Litespeed 1999 Appalachian

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus racing triple with Shimano XT cantilever brakes and 36 hole campy hubbed wheels with Mavic rims.

Summary:
Excellent all around bike. I use it for commuting to work, long rides in the mountains and occasional off road rides. Its geometry makes it suitable for agressive riding as well as the casual family ride with a bike trailer attached. Buy this bike if you are an ex racer who now has a family and want a machine that you can enjoy to ride with the wife and kids as well as with the guys. It will definitely answer the beckoning call for performance you are used to in your true road racing machine.

Strengths:
Light weight, geometry, handling, ride quality, versatility

Weaknesses:
Front cantilever brake rigging.

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Favorite Ride:
to work :(

Bike Setup:
shimano ultegra cross

Summary:
I can't be too critical, because I got a deal on this bike. But, in comparison with my road bike, the litespeed is just not stiff enough in the bottom bracket. And yes, that's with road tires on the litespeed. also, i hate shimano stuff, but that can't be fixed really for a cross bike. Other than that, this bike is good. Soft ride, okay handling, super light for portages. I just expected lightning acceleration, and don't get it. not a major problem while in the woods, but not so good when you want to dust off cars on the way to work! Not sure if it's really worth the big bucks for titanium at this point.

Strengths:
super light, fairly plush ride

Weaknesses:
not stiff enough!

Similar Products Used:
None

Favorite Ride:

kain's woods

Bike Setup:

105 w/Ultegra triple

Summary:
Ordered the Appy on 08MR99, received 20MY99, much longer than the promised 4-5 weeks. Several problems 1) Dealer (Missing Link, London, ON) forgot to order the saddle, 2) missing lower headset seal, 3) missing aheadset stem spacers - I had requested 3 of spacers, 4) no front or rear brake cable adjusters, 5) cantilever mounts on custom steel fork were too low - brake pads would not contact rim, 6) shipping damage - 2 bent spokes and broken XT cantilever bushing cover, 7) wrong width bars sent, 8) wrong tires sent. By 27MY99, the saddle, correct bars and tires had arrived and I built up the bike (my request). However, did not receive 3 of spacers, front & rear brake adjusters, spokes, seal or bushing cover. Bought the spacers, adjusters and spokes from a better equipped dealer. Litespeed still promising to replace the fork in 2-3 weeks - I had to grind the cantilever slots to get the pads to the rims. Love the bike, just not impressed with the dealer or Litespeed customer service. Litespeed did not think about making the brakes adjustable. Litespeed suggested contacting Cane Creek for the headset seal, that's bogus - if I bought a car or motorcycle that was missing a widget, the manufacturer would not tell me to contact the widget manufacturer. One tip when buying any cyclocross bike - pay attention to crotch clearance. The dealer tried to sell me a larger frame saying that the top tube length was important, but I bought a smaller frame and longer stem - works fine - I like long stems. Will update if I ever get satisfaction.

Strengths:

Light, great handling

Weaknesses:

Customer Service

Similar Products Used:

none

Summary:


This bike is a lifer! This frame will do anything: casual road-racing, cyclo-cross, even touring (has rack bosses). Great feel, plush enough on rough surfaces to prevent bone-jarring but stiff enough to still feel very precise. I expect to be riding this bike for the next 10 years.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None