Icelandic brand Lauf, best known for its gravel race bikes, has joined the eMTB market with the eElja an electrified trail version of its Elja XC bike and a keep-it-simple philosophy. The eElja is a true SL eMTB, with a lightweight 130mm-travel frame, 140mm fork, compact 360Wh battery and TQs latest lightweight HPR60 motor contributing to a claimed weight of less than 17kg. Lauf wanted to build an eMTB for those who are happy to put a bit more effort into their assisted rides, who value the bikes handling and motor feel over all-out power. As per the non-powered Elja XC bike, Lauf employs a simple single-pivot design, while a bit of digging through TQs catalogue revealed a simpler solution to motor and battery displays. In doing so, Lauf has built an electric mountain bike that blends on-trail capability with a bit of subtle assistance in a package thats as fuss-free as they come. I travelled to Lauf's home in Iceland to see the new eElja and get in a first ride in its natural habitat. Read more: Best lightweight electric mountain bikes 2026 7 top-rated light eMTBs, plus our buyer's guide Simple but effective As eMTBs go, the eElja might be the most subtle-looking one around. Lauf The relationship to the non-assisted Elja is clear, with the two bikes sharing an almost identical silhouette. The front triangle has a deep head tube, which is slightly bulkier than the XC bike to cope with weight and the additional travel on offer, while the tubes form is a little more angular than on the XC bike. The down tubes svelte cross-section holds the 360Wh battery, with the charging port at the top of the tube. The motor is non-structural to the frame, so it shouldnt impact ride quality. Given its prominent position at the base of the bike, theres a guard to protect its leading edge from damage. Keeping it simple one single swingarm, no fancy linkages. Lauf Above and forward of the motor is the main pivot, from which the asymmetrical rear triangle emerges. In a nod to durability and serviceability, the main pivot consists of a SRAM DUB bottom bracket no proprietary or difficult-to-source bearings here, and as long as you have a DUB BB tool to hand, no bearing presses are needed when the bearings wear out. This system, says Lauf, is durable and stiff, while simplicity is a definite side benefit. Towards the back 2.6in tyres are broad, but they still squeeze in the rear swingarm. Lauf The main pivot is a touch lower than on the non-assisted Elja. This reduces the anti-squat value of the frame, providing a smoother ride, because theres less interaction between the chain and the suspension. With a motor adding some extra oomph, theres less requirement for the suspension to be as pedal-efficient as the XC-focused Elja. Lauf's LSP wings help isolate the shock from side-loading. Lauf The swingarm has two thin arms driving the shock, dubbed LSP. The Lauf Single Pivot systems arms are laterally flexible, designed to isolate the shock from lateral loads, which cause stiction and wear. The forward portion of the swingarm is built to be stiff, while flex is allowed further rearward in the arms, to ensure the rear wheel can track off-cambers and roots effectively. The shock sits lower in the frame, helping boost travel to 130mm over the 120mm offered with the Elja XC bike. To give the extra 10mm of suspension travel the eElja has over the Elja, Lauf has mounted the shock lower in the frame and lengthened the chainstays by 13mm. How its powered TQ's small HPR60 motor nestles behind carbon cranks on the top-end model. Lauf The Lauf team wanted to use TQs new HPR 60 motor because of its "elegant and fascinating" harmonic drive system. The brand was originally founded by a pair of prosthetic engineers, whose experience with glass fibre springs in prosthetic blades gave rise to Lauf's unique Trail Racer and Grit leaf-sprung suspension forks. Prosthetic knees, which founder Benedikt Skulason also worked on, use harmonic drive system motors, similar to those found in the HPR60. From the driveside, it's almost impossible to see the motor. Lauf The recently updated motor is IP67-rated against water and dust ingress something useful in Iceland, where rides frequently involve river crossings, and the wind can whip up rolling clouds of lava-based dust. The motor has up to 350W of assistance, with 60Nm of torque, placing it squarely in the lighter-weight and lower-assistance bracket. The three modes are pre-programmed to give 50%, 100% and 150% assistance up to 350W, although the modes can be tuned via the TQ app. While the 360Wh battery is small in comparison to most other eMTBs, this works with Laufs intention of building a true SL eMTB. The battery capacity and motor strength are subtle rather than punchy, with an aim of giving a more natural ride feel. A range extender can be used to boost your hill-climbing ability and it doesn't stop you from carrying a bottle, either. Lauf Should you want a little more juice, a 160Wh range extender can be fitted into the frame triangle, while still leaving room for a 500ml bottle, even on a small-sized bike. I measured a size-medium bike at 16.7kg, although it had lighter Goodyear Peak tyres fitted, rather than the more aggressive 2.6in Goodyear Escape Trail Max that will come fitted to the bike. Should you want the faster-rolling Peaks, they can be specced when ordering the bike. Keeping it simple Perhaps the neatest integration of a motor display we've seen. Lauf It feels like simplicity has been a key consideration during the construction of the eElja. The single-pivot suspension, with its DUB bottom bracket, is as pared down as it gets. This extends to the motors implementation, too. Rather than fit a large screen into the top tube, which increases weight and price, Lauf noticed the TQ catalogue included a small road bike bar-end display. This simple five-LED display shows basic battery and mode selection data. Lauf has used this as the only on-bike display for the system, placed on the top of the top tube. Its argument goes that if you need more data on the motor, its modes and other information, youre able to get this via your computer. The lineage from Elja to eElja is easy to see. Lauf With bikes designed for riders looking to go further, many will double up on displays, adding a bike computer to the bar for ride data and navigation. Likewise, with the frame being wireless-only gears and dropper the spare button on the SRAM AXS left-hand pod can be used to toggle through the motors three modes, thus removing an item of hardware from the bar. In practice, its an incredibly elegant solution. Well kitted out SRAM's Transmission groupsets feature on both builds. Lauf As hinted at, both models are fully wireless to keep the bike as fuss-free as possible. SRAMs AXS Transmission groupsets and AXS Reverb dropper keep the battery count high and cables non-existent. To keep handling calm, FSAs damped Honey stabilising headset bearings are fitted. These help filter out trail chatter through the bar. The Weekend Warrior build, priced at $6,990, comes with a GX Transmission, RockShox Pike Select fork and a Deluxe Select shock. If wireless brakes existed you know Lauf would spec them. Lauf The Race build ($8,490) comes with Select+ level Pike and Deluxe suspension, an X0 Transmission, carbon rims and cranks, and, in a nod to keeping the ride as smooth as possible, e*thirteen Sidekick hub. The hub disengages itself while freewheeling, so the chain cant tug on the rear wheel when the suspension compresses as such, theres little to no pedal feedback. Lauf eElja initial ride impressions Scurrying down a rock-laden ridge line in northern Iceland. Lauf So, how does the eElja ride? From the off, as per any lightweight eMTB, the eElja rides trails much like a non-powered mountain bike, but with a hint of additional smoothness and stability. The suspension system may be simple, but it's effective, offering decent control over hits large and small. With the pivot placement designed to give less intersection between chain and suspension, as well as the Sidekick hub in the rear, its incredibly smooth over trail ripples. On bigger hits, the bike eases into its mid-to-late stroke without any harshness. Wider tyres mean lower pressures I was running these well below 20psi even in rocky terrain. Lauf I didnt spend enough time on the bike with the more aggressive Goodyear Escape tyres, but my experience of the Peaks is that, even with minimal tread, in all but muddy conditions, there is far more grip on tap than the tread pattern might suggest. The Escapes have much chunkier tread blocks, so I should imagine grip levels will be high. While the travel figures aren't huge, the suspension is well-controlled, and those broad tyres do a good job, too. Lauf While Lauf hasnt gone wild with the geometry, the bike's shape is definitely modern. The head angle sits at 65 degrees, while reach figures across the four sizes range from 416mm to 502mm. Chainstays are moderately long at 448mm across all sizes, boosting the wheelbase for increased stability. The eElja proved confident on swooping woodland trails, wide-open rocky tracks and through the bike park at least in the context of it being a shorter-travel, lightweight trail bike. I was certainly happy giving it as much of a hammering as I was able to on blind tracks. The lightweight motor and battery dont offer the same punchy uphill performance as a full-power ebike motor does, and so if you were moving from a full-fat eMTB to a bike such as this, you will be putting more effort into your ascents. The HPR 60 motor isn't as punchy as full-fat motors see it more as a gentle push on your back, rather than a shove. Lauf But if youre coming from a non-assisted ride and are looking for a little extra help, the TQ HPR60 motor is one of the best out there. Its quiet, with minimal whirring or buzzing, adding to the very natural ride feel the motor provides. Theres no jerk as you set off from standing, instead a nice feed-in of power. Likewise, on rolling terrain, the motor doesnt give you a boot up the backside when you put in a few pedal strokes; it massages your efforts into something just a little more impressive. Push past the assistance level and the motor's resistance is almost zero, meaning the bike doesn't lose any zip when you're hauling. Lauf Laufs simple integration of the motor and battery is a nice counterpoint to the jungle of wires, displays and controllers that some eMTBs can suffer from. The system is integrated very neatly and not in your face. If you want a simple but effective assisted ride, where the motors performance isnt front and centre of your experience, Laufs eElja might be right up your street. Four colours will be offered Sley Yellow, Basalt Black, Geysir Gray & Borealis with bikes available directly from Lauf.