Home | 2003 Road Bike

Litespeed Ultimate Record 2003 Road Bike

Average Rating: 4.5/5
MSRP: $ 5945.00
# of Reviews: 4

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Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by garveyman a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007

Strengths:    Ride quality, looks

Weaknesses:    2 failures on 2 different Ultimates. The first one, which Litespeed replaces cracked 3/4 ths of the way around the downtube 1 inch above the BB.The replacement 2003 frame lasted almost 4 years before it cracked at the headtube and circled around to the downtube and cracked across the top of it. (No replacement on that one)

Bottom Line:

When the frame is not cracked and broken, the ride quality and stiffness are wonderful. Unfortunately , it is hard to give a favorable review to a product that you have broken two of.

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Favorite Ride:   Dogwood

Purchased At:   Warranty Replacement

Similar Products Used:   BeBernardi steel, Specialized aluminum, Litespeed Hyperion alu, Leader alu, Fuji steel

Bike Setup:   Campy Record, Speedplay Zeros, Reynolds Race stem, Thomsom seatpost, Deda bar, Reynolds Composite wheels, Fizik Aliante saddle

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by photogray a Road Racer from NYC

Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003

Strengths:    Warranty
Stiff frame

Weaknesses:    Heavier than their older models
Heavier than carbon

Bottom Line:

Like the first reviewer I had bought the 1997 Ultimate which also developed a crack across the juncture of the seat and down tubes (right above the BB shell). They were wonderful about honoring their warranty, even though I'd raced on the frame for years, and gave me a huge discount on a new fork and headset to accomodate the changes made since '97.
It is a bike for racing, shorter wheelbase than the Vortex, with a higher bb height (to accomodate pedaling through corners). It is stiff as you'd want a bike to be and yet is comfortable, made more so by the carbon seatstays. All said, you can't go wrong owning a Litespeed ti frame.

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Favorite Ride:   Mt. Ventoux

Purchased At:   Warranty replacement

Similar Products Used:   '97 Ultimate
Bianchi Reparto Corse EL Steel

Bike Setup:   Record 9 speed, Reynolds Ouzo Pro Fork,Ritchey WSC Stem, Campy Chorus ti seatpost, Selle Italia ProLink TransAm saddle,Speedplay Zeroes, Zipp 404's (racing only).

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by garveyman a Road Racer from Springfield, MO

Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003

Strengths:    Stiffness
Looks
Comfort
Perfect welds
Finish
Lifetime warranty

Weaknesses:    Price is stiff, but if you can afford it, it will truly be a lifetime bike. Litespeed really stand behind their products. This is not the lightest frame out there. You sacrifice stiffness and solidity for weight. I'm 6'4" and 210, so I put enormous stress on a bike frame.I'll take that tradeoff any day.

Bottom Line:

I obtained the 2003 model after my 1997 model Ultimate developed a crack around the BB. It was determined that the frame was unrepairable, so the great folks at Litespeed (thanks Rebekah) honored the warranty with a brand spanking new one. The curved, beautiful, carbon seatstays (very sexy indeed) actually make for a stiffer ride than the swaged ones that were on previous models. This is a bike that begs to be ridden fast. It does not disappoint - if you give it energy, it returns velocity. This is a very responsive bike. Despite being stiffer than previous Ultimate models, it is quite comfortable on long rides. In sprints and steep , out of the saddle efforts there is no sign of flexing. Little touches to note: etched trademarks in the BB, beefy monogrammed seatstay, machined headset inserts (which accomadate the Cane Creek integrated headset),superbly machined ti dropouts and the specific tubes used. All in all, this is one great bike.

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Favorite Ride:   Dogwood

Purchased At:   Sunshine Bike

Similar Products Used:   '97 Ultimate, DeBernardi CrMo,Fuji CrMo, Leader alu, Specialized alu.

Bike Setup:   Record 10 speed grouppo,Proton wheels,Deda Magic stem/bars,Cane Creek IS-6 HS,Thomsen seatpost, Fizik Aliante saddle saddle, Speedplay X-2 pedals.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by Paul a Road Racer from Florida

Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003

Strengths:    Hand made Ti frame and carbon rear end. The frame rides incredibly smooth while it sprints better or as well as anything else out there. The short wheel base allows for tight cornering you see in crits. The Campy record is by far the best group I have ever been on. The precision and crispness of the shifting put Dura-Ace to shame. Not to mention the finish of record does not corrode like Shimano eventually will.

Weaknesses:    This is not the lightest bike on the market but its purpose is not to climb all day. If your looking for a great cornering and sprinting bike this is well worth the look. Ask Robbie Mckewen.

Bottom Line:

I have the 2002 version which is the exact same bike with diiferent decals. I run Campy Record with Mavic Open Pro rims and Record hubs. I live in Florida which allows me to ride and race all year long. The components have work flawlessly over the year and the frame rides excellent. Personally this has been the best bike I have owned over the years and recommend it to anyone who has the means of aquiring one. I sold two bikes just to get this one and have been very proud of my decision.