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Today’s Deals2025 Lauf
Elja Trail - Race
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$6,390| Weight | 26.8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 130mm |
| Fork | RockShox Pike Select+ |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | X0 Eagle Transmission, Eagle AXS |
| Power Meter | Integrated |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Bronze Stealth Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Elja model range
View Comparison5'1" – 5'7"
5'4" – 5'11"
5'9" – 6'4"
6'2" – 6'7"
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Summary
The Lauf Elja is a unique full-suspension trail bike that stands out in the short-travel MTB segment, designed with perseverance and adaptability in mind. It features a low-maintenance single-pivot suspension platform, generous tire clearance, and progressive cross-country geometry, offering a comfortable and efficient ride. While its unconventional design and focus on electronic drivetrains may not appeal to everyone, the Elja provides excellent value for money compared to competitors.
Unique full-suspension design
Low maintenance single-pivot suspension platform
Generous tire clearance and progressive geometry
Excellent value for money
Designed for perseverance and adaptability
Frame designed for electronic drivetrains only
Unconventional design may not appeal to all
Not the lightest frame in its category
Iceland absolutely blew us away!
Gran Fondo MagazinePerseverance is key to achieving any goal or dream
Gran Fondo MagazineThe value for money is certainly up there, especially when you compare the price of this with something like the Giant Anthem, the Scott Spark, or the Specialized Epic EVO.Pinkbike
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Jun 2025
Lauf turned a lot of heads when they released their first full suspension mountain bike, the Elja, last fall. And after spending the ...
Jan 2026 · Ron Koch
Lauf’s Elja cross-country bike blends single-pivot simplicity, wide tires, and RockShox Flight Attendant for surprising speed, stiffness, and trail confidence.
Oct 2025 · Dave Rome
A bike with not one, but two threaded bottom brackets.
Oct 2025
As cross-country is getting ever more demanding on bike and rider, modern XC bikes are beginning to look rather different. Case in point of the Lauf Elja. With it, the brand has taken a much simpler approach, and it’s paid off. With excellent trail manners both up and down, Lauf has created a versatile and light, but mega confident machine that marks an exciting future for cross-country. However, it suffers from heel rub, it’s wireless-only, its LSP system isn’t completely trouble-free, and some may disagree with its looks. Are cross-country bikes the new quiver killers?
Sep 2024 · Jordan Villella
The new Lauf Elja mountain bike is ready for action with 2.6" tires, 120mm of travel, and the capability to tackle more terrain than you can.
Sep 2024 · Robin Schmitt, Julian Schwede
We were one of the few magazines to test the new Lauf Elja. What is the Icelandic XC bike capable of?
Composed, predictable handling
Fast
Exceptional look and technology
Attractive price
Calls for compromises, both in terms of spec and design
Short-travel dropper post and weak brakes
Sep 2024 · Robin Schmitt
When drop bar riders think of Iceland, they usually picture epic gravel rides and legendary races like “The Rift”. But this land of fire and ice has so much more up its sleeve! We took the new Lauf Cycles Elja into the mountains, and what can we say? Iceland absolutely blew us away! I have […]
Sep 2024 · Jessie-May Morgan
A single-pivot 120mm XC bike with room for extra wide tires, from the ones that brought you leaf sprung forks.
| Frame | Lauf IRM* Elja carbon frame, 29x2.8/3.0" tire clearance**, Boost148, LSP, 120mm travel BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Colors: Basalt Black - Glossy; Bilberry Blue - Glossy; Zeolite Green - Glossy; Jasper Orange - Glossy |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Pike Select+, 29x2.8" claimed tire clearance, Boost110, 130mm travel Travel: 130mm |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ 2 Position, 190x45mm Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB BSA73 |
| Headset | FSA Orbit, IS 42/52 (36°lower), damped Honey bearings |
| Stem | FSA Comet Φ35 (S:35mm , M-XL: 50mm) |
| Handlebar | Lauf Mtn Bar, 780mm wide, Ø35mm |
| Saddle | Fizik Vento Argo X5 140mm, OEM version |
| Seatpost | RockShox Reverb AXS, Ø31.6mm Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Lauf bolt-on grips |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Eagle Transmission X0, wireless shifting |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission Power Meter Crankset 32t, 170mm, 55CL |
| Power Meter | Single-sided SRAM AXS power meter |
| Shifters | SRAM AXS PODS, wireless shifting |
| Cassette | SRAM XS-1275 Eagle Transmission Cassette, 12 speed, 10-52t |
| Chain | SRAM Eagle Transmission X0, flat-top, 118 links |
| Brakes | SRAM Level Bronze Stealth 4-Piston Type: SRAM Level Bronze Stealth Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Zipp 1Zero HiTop S, 29", carbon, 6-bolt, XD freehub, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Tires | Goodyear Peak 2.6" Tubeless Complete 120tpi |
| Disc Rotors | SRAM Centerline Ø180mm, 6-Bolt |
First added September 25
Last updated March 21
Not listed for 69 days