Litespeed Tuscany 105

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bicyle Works, Bermud

Favorite Ride:
Anything without pot holes

Bike Setup:
Roval, Echappee Wheels
Sram Rival Group set
Ritchey carbon seatpost and stem
Specialized carbon toupe saddle and bars
Time RXS peddles
Specialized pro tyres and carbon cages

Summary:
Spent a long time looking for my dream bike and was set on the new Trek Madone, However I happened to make the misstate of spending a little too much time in a bike shop and came away with the litespeed frame.

With just the frame and forks i decided to build my dream bike from scratch and have it custom built.

A while later and twice over budget I have been riding this bike at every opportunity.
Fantastic ride and definitely worth the money when you see the craftsmanship.

I looked at the Vortex, but preferred the more classic look of the Tuscany, this will be a frame for life.

This bike is able to wear many hats from triathlons to recreational riders, with a little tweaking of the setup it a bike for all occasions.

Don't hesitate spend a little more and ditch the carbon, you wont be disappointed.

Strengths:
Light, forgiving and very responsive!!

Weaknesses:
Stickers, a little too large (although i had litespeed make them in a diffent color to match the rest of the bike)

A little concerned about the integrated deralier hanger - will have to see how it plays out...

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R1000 & R 600

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at colorado cyclist.com

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
the back roads that lead to nowhere

Bike Setup:
All Camby Daytona, Easton fork and seat post,Campy proton wheel set.

Summary:
This bike was a bigger surprise than expected. Being the right fit for me probably has a lot to do with the dream ride that i'm experiencing. Iv'e gone from a steel univega frame to this Titanuim one and the ride is just magical. The aggressive angles on this frame carves the corners nicely.

Strengths:
lite, compared to my old steel frame,stiff in the front triangle and forgiving on the back.

Weaknesses:
stickers

Similar Products Used:
Univega molare steel frame road bike

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Contender in SLC, UT

Favorite Ride:
Any day on my bike is a favortie ride

Bike Setup:
Shimano Ultegra Crankset
ITM Carbon Handlebar
Cane Creek Headset
LSP Carbon Fork
Real Design 700 x 23c carbon wheels
Speedplay Zero Ti pedals
Fizik Aliante Carbon saddle

Summary:
Absolutely love my bike. Given my size and weight, 6'4" 205 lbs, I wanted a full frame, light weight bike that could handle the load and not wear me down after 100 miles and respond flawlessly on any surface at 30+mph.
I am amazed at what I get out of my sub 19 lb. bike. I ride this bike 180+ mi./week and usually do one 40+ mi. stretch up and down the Salt Lake Valley and when the ride ends, I always look forward to the next ride.

Strengths:
Light weight and responsive. The frame totally soaks up the vibration. Great design and solid construction.

Weaknesses:
Stock seat a real pain (literally). Customer service at Litespeed is light years behind their craftsmanship.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Centaur; Trek 2200