In the market for a Ti bike. Been looking at Litespeed and Lynsky website. i dont have enough knowledge to help me decide which brand i should go with. Looking at Litespeed T2 and Lynsky Helix Pro.
Anyone can shed some light and give some advice pls? I know Lynsky started Litespeed. What about customer service? Anyone with any positive or negative experiences to share pls?
thanx in advance…
Customer service is awful for both. Lynskey does sell some frames cheaply enough on eBay that not having a warranty might not matter.
I just went through the fit, design and production process for a Seven. Very satisfied. Happy to answer any questions. Fell free to message me.
the correct answer is “Soul Destiny titanium road bike”
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I don’t know much about how either company operates these days. Litespeed is part of the same conglomerate that owns QR (American Bicycle Group). I had a C1 carbon bike that I really liked, but there is no comparison between a carbon bike and a Ti bike. Different skill sets and you don’t need a ton of specific training to layup carbon in a mold, but I really don’t want to try riding a Ti bike that was welded by anyone other than a master welder/craftsman.
If I were doing a Ti bike, I would look carefully at a Moots. Great craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Never ever ever pay anywhere near MSRP for a Litespeed or a Lynskey. The Lynskeys back when they owned Litespeed and now that they sell under their own name have always followed an incomprehensible business model for a boutique product. They sell frames for the cost of MOOTS then blow everything out through discounters at half cost, which obliterates the value of the brand. This is the reason why they lost their retailers. No bike shop wants to be selling a frame for $3500 while the same thing can be bought from Nashbar or somewhere for half price.
If you have the money and want to buy from a larger ti builder, buy a MOOTS or a Seven. Current small brands that are really hot now are Ericksen, Firefly, Black Sheep, No 22 but there are a ton of small ti builders these days that do incredible work. MOOTS has the best resell value of any ti brand bar none.
Between Litespeed and Lynskey I would go with Lynskey but buy cheap. They sell direct and through eBay. Get a warranty. You may need it. Both Litespeed and Lynskey have never had the same quality as other ti makers and their warranty claims are at least an order of magnitude greater than the others.
I have a 2004 Litespeed Ultimate. Great all day bike. Not suitable for crits, even with a 39.7 chain stay. I also have a 2015 Helix. All the comfort of the Litespeed, but a better feel. This really is a do anything bike. IME, it’s about 80% of my C59 for about half the price. In fairness, my thoughts are a bit dated since I haven’t ridden a Litespeed newer than 2006.
Have you considered Moots?
Finally, if you want to go the Helix route, they triangularized the top tube and flared the downtube to the full width of the bottom bracket in 2016. It’s a much crisper ride than my 2015. It’s also available as a frames from Nashbar for $2800. They regularly run 25% off sales. $2100 for that frames is a steal!
Customer service is awful for both. Lynskey does sell some frames cheaply enough on eBay that not having a warranty might not matter.
All of the frames that Lynskey sells on eBay come with a lifetime warranty.
I also think that Lynskey current produces the frames for Litespeed as well. I have a Lynskey R230 that i picked up on a Black Friday sale. Like the others said look for the sales.
Thank you all for the valuable comments! I will look into Moots as well…
Kent Eriksen makes some sweet Ti
http://kenteriksen.com/bikes/
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I’d go for Baum. Above Category in San Francisco carry them in the US. Ti or steel. Very nice bikes but you will have to wait about nine months.
I have a 9 year old Lynskey R320 that I enjoy riding today just as much as the day I bought it. It built up into a 12.67 lb bike. While I own a Lynskey their frames are good but their welding is just not as pretty as it used to be. My R320 is a piece of art but the bullet drop out braze ons are pretty ugly on the new models. The Litespeed line seems to have more of that artisan look but their geometry does not work work me. My Lynskey is for life.
This is a very old picture.
I have a 2009 Litespeed Saber (the last year they made a titanium triathlon bike to my knowledge). I love the bike and never have a desire to replace it.
Nashbar sells Lynskey at discount. They have a Helix, but no Helix Pro. They also frequently have an additional 25% off site wide, and bikes are ‘generally’ included. Usually see 25% off almost weekly.
I’ll add a bit of color on what I really enjoyed about the Seven process. My biggest concern with ordering a custom bike was it not fitting my body and not fitting my riding style and preferences. Seven partners with fitters across the country to manage the sales process with individuals. In SE Michigan they have partnered with Jessica Bratus at FitMi! in Ann Arbor. She has been fitting cyclists for years and has trained under Dan and others. My initial measurements were completed by her, she consulted with me and the builder on ride characteristics, helped with the various decisions to be made on options, set up her fit bike with initial bike measurements to pre-check the design and fit, and the shop she is affiliated with built the bike and she ensured the fit was good to go. Seven also has the designer interview the rider to discuss ride preferences, etc.
I’m unsure how the Moots process is similar or not. But having an individual locally that I could count on to make sure my bodies dimensions, etc. were correct was very helpful. Not sure if the sale is still going on but Seven is celebrating their 20th anniversary!
i contacted Moots and they really explained in details how they manufacture their bikes. Their model VaMoots RSL is one of a kind. However, the frameset is not cheap. Maybe i will save up for this.
I own a shop an we are a Moots dealer. Great service and great bikes. I rode the RSL in 2016, loved it. Have a R45 now. Nothing bad to say about those other brands though.
I bought an MT29 from Lynsky a year or so ago. It is perfect in every way. They make it easy with online chat, email or even a phone call. I also had a Litespeed Blade 2005 way back in the day and a Tuscan road bike. They were both the best there is as well. FWIW- I really like the customer service at Lynsky. Their commitment to titanium and U.S. manufacturing is impressive. I doubt I would ever buy any other bike brand again. Lynsky for life 
So a bit of a ti fan. I own a moots, a sage cycles, and a serotta. I can attest that all three (while serotta was in business) had good to great customer service although I really didn’t need to use it- it’s ti so mine were low maintenance. Unless you are a freak of nature with weird proportions, anyone being honest will tell you that you will fit stock geometry. And to really be honest, tire width and pressure affect road feel way more than material or build. This is my insight over 3 decades of riding, countless bike purchases (still have 12 in the quiver of all different materials), and god knows how many $$$ spent.
BTW friends of mine own Lynskey. Seven, and Indy Fab and have not had anything bad to say.
In the end, if you get your contact points set up correctly, pressure dialed in on your wheels, you will have a hard time differentiating your bikes from each other.