Strengths: Beautiful brushed finish(stripped all but head-badge and Made in USA sticker), compliant, durable, reasonably stiff. Hell, it's a Litepeed. Oh, and I paid $400 for it and spare parts...
Weaknesses: not the stiffest but who cares, everyone needs a comfortable bike in their arsenal.
Bottom Line:
I bought this frameset with the pathetic excuse for a fork, seatpost, and headset for $400 shipped on eBay. My plan was to make it my crit/abusive training/rain bike but after a few rides on it, I fell in love. Now, its entire crappy build has been stripped and I've stiffened up the front end with an EC90 full carbon fork, Chris King Headset, FSA OS-115 White stem, and carbon bars. The group was upgraded to Campy record and the wheels are now DT-Swiss 240 handbuilts.
I choose to ride this over my Look 595 Ultra all the time. This is indeed a timeless Ti masterpiece. The frame is flexy enough to provide vertical compliance but not so bad that it feel laterally flimsy. I am a 6'4" 220lb. crit racer so it isn't the stiffest bike but one of my favorites none-the-less
Similar Products Used: Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Look, Scott, Cervelo, Fuji, and Specialized.
Bike Setup: -2001 57cm Litespeed Arenberg Frame
-Campagnolo Record Group with 3-piece crank
-White Selle SMP Pro
-White OS-115 120mm Stem
-White Fizik Microtex Tape
-White Dt-Swiss Mon-Chasseral Wheelset laced to a white velocity deep-V rear(added stiffness)
-BBB Race Carbon Handlebar
-Vittoria Open Corsa CX 700 x 23c
-Full Titanium seatpost with Ti screws/clamps.
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!
Bottom Line:
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.
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
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.
Bottom Line:
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.
Favorite Ride: Nicasio/Tomales/Olema, Woodside/Tunitas Creek, Mt Diablo
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At: Pacific Bicycles
Similar Products Used: Cannondales 3.0 and 2.8. Univega steel. Yeah, it's a long time between bikes!
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
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.
Bottom Line:
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.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed Classic,Fuji Club
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
allan burke
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003
Strengths: Great welds and craftsmanship
Weaknesses: Rear Mavic Cosmos wheel
Bottom Line:
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.
Hi All,
Need your opinion/advise on this.
I am currently riding a year2001 Litespeed Arenberg (similiar to a year 2005/6 Litespeed Firenze in Geometry etc, traditional top tube)
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Hey Guys,
Been a member of RBR for a while and thought I would post some pics and an intro. My name is Dan Tourino. I am a 21 year old Road Racer from Yorba Linda, CA and ride f Read More »
Okay, let's get this outta the way. Congrats to Chavanel. Gutsy move that proves why early breaks make sense: sometimes they survive. Now, did it survie do to his riding or due to Read More »
[url]http://classifieds.roadbikereview.com/showproduct.php?product=25345[/url]
thought you guys might like this. with a new gruppo, it'd be one heck of a nice bike. Read More »
