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So - I have a Cannondale Gravel bike with the kingpin soft tail "suspension" system. It's great, and really smooths trails out but it's certainly not like riding a FS bike. I love it for what I use it for, but the bars are shockingly harsh compared to the back end.
I recently injured my shoulder in a comedy OTB moment on a tiny step down on my MTB and my last ride out on the gravel really shook the shoulder to the point where I nearly turned back. In the past I've wondered about a Redshift Elastomer stem to take the sting out of the bars in the same way the kingpin takes the sting out of, well, the rear end, but I've never managed to bring myself to install what feels like such a cludgy solution on a bike where the soft tail really is an elegant solution (IMHO).
I read a couple of posts (here?) about Lauf Smoothie bars and they seem like just the ticket. I bought a set and installed them, and after a bit of a faff trying to get the bar tape and the cables routed neatly (I'm rubbish at this, and the shape of the bars seems to make it even harder - they tops of the bar are a flat "wing" shape profile), I fitted them last weekend and went for a ride last night. My hope was the flex would work in a similar way to the soft tail.
Well, I was absolutely blown away. They're amazing. On fire road / tow path like riding the chatter is all but gone, but they don't feel flexy at all. They just feel really, really smooth. On bigger hits they don't feel like suspension but do soak up the harsh jarring that the old (aluminium) bars just sent straight through to my back teeth via most of the rest of my upper body.
They are substantially better than I'd ever hoped they would be after one reasonable quick 70k ride last night. Unless something dramatic goes wrong with them, I'd have another set in the blink of an eye, and if they bring out a MTB bar I'd seriously look at using one too.
That does sound impressive. Nice one.
I found that going to wide, flexy ,flared bars transformed by riding on the drops offroad.(Salsa Cowchipper 440)
Don't hang around/steer on the hoods as much and it all feels more comfortable and in control on faster sections now.
So... they're just carbon bars? What makes them any different from others, do they have some sort of Spank vibrocore or Bianchi kevlar damping thing going on?
My hands were crying out for some front suspension after 450km over 4 days at the weekend, but all solutions currently available mess with the position of the bars, I need a 12 degree suspension stem or something like the Smoothie bars but with a 20mm rise...
My hands were crying out for some front suspension after 450km over 4 days at the weekend, but all solutions currently available mess with the position of the bars, I need a 12 degree suspension stem or something like the Smoothie bars but with a 20mm rise…
Perfect 🙂 🙂
Haha, are quill stems compatible with carbon steerers? What's the worst that could happen...
TBF I always thought a Cannondale 800 CX with a Headshok and a Thudbuster combo would have been awesome for offroad tours.
they’re just carbon bars? What makes them any different from others, do they have some sort of Spank vibrocore or Bianchi kevlar damping thing going on?
Based on their own information they use a bit of their S2 Glass Fiber to provide shock absorption and impact resistance along with carbon fiber for stiffness.
I've not seen any other information on where or how they use this glass fiber.
They've built up quite a bit of engineering knowledge on the S2 glass fibers they use as the springs in their forks so it seems tangible.
Looks interesting bars do make a difference even just on road, i've used some bars that are pretty jarring over the course of a long road ride, and others that are a bit more comfortable.
Based on their own information they use a bit of their S2 Glass Fiber to provide shock absorption and impact resistance along with carbon fiber for stiffness.
Yes this. If you lean (hard) on the ends of the bars and push downwards, they do move a tiny bit, I think. But they don't flex, or at least don't feel flexy, when just riding along. By all accounts they have incorporated some things they've learned from making those springy bits for their forks into the bars. I'm no engineer, but it really does make a lot more difference than I thought it would.
EDITed to make it a little bit clear how much (or how little, actually) I feel they move.
So many forks get criticised for being harsh when it's really the bars. I have a bike with a really stiff fork but with the right bars it's great, no problem.
Yes this. If you lean (hard) on the ends of the bars and push downwards, they do move a tiny bit, I think. But they don’t flex, or at least don’t feel flexy, when just riding along. By all accounts they have incorporated some things they’ve learned from making those springy bits for their forks into the bars. I’m no engineer, but it really does make a lot more difference than I thought it would.
The amount of flex needed for this effect is small, small enough that a metal tube can also do it. Composites certainly can refine it if needed.
So many forks get criticised for being harsh when it’s really the bars. I have a bike with a really stiff fork but with the right bars it’s great, no problem.
I already kinda new that. Big burly 35mm stiff bars really feel stiff even on a suspension fork, and I was pretty sure that bars (or a stem) were a better solution for my back teeth than a fork. And it was cheaper 🙂
The amount of flex needed for this effect is small, small enough that a metal tube can also do it. Composites certainly can refine it if needed.
I realise this. Now 🙂 I expected it to improve things, I'm just staggered what a difference it makes, and how not particularly obvious it is when you just try to flex them.
TBF I always thought a Cannondale 800 CX with a Headshok and a Thudbuster combo would have been awesome for offroad tours.
They make a Topstone with a Lefty fork now. 650b only (because of the fork). I'd be curious how they ride, but to be honest, I don't think it's what I'm looking for personally. My Topstone is about where I feel I need it in the stiff/efficient <-> compliant/gnar spectrum now.
Looks like they combine glass fibre with carbon to increase shock absorption:
https://www.laufcycling.com/product/lauf-smoothie?currency=gbp
"MATERIAL
Carbon Fiber / S2 Glass Fiber
Utilizes composite materials in an optimal way. Using carbon fiber where you want stiffness and minimal weight, using military-spec glass fiber where you want shock absorption and impact resistance."
Seem to recall GT making similar claims about their use of glass fibre in tbe seat stays of their Grade gravel bike? I guess there might be something in it...
The sound interesting. I have a redshift shock stop and really like it and had been thinking of another one for another bike, but may consider this as there are only two rise options with the red shift and limited lengths, but with this you can use what ever stem you prefer.
Bumping this old thread... anyone riding these? No reviews out there, so keen on some feedback, I like the idea of these bars.
Interested too, I have a Redshift Shockstop, at first I thought it was doing its job perfectly but now am not sure, wondering if the undamped movement is creating a sort of 'jackhammer' effect, would carbon bars feel better damped?
I also have a Redshift stem. Wasn't convinced by the idea (partly because I had a Girvin Flexstem back in the day), but decided to take a pint because the reviews were good. I've only had a few rides on it, but I'm definitely sold. It does just what you'd reasonably hope / expect. It's nowhere near a suspension fork or big fat tyres (but if you want or need that then ride a mountain bike, duh), but it definitely does take the edge off the odd sharp hit, and smooth out the chatter that can be kind of tiring on long rides. Maybe one day I'll try the seatpost too (I had USE posts in the 90s too!).
Spank also do [url= https://spank-ind.com/pages/spank-gravel ]Vibrocore gravel bars[/url] which look a slightly cheaper option to the Laufs. It'd be interesting to see how they compare.
Have just been reading up on same thing!
The biggest benefit of the Spank bars is that they might actually be available to buy, and less than £200...
Buuuut... reviews seem a bit muted, they talk about deadening bumps a bit but not much about flex etc. The bars also apparently come supplied with gel pads which seems a bit of cop-out or at least would confuse the feeling of bumps being absorbed, is it just the gel pad?
Shall persevere with the Shockstop stem, think I just need to add heavier elastomers but am worried this will just increase the rebound!
The Spanks have either too much or too little flare for me, and my frame isn't due until Sept, the Laufs are available before that. Its probably either the Laufs or a set of EC70 AX I think.
Where are you getting the Laufs from?
The Redshift stem … if they sold just the extensions on their own, so you could change the length of the stem without buying a whole new stem, I’d give one a go.
Anything like these in flat MTB form?
My Lauf Smoothie bars turned up last week. Not fitted them yet but will update after first rides. Bought them from Lauf direct.
Bought them from Lauf direct.
Was that from the US? Did you get stung for extra fees etc?
Ta
I paid £195 and didn’t have to pay any taxes or customs charges. They were ordered on the 27th April and turned up last week. I’m guessing they were out of stock for a while.
OK that's cool, if you convert currency to GBP they say £195 with no extra fees.
Availability is late August in 44cm.
Would be a nice addition to my dream build, if I ever hit the button on that custom frame I've been deliberating over for 12 months now...
I've a complete Lauf bike and so far the bars seem very good, very comfortable.You buy direct from them in Iceland and the bike came direct in less than a week ,once shipped, with no additional fees. Doesn't come through the eu so assume brevity hasn't really affected it. The rest of the bike is pretty good too!
£200 for a set of bars sounds a bit steep (especially when they're crashed a couple of times). Is there no cheaper alternatives?
There are lots of cheaper alternatives. Most carbon ones from reputable manufacturers are over £100 (and £200 is pretty typical), but aluminium ones can be anything from about £15 (see e.g. Selcof ones from Planet X). Fancy expensive ones are lighter and have some damping properties. You pays your money, you takes your choice.
I got some Brand-X carbon drop bars for a lot less than that (appear to be about £70 now) and you can see the flex in them, they are super comfy (compared to the bog stock aluminium bars that came on the Cube Attain) but I wish they had a bit more flare on them.
These look interesting. I've had to switch out the stock bars on my Ridley Kanzo fast as they are stupidly narrow & currently running some ordinary aluminium ones which are way too stiff. I think i'll be ordering some of these asap.
I know there are plenty of other bars out there that cost a lot less and ones that cost about the same. But my question was is there an alternative pair of bars that are similar to the Lauf ones but more affordable?
@pete68 do you mind me asking where your delivery came from? I've ordered a bike not expecting it until August but DHL have just emailed saying I'm getting a package from Taiwan from lauf on Monday (they are sending me bar tape as well as they can't swap the braking sides).
Yep came from Taiwan. Didn't get any bar tape though. Which model are you getting? We're loving ours so far.
True grit weekend warrior. Seemed to be pretty good value. The thought of a little bit of give in the front swung it really.
I'd asked if it was possible for them to swap the brake sides, they offered to pay if I took it to lbs and send new bartape.
But my question was is there an alternative pair of bars that are similar to the Lauf ones but more affordable?
Spank Vibrocore for £80, aluminium with a foam core for damping, allows thinner walled tubing to encourage a bit more flex.
Reviews are a bit meh though compared to orangespyderman's testimony above, just need to do some sleuthing and make sure he's not a shill for Lauf! 😁
Ended up with a set of Eaxton EC70s from bike-components, were on sale and looked too good to turn down. Arrived today, they are frighteningly light.
My guess is that S2 Glass is what is commonly known as S Glass in the world of fiber glassing (i know it from surfboards). Its a higher quality and stronger form of bog standard fiber glass (known as E Glass).
Carbon fiber is just a lay up of woven fibers, its common in surfboard construction to mix carbon, s glass and e glass. So basically these bars are just mixing less stiff fiber glass into the lay up. Its a low tech solution but they would need to refine this to get the strength / weight / flex correct.
I've got the SPANK Wing 12 Vibrocore™ Drop Bar on my RAG+, they've been, er, variable. Sometimes I quite like them, mainly when running around on back country roads. Sometime I loath them, mainly when running around on rock hard, horse hoof chewed up bridleways.
They've certainly reduced the hand numbness I used to suffer from, but not totally eliminated it; I also run their gel pads under the bar tape. After long days, +200km, on multi-surface rides, the upper body is noticeably fatigued, sore and feeling battered. I'm considering replacing them with Lauf Smoothies, which should probably tell you everything you need to know.
Funny this should get bumped, I've finally ordered a set of Smoothies from Synergy Cycles in Auchterarder.
They're big fans of Lauf so also ordered a few spare sets, should you wish to purchase from the UK 😎
I'd quite fancy a set of the Lauf for my Packing bike, if they made them a bit wider; I've grown accustomed to and very much like the broader alloy bars I already have.
Meantime, and a bit off-thread, I followed the links to the CC website and looked at the dream Ti build article. They seem to have Hope RX4 calipers hooked up to Shimano GRX levers. How can that be? I thought Hope only use Dot fluid and Shimano only use mineral oil and never the twain shall meet... Anyone know what's going on there?
I'd always understood that Hope did a Shimano version and an SRAM version?
I thought Hope only use Dot fluid and Shimano only use mineral oil and never the twain shall meet… Anyone know what’s going on there?
Hope make replacement brake calipers for road/gravel and you can choose the DOT version or the mineral version. I've currently got one on order to replace a leaky ultegra caliper on my gravel bike.
Just checked Hope- right enough, they do a Shimano & Sram specific versions. That's a pleasant surprise.