2013 R230 Complete with Sram Force. The R230 was designed specifically for the rider who wants a do-all, multi-use road frame. The oversized downtube offers exceptional stiffness along with confident handling. The semi-compact geometry provides plenty of stand-over height and a rider position suitable for all day rides or competitive events. By curving and ovalizing the seat stays, an added level of rider comfort has been designed into this frame without sacrificing performance. The R230 is the perfect frame for the club rider looking to take their riding to the next level and for the enthusiast with more spirited or aggressive riding style. However for this rider, comfort is still a priority. The force-specific shaping in the main triangle allows a firm bottom bracket and front end for excellent acceleration, climbing and high-speed stability. The competition-tuned rear triangle on the R230 provides a balance of stiffness and comfort. Throw a leg over the R230 and understand what performance titanium is all about.
Strengths: USA Handmade, beautiful welds, double and triple butted, - The staff at Lynskey Rocks! - you can actually talk to real people that make the bikes right here in the USA
Weaknesses: No weaknesses
Bottom Line:
Great all-around frame for those of us that aren't racing, but appreciate a stiff, yet compliant ride for long rides. I am by no means a weight weenie, but you can build a nice 15.5 lb bike on this frame that is bombproof thanks to the qualities of Ti. I've owned some carbon frames and never felt comfortable on them. I can literally bounce a hammer off my frame with no damage so I don't have to worry about a material that wil fail me. The ride qualitiy is similar to carbon, yet I appreciate actually "feeling" the road.
And most importantly - I am proud to ride a bike that was hand-made on the USA! The dudes at Lynskey are awesome - I also bought a Ridgeline 29 from them 2 years ago and love it!!! - Carbon is disposible, Ti is forever!
Similar Products Used: Lynskey Custom level 3, Cervelo R3, Cervelo R 2.5, Giant TCR, Colnago C-59,
Bike Setup: Campagnolo Record 10 group, Fulcrum Racing Zero 2-way fit wheels, Alpha Q fork, Deda bar and stem,
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Submitted by
Mike
a Road Racer
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2013
Strengths: Ride, Handling Adverse Pavement Conditions, Weight, Lynskey's ability to spec bike to my whims.
Weaknesses: Delivering by a certain date you desire.
Bottom Line:
Only negative thing I can say was the delivery date, long story, just add time to whatever delivery date you are told. Communication from Lynskey was great through purchase, shoddy between purchase and delivery.
The above is my only complaint, this bike rocks.
Ordering: Lynskey worked with me quite a bit to get all the components I wanted, including maybe the first Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace bike, they really took the time to work through my desires and gave me some great advice on a couple of items.
Packing and Build: This bike was built by Lynskey and shipped to me; the packaging was awesome, zero damage. All I had to do was bolt in the handlebars and put on the pedals. Maybe this only matters to me, but it had the best handlebar tape job I've ever seen. They put this together perfectly, I bolted in and adjusted the handlebar, added the pedals, adjusted the seatpost height and saddle and was off riding immediately. I'd pay the $150 to have Lynskey build your bike for you.
Ride: Has a great "feel". I do alot of 25-30 mile sprints through downtown Houston over pristine bike paths, busted up bike paths, construction zones, ancient pavement (most of Houston roads) and even a few dirt paths. The bike soaks up bumps, etc. better than my steel touring bike and better than any carbon frame I have ridden. I feel noticeably better after any ride - I think the combination of the Ti frame and carbon fork & handlebars makes all the difference.
Speed: This bike accelerates extremely quickly, especially out of turns. It does not feel like you are carrying that much speed per se, but my times have decreased on my normal rides. I don't notice any problems with flex and increased effort is immediately transferred into increased speed.
Handling: Amazing, I have never had a bike that corners like this one, great combo of frame and fork. I've had the bike for 5-6 weeks and have had to avoid 1 drunk driver, several construction zones not marked and endless surprise potholes of significant depth, bike had great emergency handling.
Stability: I expected a lightweight road bike to be "twitchy", but this thing is the opposite, it is incredibly sure-footed, very confident ride especially since I ride over some rough roads often.
Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace: Biggest improvement, the throw on the shifting is dramatically reduced from previous Dura-Ace versions. Brakes have great stopping power and you can modulate them easily. Spend the money on this groupo, it is flawless and smoother than melted butter.
BOTTOM LINE: Is this bike worth the money I paid? Hell yes, great bike and great build by Lynskey.
ADVICE: Splurge on an upgraded groupo and fork, it is worth it. You're already spending a large chunk of money, add a few hundred or so and get the ride of your dreams.
Favorite Ride: Houston downtown, TMC, Memorial Park, TMC and River Oaks.
Price Paid:
$7700.00
Purchased At: Lynskey.com
Similar Products Used: Specialiezed Roubaix.
Other current bikes I own: Kona Kula Deluxe, Specialized Tricross Expert, Kona Honky Inc.
Bike Setup: R230 frame - bright brushed finish with etched graphics, Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Groupo, Lynskey Ti seatpost and stem, Cane Creek 110 headset, Enve 1.0 carbon fork, FSA K-Force Compact carbon handlebar, Mavis Kysrium Elit wheelset, WTB Rocket V saddle, Shimano M-980 pedals.
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Submitted by
Lovin' Ti
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2012
Strengths: Great combination of smooth ride, springiness (not as stiff as carbon but it springs back when you load it up) and looks.
Weaknesses: Not for the eak of checkbook. I paid $2500 for frame only - no fork.
Bottom Line:
Well, all the other reviews are true. This frame combines smoothness, power transfer and gorgeous looks into one package. The guys in TN are great too. I bought my frame with the etched brand name and mdel - no decal to worry about peeling... I built this bike up with new 2012 SRAM Red (still waiting for compact crank), ritchey carbon steam and post, FSA ergo carbon compact reach bar and Shimano Dura-Ace carbon wheels. Did I say it was smooth??? I ride on some pretty crummy roads in the SF Bay Area and it really is noticeable how this frame smooths out a rutted road compared to carbon frame plus it is much quieter. The brushed finish on the frame is awesome, although it easily picks up smudges and finger prints. Simple green works well to clean her up.
I only have about 85 miles on it so far, but the verdict is in. If you can afford the cost (and time to wait for one - mine was a 2.5 month backorder), get one.
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Submitted by
Robbie B
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2012
Strengths: "live" road feel, asborbs road shock, excellent handling, "bombs" descents, yes a non-carbon frame that is LIGHT
Weaknesses: honestly, have not found any
Bottom Line:
I purchased this ML size (56) frame with Easton EC90SL carbon fork new from a great shop, Bent's Cycling in FL in business over 50 yrs. I switched most of my components from '08 Trek Madone 5.2 which I had ridden over 13K mi. So about mid-April I had the bike put together with Ultegra 6700 gruppo except for Dura-Ace splurge on 34x50 crankset and rear derailleur, handbuilt wheels, all black components and tape. I was pleasantly surprised that this frame only weighs 1136 g. Let me first say that I was a little reluctant to retire, strip and sell the Madone frame - until the first ride on the Lynskey. I cannot say enough good things about the exciting road feel with muted road shock. Over rough pavement, I would say the Ti excels by absorbing the shock but maintaining it's line, something the carbon seems to not acheive; call it twitchy or jittery. This bike has virtually identical geometry and measurements to my Madone, but I am more comfortable on the bike and more confident in handling. Everything on this bike is fun. After two months, 1000 miles, including several metrics, one full century, and four days of Bicycle Ride across GA (one in the rain), I have thrown everything at this bike; thrashed it out of the saddle on hills with no flex, just smooth power transfer (there is something to be said for the "boring" standard 68mm bottom bracket; apexed turns wtih confident ease; bombed descents and moved closer to my 50-mph goal, and ridden on "shake and bake" pavement. I look forward to each and every ride, long or short, flat or hilly. And don't forget, this is "lovingly" hand built for you by master welders of exotic metals, at a TN company that is passionate about building Ti (and ONLY Ti) bikes. The welds, fine details and finish are industrial art. Oh and don't forget a proper REAL head badge, not a d*** decal. Check out the company history on their website and you will want one too.
Bike Setup: Chris King headset and BB, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, Ritchey Streem carbon handlebars, Ritchey carbon/alloy matrix stem, Ultegra 6700 brakes, FD, STI levers, Dura-Ace 7950 compact crankset and RD, handbuilt wheelset (HED C2 rims, CX Ray spokes, White Industries hubs, all black) Fizik Alliante Versus saddle with clip in seatbag, Blackburn Swerve Ti cages, Easton EC90SL carbon fork
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Submitted by
William A. Bowers
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2012
Strengths: Frame, handling, acceleration
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
I bought my R230 about 7 months ago. I waited to write a review after I had quite a few rides on it.
First of, I feel the bike rides great. It is smooth and the bumps are not bad. I find it has a nice ride, not plush, but not as harsh as aluminum or carbon bikes I have ridden. I have done 2 100k's on the bike and it is comfortable. I think the bowed seat tubes help that. It accelerates and corners really well. I am glad I purchased TI and not carbon or aluminum. This bike is great I love riding it. I am a bigger guy, over 200 lbs, but dropping and ride is great. It also climbs well.
