Lynskey Ti frames - anyone have any experience of them?

[MadDad]

To cut a very long story short I am considering the purchase of a Lynskey R470 frame and building it up with Campy Record, Zipp 404's and Enve finishing kit - anyone have any experience of Lynskey frames, good, bad, or ugly??

[IPK]

I've just had this done and the frame is beautifully made.

[MadDad]

That looks lovely, what does it ride like? What is the frame quality and weld finish like?

[IPK]

I can’t fault the quality, they are beautifully finished. Very over engineered.

It’s a very planted ride. Mines the Gravel version as I’m trying to avoid roads on the journey to work!

[IPK]

Just noticed the bit about the Enve. I’ve got the Enve bars and seat post and again you won’t be disappointed with those. The compact bars are incredibly light. I wanted the Enve forks also but they didn’t do any to fit the frame.

[RickRolled]

Worth checking out http://tritonbikes.com

Friend has one of their frames and their workmanship is exceptional. Custom geometry if you know what you want.

[petsco]

i have one of these (by another name...) and it's a superb bike. (it's the same people who made all the Serotta Ti bikes). Highly recommend it - and unlike some Lynskey, it's US titanium. Roughly the same price.

Used to be sold in the UK by fatbirds (but then it looks like fatbirds is no more really)

[MadDad]

Those both look lovely, unfortunately I am restricted to brands Wheelies Online can supply, so Kenisis, Genisis or Lynskey - Kenisis have a lovely looking Ti bike that's getting rave reviews but it's a little too 'relaxed' for me - which is a shame.

[petsco]

Lynskey *used* to have a reputation for cracking

I'm sure they don't anymore, or at least anymore than any other brand. And they do have a warranty, but....i would still be slightly reticent.

[Mr Ted]

I think you need to be clear about why you want a TI frame and the pros and cons, there is a good reason why TI frames have names like Gran Fondo, they offer comfort over both carbon and aluminium and sit between them weight wise. You pay a massive premium price for that comfort so why would you want to lose some of that by having an aggressive racing geometry, it doesn't make sense.

If you want to challenge Gruffy on the Transcontinental then TI is the way to go it will have the comfort and geometry that lets you ride 20 hours out of every 24 without dumping you in a ditch when you are exhausted because of nervous or twitchy handling. If you want to compete in Time Trials or Crits then you want the lightness of carbon which will usually come with quick steering for town centre hairpins and a slammed aero riding position.

I have just built a titanium Croix de Fer and I love it, it defeats the n+1 rule, I have sold my carbon bike and lent the aluminium bike to a mate, got to start some Audax training now!!

[MadDad]

Good question, I used to have a Dedacciai K19 until 8 weeks ago when some good for nothing low life stole it from me (along with my Colnago C60, CX-1 frame and a set of Racing Zero wheels). I would replace it with another K19 but Dedacciai have dropped the model in favour of a more sportive geometry bike.

My Colnago is my 'best/good weather' bike, Ti bike was always a Spring/Autumn bike - yes I know I'm spoiled but I drive a knackered out 12 year old Passat and don't spend money on much else, but I do ride my bikes 6 days a week - or 8-10,000 miles a year!

[Matt_N]

IPK said:

I've just had this done and the frame is beautifully made.

Needs more spacers.

Are they temporary or will you run it like that? You're probably on the limit of what the steerer tube can take with that many spacers on there, you're putting a lot stress on the tube.

[Mr Ted]

MadDad said:

Good question, I used to have a Dedacciai K19 until 8 weeks ago when some good for nothing low life stole it from me (along with my Colnago C60, CX-1 frame and a set of Racing Zero wheels). I would replace it with another K19 but Dedacciai have dropped the model in favour of a more sportive geometry bike.

My Colnago is my 'best/good weather' bike, Ti bike was always a Spring/Autumn bike - yes I know I'm spoiled but I drive a knackered out 12 year old Passat and don't spend money on much else, but I do ride my bikes 6 days a week - or 8-10,000 miles a year!

Bugger, that's heart breaking!

I love my Genesis Croix de Fer but it is heavy so I built another one using the Titanium Croix de Fer frame set, it is lovely,

Hope everything gets resolved OK and look forward to seeing a photo of whatever you end up with

[IPK]

Matt_N said:

Needs more spacers.

Are they temporary or will you run it like that? You're probably on the limit of what the steerer tube can take with that many spacers on there, you're putting a lot stress on the tube.

Spacers are on their way.

[MadDad]

Mr Ted said:

Bugger, that's heart breaking!

I love my Genesis Croix de Fer but it is heavy so I built another one using the Titanium Croix de Fer frame set, it is lovely,

Hope everything gets resolved OK and look forward to seeing a photo of whatever you end up with

Thanks - it was totally gut wrenching when it happened - Police metaphorically shrugged their shoulders, insurance company treated me like the criminal - it was a fairly awful experience and it's not quite over yet. I do like the Genesis - if I could go elsewhere there are some fantastic looking Ti frames out there, Nevi, Alchemy and of course Enigma!

You made a fair point in your first post, one thing I didn't mention is that I have a bit of a lower back problem so a more aggressive geo suits me. Being more upright for long periods of time can result in days of pain in my lower back once off the bike! I can ride for 4 or 5 hours on the drops, mates in my club take the pi@@ but it works for me - it's not a macho thing!

[Matt_N]

IPK said:

Spacers are on their way.

On their way off the bike or more?

[IPK]

Matt_N said:

On their way off the bike or more?

The bar height hasn't been set yet.

[Penguinracer]

Don't dismiss Burls.
They'll custom build it to your geometry. Their Ti frames are made in Russia by the same fabricators who made Ti frames for Colnago.
I have two Burls Ti frames - an aero-tube TT frame with 2017 Campy SR & a Road Racing frame with 2018 Campy SR 12-speed.
I have a 2012 Van Nicholas Euros with 2017 Campy SR - but I suspect that's possibly made in Taiwan.

European or US made Ti frames aren't that thick on the ground now - most of this fabrication has moved out to Taiwan.