Litespeed Classic

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Bike Setup:
59cm, full ultegra, double ring, 11x23 cassette, mavic open pro rims, Reynolds ouzo comp fork

Summary:
I was an active mtn biker and wanted to try road riding. After a few test rides on different bikes...I was hooked! I new I would love it. Bike shopping was frustrating though. I spent about 3 months going to at least 20 different shops, trying various alluminum, steel, carbon and Ti bikes. Of all...the Classic just felt springy and the smoothest. It true what they say about carbon, it feels dead. Alluminum to stiff and Steel just felt heavy. Ti, just felt great! I've put about 1k miles on the bike so far and no problems whatsoever. If not for the deal at colorado though, I probably would not have bought this bike.

Strengths:
Quality, you can tell just by looking at the welds on the frame. Feels connected to road, without the dead feeling of carbon. Soaks up bumps. Just a great bike for distance riding.

Weaknesses:
Not very efficient when sprinting, you can actually see the frame flexing being the only downside so far. This is one feature of alluminum and carbon that I loved. But for distance riding, I'll gladly live with it.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500/2300, Lemond Zurich, Klein quantum, Serrotta colorado

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Bob's Bikes Birming

Favorite Ride:
Assault on Mt. Mitchell

Bike Setup:
61 centimeters, Old Durace, 9 speed 12x27, Axial Pro tires, Mavic Ksyrium wheels. Weight 18.7 lbs.

Summary:
I am 52 years old I have been road riding right at 10 years the last 7 years on the Litespeed Classic. I can not begin to put into words how solid this bike has been. Next year I will be in pursuit of my 100th century I have 89 to date with most of them on the Litespeed. (Apx. 5000 miles anually), Never has the bike failed or let me down. I have had my share of equipment failures but nothing related to the frame fork or drive train. I am considering upgrading to the Vortex triple in the near future. The 12x27 rear cassete each year just does not quit seem to be low enough.

Strengths:
Solid as a rock. Bullet proff construction. I think the Classic does everthing well, road races, centuries, crits, commutes if needed and keeps right on ticking. I may up grade this bike to a triple and may consider having Litespeed folks weld in a 1 1/8 inch steerer tube.

Weaknesses:
1 inch steerer tube. (bike is 7 years old)

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
the long ones

Bike Setup:
Ultegra

Summary:
Unexpected mix of suppleness, elan, and stiffness. Expensive, but it may be irresistible. I had no idea that such a combination of ride, performance, and handling was possible in a bike. Fine steel bikes come close, but this is a bit more. The Ti may take a bit of getting accustomed to, but it is steel-like in its qualities and is very nice.

Strengths:
Light weight, excellent ride quality-on both ends, stiffer than my steel bike, quick handling, overall responsiveness

Weaknesses:
Expensive, but worth it to many. The carbon fork feels kind of dead-as they all seem to-and that may take a while to get used to, but it steers very well and is quite supple. I think that the top tube may be a bit long for non-racers, so specify a stem accordingly.

Similar Products Used:
steel bikes: Bridgestone, Trek, Peugeot, Bianchi Ti: Serotta, Seven (both test rides only)