Lynskey gravel bikes get faster with new PRO GR Race Titanium builds

Written by Zach Overholt May 13, 2019 4:27 p.m. ET

c. Lynskey

Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

When you’re a small frame builder making your own frames, it can be easier to quickly adopt to new trends. As such, Lynskey already has a few different gravel bikes in their line up, but they’ve just added one more. Picking up where the PRO GR left off, the new PRO GR Race is just that – a slightly racier version of their top end gravel rig designed for fast, comfortable gravel riding.

Utilizing a shaped 6AL/4V titanium top tube and a 3AL/2V aero downtube, Lynskey claims that the titanium frame closes in on the ideal blend of comfort and frame stiffness.

All of the cable routing is now internal using their tube within a tube routing system which claims to eliminate rattles and offers push-through cable routing. Otherwise, the specs are mostly the same with flat mount disc brakes, a tapered head tube, BSA bottom bracket, 27.2mm seat post, and 12 x 142mm thru axle. One big change though – the frame is able to clear only 700c x 35mm tires, which is quite a bit smaller than the 700c x 45mm clearance on the PRO GR.

In addition to the change in cable routing and tire clearance, the PRO GR RACE also gains new geometry that is a bit more, well, race-y. Both the head tube and seat tube angles are 0.5° steeper than the PRO GR, and the chainstays shorten by 15mm. There is also a corresponding shortening of the wheelbase and a few other minor changes.

Offered as a complete bike with a Lynskey PRO GR gravel fork with 12 x 100mm thru axle, the base build with a SRAM Force 1x group starts at $4,050. From there you can custom tune your build with different frame finishes, frame graphics, head badges, wheels, drivetrain, and cockpit options. Available now.

lynskeyperformance.com

Zach Overholt

5,633 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

18 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Ric Liang

4 years ago

That cable routing under the downtube looks like a really bad spot for water, mud, dirt ingress

Mark

4 years ago

Reply to Ric Liang

I think that’s addressed by their “tube within a tube routing system,” AKA conduit. I have my doubts about it eliminating rattles, and the central entrance behind the head tube looks like the cables are going to wear at the fork.

JeffH

4 years ago

Seems like the 35mm tire clearance may be a mistake. Lynskey specs 40mm tires on their site.

Robin

4 years ago

I love Ti bikes, but it’s hard to find Lynskeys appealing, especially when they’ve not replied to emails asking about their bikes. There are so many more makers of Ti frames that respond to emails.

Carbonfodder

4 years ago

Reply to Robin

Robin, I would give Lynskey another chance…. I own a GR260 and a Sequel 29″ and both were dead easy to get spec’ed and ordered with the Lynskey folks. In fact, they sent the wrong headset with my Sequel and shipped me the proper replacement no questions asked. I have nothing but the highest praise for them and the purchase experience.

North Krimsly

4 years ago

Reply to Robin

Robin, I also highly recommend contacting Lynskey again. I recently bought a mid-priced GR270 frameset from them. I called and emailed them countless times with questions about fit, assembly and more. They answered me every time with detailed answers. They waited on me like I was buying a $20,000 bike even though I actually bought one of their lower to mid-priced framesets during one of their sales — not even a complete bike. You might also try calling them and asking for Adam. Everyone there I talked with including David Lynskey himself was on-the-ball and very customer service oriented.

Joe

4 years ago

make that top tube just round and it will make the bike look good. No need for pointless shapes like that…

Nick H

4 years ago

Reply to Joe

They use odd shapes to impart particular mechanical properties into the frames. On a carbon fiber bike, mechanical properties of the frame can be affected by how you lay up the carbon fiber sheets during construction, but you can’t do that with alloy bikes. To get around that restriction, Lynskey affects frame properties by forming unique tube shapes such as the top tube here or the “Helix” shape on some of their other bikes. As on a carbon bike, they want to make it stiff to resist flexing from pedaling forces, but compliant against other forces to provide a comfortable ride.

There is a good interview with Mr. Lynskey about all of this on Youtube. It isn’t just styling (although some people think it looks good).

Greg

4 years ago

Reply to Nick H

Like their helix garbage? The twist does nothing. Making the twist stresses the material, leading to failure. Lots of examples of that. Nope, this company is not good.
Expect to see these brand new models for 50-60% off in three weeks.

-1

roadstain

4 years ago

Reply to Greg

I have to agree Greg. As the owner of more than a couple “Lynskey” bikes (under various brands)…seems to me that Helix was and is nothing more than a marketing ploy. I know two guys who had the top tube on their Helix shear.

As far as the company not being ‘good’. In every instance I have heard there was a prompt replacement (if under warranty). Cant say so much for many other brands out there (including the Big S and the Big T).

marathonmtber

4 years ago

Reply to roadstain

I had a lyksey 2012 pro 29 crack just under the seat tube after a couple of seasons of normal xc use which was a known issue by them. Lynskey only offered to repair the crack which would have taken them multiple months to complete the repair. They also offered to sell me a frame at what presume was around cost which was 1100$ at the time. Lynskey’s warranty is crap imo.

LemondRider

4 years ago

Reply to Joe

Try “shouldering” that bike. OUCH!. I thought round tubes were the most efficient. Just vary the diameter and wall thickness to determine stiffness.

Pat

4 years ago

You’ve misspelt Lynskey

Admin

Kristi Benedict

4 years ago

Reply to Pat

Yikes, we did. Thanks for the heads up.

rekt23

4 years ago

They should post weights

Eric W

4 years ago

Just fyi, my 2014 pro 29 rips trails to pieces. I absolutely love the power transfer and flickability (probably made up word) of this bike. No issues or problems with the frame and got it new for <$800. Ti is very undervalued imho and carbon is so overhyped, it's ridiculous. I'm seriously considering a new GR 270, although I agree with above comment: they should post weight

Scott

3 years ago

I own 3 Lynskeys and all are excellent. Even called once for a custom build. Great customer service as well

Rick

3 years ago

Can’t speak specifically about Lynskey but I had a Litespeed Saber Tri bike come off my car traveling 70 mph and After a 1 hour trip to bike shop I raced on it the next day. Try that with carbon !