Lynskey Riders - Help Needed Please!
 

Hi Folks,

I am getting ready to do a new build - and I think it's either gonna be a Sportive (non-disc) or a Cooper CX (disc). Both very nice frames, similar geometry. I already have a carbon 'gofast' bike (Masi Premiare), an old warhorse of a Trek 520, and an '01 LS Tuscany, looking for a little more relaxed geometry in a Ti frame. I have ridden the Cooper, really nice and smooth (and lighter than you'd think), never ridden a Sportive. My goal is to get down to just a couple of bikes for everything.

I do about 125 mis a week on training runs and club rides, as well as some long-distance tours (2-3 per year), and the Cooper looks like a great mix of light, robust, functional, versatile, etc. The Sportive has rack mounts as well, and is probably a gram or two lighter, but is limited in tire size (although I think 28c is pretty robust). I've been told it's a nice endurance roadie, but not spectacular in any one area.

I know the Cooper is listed as a cross bike, but it seems to be a good option for lots of different things. I am not a Cx biker or mountain biker, but do hit gravel roads from time to time - and chipseal. A good bit of chipseal that seems to shakes my fillings when I'm on the CF bike......

The CooperCx will be a bit more expensive to build since I'd have to buy new disc wheels, brakes, etc. But I can pull my expensive wheels off my LS and put 'em on the Sportive.

Have any Lynskey riders owned either / both of these? Or, any really good insight as to the comparative use of each? The Cooper seems like a commuter/tour/endurance/pretty fast/ etc, but the Sportive is relaxed, compliant, and a nice all-day ride. Im gonna pull the trigger this weekend before my wife changes my mind......

I appreciate any insight from Lynskey experts.

Thanks!!!

Call them up and tell them all about what you want. They can make a frame to order, too.

Hmmm, I don't have those models but I have a R265 they built for me last winter. The quality is top-notch in my book.

I worked with a rep on mine and they were really helpful to get me into what I needed without pressuring the sale. Great to deal with, really!

Now about the 28c tire thing. On my bike with the upgraded Lynskey carbon fork I cannot fit a Continental GP 4000s 700 x 28 tire. Once inflated it's pretty much jammed in there and won't rotate. We do know those run large to size but just wanted to point that out. You might want to pay special attention to that on the models you are considering if that matters to you.

My bike does ride really nice. The back end certainly does have a lot of compliance to it in terms of soaking up the road imperfections. Mine was perfectly comfortable on a century not that long ago. But to be honest, my steel framed Giordana XL Super was even more comfortable on a century the week prior. And last weekend I did a century on my old LeMond Ventoux which does fit the Continental 700 x 28c tires and has a sweet Brooks saddle it was even more comfortable than either of the other two bikes.

My bike climbs very well also as it's equipped with an compact double - 11-32 Ultegra 11 speed setup. But it's not as responsive when you stand up and pedal as some of my other bikes. Not something you'd probably notice unless you have other bikes.

I bought my Lynskey as my "dream bike" after saving up for a few years. But since getting it I found and built up the Giordana mentioned above and crazy as it may be I prefer the steel bike over the Lynskey. The Lynskey is a really great bike but for me it doesn't offer me anything over a couple of my older steel bikes. I'm even thinking about taking the loss on it and selling it since it's too nice to sit around.

But, I'm a bit of an odd bird. I can definitely recommend Lynskey as a quality product. Sorry I can't offer more insight on the models you are questioning.

jamesdak, do you run wide rims with the 28 mm tires that won't fit? That makes the tire larger than its nominal standard in both height and width. The nominal size standards were established in the days of only 13-14 mm interal width rims.

I have a 2011 Sportive that I picked up used 3 years ago. It does have a very relaxed geometry. Very comfortable on long rides. I have not ridden any other Lynskey models (in fact, I have never seen another one in person), so I don't know how it would compare to the Cooper.

Yes and no. ;)

On the Lynskey I tried them first with the "upgraded" Team 30 wheels which are a bit wider. On those the Conti tires measured over 31 width on the front at 70 psi.

I also tried them on my old Williams System 30s which have around 13-14 mm internal width if I remember correctly. They are supposedly Kinlin XR300 according to Williams when I had to replace the rear rim. Anyway, mounted on those it still did not clear on the front fork. I don't remember if I took the time to measure the tires on those rims though.

Something I forgot about though. I had a lot of bad luck with the Enve single bolt seatpost. Just could not get it to hold. I weigh around 180 lbs. Lynskey said to use more torque than stated but that didn't help. I'd hit a bump and boom saddle rotates. I contacted Enve themselves and they said to use friction paste instead of grease inside the clamp head. To be honest I haven't tried that. I just replaced it with another seatpost and have been trouble free.

If you go with the Lynskey you might want to confirm what seatpost you are going to get. I understand the 2 bolt Enve design works find....

I've got a 2009 Lynskey R330 with just over 36,600 miles to date. So I can't speak to the specific models you're asking about, but I can talk about dealing with Lynskey and general build impressions.

I bought it as a "lifetime" bike and every time I ride it I just confirm that idea. I love it.

My only complaints are minor - the headbadge discolored easily (I'm on #2) and the decals seem to lack any clearcoat so they scratch off easily.

I ordered my bike directly from Lynskey without ever riding one. They recommended a "medium" sized frame and in hindsight I maybe should have gotten a size smaller. I'm likely between the 2 sizes and could fit either, but I've always thought my top tube was just a hair too long.

Anyway, I'd order another Lynskey in a heartbeat.

Thanks! Just got back from test-riding hte Cooper Cx - about 43 mis in plus-100 heat index - and it really is a nice platform. Very smooth, but not that quick (longer wheelbase than my Tuscany of course, plus the 28c tires on it, plus I think the Stan's wheels are around 16-1700 grams as opposed to my sub-1400 wheels on the other bikes). It can be pretty quick, but certainly not like my Masi or my LS - quickness is valuable when pulling out of a stop light around my area. Once you get to speed, it's fine, but requires a little more work on climbs. I like the disc brakes, but are they the panacea everyone says they are? I dunno about that.

What got this started is I am considering selling the Tuscany frame and my Trek 520 steel tourer (God's bike), and pick up another Ti frame that's a little more versatile - comfy ride and some light touring (as I age, I've found that Motel 6's can be more comfy than a ul tent.....). Plus there's the posture thing - sort of like the Lemonds (another bike for the gods...) my LS is a little stretchy on the frame reach these days. I've thought about getting an extension on the steerer, but I HATE THEM. Blasphemy to do that to a Tuscany! Tuscany is a great bike, light and fast, I;m just considering options on a 'do more than one thing' bike.

So if I could get out of my head the notion that I have to average 20 mph every time I go out, and harden up the Masi a little, I'd be happier with the Cooper I tested today.

BTW, my LS won't accept a Conti GP 4000 25c, I have 23c Bontrager R3 tubeless on it right now. Well, it will barely take a 25c GP400, but with only about 1mm clearance between the rear tire and the derailleur clamp - too close for comfort for me. But it will use Vittoria 23's and the R3's extremely well - I am running some Rubino pros on another bike in 25c, and they are great tires imho. And pretty cheap from the UK shops.

I actually have spoken with Lynskey, they are a great help, I will probably call them again today.

Basically, I need the following: Ti. Fast. Weightless. Can run a self-supported tour. Climbs by itself. Free.


Any Sportive drivers here?

This has that seatpost - and when I dialed the bike in last night I learned how to use it - I like the wedge system, but it can be a little funky. They do recommend light grease on the flat sliding surfaces of the wedges, but not the rounded surfaces. seemed fine to me. Thanks.

Kind of where I am - really dial in the geometry, then keep it forever. And if I can kill the overnight platform at the same time, then that's a bonus! Question is is the Sportive enough of a bike to do that.

A good friend of mine told me the Sportive is "like a station wagon - very comfy but not too adventurous", while teh "Cooper CX is more of a BMW". But I don't know.

sc

Headbadge can be removed and polished to keep it looking new. Their frames, being unpainted Ti, have no clearcoat, so a little decal damage is to be expected. They now have the option of CNC machined logos that are attached with screws, but a lot of people complain that they shred bike clothing. I'll deal with scratched decals, and just pony up for a new set once and awhile, or just remove them with some solvent and go anonymous.

Would you take the Sportive on a multi-day trip? Light touring? Credit Card Touring?

Have you looked at the Lynskey Viale Disc? Accepts slightly larger tires, has all the rack and fender mounts plus it uses a standard external cup 1 1/8" headset.

My only issue is sizing as the geometry is a bit different. I'm stuck between a M and ML but both are so close I'm not sure I could go wrong either way (I'm 5'10"-ish with longer legs).

I spoke with Lynskey today, they say the Viale is a light tourer - with emphasis on 'light'. More of a commuter, or maybe a credit-card tourer w some loading but not an awful lot. Haven't looked at one, but looking at the geometry, this has an upright ride - relatively short top tubes, bigger bb drop, steeper angles, etc. The frame reach is pretty short as well, whereas the Cooper CX has about a 39 cm reach in Large, the Viale reach is only about 36 cm (that'sa lot shorter). Sounds like a upright-sitting bike that is great for long legs and moderate torso.Which describes me w a 34 inseam at 6' tall. Hmmmmm.

The Urbana is a Cooper CX but with cables routed under the downtube instead of on top of the top tube. The backroads is too much bike. BTW, the Cooper Cx weighs in at about 19.1 lbs without my Look pedals but with two H2O cages. Not the lightest, but..... did I mention how much my ole Trek 520 weighs? Back when bikes were 4130 and men were brave? 28 lbs empty!

Still leaning towards the Cooper CX or the Sportive....


Anyone else?

I certainly do not want to derail the thread, and in no way want to disparage a great bike or Lynskey in general, but the discoloration on the head tube badge went beyond polishing at about year 3. Lynskey agreed and gave me a new badge.


http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/...pshcjflxch.jpg

There are two differences I don't think I've seen mentioned. The rear spacing is 135 on the Cooper, 130 on the Sportive. That will influence wheel choice. The BB drop is greater on the Sportive, makes it easier to get on and off and put a foot down at a stoplight. (Sorry, I can't trackstand.) I've seen a Sportive being used as a tourer. Had a steel fork with rack mounts. Consider the tire size you want to run and check with Lynskey for their latest thoughts. My Peloton was advertised as taking 28s but with the cheaper Lynskey carbon fork and GP4000s on Pacentis, it's too close on the front. Fine in the back, so a different fork would probably solve it.

All the Lynskey disc bikes/framesets are on sale until the end of the month. That alone will probably allow you to buy a decent set of 135mm disc wheels.

Also, I once tried a 'cross bike as a tourer, gravel grinder, etc. I hated it. The geometry was probably too "race cross" for what I intended, but still be careful about getting a cross bike. Check the geometry closely first. Doesn't the Cooper have the higher cross BB?

Yes, that's right. the Cooper Cx BB drop is slightly less - about .3cm - than the Sportive.

I think I may need to look at other options as well.

Thanks, I will let you guys know!
Any other comments are welcome!

I actually kinda like that... has a nice vintage patina...

If I were going for a Lynsky, I'd get this one:

https://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-m0s28...0.1280.jpg?c=2

I'm ordering a Viale for my "do-it-all" bike and I'll let you know how it is. I probably won't gravel grind much with it, but if I do I should be able to find an adequate tire to put on it given the extra room it allows. Chip/seal though it'll definitely see.

I've been thinking of switching to Ti from my Masi Premiare PC3 recently. I want a forever bike and I am not sure what to do. Do I drop the money and go for a nice build or do I find a Bikes Direct Ti build that I think will do? Hard decisions with stuff I can't really get out to ride anywhere.

The R150LE complete bike with105 seems pretty nice for $1995. Easy to upgrade the components down the road and those etched graphics are cool.

While the Bikes Direct Ti used to make sense about 3 years ago, it doesn't so much anymore--especially when you can get a USA built Lynskey frameset (with full warranty) for around $1500 (or less, depending upon model). Some of Lynskey's full bikes are around $2K.

Dude, I HAVE a Masi Premiare PC3 now, have had it for 2 years (its a 2013). Sort of a love-hate relationship for awhile, but after I got it dialed in it is SWEET! The 105's on it, while not the sexiest gruppo, is still one of the most reliable and long-lived. The thing I did was to put new Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels on her, also got rid of the Kenda 26c tires and swapped out the 110 stem for a 100.. Running Vittoria 25's right now but have had Conti GP4000's on it and it is a very comfortable ride. It does have a pretty healthy ETT, but the frame reach is very reasonable. Pretty solid ride imho.

As far as the Bikesdirect, they have some very nice deals on Ti bikes all the time if you can find your size. But I agree, the other makers are becoming more competitive with their platforms now, even to the point of a good price comparison. Lynskey is offering big discounts on all disc frames right now, may wanna look at them. Keep in mind, though, if you build it yourself, better get your wallet out. It ain't cheap.....

Cheers.