Your Opinion of the Lynskey's???
 

Guys, still tossing the idea of an upgrade for next spring on a new bike. I have been looking at the Lynskey's & Deans, may still consider moots and have wrote off the Serotta's & Seven's as they pretty much priced them selves out of my market which I really don't think their any better or if all at better than the brands I'm looking at besides paying for their ego. What are your opinions on Lynskey so far since they have been back in the market?

A riding buddy just got a new Lynskey and he is knowledgeable about bikes, components, almost everything. I have only seen him on it once but I will ask him for details the next time that I see him, which has not been frequently lately.

I received my Level 4 Custom about a month ago- it is the finest bike I've ever owned. The craftsmanship is flawless, the fit is perfect, the ride is unbelievable.

The whole Lynskey family is a pleasure to deal with and they really know what they're doing.

There is nothing to second guess on a bike like this.

My mechanic who is extremely knowledgeable about bikes and owns about 30 of them is very impressed with Lynskeys. So much that he became one of their dealers. Lynskey, as you probably know, started Litespeed and was one of the first to manufacture ti bikes. I've seen several of his Lynskeys up close and they look very nice, but I am not wild about some of the paint jobs -- but that's a matter of taste and you can order what you like. Personally, I am most impressed with Erickson's from the photos I have seen on-line, although I've never seen one in person. My mechanic would be very PO'd at me if I ordered an Erickson, however, rather than a Lynskey. Fortunately I don't have to worry about being in the predicament because I don't need another bike and couldn't afford one right now anyway. Plus I've already got a ti bike (Merckx AX) that suits me fine.

My opinion - zero interest in Lynskey and Dean will break your heart. My ranking - Moots, followed by Eriksen with Lynskey trailing in a distant 4th.

Are you by chance referring to Ed at Cycle Logic?

I wouldn't put them in the running.

I've test ridden the Lynskey, Moots, Seven, IF, and Litespeed. Haven't ridden the others. Given none of the bikes I tested were built especially for me, I'd have to say that the Lynskey was an extremely nice ride, and the workmanship was on a par with IF and Seven. The Moots and Litespeeds were the biggest disappointment to me. The Moots, tended to wander a bit and look like little attention was paid to details in the construction. The Litespeed was too flexy a ride for me, and the welds were not as clean as the Lynskey, IF and Seven. In reading through the posts before mine, I'm reminded that everyone has likes and dislikes. Hence, you'lll be much better off if you can ride a few others to compare them with the Lynskey.

Not wanting to start any flame war but how does Titus stack up with the other Ti road bikes?

Tell me why a Dean would break my heart? And let's hear about Titus?

Titus & Lynskey
 

my LBS specializes in high end builds and repairs. he has many high end frames in the shop. When I discussed it with him before making a decision he mentioned both Titus and Lynskey as his top picks for titanium. I picked Lynskey and expect delivery in Dec.:D

If you're going Ti, Lynskey is as good as any, better than lots. Litespeed and Merlin are both owned American Bicycle Group now, and their dealer relationships are not the best. Plus, since Litespeed was sold to them, that's when a lot of that lack-of-detail started coming in. But for a high-end Lysnkey, you get whatever you want in styling and paint, and for less cookies than a Seven or Moots. Why not?

terry b, I would also like to hear about what you have to say about the Dean bikes. I have seen the Lynskey's and the workmanship is up there with the Serotta's, Seven's, Moots and all the overpriced brands. Gotta say their welds are very clean and smooth!

Dean is unreliable from a delivery and get-what-you-order standpoint. Nice bikes if you are not in a hurry...and they pay attention to what you order.

Regarding Lynskey, the rear dropouts have a great deal of material removed for some reason (styling maybe), and their spindly nature are a concern to me (if you were to get chain suck since they may get damaged).

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Lynskeydo.jpg

Litespeed make about six different models. One bike is not likely to be indicative of the whole line-up. What model did you ride? Plus how neat the outside of the weld is gives you no indication as to whether or not there is good weld penetration.

Specifically, what lack of detail are you referring to?

About the dropouts, they offer the option of a solid dropout with no cutouts if you want! I called them and talked to them about the dropouts as there was another thread mentioning the concerns on that and they said the cutouts does not have any effect on the stiffness on strength of the frames. Have you looked at the Serta’s with the all Ti seat stays? Their cutouts are all most about the same!

Because of the countless internet tales of woe regarding Dean, their ability to deliver anywhere near to on time, problems with specific custom requests and their unwillingness to pick up the phone when one calls in frustration.

I have heard so many of the stories that there is no way I would consider them a candidate to build a bike for me. Even stories from repeat customers who have developed a relationship with the owner who promised them better service the second time around and then went right back to their old ways.

I have seen their bikes on several occasions and they do look nice. But do a search on RBR and see what you find. I've never seen a "Dean is so great they delivered the perfect bike on time" testimonial.

I wonder how they stay in business.

The shifting on mine got really crappy for awhile but I didn't think of checking the derailleur hanger because I hadn't crashed or otherwise laid down the bike yet (to my knowledge). Turned out the hanger was quite a bit off and shifting got a whole lot better after I took my time and made sure it was very straight. I haven't had any problems since then but I still wonder why the hanger bent in the first place.

There just seems to have been a little less... "finesse" as compared to what they used to be. Several specimens we had in the shop had somewhat cheap looking decals and graphics applications (which I know doesn't change how well the frame is made or how it rides, but...) But in fairness, their very latest offerings seem to be trying to raise the bar back up again. So... I suppose in the Ti market there are many great choices, and it all likely comes out in the wash.

I was in the same position as you, Seven and Serotta and IF were way beyond me. Kish, Dean, DeSalvo were all affordable, went with DeSalvo. Love it. A DeSalvo or Kish will be as good as any other custom builder, a touch more affordable, though I think they may take a bit longer, so Lynskey will win that one.

Lynskey's prices are getting closer and closer to a comparable Seven. While the novelty of being an exclusive Lynskey owner has passed, their frames really are amazing. The LBS I work at has done a dozen custom Lynskey's and not one of the customers has had any complaints. That being said, the prices are rising quickly, so don't procrastinate too long.

I'm unfamiliar with the rest of them, but have heard the quality of the ride from Moots described as passionate sex.

We get interesting regulars at the bicycle shop.

Here is what my buddy had to say about his new Lynskey:

"I have 2007 Level 3 House Blend. It’s a great bike with a phenomenal ride for the level of performance provided. My last bike was a 2004 Litespeed Vortex. The Lynskey is about the same weight, with a far better ride. Overall, it also feels much more stable when out of the saddle and in high speed descents. I thought I would lose performance with the change from 6/4 Ti to 3/2.5 Ti, but the bike feels faster. Lynskey does a phenomenal job with tube butting and shaping to get the most out of it. You can’t go wrong!"

Own or have owned: Dean (x2 Ti constanza and Ti/Carbon Vador) , Moots (VaMoots), Omega (Radius), IF (Ti Crown Jewel), and most recently a custom Lynskey L3. All had their merits and some drawbacks but the Lynske is the closest to perfect I've owned. My first Dean, and my Moots were nice but pigs in terms of weight. I also didn't like the Moots geo. My Vador was way light but gave up too much stiffness. My IF was also HEAVY and way too stiff laterally, my Omega is moderate in weight, rides, nice and would be my fav if not for my Lynskey. It's light, stiff, and handles like no ones business. My only complaint is the slight toe overlap. Not a major issue but a sacrifice I was willing to make for the handling. Prior to buying my Lynskey I was on the ropes b/w them Strong and Eriksen. Those would be my top 3. Lots of people like KIsh but I'm not a big fan of his welding style.

does anyone know anything about Jade Cycles?