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I just noticed that Lynskey has a special on their R230 that would fit me so I wouldn't need a custom frame. I don't know anything about the R230 but it is $3,000 for a complete build with Rival on it. That is the best price I have seen on a complete build for an American made Ti bike.

I agree...fantastic price for a Ti bike, even though it's only for cycling club members. Perhaps this is the motivation I need to save up, train harder, join a local club, and buy a Lynskey!

I belong to a cycling club. The membership is $20.00 per year and I get discounts at bike shops and it looks like deals on bikes too.

I have a new Lynskey R230 build, from The Bike Center, in Vermont. The Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels spin up easily, and are making a big difference on climbs. The group is an Ultegra triple, which I'm really enjoying on the nearby hills. I was able to select a blue stripe Fizik saddle, tires, handlebar and tape all color coordinated. I'm really enjoying this R230.

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...yR230build.jpg

I have a Lynskey R230 that I built up with SRAM Force. I have about 2000 miles on it and absolutely love it. I came from a Cannondale CAAD7 with 105 and it took about 15 minutes to get used to the SRAM shifting. Lynskey is a great company to work with. Good luck.

OP, if you're still on the fence, you should go visit them the next time you're home. I understand they're really nice people and happy to show you around the factory where the magic happens.

Had a R320 and have a R330. Couldn't ask for more in a Ti frame.

+1

These Lynskeys are so beautiful.

As you likely know, the Lynskeys founded Litespeed. And Lynskey is the true contiuence of what was good about Litespeed. (as oppossed to the bikes being sold by the American Bicycle Company)

So getting a Lynskey would be a logical successor to your Litespeed.

I own a Cooper and it simply is a great bike. .............. Regarding the Sportive, look at the headtube length which I think is pretty short. I sent Lynskey an email giving them a hard time about the short headtube but they said the Sportive crowd in Europe likes a more aggressive position thus the short headtube.

My Cooper XL has a 208 headtube and the Sportive in same size has a 180 headtube. Significant difference. I would like to see the Sportive with an option of at least a 208 headtube length.

OP should really get a nice bike to bring it on the ship. It sounds like you get to visit many places in the world and it is a shame you don't have a nice bike to ride in those places? Perhaps get a nice used bike on Craigslist, eBay?

My made-by-Lynskey Planet X (a British company) has the same 180mm headtube and 59cm virtual top-tube length as the Sportive.

The head-tube is on the short size, I used an angled stem to compensate.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ictures010.jpg

No one knows?

Btw, here's an interesting find... Bike looks brand spankin' new!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lynskey-Helix-Ti...#ht_919wt_1141

Email Lynskey?

I believe the once-quoted weight for a size M/L frame was 2.8 pounds.

I've got the r210. Light and strong. In ' 08 Dura-ace and chris king
were popular on Lynskey. So thats what I got. Flawless ride. You
won't go wrong. They get right back to you if you have a question.
Never had a problem but I'm sure its the same.

To the OP,

Lynskey makes great frames. I own one of the frames they built for Performance Bike and overall I am very happy with it. Give them a call and see what they think would be the best choice for your budget and needs.

Good luck.

you sure did the right thing getting that planet x. i heard lynsky is not going to continue making bikes for the planet x label in future and they will be made by someone else (van nicholas i think). Lynskey might have decided to concentrate on its own brand sales channels ratehr tha OEM for other brands.

Where did you get the "s. hall" decal? I love it.

R230 ML was 2.65 lb, XL 2.85 lb. The R340 is probably lighter, but as said already, ask Lynskey, they will aswer. The weights used to be on the spec sheets, but it doesn't look like they still are.

Weights used to be advertised on their website in the geometry charts, but it doesn't look like they do any more. FWIW, my R320 was 2.4lbs (Large) on the nose, as advertised, when I got it.

I got it from http://bikenames.com/

Nifty company :)

Very cool bike, Steve. I see you've got SRAM components on there- What 'level' are they? How do you like them? I've been chatting with Lynskey, and they seem to like SRAM.... I've never used anything but Shimano. But, since I've been perfectly happy with Shimano 105/ Tiagra :)

-Andrew

The group is SRAM Force, their second tier group. Ive had SRAM Force & Rival, Ultegra, 105 and Tiagra. I think the best bang for your buck is SRAM Rival. Low weight and the same (or similar) internals as the higher end SRAM groups.

Really once you get past the entry level groups you cant go wrong. I just prefer SRAM. Double tap does it for me

We went down to the Lynskey factory last week so my wife could test ride a R230. The R230 she ordered should be ready in a couple of weeks. The brushed finish on the promotional bike is beautiful.

They did mention that the promotional price will be ending. If you're really interested, you might want to contact them for details.

Thanks for letting me know. I will call them tomorrow. I would like to buy two of them, one for my wife and one for myself.

How did your wife like the R230?

Have an R230, XL size (DA 7800 drive train). I like it a lot... it absorbs vibrations compared to my AL bike, with some springiness when my 195-200 lb butt goes over larger bumps. I feel like it is efficient in the power transfer department, not flexy at all, and climbs well.

However, I do have a major nitpick with my R230. Although the frame itself is beautiful and precisely machined, the derailleur hanger they put on it is molded AL (not CNC machined, as some other hangers are), and the surface that mates with the frame is noticeably curved (not flat). See picture. As a result, clamping down on the skewer closes the gap and causes my whole derailleur cage to flex inward by 2-5 mm, and the amount is dependent on clamping pressure. So reinstalling the wheel screws up the shift indexing and stop limits, as it is almost impossible to reinstall the skewer with exactly the same clamping pressure. Fortunately I have not had to fix a flat on the road yet, but have had problems in the shop every time I've reinstalled the wheel. It would be a most annoying problem to fix on the road. Hopefully they will come out with some CNC machined hangers to fix this problem...I have complained to them about it.

Don't get me wrong...I love the bike and the way it rides, once the rear wheel is installed and shifting is set up right. But if I were doing it again I would choose the R340, which doesn't have the removable derailleur hanger, even though the geometry is different.

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My R230 XL frame weighed 1465g (3.23 lb) including seat post clamp, cage bolts, and headset cups... the latter items would amount to about 60g (2 oz) probably. So about 1400g (3.1 lb) for the frame. Total bike weight is currently around 18.1 lb w/ DA 7800 drive train and Open Pros and SPD pedals, but new wheels and pedals would take it down to 17 lb. If I remember right the R340 was maybe spec'ed at .1 - .2 lb lighter than the R230.