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Product Review: Lynskey Sportive Disc Titanium Road Frame 2018

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Lynskey’s Sportive Disc Titanium Road Frame is designed for total comfort and long distances. A relaxed, endurance-oriented geometry doesn’t mean a reduction in performance, the Sportive model is still made with the same passion and expertise as you expect from Lynskey, with thirty years of handmade titanium frame experience poured into this titanium road frame to provide the hallmarks of Lynskey quality: responsive handling, comfortable, and light.

Handmade Titanium Frame

Engineered with an oversized downtube for stability, this Sportive model has a tapered headtube for increased front-end precision handling. Curved seatstays will smooth out rough roads and when paired with 32c tyres, this titanium frame will deliver a plush ride to take the edge off fatigue when tackling back-to-back long days in the saddle.

The combination of disc brakes, rack mounts, and fender mounts on the Sportive’s relaxed geometry means you are equipped to tackle adverse conditions and carry any additional equipment required. Complete this bike with your finishing kit of choice and revel upon the comfort, performance, and longevity of a titanium frame.

Features:

  • Material: Titanium
  • Classic finish
  • External cable routing on down tube
  • Endurance geometry for maximum comfort
  • Lightweight
  • Stiff
  • Fender mounts
  • Rack mounts
  • 32c tyre clearance
  • Bosses for two water bottle cages
  • Bottom Bracket: 68mm Threaded
  • Brake Type: Disc, mechanical or hydraulic
  • Dropouts: Interchangeable rear dropout, 9mm QR or 12x142mm Thru-Axle
  • Headtube Design: Tapered/Integrated, recommended Cane Creek IS 42/52
  • Rear Spacing: 142mm with Thru-Axle
  • Seatpost Diameter: 27.2mm
  • Seat Tube Diameter (Front Derailleur Clamp Size): 34.9mm
  • Wheels: 700c
  • Maximum Tyre Width: 32c

Lynskey Sportive Frame Review:

Year after year, Lynskey keeps putting out great bikes. This titanium road frame has been in the Lynskey lineup for a long time with no major changes, which is a good thing. The Sportive titanium road frame, Lynskey’s most recognised and popular model, has a relaxed geometry, which translates to maximum comfort for long days in the saddle. The Sportive is also Lynskey’s best-selling frame.

My test bike, the Lynskey Sportive disc titanium road bike was to be ridden on the Colorado high country roads, which can be quite a challenge for bikes. From the moment I tightened the bars and seat post, my bike was more comfortable than any bike I’ve owned. I’m just over six feet tall and weighing in around 175 pounds and the 58cm Sportive was comfortable as can be. Over the years the Sportive has had some tweaks to the geometry to accommodate the day’s growing trends. Gone are the curved chain and seat stays and the Sportive’s new tapered headtube. I personally prefer the curved stays over the tapered, but the latter is more a growing trend. The Sportive also has rack and fender mounts. These mounts can be a pain to install but are cool to have on a disc bike for commuting with racks.

The Sportive is made with Lynskey’s 5/2 titanium, which uses a thicker gauge than other manufacturers to save weight and maintain strength. The Sportive frame weighs in at just 2390g as the manufacturer claims. I weighed my bike at 2574g. Lynskey’s bikes are typically over stated so it’s probably just around 2400g. Not bad since my bike has titanium dropouts.

The US-made Lynskey Sportive Disc Ti, with a BSA bottom bracket, will keep your feet very comfortable for those all-day, back-to-back rides. If you’re looking for a titanium bike without a crazy price tag, you can’t go wrong with the 2018 Lynskey Sportive disc titanium road frame.

If you are looking for a smooth and comfortable ride that will be forgiving on your back during those long days in the saddle, the Sportive is for you. On the disc version, the Sportive is a great road disc bike as well. The Sportive Disc Ti is a great all-in-one titanium road frame.

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Pros:

  • Lynskey Quality
  • 2574g (claimed) 2450g (actual)
  • Disc Brake version
  • 5/2 Titanium, handmade in USA
  • Fender and rack mounts
  • Can still be used for ‘gravel’ riding/races
  • Comfortable for back of the saddle riding
  • Can be used for commuting
  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Price
  • Tapered Headtube
  • That it’s Disc Brake only (I’m not a fan of discs on road bikes)
  • Can be hard to find a carbon fork (but can be used with any steel or titanium forks)

The Sportive was one of the first titanium road bikes to be made in the USA, and it has been offered in the Lynskey lineup since 2006. The Sportive is made of Lynskey 5/2 titanium and uses a tapered headtube. This frame is lightweight and makes great use of titanium’s natural dampening properties, giving this bike a smooth ride. The Sportive is a classic road bike design, with a relaxed geometry and clean looks. This bike is extremely comfortable for long days in the saddle and would also make a perfect bike for travelling. You can easily pack this bike and some rack-mounted panniers and head out to explore. You will have to add brakes and a rear wheel, but you will not have to ever worry about the frame flexing or the welds breaking on this dependable bike. This bike can switch between multiple brake systems and even come equipped with a rear thru-axle for running discs.

The Sportive can be used to tackle light singletrack but it does not come with mounts for a front derailleur. The front derailleur mount comes standard on Lynskey’s frames as well as internal routing for a rear derailleur. Lynskey does offer frames with a mount for a front derailleur, but only as a custom order. For this reason, the Sportive would not be a good choice for anyone looking to do some light trail riding. Even though this frame is not built for tough terrain, you could always add a rigid fork if you wanted to dabble in some harder riding.

I recommend the Sportive for fast road riding. This bike is comfortable and assured. It is also very easy to understand. It has classic styling, simple lines, and a look as beautiful as a stream that flows through the forest. The Sportive is an excellent platform for creating your own dream road bike as well. You can install racks and fenders for commuting, add lights for running errands after dark, or even add a light weatherproof jacket for an all-weather commuting setup. The Lynskey Sportive Disc Ti can also be used for light gravel racing or touring, though I would not go any further than that. As long as you know what you are getting into, the Sportive can take you all over the country with ease and comfort.

Certified Pre-Owned Lynskey Sportive Frames!

These bikes are pre-owned to near-new condition. We do not have these bikes built up with components, so we cannot offer a full technical description, but we can say that these bikes are all used bikes and have been inspected and tested for quality by our staff. Pre-owned bikes may show minor signs of previous use such as small scratches, minor scuffing/rubbing, and information that is listed in the description.

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Written by Mark Adams

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