Lynskey Performance Designs Houseblend Helix

Price Paid:  $3995.00 at Tom's Pro Bike - Lan

Favorite Ride:
CanAm Century

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra Components
MAVIC Kyrium Elite Wheels
Easton EC SL 90 Fork
Reynolds Carbon Ouzo Pro Handlebars
Cane Creek S3 Headset
Thomson Seat Post

Summary:
As a large rider, 6'4' and 240 pounds finding a bike that really fit me well was challenging, especially as I have improved as a rider and was looking for something more than an entry level bike.

I decided on the Helix because at my size, I need a very stiff bike (especially for climbing) but I wanted one that would be comfortable like a plush bike for long rides yet had the speed and agility of a top notch racing bike. After 4 1/2 months and 2500 miles I would say The Helix has met or exceeded all of my expectations. It has the smooth ride ti is known for as seen by the fact that I can ride all day with no hand numbness caused by road vibration. This is vastly different from my carbon race bike which even with heavily padded gloves and cork bar tape seems to transmit an uncomfortable amount of "road buzz". The Helix handles wonderfully, giving me a very confident feeling even when descending at 50+ mph or moving along at 25 mph in a tight formation on local club rides. I am very pleased with all aspects of this bike and it helps me maintain my reputation as "a very fast big guy".

As a last point, I found the folks at Lynskey very helpful and patient and it was a pleasure to do business with them. I went to a bike shop almost 150 miles away to use their recommended dealer and this was a very good move also. The dealer was wonderful through the fitting and order process and delivered a beautiful finish product. While this bike was certainly not inexpensive, the cost is comparable with some high end bikes that offer only stock frames. I am glad that I opted for the custom frame.

Strengths:
Fast and stiff with excellent handling. Climbs exceptionally well with no flex to waste power transfer. Very comfortable, especially for century rides. Titanium frame is super durable and should last a lifetime. Houseblend paint job was also beautiful.

Weaknesses:
Only the rider.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale System Six
Cannondale Super Six
Trek Madone 5.2

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Lynskey, Tenn

Bike Setup:
This brushed finish and etched Helix is fully dressed in Dura Ace, with Di2 electronic shifting, Dura Ace 1380 rims, Conti Force /Attack tyres, FSA stem and FSA Ergo carbon bars, topped with a Specialized Toupe saddle, Alpha Q forks and Lynskey seat post and Speedplay pedals.
Weight: 7.4 kgs with pedals.

Summary:
This is my second Ti bike, having recently changed from a Litespeed Teroma ML frame, which I loved at first sight. This Helix though is a magnificent machine and leaves the Litespeed for dust as far as climbing and handling is concerned; it is so responsive it's scary at first, but once familiar with it the bike is just amazing.

Strengths:
Stiff and strong with fantastic response when going uphill. Super comfortable.

Weaknesses:
none.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Direct

Favorite Ride:
Fast

Bike Setup:
Hed Ardennes (Fantastic!)
Dura Ace 7800 but Campag Centaur Shifters
FSA C/Set
Ritchey WCS bars and stem

Summary:
The Helix is my 4th Ti frame (previous is a Merlin, Colnago CT1, Seven Axiom SG) and I find it to be the best blend of stiffness/weight/handling/comfort out of all of them.
Its stiff but not too stiff it batters you up, handles very well and has the Ti great ride, its also light enough for anything.
I also own or have owned some top Carbon bikes too (Time VXR, Kestrel, Specialized Roubaix, Cervelo SLC-SL) and I can honestly say the Helix matches them and is a better all rounder - and far tougher. The frame is slightly heavier than the latest carbon frames (and mine is XL size) but you don't notice it and the added ride quality more than compensates. I would class the Helix as my "old faithful" - able to do any ride and perform well.

Strengths:
See above.
Tough. I crashed and hit a wall at 20mph and the top and down tube buckled but stayed intact - a carbon bike would have shattered and splintered. Lynskey also has a great crash replacement policy.

Weaknesses:
You either like or hate the twisted tubes...
Need donuts on the rear brake cable otherwise it rattles against the twisted top tube.

Similar Products Used:
Merlin Ti
Seven Axiom SG
Time VXR
Cervelo SLC - SL
Kestrel Talon
Spec Roubaix
Cannondale CAAD4

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace gruppo
Edge 45 tubulars

Summary:
When I first saw the Helix, I was intrigued by the spiral-shaped tubing, but I had my doubts about whether the spiral shaped tubing really made the Helix frame stiffer.

I started with a Lynskey Level 4 custom, but the diamond-shaped 6/4 titanium top and down tubes didn't damp road vibration well enough -- I felt like I was on an aluminum frame, and I wanted to switch to a frame that was all 3/2.5 titanium.

The Helix exceeded all expectations. Not only was it more comfortable than my Level 4 custom, it was also noticeably stiffer. Even hard out-of-the-saddle efforts yielded no noticeable lateral flex -- in this respect, I felt like I was on carbon.

The ride was velvet smooth, and the Helix tracks incredibly well on very fast, technical descents. It's not as light as current carbon frames, but it's close enough so I don't notice the difference -- and I like the fact that I can pull in at a deli on a long ride and leave my Helix without worrying that a by-passer will knock it over and damage the frame.

The only metal frame I've ridden on that is as stiff as the Helix is a Cannondale CAAD9 with BB30 bottom bracket.

The combination of ride quality, performance, and durability is unbeatable. I raced for thirty years and retired, but if I were still racing, this is the bike I would be on.

Strengths:
* climbs like carbon
* incredibly stable on descents (Alpha Q GS10 fork)
* durable

Weaknesses:
Not as light as carbon, but the trade-off is a more durable frame.

Similar Products Used:
Dean El Diente, Lynskey Level 4 Custom

Price Paid:  $9.00 at Lynskey

Favorite Ride:
European Passes

Bike Setup:
Helix Custom frame,Campagnolo Record 11th, FSA Plasma Compact handlebar, FSA Seatpost, Roval Echappee wheelset, Selle Italia SLR

Summary:
Besides my carbon bikes as the Colnago Anniversary and Power extreme, Specialized SL2, i wanted to realize to get a dream bike. Therefore i ordered it from Switzerland by mail at Lynskey in 2009. The ordering process was very easy and i got feedbacks very fast. They proposed me to match my ideas for a custom Helix frame with curved seatstays. The color and paint job, they made, is awesome. The riding in the alps, where i am living, is absolutely perfect. Mainly much smoother than with my Carbon Bikes. And there is no difference in speeding up or uphills. The frame is also very stiff, even in the headtube area and i feel as safe in fast downhills up to 80 km/h with my 200 lbs weight. The cornering is perfect. With my bike setup,it works absolutely great, and with the use of Zipp 404 you fly over the asphalt.

Strengths:
smoothness, stiff but comfortible, easy handling and direct response, cornering

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
none