervelo aspero) is subjectively more sleek and aesthetically pleasing but form should take a back seat to function. Lauf pricing (value) is better, build quality (tube shaping) is strong and weight is similar. External fork cabling provides for convenient swap out to a standard rigid fork (for less harsh terrain/events). My tool of choice for fast cornering is, and has been (for four years), the Lauf.
Had they ridden the bikes for a hot minute on real gravel there is no comparison... the fork on the Lauf corners better. Softens every hit. The back end has 10mm of vertical compliance making it a better ride. The long wheelbase at high speed is rock stable in comparison .
4:21 I doubt 3T uses threaded BB. The frame itself seems to be BB386 EVO, and they include a special thread-together bottom bracket that fits in PF frames. Seigla uses MTB standard BSA 73 though.
ptonewood 0 seconds ago I’d try the Lauf. I regrettably bought a 3T Strada with Ekar and it’s been nothing but headaches. The first generation Ekar has had loads of problems (initial cassette wasn’t machined properly and came loose every ride), and 3T built the bike with kinks in the hydraulic hoses. I had to replace the entire drivetrain and hoses/fluid. Customer service never responded or compensated me. I’d take that Lauf fork over anything 3T.
I have a Lauf Anywhere and I love it. No issues with the bike but I do have some issues with the fit. I have a size small and they fitted it with their 80mm reach Smoothie handlebar and 170mm cranks, which gave me back problems. I swapped out both to 70mm Zipp Service Course and 165 cranks per recommendation of my bike fitter. Still have some back issues. Other than that, the bike is a beast on descents rough or smooth! I just need the fit dialed.
I'd go for the Lauf purely on looks. That is, if I was willing to spend another 3 grand on a bike. Which I'm not. I wonder just how much more expensive bikes can get before people just stop buying them.
If the terrain is rough enough for a 2.20 tire, what is the advantage of a gravel bike over a hardtail carbon framed mountain bike with either a lightweight 10mm front fork or a rigid carbon fork? Also, if someone is running a 2.10 or 2.20 set of tires, that would reduce the aero significantly anyway, wouldn't it? And I dont re al anyone mention the weight of either of these models in this"review". I'm willing to bet you can match their weight or come extremely close with a carbon hardtail rigid fork mtb.
Is the lauf an aggressive riding position? I’m coming from a specialized diverge and want something comfortable and upright for long 200km rides and touring
Could u take the seigla bikepacking though? I don’t need fork mounts, but I’d like an alround bike that could handle some multi day tours. To me, the seigla looks super nice. Could it be too aggressive ?
Hi Hanno, might be worth comparing the geometry on geometry geeks to something that you know you get on with. It’s certainly compliant enough for some serious endurance rides!
My Lauf Seigla Race model in blue is amazing. Handles, corners and looks all outstanding. Love my suspension fork.
why didn't you just weight the bikes as is ?
Both beautiful bikes😍
As a pure gravel bike, the Lauf seems almost unbeatable for value. About the same as the Canyon Grizl, which I think would be a better comparison for just gravel riding. I personally would go for the Lauf though, due to looks, frame design and suspension technology.
But considering that a lot of buyers, want a one-bike solution for gravel and road, how do they compare on tarmac?
Would love to see a route test with 50/50 gravel and road 🥹
I’m glad you did this review because that Lauf looks epic
Lauf geometry (slacker head tube, longer front center) is more stable at speed, making it a faster bike in real world conditions. More clearance using 700 instead of 650 makes it more practical. The front end look of 3T exploro (and Open, and Cervelo aspero) is subjectively more sleek and aesthetically pleasing but form should take a back seat to function. Lauf pricing (value) is better, build quality (tube shaping) is strong and weight is similar. External fork cabling provides for convenient swap out to a standard rigid fork (for less harsh terrain/events). My tool of choice for fast cornering is, and has been (for four years), the Lauf.
Had they ridden the bikes for a hot minute on real gravel there is no comparison... the fork on the Lauf corners better. Softens every hit. The back end has 10mm of vertical compliance making it a better ride. The long wheelbase at high speed is rock stable in comparison .
4:21 I doubt 3T uses threaded BB. The frame itself seems to be BB386 EVO, and they include a special thread-together bottom bracket that fits in PF frames. Seigla uses MTB standard BSA 73 though.
ptonewood
0 seconds ago
I’d try the Lauf. I regrettably bought a 3T Strada with Ekar and it’s been nothing but headaches. The first generation Ekar has had loads of problems (initial cassette wasn’t machined properly and came loose every ride), and 3T built the bike with kinks in the hydraulic hoses. I had to replace the entire drivetrain and hoses/fluid. Customer service never responded or compensated me. I’d take that Lauf fork over anything 3T.
I have a Lauf Anywhere and I love it. No issues with the bike but I do have some issues with the fit. I have a size small and they fitted it with their 80mm reach Smoothie handlebar and 170mm cranks, which gave me back problems. I swapped out both to 70mm Zipp Service Course and 165 cranks per recommendation of my bike fitter. Still have some back issues. Other than that, the bike is a beast on descents rough or smooth! I just need the fit dialed.
That Lauf is gorg!
I'd go for the Lauf purely on looks. That is, if I was willing to spend another 3 grand on a bike. Which I'm not. I wonder just how much more expensive bikes can get before people just stop buying them.
Jamie seems like a top guy, hope to see more of him
I have just sold a 3T strada (N+2) to purchase a Seigla. Arrives Monday, can't wait.
How has your Seigla been?
But the Strada is a Road bike. Do you set up your Seigla as double duty (road / gravel)?
Is that a Exploro Ultra? I thought they had round 27.2 seatposts. The one on the video looks to be an areo post.
If money was no object? Seigla with a custom paint job of course!
If the terrain is rough enough for a 2.20 tire, what is the advantage of a gravel bike over a hardtail carbon framed mountain bike with either a lightweight 10mm front fork or a rigid carbon fork? Also, if someone is running a 2.10 or 2.20 set of tires, that would reduce the aero significantly anyway, wouldn't it? And I dont re al anyone mention the weight of either of these models in this"review". I'm willing to bet you can match their weight or come extremely close with a carbon hardtail rigid fork mtb.
Actually the 3t in the video looks like racemax not ultra
The color of the Lauf is "Pepto Bismol"?
Is the lauf an aggressive riding position? I’m coming from a specialized diverge and want something comfortable and upright for long 200km rides and touring
Geometry is similar to Crux, which is a gravel race/CX bike. But I don't think it would be big issue with proper bike fit.
Could u take the seigla bikepacking though? I don’t need fork mounts, but I’d like an alround bike that could handle some multi day tours. To me, the seigla looks super nice. Could it be too aggressive ?
Hi Hanno, might be worth comparing the geometry on geometry geeks to something that you know you get on with. It’s certainly compliant enough for some serious endurance rides!
I have the same question - did you get a seigla?
I like the Seigler, but am holding out for a bike with fork mounts.
Mud and muck clearing???? Certainly consideration for a gravel machine, and the Lauf blows the 3T out of the mud puddle on that one.
I build a china clone of the 3T exploro and it's still going strong a year later. More importantly It cost a fraction of the real one.
You got a link to the site?
Cloned? How is that good for the business, intellectual property, and likely built by unfair labor practice?
Why do all that work to do a review and not simply weigh the bikes...