Litespeed 2000 Tuscany

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Here

Favorite Ride:
Tuscany

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace, Easton, Zipp

Summary:
Upgraded from a Cannondale Six/13 to an 06 Tuscany. This thing rocks. Long rides are a breeze..so much more comfortable! 2 hours in the saddle feels like 5 minutes. I installed a Dura-Ace 7800 drivetrain and shifters, EC90 seatpost and Zipp 404 wheels. Weight is slightly less than the Six/13 but the stiffness and comfort blow it away. The price of the Litespeeds can be a deterrent but after riding it it is worth every penny.

Strengths:
Stiff, Light, and Responsive

Weaknesses:
None Yet!!

Similar Products Used:
Six 13, CAAD 8 R1000

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Bicicletta

Favorite Ride:
Ramrod

Bike Setup:
Ltespeed Tuscany Frame
Real Design Fork
Campy Centaur Group
Campy Neutron Wheels

Summary:
Purchased a 2006 Tuscany to replace my Devinci CX1 carbon frame. Always wanted to own a Litespeed. I cannot say enough about the difference in ride quality. The Tuscany is the "smoothest" bike I have ever ridden. However, this doesn't mean it is not stiff enough for serious, competitive cycling. The main difference is that after 2-3 hours in the saddle, you just want to keep going. Road vibration is almost non existent. As for handling, the Tuscany may not be as quick as other bikes, but it does provide extreme confidence when entering/exiting corners.

Overall, most of my riding involves 2-3 hour tempo club rides. Therefore I would rather have a bike that that is comfortable (with "no" loss of speed)than a bike that offers more stiffness but feels punishing after the 2nd hour in the saddle. Besides, 90% of us do do generate enough power to test the limits of a bikes stiffness anyways.

Overall, the Tuscany is a winner.

Strengths:
Smmoth ride while maintaining stffness. Stable, high speed cornering.

Weaknesses:
Not as light as some of the latest carbon frames.

Similar Products Used:
Devinci CX1

Price Paid:  $1500.00

Favorite Ride:
Hills of Maryland

Bike Setup:
Ultegra / Dura-ace mix, Mavic Ksyrium Elites,.....

Summary:
Most positives about this bike have already been detailed in other reviews. This bike is perfect for 2 hour + rides, just when the small imperfections of other setups get to you: stiffness of alum., geometry of time trial bikes, etc. I was surprised how a bike can be both responsive on hill climbing but still extremely comfortable to ride. I use this bike on hilly triathlons with aerobars and group rides.

Strengths:
Durability, comfort, responsiveness, flexibility in setup options, resale value.

Weaknesses:
Price.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondales, Fujis, Airbornes.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at PERFORMANCE BIKE

Favorite Ride:
PEDAL THE PINCHOT

Bike Setup:
Campy record 10, Look carbon fork, Sella carbon seat, Campy carbon seat post, Campy pedals, Mavic ce

Summary:
So, you'll know my perspective, I'm 56 and in reasable shape. I use the bike for mid-week club rides (25 - 35 miles) and for week-end rides, centuries or sometimes longer.

What can I say that most of the other reviewers haven't already said. This is a great bike. It's both stiff and comfortable. It's as comfortable at mile 100 as it is at mile 1.

I've had it almost two years now. That's long enough to know the bike. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Strengths:
Not too much frame flex yet a great ride. Climbs well. Stable. Frame should last forever.

Weaknesses:
Price might be an issue but for a ti frame, the price isn't too bad.

Similar Products Used:
My other bike is a Trek 2300. It's the old style with carbon tubes and aluminum fork, head tube, bottom and stays. It has a nice ride but flexs and isn't as stable as the Tuscany.

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at hi-techbikes.com

Bike Setup:
Ultegra double, 12-27 cassette, Mavic Reflex wheels, Hammer TB bar, Ritchie Stem, Thompson post, Fli

Summary:
2001 model. Very nice bike, a steal at year end clearance! Guys at hi-techbikes in San Diego were great to work with. 600 miles on it so far, including my first Century ride. This is my first roadbike, having ridden MBs before. Very stiff frame in 53cm, with little flex pounding up hills, but forgiving on the tush. Haven't ridden in aggressive situations, so I can't say how well it handles. At full price, it would have been a tough call between this and some others on my list.

Strengths:
No maintenance finish, classy looks, solid ride, good road feel, comfortable on loong rides. Lifetime investment. Ultegra is great gruppo, with exception of shifters

Weaknesses:
A little heavier than it's CF competition; not as attractive as some painted bikes. Ultegra shifters rattle.

Similar Products Used:
Tested Trek 5200, Kestrel Talon, Serotta Colorado III, Lemond Zurich, Cannondale CAAD4, Marin San Marino