WHO IS THIS BIKE FORPerformance focused cyclists who need a bike that rides fast and flattens climbs — all day long in titanium comfort. JOM took collection of the bike from the Lynskey factory in late June of 2017. Steel, on the other hand, is comparable to titanium for strength but it is usually heavier. Steady in a straight line: Absolutely. Lynskey offers 10 build options for their Helix Disc, and our build is a bit on the budget side of the spectrum. You might reasonably say ‘of course it is’, but I was taking into account the added expectation of the Helix tubes. I'd want a bike that jumps forward immediately with a few hard pedal strokes for quick position changes within a fast-moving peloton, and I’d want a very nimble, quick steering bike that can handle mid-turn line changes without so much as a second thought. Lynskey offers titanium seatposts with zero and 25mm of setback. € 1.800,00 € 950,00 Select options Nov 22, 2019 – Those who long to ride on road one day and gravel the next, but crave that titanium comfort ride with a smooth finish.” We definitely can’t argue with the benefits of riding a titanium frame, and with generous tire clearance, nice details, and a good selection of bottle and accessory mounts, the new GR300 looks like a … Rather than wallowing under the torque and weight change, it really gives you something to push against, much like a carbon bike does. You’re more likely to see titanium bikes on the start line of a gravel grinder than at your local road race, but the R480 is, by design, a road racing bike. This is my new Lynskey R300 2020 Titanium Road bike. I must confess, when we first saw the Lynskey Helix frame at one of the trade shows the Tech team thought it was marketing rather than serious technical advancement; a sort of ‘hey, look what we can do’. € 375,00 € 199,00 Add to cart; Lynskey Pro 27.5 Sale! I didn’t feel like I was dancing up any climbs on this bike. One thing that jumps out about the R480, and all Lynskey bikes, is the price. Lynskey touts their R480 model as its strongest, stiffest road racing frame. You do have to turn the bike, as opposed to many modern, carbon race bikes where the mere act of thinking about turning is enough input to alter your trajectory. Concerned that my high expectations and subsequent disappointment were clouding my judgement, I passed the R480 to a former pro rider and former teammate. But when you’re at a good speed, or descending fast, the same type of bump kicks you much less. 50-34/11-34. It’s undeniably stiff, yet had a strange way of soaking up power in a way you’d expect from a flimsy bike. Expectations were high, and I was ready to love the R480. And just like refreshing your drink, refreshing the bike with new components after a few years will yield a bike that feels brand new again. Component Shimano Ultegra Di2. The stiffness as a whole is certainly a conundrum, because the Helix is stiffer but the feel differs slightly depending on how fast you’re hitting the bumps. Established in 1992, every issue is packed with expert reviews of the latest road bikes … The R480 checks some of those boxes. In that context, the R480 is a very good bike. An 11-34 cassette paired with 50/34 chainrings gave me most of the gearing that I wanted for climbing and casual rides. Just like it’s twisted cousin, it corners well with a confidence that will encourage you to get stuck in, and it holds no surprises for the uninitiated. The isolation most titanium frames offer just wasn’t nearly as apparent. I purchased a complete assembled bike from the Lynskey website in April 2015. Add this frame’s firmer ride and you have a bike that may not suit many lighter riders. This R480 is one of a very small number of stock-sized bikes that actually allows me to set up the position I like without having to use a stem longer than 140mm. • Huge, triangular tubes set the Lynskey PRO GR apart from other Ti bikes – aesthetically and under power. I wanted to be wrong, and I wanted him to find something in the bike I was missing. After all, I’ve ridden quite a few standard titanium bikes over the years, so how different would the twisted-tubed bike be? Bicycling participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The bike rolled on Industry Nine.35 carbon clincher wheels shod in 25mm Continental Ultra Sport II tires. Then I began to consider the trouble wasn’t the bike. Considering you’re getting a USA made frame from the most experienced titanium frame builder on the planet, the prices are very competitive. The compact (50/34) crank is matched to an 11-32 cassette for plenty of climbing-oriented gears. The best modern race bikes are stable at speed, smooth in a straight line, and corner with razor-sharp precision. After a few weeks he came to me with the same feedback. Alterations: Pro Vie stem, Selle Italia SLR Superflow saddle, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Read it's strength, weaknesses, find deals and pricing - roadbikereview.com My fingers wrap around the H31 and not touch but do on the round bars. The Takeaway: A very stiff race-oriented bike that will last a lifetime because it's built of titanium. And while I appreciate that the toughness of titanium makes the R480 more likely to survive a crash in one piece than a carbon bike, the R480 doesn’t feel or handle like what I expect a race bike should feel like. Complete bikes start at $3,510 and go up to $10,660 if you take advantage of all of the premium component and upgrade options. We can’t have been the only ones either. Bobby is part of the Bicycling Test Team and brings with him over a decade of professional racing experience, including 3 Olympic Team berths. That's a long way of saying this isn’t a bike for everyone. Dealing with the Lynskey team was a pleasure for sure and I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to get into a high end Ti frame bike. Weight: 19 lb.Style: Road Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra MechanicalBrakes: Shimano Ultegra Disc, 16omm rotorsWheels: Industry Nine.35 Carbon ClincherMaterial: TitaniumTire clearance: 700 x 28c. Lynskey gravel bikes get faster with new PRO GR Race Titanium builds When you’re a small frame builder making your own frames, it can be easier to quickly adopt to new trends. The brand’s team chose the 6/4 titanium alloy because it adds strength and … POC Octal RacedayOne of the best ventilated helmets we’ve tried.$110 to $239.95 | Competitive Cyclist, Giro Ember MIPSMIPS makes it as smart as it is attractive.$97.7 to $149.95 | Competitive Cyclist, Smith RouteKoroyd honeycomb adds impact protection.$120 | Competitive Cyclist. Lynskey R230 review. Lynskey Performance Best Rated Titanium Bikes and Frames: Now Offering Zero Interest Financing, 30-day No Hassle Return Policy, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, Hand-Built in … This bike's geometry was crafted for speed, not comfort. Lynskey Performance Designs Live Wire 29er Hardtail user reviews : 5 out of 5 - 1 reviews. Last month Lynskey gave me a tempting offer to upgrade to the 2014 Pro 29 for a relatively small fee. As for the front end of the Helix it’s certainly taut, and stamps on the toes of every other titanium bike I’ve ridden in stiffness terms. Love the bike but annoyed with customer service at Lynskey. The advantages titanium frames offer over regular metal ones have been repeatedly discussed, but allow us to remind you. Overbuilt 12x142mm dropouts make a stiff bike even stiffer. Mark told us that the twisted tubes made the frame 15 per cent stiffer. Boutique bikes are about bling, and this stem has that in spades. This time I pulled out all the stops. I wouldn’t want to take this one into a hilly race, either, due to the extra weight, where a few extra pounds makes a noticeable difference when looking to maximize climbing performance. Save 20% On Any Order Over $100 - Use Coupon Code: HOLIDAYRIDE20 — FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING — Have a question? Compare quotes from across the market here, in partnership with Protect Your Family. And while it takes sweeping high-speed turns okay, if given the choice I wouldn’t (at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 175 pounds) choose to race a criterium on the R480 because I’d want a much more responsive bike, both to pedaling and steering input. Stem: FSA OS 190 With oversize 3AL/2.5V titanium tubing, a slacked-out front end, and clearance for up-to 29 x 2.5 or 27.5 x 3.0 tires, it is aiming to be your next do-it-all trail ripper. Naturally, I didn’t share my concerns ahead of time. For the casual rider, the occasional racer, and especially for a bigger rider who isn’t a weight weenie, this bike could be really great. see titanium bikes on the start line of a gravel grinder, The Best Road Bikes You Can Buy Right Now, CAAD12 Dura-Ace: Full Review and 34 Images, The Best Cheap Road Bikes—All Around $1K or Less, The Allied Experiment Continues With the Alfa Disc, Built by one of the pioneers of titanium bikes. Because of this, the Helix always feels better when it’s ridden fast. And if you like to run your bars so low your knuckles drag on the ground, the R480's low stack height gives you plenty of room to work with. When a Lynskey popped up on my list of test bikes, I was excited. Size Range: XS-XL Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. The handling was quick, the fit was perfect, it was always the bike I always reached for first. Where do you start? In short, I changed all the contact points so I could perfectly replicate the riding position from my personal bike. Call: 423-499-5815 Industry Nine.35 carbon clinchers are light, fast, and attractive. € 2.400,00 € 1.099,00 Select options; Lynskey Summit 27.5 FS-140 Sale! Titanium holds a special place in my heart, so I was admittedly excited to ride a bike from one of the pioneers of titanium bikes. Weight: 7.74kg inc pedals He adds that most of what we know and love about titanium comes from bikes made with lighter, springier 3/2.5 tubes. Stiff: Oh my yes. But Lynskey chose the denser, stiffer, 6/4 titanium for its greater strength and stiffness. While taking a whirlwind tour of some UK dealers, Mark Lynskey, the name and brains behind US titanium expert Lynskey, stopped by the CW office and showed us his new Helix frame. The end result is a bike that’s incredibly solid. His 40 years in the sport have given him a keen eye for performance and a well-developed ability to objectively evaluate equipment. Saddle: Lynskey Sport Lynskey makes heavy bikes… € 2.750,00 € 1.199,00 Select options; Lynskey Sportive Sale! It will last forever. Quick out of the saddle it wasn’t, and I was disappointed when I didn’t get the lively ride feel I was expecting from titanium. When you’re crawling uphill at 5mph, the frame passes on bumps to the rider in quite an obvious way. When it comes to the Helix, Lynskey is offering a bike with more stiffness, something more akin to an aluminium or a cheaper carbon frame. 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