Litespeed 2000 Saber

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Alfred E. Bike

Favorite Ride:
Headwind Grind to Lake Michigan

Bike Setup:
Syntace Bars, ITM Millenium Stem, Thompson Elite Seat Post, Mix of Dura Ace and Ultegra Gruppo, Dia Compe Brakeset, Speedplay X1 pedals, Mavic CXP33 trainin, HED Jets for racing.

Summary:
I bought this bike with the sole intention of doing my first IM on it, but have used it successfully in many short course races. The roads in Michigan are brutal, but the titanium provides adequate dampening from the road shock without being too soft. The 78 degree seat tube allows you to get into a good aero position and works well for moderately hilly and flat courses. If you have a mountainous course, then the bike is too steep. I rode it in the World Long course championships in Nice, France and wished I had opted for my road bike. Overall, I think its a great bike that will suit anyone well for 99% of their races.

Strengths:
Magical Ride, High quality manufacturing, longevity of Titanium.

Weaknesses:
Decals are cheap, ITM Millenium Stem face plate cracked.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2100, Trek 1200, Klein Fervor

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
too many to mention

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace components, Syntace aero bars, deda stem, Chris King head set, Profile Design Carbon Cranks, Spinergy Spox training wheel set, H3 racing wheel set

Summary:
This is my first Ti bike. I hate to sound cliche, but Ti is the ultimate ride! In my past 15 years of cycling I've tried many different frames. The characteristics of this bike; stiffness, frame weight, road dampening ability, and lateral rigidity are perfectly blended. The addition of the Profile design carbon cranks added a 'snappy' feel to the frame. Dont forget to size up the front chain rings in consideration of the 650cc wheel set. In this past season, i've set 3 pr's on this bike, and completed my first ironman distance. For me the top tube is a little long, but was an easy fix with a 90mm stem. The first deda stem broke at the face plate, Colorado Cyclist expressed a replacement.

In conclusion, the frame is perfect for longer triathlons, there are stiffer, more efficient frames (elite) but i like how the titanium frame leaves me in prepartion for the running segement of the triathlon race.

"Keep the rubber side down"
Vic

Strengths:
Ride and frame quality

Weaknesses:
$$

Similar Products Used:
Ibis Lugi / Trek Carbon / Klien quantum / Elite (test ride only)