A couple months I was doing some investigation into Ti hardtails, and came across a lightly used 2014 Lynskey 650 hardtail for about $2400. I was tempted by it, but kept on looking.
Well wouldn't you know it, the next day the price was dropped by a couple hundred bucks. Suddenly it became much harder to resist.
Lynskey claims the MT 650 has the oddly specific retail price of $4,273, but that's clearly optimistic as they're offering a 30% discount on all their bikes, bringing the real retail price down closer to $3000. Regardless, ~$2000 for a name-brand well-equipped Ti hardtail is a pretty great deal, in my opinion. It's used, but they're offering a full warranty.
I've had plenty of 26" mountain bikes, and I had a single-speed 29er Bianchi Sok, but I've never had a 650b. The marketing claims that it "handles like a 26-inch, but rolls like a 29-inch". Give me a break. My hope is merely that it looks less goofy than a 26-inch (which looks comically small on an XL frame) and less goofy than a 29-inch (which looks comically large on any mountain bike). I strongly suspect that within the skill-level of 98% of the mountain biking population a 29er handles just like a 26er and a 26er rolls just like a 29er. And a 650B splits the difference between the two.
Arrival
The MT650 arrived mostly assembled in a bike box. Picking up a bike box is always a bit of a surprise, as they feel surprisingly light.
Minor assembly required |
Ready To Ride |
Of course once assembled, the most important thing is to weigh it. 25 pounds, 13 oz.
Who says Titanium is lightweight? |
Max, not riding a bicycle |
First Thoughts
First, the size. I'm no giant; probably in the upper 5% of the size range, but definitely not a 1%-er. I'm squarely in the range that an XL anything, whether bike or shirt or pogo stick should fit me comfortably. Now, in Lynskey's defense, they do claim that the XL is sized for "5'11 - 6'2", but I'm just a wee bit taller than that, and the cockpit is definitely cramped. Look at the difference between my Trek Fuel and the Lynskey:
XL Trek Fuel vs XL Lynskey MT650 |
Second, and I'll admit that this is remarkably nit-picky, there a couple very minor build things that bug me. Sheldon Brown once commented that lining up the tube valve and tire label shows pride of workmanship. Much like Steve Jobs infamously cared about how the inside of the Macintosh looked. Lynskey got some things right here..
Labels on stem spacers lined up... Check! |
Labels on grips are not lined up |
Left the bar-code sticker on the seatpost |
Shimano XT everywhere! |
With the caveat that I haven't yet had a long ride on this bike, my short ride was a blast. It's been a long time since I've ridden a hardtail, so I'd forgotten why everyone names their full suspension bikes "Bob". The X-Fusion Velvet RL2 has a lockout (pretty much everything does these days, after all). I didn't come close to bottoming it out on the dirt road leading to my house, but the action was smooth as, well. velvet.
I tried hard to discern a difference from the 650B wheels. But I couldn't. The bike is obviously very different than my Trek Fuel with 26" wheels, but I have had a hardtail 29er, and this rides much like that did.
The road near my house varies from nice dirt road to nice forest-service quality with pot-holes. Even a road-bike on 700x25s can handle the former fine, but the MT650 was comfortable and confidence-inspiring on the latter as well.
Not a surprise. I mean, that has a lot more to do with the tires and such than anything else. Once we get a dry day I'll take it out to the nearby single-track area for some more "testing".
Summary
There are a couple minor things I'll change. I've ordered a one-up 42T cog to get a true granny gear. I'm currently planning to put that on the Lynskey, but I may change my mind and put it on my Trek instead. I'll also likely throw on a set-back seatpost (or maybe even a dropper!) and a longer stem to make it fit a little better.
Overall I'm pleased. The bike feels like a well-balanced, quality build that will last a long time.