Litespeed 1999 Natchez

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Roadbike Review - Cl

Favorite Ride:
a local loop

Bike Setup:
Natchez with Profile Carbon fork, Shimano hubs/Mavic hoops, a mix of 105 and Ultegra components, Michelin Tires.

Summary:
Purchased in 2000 from a nut who buys a new bike every year. This bike is fantastic! I've had an opportunity to try friend's bikes over the years. Some are real flexy, others are stiff but you feel every pebble in the road. Because I'm a hardcore MTBer I thought I zipped through corners and excellerated faster because of my handling skills. But on friend's bikes, some felt nervous in the corners or tough to excellerate. I ride this bike a lot to stay in shape for my off road adventures and believe its a lot of bang for the buck.

Strengths:
Road feel, handling, and excelleration. It just rides like you expect a bike should. Comfortable enough for the century or epic.

Weaknesses:
Unrelated to Litespeed, I've worn out the Shimano rear hub and regularly break rear spokes. Maybe a little heavy for serious racing.

Similar Products Used:
Ridden friends' carbon, steel, aluminum bikes and it only confirmed value of this bike.

Price Paid:  $1250.00 at Online Ad

Favorite Ride:
Litespeed Natchez

Bike Setup:
Ultegra double, mavic cosmic elite wheels, FSA carbon cranks, FSA orbit headset, easton Carbon seatp

Summary:
Yeah..Right...Bottom of the line. I got this bike as a great deal off the internet, as I was looking for one of the higher dollar Litespeeds or Merlins. For less than I would have paid for a bare frame...I got a bike that I love to ride on everyday. I'm 6'1" and 175, bike has no real perceivable flexing, is very light, handles very well, soaks up choppy roads exceptionally well. If you want a good solid titanium bike, that will suprise and impress you, and not break the bank...go find one of these : )

Strengths:
Price and performance

Weaknesses:
None that I have found

Similar Products Used:
Colnago, Merckx, Trek, Merlin, Fondriest

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Westwood Cycle

Bike Setup:
Natchez Frame (1999), Shimano 105 Group (1999), Mavic Open Pro

Summary:
This is a GREAT BIKE and I got a steal because I put the bike together with the guys at Westwood Cycle from left over equipment that was still in the box. This is a $2000 bike that I snagged for under $1200 including all the gear (Computer, clothes, accesories, etc.). The guys at Westwood Cycle are awesome and the bike is a killer at this price or more...you can't go wrong with Litespeed.

Strengths:
Quck and responsive and what a ride! Feels like you are going from Honda to Benz when you step it up to Litespeed...

Weaknesses:
None found as of yet

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Trek, Klein, Bianchi

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at teton cycle works

Favorite Ride:
The Kelly Warmsprings loop

Bike Setup:
105, ritchey pro wheels, selle italia saddle, vittoria tyres

Summary:
This is way too much bike to be considered bottom of the line in anybodys book. Sure you might find a bike better suited for you, but if you put in long hilly miles the only thing you could ask for is MAYBE better specs. Ultegra or dura-ace would be an upgrade, but don't let that stop you from buying this bike. Buy it with the best componants you can afford, then wear them out. You cant buy a better bike.

Strengths:
very stable, lots of get up and go, climbs well

Weaknesses:
none that I've found

Similar Products Used:
None

Bike Setup:
Reynolds Ouzo Pro all-carbon fork,Ritchey threadless stem, Ultegra double, Mavic Open Pros by Wheelsmith

Summary:
I rode Lightspeed Vortex w/straight-blade Look fork and found I could feel every pebble in the road. I prefer the ride of the Natchez even if the frame is 1/2 lb. more. There is a corner that is downhill, 90 degree left, uphill, then 90 right turn that I do frequently. On my Trek 2000 I would brake heavily, wobble through the left and hammer up the grade and around the right. On my Zurich I would brake lightly,coast through the left at 20mph and pedal up the hill. On the Natchez I thought "what the heck, it feels so good" so I pedalled in hard without braking, banked it over while pedalling hard, then I planted the left pedal and got bounced about a foot to the right scaring the helln out of a pedestrian and me. I didn't go down and now I know my limits, but until I got this bike I never had the confidence to try so hard in a corner. In spite of this I find it very comfortable for 3 hour rides. When I talked to one LBS about Litespeed he was steering me toward the stiffer pricier models because I am 6'1 205lbs. I don't have a problem w/frame flex on this bike. I don't think we can say that there is a "low-end" Litespeed. Some just cost more than others.

Strengths:
handling,tracks well through corners,no wobbles down steep hills, neat to look at-beautiful welds and finish. Easy maintenance-no paint to chip and a new set of decals si $15. Pretty light weight and a fairly supple ride. Softer than my Trek aluminum but firmer than my LeMond Zurich. Litespeed customer service has been very helpful and I bought this bike used.

Weaknesses:
Haven't found any.

Similar Products Used:
Serotta, Trek, LeMond,DeRosa, Tommasini,Klein, Cannindale