well actually it's 5k for the helix os all the other ones are in the 2.5 to 3k range but well well worth it.

A friend picked up a full custom 320 (I think that's the model) with Rival and mavic wheels for 3k total when they had a sale. Beautiful bike.

Ooooh, STOP it with the pics... I've already had to change my pants about 3 times today. Man, they are some great looking machines. I better start selling some more artwork, too- To help pay for this baby.

I just 'let' the wife buy a $4300 embroidery/sewing machine... Sneaky tactic to ensure there won't be any objections to my splurge

Hopefully, I'll get to actually RIDE one in the next few months... I THINK that I'll be off my ship by then. I'm sure that I'll have to bring my wallet with me, because once I've seen (and ridden) one in person, I'm sure I'll be ordering.

Hopefully I can ride it in the 3 state/3 mountain century- My next goal.

-Andrew

really, you can't go wrong with any of the major player's Ti bikes on the market now, Lynksey is no different. buy buy buy

Best purchase I've ever made

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.

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.

No one knows?

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

https://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.