Litespeed Arenberg

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Washtenaw Cycle and

Favorite Ride:
where ever

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra 9 speed component set, Flight Deck, Cane Creek head set, 3T stem and bar, Mavic Cosmos wheels, Thomson seat post, swapped San Marco ASPide Ti for Specialized Body Geometry saddle, Swapped Ultegra double crank for Shimano FC-R700 compact crank with outboard bearings, which seemed to help strengthen BB area, Ultegra pedals

Summary:
I've had the bike since early 2003, and, aside from the small problem with the bottom bracket, it's held up well. However, I would definitely recommend swapping the crank set for one that uses outboard bearings. Other than that, it is a terrific bike and I can fully recommend it.

Strengths:
I love the Ti frame, nice geometry, good ride and handling, quality components

Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket is weak. It creaks under load and it actually came undone once while I was riding. There was no sign or feeling of looseness at the start of the ride; it just came apart in about 10 miles ... argh!

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Super Sport

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Pacific Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Nicasio/Tomales/Olema, Woodside/Tunitas Creek, Mt Diablo

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra 9 spd. Speedplay Zero pedals, 32H Ultegra hubs/Mavic Open Pro rims, Easton EA90 stem, Ritchey WCS bars, Sel Italia Gel Flow saddle

Summary:
I've owned this bike for 7 years and have put at least 20K miles, probably more. About 2/3 of the components are original, although most of it could stand upgrading. The frame is amazing. I do long training rides, have used it to tour down the pacific coast, commute to work, all through rain, potholed San Francisco streets, gravel, you name it. The decals are a mess but the brushed Ti doesn't have a scratch. The bike has held up through plenty of abuse. It still has a solid, confident feel and the ride remains smooth and comfortable, which has always been its strong suit. Nowadays, it really looks the role of a classic bike. I will be upgrading hopefully soon but I can't see myself ever parting with this bike. It'll probably live on as a super commuter/winter bike.

Strengths:
Fantastic craftsmanship. Ti has both refined riding characteristics and amazing toughness. Classic RR geometry. Although not the lightest or stiffest, it does everything well. It is very stable on fast descents. You can haul ass on flats and climbs if your motor is up to it and it won't beat you up after a long ride.

Weaknesses:
It is not the stiffest frame especially in the bottom bracket. I weigh about 175 and notice flex when I stand and sprint. Occasionally it develops some creaks but nothing major.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondales 3.0 and 2.8. Univega steel. Yeah, it's a long time between bikes!

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at The old bike shop

Summary:
Bought the bike in 2002 at The Old Bike Shop in California and payed around $1800 for it.Mine came with Campagnolo Daytona wich are excellent components.The bad part is that it also came with SPINERGY SR-3 wheels,wich are plain CRAP.

Strengths:
Nice frame, campagnolo components,comfortable ride

Weaknesses:
Spinergy wheels = CRAP. The rear hub was toast after less than 1000 miles and Spinergy refused to warantee it.From what I understand their product and service hasn't improved much since so I'd stay away from them.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Classic,Fuji Club

Price Paid:  $1999.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Any road with a wide shoulder.

Bike Setup:
Full 9 Spd. Ultegra double,Wireless Flight deck computer, Stainless bottle cages,3T XL stem and bar,Tompson seatpost.

Summary:
Purchased in August of 2003 as a 2003 model. E-mailed Litespeed and there reply was that the factory had produced a limited number of frames in 2003.First 300 miles were great, then the rear Mavic Cosmos started giving me problems. The non drive side spokes loosened up so much I thought I might lose some. After tightenieng them and a few of the drive side up, I lost almost all of the dish. I had the wheel re-built(95 ft.lbs drive side and 75 ft. lbs non drive side)and that seems to have taken care of the problem. Overall besides a little bottom bracket movement when sprinting or climing out of the saddle,I am enjoying the bike. Hope to put on a set of Topolino wheels next year.

Strengths:
Great welds and craftsmanship

Weaknesses:
Rear Mavic Cosmos wheel

Similar Products Used:
Sampson Kalespel (1998 md)

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at American Bicycle - J

Favorite Ride:
Hechshire Drive

Bike Setup:
Ultegra
TTT Stem and Bars
Thompson seatpost
Cosmos Wheels (repaced after 9 mo.)
Selle Italia Max flight gel trans am
SRM powermeter

Summary:
I hadn't raced for over 14 years, so I feel today, 1 year later that this was a very good re-introduction to the racing/riding scene. The geom. is a little soft now, but initially the comfort it gave me the ability to ride extra hours. I was 265lbs initially on my way down, now to the 200lb mark. I am on a 61cm, so the ti framework was a good fit. Carbon fork is a must. Bike now has thousands of mi on it and only the wheels have been replaced. This bike is very tough. For whatever it is worth, I will be switching to either Carbon or Alum. next bike due to the power loss in racing throught the bottom bracket. Bascially, it just flexes too much.

Strengths:
"Spring back" ti
Comforatable for the re-entry level biker
price

Weaknesses:
As you ride more consistently, more often, you realize the frame flexing.
Cosmos wheels were too weak for me
Top tube was too short for me

Similar Products Used:
1987 Trek 760
1985 Trek 440