Clichy,
What I'm about to say is just my opinion.
The bike build as a whole is very nice. Ti tubes for the R300 are very nice with how they shaped them. The integration of a CNC machines interface to attach the the right side chain stay is just ok, As far as looks and aesthetics it is what I referred to as "industrial look" comment in the post prior.

The bike is a bit twitchy when fast descending, I think that is part of the head tube angle you get use to it. The Bottom bracket area too me now, seems to flex a bit If I intentionally stand on the pedal with the crank arm at 6 o'clock and I lay my weight into it. My 2001 litespeed does not. (I weigh 204lbs) so I'm not a light weight. (started at 285lbs in june 21, trying to get too 175lbs by aug 22)

The Di2 is pretty interesting if you are coming from traditional shifting. Personality I enjoy it, but for some reason it has some quirks, I need to figure out if it is me or it's just the way it is. shifting is very crisp going up and down the cassette. Going from, small chain ring (34) to the Big ring (50)is super smooth, The chain does seem to stay in contact with the front derailleur longer than I'm use too but Di2 auto trims. Might have to play with the shift speed in Shimano's e-tube project.

The HED Ardennes Performance RA wheelset has been solid, been down some trashy Texas FM's with really broke up chip seal and they have stayed true. Tires, Kenda Valkyre Pro 28mm have been very good also. First time on 28mm, I've been use to riding 23mm for my road bikes back in the day, actually the 28mm have a much nicer road feel not to harsh they are only filled to 70psi ver 100 psi on my 23mm.

The Bike has about 800 Miles on it and it's doing fine, I kinda wish I could have looked and rode it before I purchased, because litespeed was a consideration at the time and I just like Litespeed's traditional frame tubing, stays, downtube etc. But, Lynskey offered such a huge savings I just couldn't pass it up had to try it out.

It's a very nice bike. If you like metal framed bikes which I do, its a totally different feel from the carbon frames. Also and this is a biggie, MADE IN AMERICA,

The in house titanium components stem,seatpost from lynskey are very nice. The saddle clamp gets a little getting use too, just have to make sure you torque the bolt to the correct value. And don't be afraid to take it to the max value. Once you learn how its done its no problem. The Saddle Lynskey sends is nothing special, wish they would have asked what sit bone width I prefer but they just put on some ultra narrow width, probably around 135-140mm. Currently using a specialized Power expert 155mm, not bad probably going to try a power arc later.

I see a lot of b*t*hing about the thru axle tension and release mechanics, its just some people are not willing to learn a new method even if the front and rear are slightly different its no big deal. They work just fine, stay secure and look good. Maybe if your racing a bike like this which I doubt, in your moment of panic trying to get rolling again after you had a flat it might, might be an issue but not really.
Oh yeah, ride quality is Excellent, very quiet, compliant for my body weight. Been chasing a creak last few hundred miles, finally found it, the small chain ring bolts needed to be re-torqued. Only found after, pulling seat post, clamp, stem,handlebars,chain, pedals,looked at head set,dug out old socket to check cassette for play, even ordered a new BBR60 bottom bracket and tool. Oh well, got a spare now.

This bike is a Medium, I'm 5'8 always thought I was 5'10 actually I was 5'10 glad I had the wife triple check my height prior too ordering. Can't say how many places I had to put my height down and never was challenged even during health screenings weird. With that said even though lynskey recommended the Medium, I would recommend the small. I'm 67 feeling good, can't wait for the big group rides this spring,summer. I'm definitely trying to be ready.

Also, when doing your calculations double,triple check, mine were pretty darn close to exactly what I expected, with all the spacers under the stem once I remove them,the fit will be perfect.
If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask
Mike

IME, if your stature is fitting of regular size range of frame, there really is not much need to spend $7-8k on a titanium bike.
I bought my 2001 Litespeed Ultimate used on eBay for less than $2000, back in 2004.
Over the years, gone through few groupo, wheelsets, over 70k miles pedaled; still the same magic carpet ride as day one, it is till my fav road bike.
https://i.imgur.com/DCKKCKz.jpg

My Lynskey gravel frame was purchased under $500 back in 2017, complete bike built up with 1x11 group was still under $2.5k.
It rides very similar to my 20 y-o Litespeed, just different geometry to accommodate longer wheelbase, wider tires & slightly heavier.
https://i.imgur.com/bLFpMDS.jpg

All super helpful, thank you! I have a 2000s Serotta Ti that I rebuilt with new Ultegra 11spd and all modern parts. Haven't even ridden the sucker yet (MN winters are awful). I'm just not sure I want to go drop a bunch of $$$ just for DI2/AXS and disc brakes. I know they would be better but I don't think its worth $7-10k just for that? I might just add a Titanium Stem/Seatpost just for more Ti and ride that bike for a while.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d6803fc8f4.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...924337c25c.jpg
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I love being able to post in this thread. 2001 Lightspeed Classic ..... every thing brand new. Dura Ace 9100 Top to Bottom. I always wanted a full Dura Ace bike and now I have one. It dreamy 😍

If the ice and snow would let up I could take it on its maiden voyage.

Unless you have so much money that spending $13K on a bike is pocket change, you really don't need to spend that kind of money. Lynskey makes just as good of a bike a Moots and others, in fact Lynskey created the cold working of TI that all the other makers use, so why spend more money for something that Lynskey created and does? But at the end of the day, it's your money to spend it as you wish.

I would also wait for a sale; the LOFT tab has that stuff.

I do like the fact that Lynskey was the pioneer in the US space and I do like their bikes. 100% agree the Loft is intriguing; they had the R500 but it was totally Rainbow. I didn't mind the rainbow frame (thought it was cool) but the full rainbow spokes on the (nice) wheels were a bit much for me. They currently have an R500 but it's just Red (not AXS) so that's a no go. My main rationale for spending egregious amounts is that I haven't purchased a true road bike (besides building up the Serotta for fun) since 2011 and I've ridden that Felt into the ground. If I go titanium, hopefully its the last (road) bike I have to buy for 20 years.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c33aee1bad.jpg
My uber-rare Project Underground Schwinn.

Before buying the Lynskey in 2013, the previous new bike I purchased was in 1985, that was my main bike, I had others, but that's the one I rode the most and put on over 150,000 miles on it over 24 years, that bike is still rideable. The only reason I bought the Lynskey was because I had heard so much about how good of a ride a TI bike has, and with a new back surgery I wanted the most comfortable bike I could find, and that Lynskey is even better riding than steel bikes I have. I would not have purchased another road bike had it not been for the back surgery, I would have ridden the Trek forever. Now I will ride the Lynskey most of the time and I expect it to last till I die, I'm 65 now, so maybe another 50 years? LOL!!

But I do believe that a TI frame can last forever excluding crashes, so all one would ever have to do it is replace parts as they break, or once problems developed with the components to go through and replace all the components at the same time. The Trek I have uses Suntour Superbe components, I've never had to replace anything yet with those components, but they don't make bike parts like the Suntour did anymore, so it may be unreasonable to expect original components to last over 150,000 miles anymore. By the way, the Trek was purchased as a frame and fork due to crashing out a previous bike, I transferred most of my components over to the Trek and bought some additional Suntour components to fill in gaps; that explains why if you look up the 660 specs they don't match because I didn't buy it as a ready to ride bike.

I like how you roll!

With a Litespeed head badge?

Like the Eddy Merckx titanium frames, "Built by Litespeed".:)

Yeah, that's a Litespeed, maybe from early 2000's. Looks nice. A very upgradeable worthy frame.

just a thought but Speedvagen in also now working in Titanium. Although they weren’t when I bought mine (Steel with carbon seat tube. My Speedvagen is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever owned and I expect it to last forever. If spending that kind of money go custom!


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Just got lucky and found a Habanero locally that I could not resist.
Fits me perfectly and setup with Dura Ace including a triple, which none of my other road bike have.
Great couple rides so far and really looking forward to using it on some hills.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...164ca7160.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8763ac2ea.jpeg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8baad5f1d4.jpg
New bike day, about 5 years ago. Lynskey R230. Bought the frame through my LBS and they built it up for me. The funky yellow seat was a loaner. I tried a few and settled on a Fizik Alante VS. I wish I could still find those so I could put them on my other bikes. Love this bike!

I was looking for a new favorite saddle to replace the Avocet O2 Air 40R that I love so much but which went out of production long ago. I found a Fizik Aliante VSX, and really liked it. Then I got another bike and thought, "Oh, I'll just buy another one of those!" HA! I eventually found one for a reasonable price on Ebay, but it took some looking.

General Motors pioneered the automatic transmission. That doesn't mean they presently make the best transmissions.

Thats a poor example since a transmission contains many many mechanical parts that a frame only contains how many mechanical parts? So, over the years others improved the automatic trans and filed patients for those improvements, and that cycle went on and on. How does that example of yours apply to the creation of the cold worked TI? IT DOESN'T!!

The number of parts is irrelevant. There are many examples of industry innovators that are no longer on the cutting edge of product development. It's pretty common for competitors to adopt those innovations and improve upon them, and then add innovations of their own.

Hypothetically. The question is, has that happened?

Burls custom Ti, buit 2014.

Designed in England, made in Russia by same builders as the old Colnago Titanio.

7.4kg, running 46-30 FSA K-Light and Ultegra/DA, hand-built wheelset.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e95b4677c3.jpg

Lovely bike! Same Russian builder as my 2014 Burls (see above post)!

I have to be very careful I dont get to obsessed with these bikes.

Do you happen to know the name of the Russian builder?

Because when you read the description on the Wittson ebay ad for their Lithiuanian frames he talks about some of the Euro brands that he previously fabricated titanium frames for.

I'm afraid not. Justin Burls, who made the frame, told me about the builder. Apparently they are ex-submarine component makers before moving to just bike frames in around 1990 something.

I reckon if you drop Justin an email he will tell you, he's a nice guy.

Just Google Burls bikes.