Justin worked with David Lynskey in June 2006 to design "the ultimate climbing machine", a two-pound (900gm) medium Level 4 custom:  73/73 frame angles and a relatively short 53cm top tube, to put a little more weight over the front wheel for an ultra-steep event like the Mount Washington Hill-Climb.  

We built up the Level 4 with Dura-Ace, except for Campy Record Hyper-Drive compact cranks.  We built up the R310 with SRAM Rival, which is the lightest "budget" group on the market, with a Force crankset. 

Then Justin started to alternate between the two bikes for a "quick" climb up the west side of Middlebury Gap.  

The fastest time happened on the R310, using Reynolds KOM wheels (pictured on the Level 4 Custom in these photos).   The next best time, by just 4 seconds, was on the Level 4 Custom with Topolino Carbon Core CX4.0 wheels.  Taking into account variables such as wind direction, temperature, and humidity, neither bike offered a distinct advantage to a moderately-conditioned athlete.

The Rides

6Al/4V titanium is stiffer than 3Al/2.5V, and this stiffness is enhanced by the angular structure of the 6Al/4V top and down tubes used in the Level 4.  You feel this stiffness on the road.  If you've always loved Cannondale, then you will feel right at home on a Level 4.

If you are looking for a silky ride that feels more like the Trek Madone SSL, however, you will feel more at home on the HB R310. 

We have an '08 R320 demo now, that offers the best of both worlds.  The oversized top and down tubes are more massive than a Cannondale CAAD9, currently the industry standard for stiffness in a metal bike.  Yet the frame retains the "silky" ride offered by ovalized 3/2.5 titanium.  Full review coming.

So, Justin, which would you pick?

"If I could time-warp a modern bike back to the 1979 Mount Washington Hill Climb, the year I placed 14th, it would be the Level 4.  Every gram counts when you're going up for 7.6 miles at an average grade of 12 percent, with extended pitches of 18 percent, and every second counts when you're trying to crack the top 10 in a Pro/I-II race.  This is especially true when you're recovering from a 130 mile road race the day before, which was the case that year.  I was in peak form at the time, not 'moderately conditioned', so I had the power to maximize the Level 4's advantages in weight and stiffness.

"If I had to pick one of the two bikes to own now, however, it would be the HB R310, because of the silkier ride.  The cost was 70% of the Level 4, even with a really nice set of very light carbon wheels.  These definitely helped, especially on the 15 percent grades at the bottom and near the top of the Gap."

** Note:  For 2008, the Lynskey models most similar in ride to the HB R310 will be the House Blend R220 and the Level 2 Custom.