Litespeed Vela

Price Paid:  $800.00 at wiggle

Model Year:
2004

Bike Setup:
Bought frame only, built it up with Mavic Ksyriums, Campagnolo mirage, Deda tri-bars

Summary:
My first road bike for decades, so compared with my MTB this is light, incredibly rigid, and simply will not turn corners for any money!
The carbon forks, stays and steerer tube really make for a professional and tight set up. Even the headset cap and spacers (supplied) are carbon. Eats miles on the flat and frighteningly quick downhill.

Strengths:
Very stiff and light. Looks the business (tones especially well with Mirage black groupset). Full bike built up, inc tyres, bottle rack etc, well under 10kg. Nice welding. Compact frame saves weight and feels very stable, but needs long seatpost.

Weaknesses:
None found yet. Yellow paint job may not be to everyone's taste. Headset was fiddly to set up compared with WTB version on my other bike.

Similar Products Used:
None really similar.

Price Paid:  $1495.00 at onilne

Favorite Ride:
SBF Criterium

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
Let me start by saying that this is a really nice bike. I've got 600 miles on mine now with no complaints. You really can't beat the Litespeed name and frame design, even if this one isn't Ti. This one is priced higher than others with similar frames, but the difference is definately the full 105 components. No skimping here. Even the tires are top notch Conti GP's ($50/tire). Also the fork is all carbon, including steerer.

The compact geometry is probably love it or hate it. I like it now, but it took a few rides to get used to. Really fast and stiff and it sprints great.

I usually flex the chainstays and bottom bracket as well as cranks on bikes. Not this one, very stiff. Stout rear end and the Octalink bottom bracket is very nice. Also the wheels have never gone out of true.

I highly recommend this bike for the buyer who is looking for a $1000-$1100 road bike. Look a little further and see what a few more bucks gets you! This is one nice ride.

Strengths:
Components, frame. Wheels are great. It's a Litespeed.

Weaknesses:
You'll pay a good $200-$300 more than other aluminum frame bikes out there, but the components are worth it. You'll probably see bikes with an Ultegra rear der. and crap everywhere else. Beware! The full 105 group works well together. I still give it a 5 on value for the Shimano wheels and components.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1500 and 2000, Giant OCR 3, Specialized Allez Comp.

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Plush, NI

Favorite Ride:
Kona Dawg

Bike Setup:
Stock frame, forks, seat post. Ultegra groupset, with Edco hubs and cxp33 rims.

Summary:
Class!! Just seems to do everything right. It's stiff for climbing and sprinting, yet soo comfortable on our poor roads. Very light as well. Felt right as soon as i got onto it, just minor adjustments on the seat.

Decends like a deamon, just want you to go faster and hard on it. Cruises with no problem, but goes like stink when you ask it to.

Wasn't sure of spending the money, but would have paid twice the amount. I just wonder what the titinums are like!!

Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, comfort, decending.

Weaknesses:
Keeping the frame clean, shows up every mark.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1200 is the only other road bike i've had. But tested various bikes as i work in a bike shop.