Yeah, the pricing is nuts. I really like that they make very opinionated bikes, anticipating trends.
If they are, I can’t imagine they are also doing it in the US for EU and the UK. That would be even more inefficient.
(which would also make their pricing even more impressive)
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They opened an assembly plant in Harrisonburg, VA in 2023. I do not know if they have a different assembly plant in Europe or elsewhere.
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I remember hearing about it on a recent episode of Geek Warning where they interviewed two people from Lauf. I was very surprised as well since I thought they’d do all that in Asia (Taiwan or China). They are an unusual company in more ways than one. Their bikes are not a good fit for the type of riding I do, but sometimes I wish they were. 
My best guess is that they wanted the best service possible for a direct-to-consumer brand in, what they thought (and probably is) their biggest market, the US.
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I’d buy one in a heartbeat if they had a lower BB…
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Right on, Lauf breaking the mold
Maybe a Crux with Lauf rigid fork could work well.
I had a Crux and have a Lauf (grit fork). I would pick the Lauf 10 times out of 10 if you offered me the choice, and I really loved the Crux.
Interesting that we have opposite opinions on the two. It sucks that you can’t ride the Lauf first to compare and see which one is right for you…but then the prices wouldn’t be so good!
I believe Lauf has a 30-day money back guarantee.
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There is a small fee associated with it, but its nice they offer it
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Two of my buddies race gravel on a Lauf and I have had a Crux for two years now. Love it. It is faster than the Lauf (3.4 SES Enve rims with 45mm Terra Speeds help) in smooth to moderate conditions. Very fast for example at The Rad this year. In NM we have a wonderful gravel series and most of it is really rough, so I have started to race it on my Trek Supercaliber with 2.1 Thunder Burts which is also very fast. I just installed some SQ Labs Innerbands on the SC and it is amazing. The Crux plus the SC is the perfect combo for gravel and XC racing. I am about to buy an S-Works Crux to use as a road bike for now and then phase it in as a gravel bike. That is how much I love the Crux
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I have a Giant Revolt and have raced Big Sugar before. I raced it the last two times on Maxxis Ramblers 700c x 45 and it was nice. The Revolt has a “flip chip” feature in the back that can give you room for 50 mm tires. Next year at Big Sugar I’ll do this to keep me more comfortable. That chunky gravel takes a toll. The bike is flat out fast. I have the Shimano GRX 810 with a double front chainring and I love it. Put road tires slicks like a 32 or a 35 and it can keep up on fast group rides as well. I love this bike.
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How did you determine this?
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Hey all just wanted to pick your brains on this topic and appreciate all the info here. I sold my Salsa Cutthroat last year but am having some FOMO about some big gravel rides this year. I’m in the northeast US, so lots of gravel rides have a good mix of pavement/dirt roads along with some rocky/rooty single track thrown in to make them more epic or something 
I’m somewhat budget constrained here since I primarily ride my road bike (Supersix Evo with 12 speed Ultegra). If I were to go with the Crux, it would be the pink Comp with 1x12 mech GRX or the Seigla Weekend Warrior with Rival AXS/GX transmission. Geometry for both would suit me. I need an XL/61cm, so reasonably priced used bikes have been hard to find.
Pros for the Crux:
- Could live on my trainer much of the year (Kickr has 12 speed cassette/HG hub)
- Shimano brakes are great
- Mech 1x12 so no batteries to worry about if I only do a few gravel rides per month
- Would probably be fine on 700x48 Tufo Thunderos or similar tires
- Slightly cheaper than Rival-level Seigla
Pros for the Seigla:
- Compliance with fork and bigger tires
- AXS shifting is great (I prefer Shimano brakes after having Force on my Cutthroat)
- Like the white color more than the Crux in pink
- More future proof with UDH (?)
Any tips are appreciated!
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Can confirm Thundero 48’s work easily on a Crux…50’s will also easily clear.
I am going to try and mount TB 2.1’s tonight…will be pushing the limit in the rear.
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If you were looking for one bike to rule them all, I’d say go with the crux as the geometry lends well to road riding as well, especially with a 2nd wheel set.
Since this is just a fun bike for gravel and what sounds like rather gnarly single track, I think you’d appreciate both the wider clearance and suspension fork from the Lauf. Also, if you aren’t planning on racing (or making it a big priority) the mild weight penalty and slightly relaxed geometry from the Lauf aren’t a concern.
Biggest pro I see for the crux is the trainer duties, which is admittedly pretty huge. Granted - you could do the same with the Lauf if you just swapped a few trainer components and had it be your dedicated trainer/gravel bike.
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I have the Lauf Seigla and it has been great. I didn’t like the fork for some of the riding I do, so I bought the Lauf rigid fork and that is what has stayed on the bike. I just recently upgraded the groupset to the SRAM Red 13-speed. Before upgrading I was seriously considering a Crux, but I just couldn’t find any reason to get rid of the Lauf Seigla.
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I have a Seigla and never thought that the geometry was a negative. It is a very capable gravel race bike. Are twitchy gravel bikes a thing?
Honestly out of my 12 years racing gravel, it is by far the best gravel bike ive ridden.
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You’re right, they definitely aren’t too far off. The Seigla just has a slacker HTA and higher BB (less drop). The higher BB you mention is likely what makes it feel a bit twitchy.
My comment wasn’t a dig at the Seigla at all, and if anything, slacker HTA may make it a bit more preferred on gravel. My comment was moreso that the slight difference in geometry might make the the crux more ideal for someone looking to share their gravel bike for both road & gravel duties.
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