It will be next month, at the Eurobike trade show, that we get the chance to see 2013 models from the majority of bike manufacturers. But US titanium frame builder Lynskey have got in there first. Designer Mark Lynskey popped by the BikeRadar office this week to show us what they have in store.
New road machines
First up is their Sportive frame (£1,299/$1,795). With slacker geometry than their Helix race bike (a 72-degree head tube angle on a medium size) and curved seatstays, it's designed as a comfortable cruiser for long-distance sportives or gran fondos.
The demo bike we saw was an interesting mix of electronic components (Shimano Ultegra Di2) and disc brakes (Avid BB7). The latter are mechanical for now, but Lynskey will be looking at SRAM hydraulic disc brakes as and when they hit the market.
Concessions to touring come in the fact that 28mm tyres can be fitted (reduced to 25mm with mudguards), as can rack mounts should you want to carry extra gear. Cables can be custom routed externally along the chainstays, or within the down tube as pictured above.
The Helix OS sits at the top of Lynskey's road racing range. It's built with spiral-shaped top and down tubes, which is said to add stiffness without increasing weight. The feature is also present in the seatstays, to the benefit of sprinters and climbers, while the SRAM press-fit 30 bottom bracket is said to improve power transfer.
The bike's race geometry allows for a more aggressive riding position than you can get with the Sportive. Pricing starts from £2,499/$3,295 for the standard brushed frame and £2,599/$3,395 for a polished finish. Painted finishes, as shown, start from an additional $550.
Mountain bikes
Lynskey have also been hard at work on a range of full suspension mountain bikes, the Pro series. It will include a 29er with 120mm of travel, a 26in-wheeled bike with 140mm of travel and, later down the line, a 26er with 100mm of travel. All three models feature the Helix design in the down tube.
The Lynskey Pro29 FS
Frame design and testing began in the summer of 2011, with the bike shown here – the Pro29 FS – a final prototype with a third-generation rear end. It was designed to be as light as possible, and beefed up accordingly during testing. All the bikes will have a 44mm head tube and 30.9mm seatpost, with routing for dropper post remotes.
The Pro29 FS, with a 142x12mm rear axle, is designed to be a singletrack thrasher. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but expect it to be around $3,700 for the frame and shock.
The 140mm travel 26er has been designed in conjunction with the guys from Hotlines, with an emphasis on low, long and slack angles for all-mountain riding.
Through their dealers (see UK distributor Hotlines for details), Lynskey frames are available as frame only options. Customers should speak with individual dealers should they want a fully built bike.
Stock frames are normally ready to ship straight away, though frames with custom paint finishes, tubing or geometry can mean a wait of up to ten weeks.
