While it all began with a passion for mountain biking, Lauf founder and CEO Benedikt Skúlason and his team have maintained a strong focus on their cycling roots. This led to the development of an innovative, trail-legal mountain bike that embodies the spirit of both speed and versatility. • The Lauf Elja was designed to be a progressive suspension bike that allows riders to choose between a 120mm fork travel and a 66-degree head tube angle for the XC version, or a 130mm fork travel and a 65.6-degree head tube angle for the trail version. • Lauf aims to revolutionise the approach to trail tyres by demonstrating that wider is often faster, as seen in gravel racing developments. • According to Skúlason, the Elja features an industry-challenging tyre width with 2.6in tyres in its XC build, which is ideal for efficiency, speed, and versatility. • In contrast, many XC racers still ride on narrower tyres, as seen in the current 2.1in tyre norms, which can be attributed to the mental hurdle of changing the perception of speed associated with wider tyres. table:
| Mountain Bike Tyre Size and Performance | Current 2.1in Tyre | 2.6in Tyre |
| Efficiency | Narrower tyres cause excessive friction, resulting in slower speeds. | Wider tyres reduce friction, allowing for increased efficiency and speeds. |
| Speed | Smaller tyres often lead to reduced speed, as seen in the current 2.1in tyre norms. | Increased tyre width improves roll resistance, resulting in increased speeds. |
| Versatility | Narrower tyres may not provide the necessary cushioning on rough terrain. | Wide tyres offer improved stability and roll resistance, making them ideal for trails with varied terrain. |
“We don’t just believe that mountain bike suspension is needlessly complicated in its execution by many other brands – we know it is. It’s just physics,” says Skúlason, assessing the state of mountain bike design in 2025. The Lauf Elja features a Lauf Single Pivot (LSP) rear-suspension design, which eliminates unnecessary complexity in suspension system while achieving impressive performance. “By leaving no stone unturned in making our design as efficient as possible, we can save weight,” explains Skúlason. The LSP rear-suspension concept enables the brand to reinvest some of the grams saved to improve the frame’s robustness. Lauf has also integrated its leaf spring know-how into the flex-arms. These prevent undesirable lateral loads from causing damage to the rear shock. The new Elja mountain bike is available in either XC or Trail builds, differing with a slacker head tube angle of 65.6 degrees for the aggressive Trail build, and either a 120mm or 130mm fork. The Elja XC features a RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock, while the Elja Trail boasts a wide range of specs, including the RockShox Sid fork offering 2.6in clearance up front for the XC model, and the RockShox Pike yielding 2.8in for the Elja Trail. By incorporating the Elja into its product line, Lauf aims to challenge traditional perceptions of speed in mountain biking and bring a fresh perspective to the sport. The Elja Trail Ultimate Rift Experience package in Iceland offers an immersive experience for Lauf customers, where riders can test their new bike amidst challenging terrain and enjoy VIP treatment. Key Features:
• Lauf Elja XC:
- Progressive suspension design with 120mm fork travel and a 66-degree head tube angle
- Lauf Single Pivot (LSP) rear-suspension concept for efficiency and performance
- Industry-challenging tyre width with 2.6in tyres, ideal for efficiency, speed, and versatility
- RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
- Available in two premium specs priced at $6,990 and $8,290
• Lauf Elja Trail:
- Slacker head tube angle of 65.6 degrees for the aggressive Trail build
- Lauf Single Pivot (LSP) rear-suspension concept for efficiency and performance
- Wide range of tyre options including 2.6in tyres and 2.8in tyres
- RockShox Sid fork offering 2.6in clearance up front for the XC model and RockShox Pike yielding 2.8in for the Elja Trail
- Available in various specs, priced from $4,590 to $8,290
The Lauf Elja Mountain Bike: Redefining Efficiency and Speed
Lauf has introduced the Elja mountain bike, designed to revolutionise the approach to trail tyres and challenge traditional perceptions of speed in mountain biking. With its progressive suspension design and Lauf Single Pivot (LSP) rear-suspension concept, the Elja aims to provide riders with an efficient, fast, and versatile riding experience. Fresh Perspective in Mountain Biking
Lauf’s focus on innovative technology and design has led to the creation of the Elja, which embodies the spirit of mountain biking. The Elja features a variety of progressive features, including tyre width, suspension design, and fork travel. Lauf’s emphasis on efficiency and speed is evident in the Elja’s design, with a focus on wider tyres and reduced friction for improved roll resistance. Innovative Suspension Design
The Lauf Single Pivot (LSP) rear-suspension concept is a key feature of the Elja, providing a lightweight and efficient design without compromising on trail capability. “By leaving no stone unturned in making our design as efficient as possible, we can save weight,” explains Skúlason, demonstrating Lauf’s commitment to innovation and efficiency. The LSP rear-suspension concept enables the brand to reinvest some of the grams saved to improve the frame’s robustness, ensuring the Elja can handle demanding terrain. Tyre Width Revolution
Lauf’s focus on tyre width has led to a revolution in the approach to trail tyres, demonstrating that wider is often faster. The Elja XC features a 2.6in tyre, ideal for efficiency, speed, and versatility. Lauf has challenged traditional perceptions of speed in mountain biking, and the Elja is designed to bring a fresh perspective to the sport. Immersive Riding Experience
Lauf has integrated a variety of innovative features into the Elja, including a RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock. The Elja Trail offers an immersive experience for Lauf customers, with the option to test their new bike amidst challenging terrain and enjoy VIP treatment in Iceland. Unmatched Performance
The Elja features a RockShox Sid fork offering 2.6in clearance up front for the XC model, and the RockShox Pike yielding 2.8in for the Elja Trail, providing unmatched performance and efficiency. The Elja Trail also boasts a slacker head tube angle of 65.6 degrees, ideal for aggressive Trail riders. Exclusive Offer
Lauf has partnered with the Rift five-day MTB stage race to offer an immersive experience for Lauf customers in Iceland. Riders can test their new bike amidst challenging terrain and enjoy VIP treatment as part of the Elja Trail Ultimate Rift Experience package. The Elja mountain bike represents a new era in mountain biking, with its innovative features and revolutionary approach to trail tyres. By challenging traditional perceptions of speed and bringing a fresh perspective to the sport, the Elja has the potential to inspire a new generation of riders to take their skills to the next level.
