The Icelandic eMTB: TQ Power & Single-Pivot Tech

Lauf has never been a brand to follow the herd. Born in the rugged, wind-blasted landscapes of Iceland, they first turned heads with the Grit, a wild-looking carbon leaf-spring fork. Now, they’re bringing the performance through simplicity ethos to the eMTB world with the launch of the eElja – the brand’s first-ever e-bike.

The eElja is a super-light eMTB designed to meet the growing demand for lighter, more efficient eMTBs that don’t put power and torque over everything else. And personally, I’m all for this refocus on efficiency and weight over raw power.

The Lauf HQ is based in Iceland, the frames are made in China, and the bikes are assembled in the USA, making this a true melting pot of an eMTB. Although the aesthetics might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the weight and unique design are sure to be intriguing…

The Secret Sauce: TQ HPR60 Power

Lauf didn’t just slap any motor on this frame. They went with the TQ HPR60 drive system, which is currently the gold standard for anyone who values a lightweight, quiet, natural ride over raw, pure power – something I really appreciate.

If you saw my review of the Norco Sight VLT TQ, you’ll know how fond I am of this motor, and seeing more bike brands shift their priorities away from massive amounts of power and torque is wonderful.

• The Numbers: 60Nm of torque from a compact 350W motor.
• The Battery: 360Wh integrated battery, but if you’re planning an all-day epic, there’s an optional 160Wh range extender that can handle up to 2000m of climbing on full assist.
• The Vibe: This system is tiny and nearly silent, keeping the bike’s profile slim and the ride feel remarkably “analog”.

Simplicity is Speed: The LSP Suspension

While Lauf is famous for leaf springs, the eElja utilizes its LSP (Lauf Suspension Platform) design. It’s a robust single-pivot setup that ditches complex linkages in favor of reliability and weight savings. One of the most unique aspects of the LSP design is the implementation of an SRAM Dub bottom bracket as the main pivot. How’s that for simplicity?

• Travel: It’s a mid-travel ripper with 140mm up front and 130mm in the rear, handled by premium RockShox suspension.
• Tire Clearance: This is where it gets interesting. The frame fits up to 29×3.0” tires, giving you the option to run some serious “meat” for maximum traction on loose terrain.
• Weight: At just 36.6 lbs (16.6 kg), the eElja is lighter than some non-electric mountain bikes, which is pretty wild for a bike with a motor and battery.

The Builds & Pricing

Lauf is keeping the lineup lean with two distinct flavors, both featuring full carbon frames and wireless SRAM AXS shifting.

Both builds come in four colors inspired by the Icelandic landscape: Sóley Yellow, Basalt Black, Geysir Gray, and Borealis. Plus, they’re backing the frame with a 7-year warranty, which says a lot about their confidence in that carbon layup.

Both models are available now over at laufcycles.com

Takeaway

Lauf’s transition into the eMTB space is not shocking, seeing as this is the fastest-growing segment of the bike industry right now. But by sticking to their philosophy and pairing it with the lightweight TQ motor and their LSP suspension, they’ve created a bike that looks right at home in their lineup. If you’re a fan of Icelandic engineering and want a bike that doesn’t feel like a tank, the eElja is definitely worth a look.