Strengths: Light (17-18 pounds), "alive", responsive, fast, fun, no rust, durable, economical (you won't be looking for a long time=money saved),purty to look at, did I say fun already? how about funnest? See? fun enough to forget your grammer!
Weaknesses: Well...I guess I eat too much chocolate...OH! THE BIKE! Nope.Buy it now.
Bottom Line:
Wow. I've owned 5 steel bikes from cheap to above average, and one alum. one and prided myself on being sort of retro dedicated but the difference is irrefutable. No kidding, at 35 I was actually giggling while accelerating up a hill. It's the mix of comfort, and speed I've been looking for for 10 years. So if you know that you'll be riding for a while I can only tell you that I wish I had done this from the beginning-I would have saved thousands of dollars and miles. It helps that I bought this used at half what a new one costs. Finally, even though you see more Litespeeds than other Ti makes, once you're on one you'll forget the brand because it just disappears below you. Get one as soon as you can!
Bike Setup: Polished with Full D/A and the goods to make a 17 pounder.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
p chop
a Recreational Rider
from cleveland hts
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2002
Bottom Line:
This is a '97 or '96, bought used. It is also my first "pure" road bike; prior to the past five years of mountain biking, my ride was an '86 Lotus steel touring bike (which I loved). A coast-to-coast ride on my road-modified mountain bike convinced me of my desire for a true road bike. I used these reviews to help pick a used one.
I went with this Litespeed for comfort and quickness, and after about 700 miles, I have gotten both. Anyone going from a mountain to a road bike might be expected to feel this way, but on this bike, I feel like a sparrow. I weigh about 150#, so I haven't really given a thought to BB flex, and I like the forgiveness of this bike over bumps and rough road. Since the frame doesn't flex with hard riding, the slight amount of spring makes it feel lively. (That slight springyness was first noticed when I jumped a sunken manhole cover at about 40 mph, and the bike reconnected with the road without so much as a whirr -- that responsiveness was something I could feel in the frame, and it made my skin tingle.)
Though I haven't ridden a lot of other road bikes, I can at least say that titanium was a good choice for me. Going from relaxed-angled steel to this pretty tight frame has been a nice transition, and I love the handling.
I'm only giving threes on the ratings out of fairness, since I have little to compare and it's an older model.
Strengths: Great frame material, decent workmanship, though it is certainly not a Seven. Excellent ride, esp. for hills and sprints. Comfortable over long distances.
Weaknesses: None so far, though I wouldn't mind the carbon seatstays on the 2002 version.
Ti is expensive, though getting the previous model year frame saved a good amonut.
Bottom Line:
Fast, light, climbs and descends well - what more could you want?
Frame is very stiff (without being uncomfortable to ride for long distances) giving good acceleration. I have not noticed the shorter wheelbase than I am used being a problem.
The ride is excellent (viva titanium!), the bike absorbs a lot of road shock without feeling dead and unresponsive.
Strengths: This is a 1998 Litespeed Ultimate. I went from a Colnago,To this Bike and I have to say The Ultimate really is the Ultimate. Accelaraation is quik regardless if you are in the saddle or Out!
Weaknesses: NO,WEAKNESSES WHAT SO EVER!!!!
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike from a friend of mine 3 years ago,and the condition that i got it in was great. After 3 years on this bike i wanted a new bike,and was not up to paying top dollar. I then decided to send off my frame to get refurbished. I was in for a real surprise! This Frame is back in new condition again. Litespeeds are Bikes for life. compared to other bikes i have mentioned the ultimate is a very quik road bike. I am very Happy on this Bike.
Similar Products Used: Colnago,Pinarello,Cannoondale
Bike Setup: All Dura Ace,Chris King Headset,Easton EC-90 Fork,The Stem ITM,Easton EC-90 42'Bar,Look Pedals,East
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Ryder
a Recreational Rider
from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: The different shaped tubes look awesome.
The curved seattube is better looking than the cutout that they use now,IMO.
It rides much smoother than the Cannondale. Very easy to keep clean wipe down with wd40.
Main strength are made by the ultimate bike company "LITESPEED".
Using the ultimate material "TITANIUM".
And has the ultimate name "ULTIMATE".
Should last Forever.
Weaknesses: What weaknesses? OK, the only weakness that I can think of is that the seatpost collar should be like the new Ultimate's. I like the clamp style better.
Bottom Line:
This is really for a 1998 Litespeed ULTIMATE. I got this as a frame and hand picked each part. Had a choice of either the Ultimate or Classic, both in the right price range. Couldn't say no to the Ultimate for only 600 dollars more.
I gotta thank Barry for giving me the frame for the price that he did. Thanks
I'm glad that I got the 98 because of the changes that they made in the years that followed.
Cable stops on the headtube.
the cutout in the seattube.
And I am happy about the 1 inch headtube for threaded headsets. I guess I am old school?
