The Houseblend Cooper was drawn from the bloodlines of our top level road race frames. By starting with an oversized cold-worked tubeset, the Cooper has the stiffness, handling and excellent ride quality you expect from a Lynskey frame. The Cooper’s performance far exceeds many similarly priced road frames no matter what material they are made from. All of the great features you expect from a Lynskey Performance road frame, but at a value that will make others jealous. And as always, each frame is hand-made in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Available in 6 sizes to accommodate a wide range of riders. You can pick it up as a frame, frameset (includes an Alpha Q CS-10 fork) or as a complete bike package with SRAM Rival drivetrain, Ritchey Pro cockpit and Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels.
Houseblend Cooper Features
* Competition geometry offers comfortable fit, excellent stability and precise handling
* Performance-tuned tubeset for increased stiffness and power transfer
* Over-sized force specific shaped downtube boosts bottom bracket stiffness
* Cold-worked toptube guarantees stable front end, no high speed wobbles
* Symmetric chainstays and straight seatstays resist vertical forces
* Stylized Clover drop-outs add strength and durability
* Oversize chainstays increase lateral rigidity
* Semi-compact geometry offers comfortable fit, excellent stability and precise handling
* Alpha Q CS-10 Competition Series fork (frameset)
* Downtube Shifter Cable Routing with Adjusters on Headtube for easy access
* 34.9mm clamp-on front dérailleur
* 31.6mm seatpost
* 68mm bottom bracket (English)
* 1 1/8" headtube
Standard Finish is Natural Matte Satin with choice of Black or White Lynskey decals.
Submitted by
Mike Acevedo
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2011
Strengths: Ti frame, compact crankset. This is my first Ti frame, I now know what I've been missing! I consider myself an aggressive recreational rider, it's cool to latch on to a club pace line and have multiple looks at a stop to see what I'm riding.
Weaknesses: None yet, Have about 1200 miles with no major adjustments needed.
Bottom Line:
Well, it's time to write a review! I was waiting for the excitment of a new bike purchase to wear-off so I would be able to give a balanced and fair assesment of the Cooper. Problem is; in a good way, it has not gone away! I Purchased during the Lynskey Presidents Day Sale, The Cooper exceeds my expectations in every way. Good mix of componets, climbs like a goat! I have the Mill finish, and just a quick wipe down after every ride and it looks a good as the first day!
Strengths: Smooths out road imperfections. Made in the USA. Customer support. Understated good looks. Unique in a sea of carbon bikes. Climbs great. Should last as long as you want.
Weaknesses: The Easton EC70 fork might not clear 25mm tires. FSA brakes lacking power. Might not "jump" in a sprint like a carbon bike.
Bottom Line:
After cracking the carbon seatstay of my carbon/alu frame in a slow speed crash, I wanted something I felt was more durable. Talked to Lynskey about both the Cooper and R230. The Ti frame smooths out the road, especially chip seal. Climbs great. The industrial mill finish is forgiving and looks good to me. No flashy graphics everywhere.
Rode my first century and felt great afterwards. Cooper is supposed to be a bit stiffer than the R230, which is good for me.
Be warned, if you buy a Cooper you will want to ride it all the time.
Bike Setup: Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs. FSA crankset and brakes. Easton EC70 fork. BWW Blackset Ten wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Humphreys
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2011
Strengths: The craftsmanship, the confidence the bike gives you on climbs and descents, the feeling of owning such a fine piece of machinery, it feels like it is an extension of you on the road.
Weaknesses: None that I have found.
Bottom Line:
Combine a fine work of art with a kick butt work horse and you get a Lynskey Cooper. I have been riding a Specialized Tarmac (great bike) for the past 5 years and recently bought a Lynskey Cooper after almost a year of research and asking questions. I feel like I upgraded from a Corvette to a Ferrari.
Strengths: comfortable and responsive.
Less cosmetic worry.
Weaknesses: ...???...
Bottom Line:
Got my Lynskey Cooper at early half of this year and it should be the time to do a bike review after 6 months of riding.
By far this bike is my prefer ride as compare to my other alu, OEM Ti and carbon bikes.
It's unique tubes, the etched deco design and the attention of detail has made a class by itself.
As for the ride, I have used it for my trainings and a couple of half IM and OD races. It's by far my lightness, comfortable and responsive bike I have owned. And most of all, it's Ti with less worry on cosmetic scratches.
I will definitely use it for my any upcoming long ride and races.
A side note beside the bike review, I will like to thank the support and fast reply given from the people in Lynskey.
Strengths: Diamond shaped top tube and down tubes. The down tube is oversized, the top tube is sloped down from headset to seat. This bike looks strong. It is. This bike is STIFF. I love the geometry - I sit more forward on this bike, a little more over the handle bars and with the compact crank set, cadence of 90-100 rpm is effortless. I ordered slightly narrower handle bars than my Avior has and I love the overall feel of this bike. Believe me, when I push the peddles, the bike takes off. Very responsive.
Weaknesses: This bike comes with Shimano wheels and 105 levers and derailers. I put this in the weakness category because they are not Ultrega or Dura-Ace, but they function very nicely. Of course, they are new. Time will tell in a couple of years how well they hold up. The wheels are Shimano R500, with aero spokes. They look good and I have no complaints with them, but they are not high end wheels. For the price of the bike, no one should expect $800+ wheels on a complete bike. I have my eyes on a set of American Classic 420 Aero 3 wheels that I think I'll get soon!
Bottom Line:
About 6 years ago I bought a Litespeed Avior Aluminum frame Ultrega component bike. I was riding some serious rides with a group of guys I worked with - we cycled 5 days a week on lunch hour. We rode hard. For me, the Avior was the best bike I had ever ridden. At the time I wanted a Ti frame - one guy in my group rode a Litespeed Ti frame - but I did not have the money.
A couple of months ago I started thinking about a ti bike again, and did some searching on the web. I found the Cooper. The price was reduced and it looked attractive, and I just ordered it. I loved the look of the frame - particularly the diamond tubes that I also have on my Avior.
Three weeks ago I got my new bike - I'm so glad I bought it. I'm 65 years old. My average speed riding alone on a 15 mile circuit was just under 19mph, and that's on a road that's got some hills. I'm a happy guy.
