Lynskey Performance Designs R230 Frameset

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Lynskey

Favorite Ride:
East Canyon

Bike Setup:
Campy Centaur, Deda Newton bar/stem, Deda Black Stick post, San Marco titanium Rolls saddle, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheelset, Conti GP 4000s tires, Cinelli cork tape, King headset, Time iClic Carbon pedals, Cuissi Stainless cages.

Summary:
In a word "outstanding!" After 30 years on various high-quality steel frames, decided to exhibit my mid-life crisis via a new ride. Firstly, the people at Lynskey are incredible -- great throughout the process. As for the ride, after 3,000 miles I have nothing but great things to say -- climbs extremely well, handles out of the saddle sprints, and holds the line on high-speed descents. This bike has been comfortable since day one, as if I had been riding it for years.

Strengths:
Made for long days in the saddle -- been training for LOTOJA (my other mid-life goal) and 8 plus hours in the saddle are a breeze.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Indy Fab Crown Jewel, LeMond Zurich, Trek 760

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Lynskey Direct

Favorite Ride:
South Santa Cruz County

Bike Setup:
Lynskey R230 frame
Dura Ace 7850 C24 wheels
Rival Group, with an Apex Mid- cage dérailleur.
SRAM XX 11-32 cassette
3T bar and Stem
Thompson elite seatpost
Sella Italia SL Saddle
Michelin Pro Race 3, Vittoria ultralite tubes.

Summary:
I was looking to upgrade my Della Santa, but found it impossible to get silver components I wanted. So a search for a new ride was started. After riding many carbon frame bikes, too harsh after the feel of steel, I decided on titanium. I always wanted a Litespeed. I was concerned that I would not be able to find a frame that would match the ride quality of steel. I got a short ride on a moots and that felt a little stiff. So after much research on the web, with many glowing reports of high quality and superior ridability, I decided on taking a chance on Lynskey. I bought the frame with a Rival build kit as part of the Memorial Day Special. Replaced a few items and added some Dura Ace wheels. Been on the road since the 3rd week of July. A little over 700 miles chalked up so far, including one metric century. Well I just can't get enough time in the saddle. I can say the R230 is everything I wanted. All day comfort, no flex in the bottom bracket. Descents inspire confidence. Absorbs road shock like my Della Santa. This is a great bike for this 60 year old club rider.

Strengths:
All day comfort (6 hours no sewat), yet stiff in the bottom bracket - no flex.
Climbs faster than I can.
Very stable descending (even down Bonny Doon Rd.) close to 50 mph.
Beautiful hand brushed no fuss finish.
Awesome head tube badge.
Made in the USA.
Excellent workmanship - BB did not need to be faced or chased.
Not on every street corner.

Weaknesses:
No real weaknesses so far. Ride, handling are spot on.
Two welds are very, very slightly less than absolutely perfect.

Similar Products Used:
1996 Della Santa custom frame - full record.
2007 Lemond Popard. 105.
Tested: Giant Defy Advanced, Cervelo RS. Cannondale synapse, Specialized rRubaix.

Price Paid:  $1995.00 at Lynskey online

Favorite Ride:
GI loop

Bike Setup:
Medium size frame. Complete bike weight 15lbs. Campy super record 11, DT 190 hubs, DT aero comps laced to clincher Edge 45's, Speedplay ti zero pedals, Thomson stem and seat post, Carbon Ti skewers, Deda carbon bar, Cinelli bar tape, King Ti bottle cages, King headset, Edge 2.0 fork, Flite carbon railed saddle, Veloflex black tires.

Summary:
Beautiful craftsmanship - from the tubing selection, perfect welds, and spot on finish. The frame arrives in a cardbord custom fabricated box that completly supports the frame from the bottom bracket, head tube, seat post and then bagged in a bubble wrap bag for total protection. In the past I have had a few hi end frame sets (Colnago / Seven) that I purchased at a LBS because you had to buy from a "dealer". Customer service did not exsist there. I glad to say Lynskey is my frame / bike of choice now, and will be in the future.

Strengths:
Ride quality is second to none. Customer service is exceptional. I do not know of any other company in the bike industy that follows up a sale with phone calls and emails to check satisfaction of purchase. It is very nice to know that one does exsist!

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Colnago C40
Colnago C50
Colnago Extreme Power
Seven Elium
Litespeed Classic

Price Paid:  $1995.00 at Lynskeys site

Favorite Ride:
40 milers

Bike Setup:
Full ultegra,alpha fork provided with frame,kinlin rims,sapimcxray spokes,tune hubs,continental attack/force,garmin edge 500

Summary:
Great attention to detail, my LBS praised the quality of the welding and finish. This is my workout bike, I have not used my sworks Roubaix since I got this beauty, for me it swallows road vibes better than my carbon bike, I like it so much I got rid of my aluminum trainer bike and mount this beauty on the trainer.

Strengths:
Quality manufacture, great customer service (mine is an xs so they kept me posted about fabrication progress, heck I was so impressed I got an R340).

Weaknesses:
None yet

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Tarmac s works 2008, specialized roubaix s works,specialized allez aluminum bike.

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Direct at Lynskey Pe

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Lynskey Ti R230 Frame, Dura Ace 7900 groupset, ROL Race SL Wheels, Alpha Q Carbon Fork, Thomson Masterpiece Seatpost, Ritchey Pro Matrix Carbon Alloy Road Handlebar, Can Creek S3 headset
Ritchey Pro 4-Axis Carbon 44 Matrix Stem, Fizik arione tri saddle, Keo Look Max 2 Pedals, Vittoria Open Corsa Evo Road Tire, BIKE RIBBON ELEGANZA BAR TAPE

Summary:
This began with unmatched customer service from the guys at Lynskey in Chattanooga. After much research, I decided on the R230 due to more relaxed geometry. I couldn't be satisfied more with the performance and stiffness while providing a comfortable ride at the same time.

Strengths:
Something difference than the norm Trek, Giant & Specialized.
Quality of product

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Trek Madone 5.5 Pro