Litespeed Arenberg

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at The old bike shop

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Nice frame, campagnolo components,comfortable ride

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.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Classic,Fuji Club

Price Paid:  $1999.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Any road with a wide shoulder.

Bike Setup:
Full 9 Spd. Ultegra double,Wireless Flight deck computer, Stainless bottle cages,3T XL stem and bar,Tompson seatpost.

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Great welds and craftsmanship

Weaknesses:
Rear Mavic Cosmos wheel

Similar Products Used:
Sampson Kalespel (1998 md)

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at American Bicycle - J

Favorite Ride:
Hechshire Drive

Bike Setup:
Ultegra
TTT Stem and Bars
Thompson seatpost
Cosmos Wheels (repaced after 9 mo.)
Selle Italia Max flight gel trans am
SRM powermeter

Summary:
I hadn't raced for over 14 years, so I feel today, 1 year later that this was a very good re-introduction to the racing/riding scene. The geom. is a little soft now, but initially the comfort it gave me the ability to ride extra hours. I was 265lbs initially on my way down, now to the 200lb mark. I am on a 61cm, so the ti framework was a good fit. Carbon fork is a must. Bike now has thousands of mi on it and only the wheels have been replaced. This bike is very tough. For whatever it is worth, I will be switching to either Carbon or Alum. next bike due to the power loss in racing throught the bottom bracket. Bascially, it just flexes too much.

Strengths:
"Spring back" ti
Comforatable for the re-entry level biker
price

Weaknesses:
As you ride more consistently, more often, you realize the frame flexing.
Cosmos wheels were too weak for me
Top tube was too short for me

Similar Products Used:
1987 Trek 760
1985 Trek 440

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
beyond my driveway

Bike Setup:
standard 105 setup,mavic open pro's on ultegra hubs,selle italia,cinelli bars

Summary:
I'm posting such a quick review on this bike because they are no longer made and are still some new and barely used around. I researched and shopped for about 6 months before buying this barely used bike on ebay.This is one sweet ride!Going from carbon/alum to Ti was quite a jump in comfort and performance.This bike has an upright feel for us over 35 riders but fly's up AND down hills.My average speed instantly jumped 2mph! Rough road surfaces disappeared and I no longer am looking for the cleanest route on my normal rides. The bike is average weight for Ti but just "feels" lighter in the saddle.I would strongly recommend for anyone looking at the lower-end, less-expensive Litespeed/Ti. Shop for great deals on ebay and some LBS closeouts still around.

Strengths:
Lightweight,stiff when standing(I'm 195 lbs.!)classic looks

Weaknesses:
none so far

Similar Products Used:
alum.Cannondale,Trek 2100

Price Paid:  $2050.00 at Jerry & Sparky

Favorite Ride:
Great River Trail

Bike Setup:
Terry zero saddle , Look pedals, FlightDeck

Summary:
47 year old recreational rider, 3-4K miles per year. Purchased the bike as a 2002 closeout. Replaced the seat with a Terry Zero from e-bay as I encountered more than a little numbness with the stock San Marco. Smooth, fast and nimble, responsive in sprints yet a comfortable ride for a century or weekend tour.
The bike is a weapon that demands my best performance. While I almost went Postal with a Trek 5200, the chance to go Titanium for less money was a no brainer. Plenty of road respect as I pass on the left.

Strengths:
Great ride. Easy to maintain brushed finish.

Weaknesses:
None really. Only issue was finding mystery creak when I really got on the pipe (front deraillleur frame clamp, locktite blue on clamp fastener fixed it)

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200