Moots vs IF vs Lynskey

Muzak

Hi

Have decided to get a custom-build titanium bike and narrowed it down to the following 4 options:

1) Vamoots (one concern on this one is that the frame is straight gauge, not butted)
2) Vamoots SL
3) IF Crown Jewel
4) Lynskey Custom (Level 2)

All 4 options have different grades of material used, builds etc.

Can anyone advise based on knowledge or experience?

Many thanks in advance!

Muzak

gundersen

Well every time someone asks about a steel frame they always get loads of stupid answers that say a titanium or carbon frame is better.

Now its my turn.
Alu bikes are great -why don't you buy something crappy like a Trek or Cannondale instead of a silly Titanium bike?

Muzak

I have a cr*ppy bike already and now want a good one

gundersen

Well I don't have a titanium frame.
Certainly none of the above.
Used to own a old Lynskey Lightspeed. Good ride.
But I have moved on.


:shock:

synchronicity

I'm tempted to say "if you can't decide, we can't help you"

Honestly, at that price range, it's all comes down to which brand you prefer & what looks better. What attracts YOU to each one? In your opinion, what qualities do those frame-builders possess which others don't come close to? What exactly don't you like about each frame, or are they all spectacular in your opinion?

Muzak

synchronicity wrote:

I'm tempted to say "if you can't decide, we can't help you"

Honestly, at that price range, it's all comes down to which brand you prefer & what looks better. What attracts YOU to each one? In your opinion, what qualities do those frame-builders possess which others don't come close to? What exactly don't you like about each frame, or are they all spectacular in your opinion?

Have seen the Vamoots, Vamoots SL and the IF CJ. All are spectacular but I prefer the Moots style. Have not seen the Lynskey in the flesh yet.

I started out planning to get the basic Vamoots. However, want to understand more as it is 3/2.5 straight-guaged whereas the Vamoots SL is 6/4 butted and the IF CJ is 3/2.5 butted. :shock: I am about 14 stone and don't want the non-butted Vamoots to feel like a noodle. The bike is for multi-purpose use rather than a singular race machine and I want to be comfortable in the saddle all day. :?

synchronicity

I think you are confused about the butting. It is the butted tubing which is lighter and will more likely "feel like a noodle". It's also more prone to damage (tubes denting in)... assuming the tube diameter is the same that is. :oops:

Muzak

synchronicity wrote:

I think you are confused about the butting. It is the butted tubing which is lighter and will more likely "feel like a noodle". It's also more prone to damage (tubes denting in)... assuming the tube diameter is the same that is. :oops:

I thought butted would lead to a stiffer frame? Why would Moots have a more expensive 6/4 butted then? Is it just the minor weight gain? If so, I am not bothered by that.

Thanks!

gundersen

a butted frame is lighter because it is thinner

the butt is at the ends to take the heat when welding

synchronicity

Butted tubing refers to the butts on the ends of the tubes. Double-butted tubing enables frame-builders to reduce the thickness of the tubes in the middle sections, while maintaining thick ends suitable for welding:



The only way this results in a stiffer frame is if they compensate by using oversized tubing.

dcj

I test rode a Vamoots compact SL for a few days.

I was really taken with the build and finish. However the SL was a little too firm for comfort - it was unecessarily stiff for me.

I was offered the Moots custom build service with not just size but tube profiles, but that would have meant not being able to test ride before buying.

You mention you weigh 14 stones so probably for you the stiffness on the standard off the peg models would feel about right.
However, I am pretty sure you should consider as well going for the basic Vamoots instead of the SL. It would be a fine choice.

The SL is fractionally lighter and the tubes are a tiny bit more brittle.
It is aimed at people who want the best from Moots and don't care how much it costs.
I detected that even the Moots boys think the non-SL version is already plenty good enough.

The basic model looks identical and is quite a lot less expensive.

Andy140

Hi Muzak, I have the Lynskey Level 1 frame - had it for 3 months and delighted with the bike. Very comfortable, a great deal more then the alu frame I had before.

Muzak

dcj wrote:

I test rode a Vamoots compact SL for a few days.

I was really taken with the build and finish. However the SL was a little too firm for comfort - it was unecessarily stiff for me.

What did you end up with out of interest?

Muzak

Andy140 wrote:

Hi Muzak, I have the Lynskey Level 1 frame - had it for 3 months and delighted with the bike. Very comfortable, a great deal more then the alu frame I had before.

Who did you deal with on the Lynskey customisation and purchase if you don't mind me asking? Thanks.

Andy140

It was Clive at Bikelab that took all measurements etc , the spec was emailed direct from Lynskey. Both were fantatic to deal with.

jpembroke

Is it worth waiting for the Lynskey-built Planet X Sportive bike?

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/inde ... AGE_id=263

dcj

Muzak wrote:

dcj wrote:

I test rode a Vamoots compact SL for a few days.

I was really taken with the build and finish. However the SL was a little too firm for comfort - it was unecessarily stiff for me.

What did you end up with out of interest?

2005 model Litespeed Ghisallo.

However, I would be the first person to say that it is highly unlikely to be the optimum choice for a rider who is14 stone.

st199ml

I own a Moots Compact. I weigh a little under 14 stone.

The bike is absolute perfection for my needs. All day comfortable, yet stiff enough not to feel wallowy under power.

dcj

st199ml wrote:

I own a Moots Compact. I weigh a little under 14 stone.

The bike is absolute perfection for my needs. All day comfortable, yet stiff enough not to feel wallowy under power.

That makes complete sense to me. It is nice to hear confirmation.

Muzak

jpembroke wrote:

Is it worth waiting for the Lynskey-built Planet X Sportive bike?

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/inde ... AGE_id=263

Very tempting prospect also. No-one seems sure yet exactly when they are ready to ship and what the spec etc is. I understand they are priced very competitively though.

Muzak

st199ml wrote:

I own a Moots Compact. I weigh a little under 14 stone.

The bike is absolute perfection for my needs. All day comfortable, yet stiff enough not to feel wallowy under power.

Thanks. Good to know there are a few other owners about in the UK! What size/weight is it pls? !

daveplanetx

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/inde ... AGE_id=263

Very tempting prospect also. No-one seems sure yet exactly when they are ready to ship and what the spec etc is. I understand they are priced very competitively though.


- Bikes are all built , first batch will be airfreighted over next week , were keeping some stock in Chattanooga so that we will retain flexibility on decals / logos and custom etching is possible .

Complete bikes should be around 1500-1700 with ultegra depending on exact specs , though we might be able to put togethor a dura ace drivetrain with Gossamere compact cranks , and tektro brakes for same price .

st199ml

Muzak wrote:

Thanks. Good to know there are a few other owners about in the UK! What size/weight is it pls? !

It's a 55. Gawd knows the exact weight. <18lbs maybe on Campag Chorus but don't quote me on it.

Muzak

daveplanetx wrote:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=263

Very tempting prospect also. No-one seems sure yet exactly when they are ready to ship and what the spec etc is. I understand they are priced very competitively though.


- Bikes are all built , first batch will be airfreighted over next week , were keeping some stock in Chattanooga so that we will retain flexibility on decals / logos and custom etching is possible .

Complete bikes should be around 1500-1700 with ultegra depending on exact specs , though we might be able to put togethor a dura ace drivetrain with Gossamere compact cranks , and tektro brakes for same price .

Do you have the geometry details to hand pls?