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Lynskey revamps 2015 bike range with new graphics and models

Titanium specialists introduce new "3D Graphics" and a more focused model range

Tennessee Titanium specialists Lynskey have completely overhauled their 2015 range, with a new look and a simplification of the model lineup that should make it easier to pick the right bike for your requirements and style of riding. The new bikes were unveiled in the UK for the first time at the annual Core Bike show earlier this week, so here are some of the highlights from the new range.

First things first, all Lynskey frames have a new look. Gone are the decals and in their place slim aluminium name graphics that screw into the frame. It’s quite an unusual look when you first see it, it's unlike anything we’ve come across before. We’re used to posh metal head badges that screw into the head tube, but we've never seen it used on the whole frame (correct us if we’re wrong).

We’d be worried about snagging shorts on the edges of the top tube name plates, but we’ll see whether that is an issue or not when we get a bike in for review soon. Lynskey have explained the new 3D graphics, as they’re calling them, in this video below, and also addressed our concerns about snagging shorts. Lynskey told us at the show there will be the opportunity for customised graphics, and the frames can be ordered naked as well.

So the bikes then. Catching the eye on the stand first was this Sportive Disc (£1,399) model. It’s not a brand new bike, it was actually launched back in 2012, and we had a chat with founder Mark Lynskey about it at the time. 

The frame is based around endurance geometry, so it’s longer in the wheelbase and chainstays for more stability. That makes fitting the disc brakes easier as there are no issues with chainline. 

The frame has 135mm rear spacing and Lynskey have developed their own thru-axle with a DT Swiss screw-in axle, that's new since we first saw the bike a couple of years ago.

They’re developing a new fork too, because currently, as the bike is photographed, it has a regular quick release axle up front. The frame and fork have clearance for 28mm tyres and there are mounts for mudguards so it’s an ideal super commuter, winter training bike or Audax bike.

Titanium once used to be silly expensive back in the days when it was a very rare sight on the roads, but prices have tumbled in recent years, making it relatively affordable. Okay, so it's still expensive compared to steel and aluminium, and even cheap carbon frames, but doesn't command the premium it once used to. Top-end titanium frames are still big money, bit at the other end of the scale, they're attractively priced. This is Lynskey’s most affordable offering, the R140, with a £999.99 price tag.

For 2015 Lynskey have discontinued the Rouleur and Peloton from the previous Silver Series, an attempt at simplifying the range. They do have a lot of models and this narrowing of choice can only be a good thing. The frame uses the same 3Al/2.5V straight gauge titanium tubing as those previous models, and takes the Sport geometry from their R230 frame. There’s space for up to 28mm tyres in the frame.

If you’re well into your cyclocross and fancy a titanium frame, how about the Pro Cross CX? The frame borrows the twisted down tube from the Helix and combines it with a triangular top tube made from 6AL-4V grade titanium, so you have a nice flat underside for shouldering the bike. And it should be plenty stiff enough for off-road endeavours.

The rear brake and derailleur cable are both routed along the top tube, and there’s no front mech cable as the bike is equipped here with SRAM’s Force CX groupset, which does away with the need for a front mech, with a simple 1x11 setup.

It’s disc only and the rear dropouts are modular, allowing the use of either quick release or bolt-thru axles. The frameset costs £1,799.

Lynskey are still offering the mad Helix frame with its twisted tube shapes. The distinctively twisted top and down tubes don’t offer any sort of performance benefit to the frame, it’s more a case of because they could, they did. The frame is exquisitely finished, as you’d hope and expect in a frame costing £2,500. There’s also a tapered head tube, PF30 bottom bracket, and space for 25mm tyres. The frame is available in a caliper brake or disc brake version.

We'll be getting one of the new bikes, preferably the Sportive Disc, in for review soon. In the meantime you can check out the full range over at www.hotlines-uk.com/brands/lynskey

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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3 comments

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bikerdavecycling | 9 years ago
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I saw the new 3D graphics on their bikes at their stand at the Milton Keynes cyclo cross World Cup and in the flesh, it looked stunning. Their Cooper cx model would do me just fine...

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Masterchief | 9 years ago
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That Sportive Disc looks promising with 28c tyre clearance, thru-axles, and a tapered head tube.

Looking at the pictures on their website though, it looks like they've used a 10 squarefeet ti plate for the rear dropouts.

Absolutely disgusting!

Avatar
Spangly Shiny | 9 years ago
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Thumbs down for the daft looking raised graphic, it has the faint whiff of Meccano about it. What is the point of adding useless weight to the frame? Better in my opinion to go with a bead blasted or polished graphic, much more subtle an no extra weight.

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