^ Thanks.

Not to hijack the thread, (absolutely beautiful bike BTW =) ) but I've seen TONS of Cooper purchases on here resulting in extremely happy owners etc.. My question is what is the material difference between frames like the Cooper and the R340? IIRC, the price difference is significant, but in a side by side comparison, what are the actual differences in the frames. Is the R340 a drastically more aggressive geometry? Stiffer? Lighter? Has anyone here ridden or even seen both side by side in person? I'm quite curious. For the past few years I've had my eye on the R340, but don't really see many of them here on BF. On the forum it's all the Cooper, with only an occasional rare Helix sighting.

-Jeremy

R340 has a longer top tube, shorter head tube, helix seat stays for a stiffer rear and supposedly better power transfer when sprinting, and I believe the the front triangle is double and triple butted. Cooper uses straight gauge tubing. The cooper is plenty stiff iMO.

Looks like a great bike. Congrats! Have fun!

Love the bike, giantdefy. Since I'm patiently waiting on my Cooper to arrive, I have a few questions for you. Was it difficult to give it the brushed finish look? I also ordered industrial mill, but have been wondering how challenging it would be to give it a brushed finish myself with scotchbrite. I'm assuming you did it to the bare frame before you built it up. How many hours would you say you put into it? Was it tough working around the joints and details like the headbadge and decals?

I requested that they include the decals but not install them since I wanted to finish it off myself. I spent 2 hour scrubbing the frame using a maroon 3M pad. I used the same technique Lynskey does in their video on YouTube, sorta like polishing shoes. Getting around joints was easy, I just cut the pad to thinner strips. My arms were sore after an hour but very satisfying at the same time.

Last week I did this to my Dean Ti frame, except with a green 3M pad. It was pretty easy. I started around the joints first, then did the "shoe shine" technique. It takes a little time to make sure the scratches are aligned. I'd say a person could be finished in 2 hours or less. Use good light.

I just can't imagine taking a brand new Lynskey (or whatever flavor Ti) and INTENTIONALLY scratching it up! Something just seems wrong with that! I know the end result is beautiful, but still.......

That's exactly what they do at Lynskey, though. :) And charge you $300. If I'd only known how easy it was to do it myself, I would have ordered the industrial mill finish. Live and learn. :)

Between the Industsrial mill finish and hand brushed is a $150 difference. Trying to finish the Matte finish is going to be much harder and more labor intensive. They used a electrical tools to get from the Matte to industrial mill which is why I went for their second best finish. I figured trying to get between joints and welds on a matte finish is going to be very tough and time consuming. The look on the industrial mill and brushed is not too far off, so if I missed any spots, it would not be noticeable. If you look at my closeup photos, I never touched the dropouts. Although saving money was one of my objectives, my main objective was to gain satisfaction in being part of the finished product and feeling better connected to the bike if you know what i mean.

Ah, I missed the numbers. Thanks for pointing that error out.

I think I know what you mean. I really enjoyed doing that work on my old Dean. It's looking lots better. New components are going on in the next couple of weeks. It'll be like a new ride.

This thread definitely has confirmed that the Cooper is probably gonna be the next bike I buy... Thanks for describing the differences b/t R340 and Cooper... Awesome looking bikes, happy riding to you all!

I saw that in their ad copy too. First time I've heard of seat stays making any meaningful contribution to power transfer. Maybe these good 'ol boys with their ti-twisting machine should have a talk with those rectangle-glasses guys over at Cervelo :).

Im guessing its a similar idea when it comes to curved seat stays making for a smoother ride. Almost every major bike company has a frame with curved seat stays, thats got to say something about how a manufacturer manipulates the design of the rear triangle. Im a little skeptical too about the twisted rear stays, but I think it would just add more to a harsher and stiffer ride.

Giantdefy, how is the Cooper doing? Your Cooper is such a beautiful bike. I'm having a difficult time trying to decide between the Cooper and the R230 but I plan on buying soon. I chatted with Don Erwin and he was very helpful and informative. I'm greatly looking forward to owning a bike thats gonna be around for a long time and look great everyyear.

best purchase I ever made

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01724.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01726.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01733.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01734.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01731.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01730.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01757.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSC01756.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../stevehall.jpg

Bike is FANTASTIC!! If you have the extra cash, the R230 will provide a smoother ride and a lighter frame. If you prefer a stiffer ride without the buzz, get the cooper. The Cooper although their low end road frame is by no means a slouch when it comes to performance. Bike handles hair pin turns with tons of confidence, soaks up rough roads beautifully and gets stares from other riders. Ive swapped out my wheelset for SRAM, the graphics seem to match the bike better than the previous wheelset.

Steve Hall's bike (photos above) is what inspired me to get the cooper. Thanks Steve!

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/IMG_3855.jpg

Steve - can you provide some geometry specs for your frame? Thanks...

55/Rad

Sweet.

Thanks Giantdefy and Steve Hall (my name is Steve Hull, I get Hall all the time!). I'm gonna try and hold out for the R230 but I'm sure I'll be happy either way. I think what I love most about your Coopers is that they have a timeless look where carbon frames will show their age in a short while, meaning paint schemes. I think I've read both of you guys threads about a dozen times! Just plain B-E-A-UTIFUL bikes!

^What cages do you have there?

@robabeatle - they are the cannondale carbon/ti immix cage http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=17477

@55/rad it's the standard geometry for the Large cooper http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/a/...oad/cooper.php

I have decided to get a Lynskey for my next bike. The Helix, R230, Cooper and Sportive all have the same geometry and fit me. Has anyone riden a Helix, R230 and Cooper? Is there much difference in ride quality and performance between these models? I expect that the Helix will have higher performance but it does cost more.

Sweet Bike! I had no idea these were made locally (to me anyway).

beautiful. great pics, guys.