Litespeed Siena Ultegra

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at From a private selle

Favorite Ride:
Up the volcano

Bike Setup:
Ultegra, Sella Italia saddle

Summary:
This bike is awesome! I have ridden for 30 years (Ironman Kona), but as an old guy (in my 50s), I have seen it all. Having had over 12 road bikes (the day after "Breaking Away" in 1979, I started biking again), I have ridden everything, but the Litespeed Siena is the best I have ever ridden. It has a tight, shock absorbing and feels good when I hit a pothole or bump. It's almost fun. From an experienced (not fast) cyclist, I would highly recommend this machine. Ciao.

Strengths:
It feels great!

Weaknesses:
OK, it's pricey.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi, Colnago, Specialized, Cannodale, Nishiki, Fuji, Fuji, Fuji,Trek, etc.,etc.,etc.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at California Bicyclew

Favorite Ride:
Palomar Mountain

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 9 Speed (Double)
Cane Creek integrated Headset
ITM Super over Bars and Stem
Litespeed carbon fork
Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
Thomson Elite seatpost
Shimano DA pedals
Stock Velo (litespeed) seat
Cateye 8 wireless

Summary:
I've been riding the Litespeed Siena for a little over 2 years and still absolutely love this rig! I grew up mountain biking and tried out road cycling about 5 years ago when I won a Trek 1200 in a poker game. It was an old beater and when pretty much every component had to be replaced I made the jump to ti. Great move!

The build quality is second to none. Beautiful welds and the Litec carbon seat stays with a titanium weave work beautifully. Off the showroom floor it was equipped with Full Ultegra (9 speed) components, thomson elite seatpost, basic Velo saddle (still using it), ITM Super Over stem and handlebars, Litespeed carbon fork, and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset. I can't be happier with the performance of this bike. I hope to get many years of use out of it!

Most of my rides are in the neighborhood of 50 miles and the benefits of ti and carbon are evident. After using an aluminum frame for a few years the materials to afford a noticable difference in comfort and overall ride characteristics.

Ultimately getting out and riding your bike is what matters most. No, it is not absolutely necessary to ride a 3k bicycle, but once you do...it's all over and there is no going back!

Strengths:
supple ride, handling, quality, beauty.

Weaknesses:
may be cost prohibitive.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1200

Price Paid:  $2399.00 at La Bicicletta

Favorite Ride:
Pan Mass Challenge

Bike Setup:
Ultegra gruppo, Mavic Cosmos wheels with Michelin Pro Race tires. Selle Italia Oktavia Gel saddle

Summary:
I bought this bike to upgrade from my 2001 Felt F 50R which I loved. I had ridden titanium in the past and wanted to upgrade to a titanium frame and an Ultegra groupset. With all of the mystique surrounding the Litespeed name, they have a great deal to live up to. I am most impressed by the build quality. It is a work of art. The ride is great, but is it worth another $1000 more than my aluminum Felt? Im not sure. I notice some improvement in ride quality and comfort which is why I bought titanium, but the compact frame is a bit more squirrely than a standard frame. It is great while sprinting, or climbing but seems to wander a bit while in a paceline. Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. The compact frame has a learning curve as there is a noticeable difference from a standard frame. I swapped out the stock Selle San Marco ASPide saddle with a Selle Italia Oktavia Gel like I had on the Felt. The stock saddle is murder!

Strengths:
Build quality. Gruppo. Sprinting, Climbing

Weaknesses:
Handling is a bit squirrely from time to time

Similar Products Used:
Felt F50R

Price Paid:  $2999.00 at Richardson Bike Mart

Summary:
Oustanding ride. Very smooth, quick acceleration. The compact frame is perfect for those with shorter legs and have a hard time getting the right fit. Added an Easton carbon seat post to dampen what little vibration makes it past the frame. Kind of a shame not to get Dura-Ace on a $3K bike, but the Ultegra was good enough for me and I really wanted the compact Ti frame.

Strengths:
Easy to fit, ultra stiff but smooth ride.

Weaknesses:
The stock Selle Aspide saddle will make you numb down yonder. Swap it out!! The Mavic Cosmos wheels on the Ultegra bike are junk, but I had a pair of Bontrager Race Lite's for races, so I just kept the Cosmos for training purposes.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Competitive Edge (E.

Favorite Ride:
Noho to Southern VT

Bike Setup:
Full ultegra with Dura-ace wheels.

Summary:
This bike is incredibly comfortable. I must admit it is my first Titanium bike, but WOW what a difference from aluminum. The carbon seat stays and fork complete an already stellar package. I have Dura-Ace on my TT bike, but the Ultegra is flawless, aside from being a bit heavier. I haven't raced this bike yet, but it does seem to have the stiffness necessary to be a great race bike. Only time will tell!!

Strengths:
Extremely comfortable. It's like riding on new pavement on every ride. Stiff too for good sprinting.

I also got if for $800 off of retail, because I bought it late in the season.

Weaknesses:
I already bought a new seat to replace the Selle san marco aspide...ouch!!

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300, Cannondale Multisport 4000.