Riders have the choice of four levels of custom tubesets and build, as well as brushed, satin or painted finishes and decal color or etching style. If you decide to go full-custom, your frame purchase begins with a phone powwow with the master frame builder himself. Mark Lynskey takes the information and spends the night behind a computer designing your personal bike. Lynskey only sells frames. Custom frames begin at $2995. Weight and ride options step up to Level 4 and a $4395 price tag.
Best quote: "The big hoops and springy, bump absorbing titanium work together to offer a surprisingly supple downhill experience (for a hardtail). We only caught ourselves grabbing the binders to slow down for the really huge, wheel-busting impacts. It's easy to ride over your head because the bike can always pull it off. We should mention that the bike does have that magic titanium feel. The big wheels and the titanium eliminate the trail chatter that shakes your dentures loose on an aluminum hardtail."
Bottom line: It is no secret that titanium has lost some of its heyday luster, and lots of riders have defected to the carbon fiber camp. The Pro29 makes a case for titanium and proves its detractors wrong. The price is going to keep the Pro29 a rare sight on most trails and race course; however, when you do see one, it will most likely be pulling away from you.