Price Paid:  $6000.00 at online frame

Favorite Ride:
country roads

Bike Setup:
Changed from its original DA to Campy Record, Zipp wheels, Powertap SL2.4, Zipp stem/bar, Easton ec90sx fork, with result that total cost as equipped exceeds price referenced above.

Summary:
I have a special fondness for silver bikes, as my first road bike was a silver steel columbus tubed bike in 1970. The Ghisallo is very light and adequately stiff. It is smooth over rough roads and for me descends well at 40+mph. I like the way titanium is impervious to the usual paint chips, and it cleans up well. The thin tubes take a little getting used to, but they appear to be very strongh and adequately stiff. This is my favorite bike (I have a Colnago E1 and Tomassini Fire).

Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, ride, appearance, longevity.

Weaknesses:
price (although all high end bikes are expensive, particularly similar quality carbon bikes)

Similar Products Used:
Colnago, Tomassini.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Built by myself

Favorite Ride:
Litespeed Teramo 06'

Bike Setup:
As stated above.......

Summary:
Stiff frame that performs well. I bought the frame only from a online store new. The fork is marginal which is a Real Design HP. May replace it down the road. I have all ultegra set up minus the R700 compact crank. The frame has made for a light ride with my set up. I also bought a Spinergy Xaero Lite wheelset that has been a great compliment to this bike.

Strengths:
Light at just over 3 lbs. for the frame alone. Well made and welds are very smooth.

Weaknesses:
Hated the badging so I made the bike naked by stripping off decals. replaced with custom ordered decals.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Price Paid:  $2750.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah Park

Bike Setup:
Easton EC90 handlebar, EC70 seatpost, Selle Italia SLR saddle, Dura-Ace 9-speed gruppo, Profile Design carbon crankset, American Classic Sprint 350 wheelset, Reynolds Ouzo Pro Fork, Chris King headset, Speedplay X1 pedals: just under 15 pounds

Summary:
I love this bike.Very stiff, rides over bumps as smoothly as my Trek 5500. Incredible climber and sprinter. It works out my thigh adductors more when I hammer out of the saddle compared to my traditionally framed Trek due to an easier tendency to roll back and forth unless I make a conscious effort to limit roll (not necessarily a bad thing). Steering is more sensitive due to the compact frame as described elsewhere but feels stable at high speeds. I still marvel at the weight (or the lack thereof).

Strengths:
2003 model: Stiff, strong, super light-weight, cool-looking and hides scratches and dirt better than paint does.

Weaknesses:
Expensive if bought new, some may not like the sensitivity of compact frames.

Similar Products Used:
2000 model Trek 5200 triple crankset, 2002 Trek 5500 with Dura Ace 9-speed

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at friend of a friend

Favorite Ride:
Litespeed Ghisallo

Bike Setup:
Ouzo fork, Look CX-6 pedals, ITM stem, Easton EC-90 bars, Chris King headset, Selle Trans Am saddle, Dura Ace 9 spd, Continental Tires.

Summary:
I've been riding a TREK 5500 for about two years. I started cycling about four years ago. I live in Western PA and ride comfort is paramount to me as the roads in my town are not the smoothest. I though the TREK was comfortable, until I rode my Ghisallo today. Titanium rules. I've yet to ride it more than twenty miles so far so I can't speak to the comfort on the long rides. The bike is beautifully built and I just can't stop staring at it. It takes some time getting used to the compact geometry but after a few miles you really don't even think about it. It is funny looking down though and seeing the top tube so low. The hills are where this thing shines. All of your power goes directly to road, nothing is wasted. It is a climber for sure. The super-light frame doesn't flex as much as everybody complains about. I'm 178 lbs. and it's less flexible than my old TREK.

Strengths:
Craftsmanship, weight, style & design.

Weaknesses:
Expensive, pain in the rear to replace my old Campy seatpost as it wasn't long enough for the compact frame.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Price Paid:  $1625.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Tour of the Unknown Coast

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace Triple Shifters and Derailleurs, Dura Ace brakes, FSA triple carbon crankset, FSA platinum pro ti bottom bracket, Ouzo pro fork, Velocity Aeroheat rims on White Industries front hub and Dura Ace rear hub, Prima 199 handlebar, Performance Forte stem, Speedplay X-1 pedals.

Summary:
An extraordinary ride. The curved seat stays and thin gauge tubing do provide a comfortable ride. The lateral stiffness in the medium frame is sufficient for my 160 lbs. The only attributes that challenge me are the quick steering (short wheelbase) and short front center (overlap between the front wheel and the toe of my shoe). These are not necessarily negatives but just considerations. I use a triple setup, the short chainstays cause noise when in the middle chainring and 27 tooth rear cog. It is not front derailleur rub but actually the chain side plates rubbing the cog teeth.

An exceptional ascender because of the laterally stiff enough, lightweight construction. Descending rough roads causes more caution because of the twitchyness and featherweight. This is the bike for rough roads though. Because of the compliant ride, fatigue is reduced considerably. The compliant ride is in no small measure by the compact frame's seatpost extension. I use a titanium seatpost.

Strengths:
Featherweight, compliant ride, quick steering, durability, stiffness to weight ratio, quality, Litespeed legend, bright finish, attractive architecture.

Weaknesses:
Expensive, twitchy ride, Litespeed name has become commonplace, short chainstays causes extreme chain deflection with a triple setup, thin gauge tubes dent more easily than heavier tubing.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Natchez, Schwinn Prologue, Look KG 281.