Litespeed 1999 Appalachian Older Cyclocross Bike
4.3
/5
REVIEWS
4.3
QIKRATE
0.0
WEB
0.0
|
|
|
|
Own this? Help your community (Tap a star to rate) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DESCRIPTION
1999 Litespeed Appalachian, cyclocross, Shimano 105 components, Kinesis Cross custom fork
USER REVIEWS
| OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
I bought my Appalachian new in 1997 or '98)and still (2021) ride it regularly on gravel and sometimes around town for errands. The handling changed much to the better when I installed a Chris Kelly steel cyclocross fork. I've raced 'cross on it, done lightly loaded tours on both paved roads and unpaved dirt Fo rest Service roads over the Cascades. It's completed D2R2 a few times, DK once, and I don't know how many 10s of thousands of miles on gravel roads. I had a Moots 'cross bike for a while, as well as a steel Brent Steelman one. This is the one I kept. Currently equipped with ten-speed DuraAce shifting, Paul brakes. Wheels are Belgium Plus rims laced to DuraAce hubs. Specialized Trigger 38 tires, tubeless. Shimano Ultra compact crank. The DA rear derailleur is from a triple groupset so has a medium-length cage and comfortably handles up to a 32-tooth cog. I love how this bike feels, and looks. I'll buy another if I find one.
The original fork raised the front end too much and contributed to a harsh ride.
I bought my Appalachian new in 1997 or '98)and still (2021) ride it regularly on gravel and sometimes around town for errands. The handling changed much to the better when I installed a Chris Kelly steel cyclocross fork. I've raced 'cross on it, done lightly loaded tours on both paved roads and unpaved dirt Fo rest Service roads over the Cascades. It's completed D2R2 a few times, DK once, and I don't know how many 10s of thousands of miles on gravel roads. I had a Moots 'cross bike for a while, as well as a steel Brent Steelman one. This is the one I kept. Currently equipped with ten-speed DuraAce shifting, Paul brakes. Wheels are Belgium Plus rims laced to DuraAce hubs. Specialized Trigger 38 tires, tubeless. Shimano Ultra compact crank. The DA rear derailleur is from a triple groupset so has a medium-length cage and comfortably handles up to a 32-tooth cog. I love how this bike feels, and looks. I'll buy another if I find one.
The original fork raised the front end too much and contributed to a harsh ride.
|
OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
I recently acquired a 1998 Appalachian (June 2019). Yup 21 year old bike. Only ridden if some 30 miles so far. Its a beautiful crafted bike. So far I'm super happy. I had seen notes on toe overlap, soft when standing up to sprint, I have not had any issue's like this. Its a 53cm, I'm at about 157 pounds (71.5Kg) for me, I do not notice any deflection when standing up and pumping on it, I have no toe overlap issues with the front wheel. The ride is plush, in that the titanium and Aluminum front fork seam to absorb a lot of road vibrations. I'm running 23C tires, and its got a Full Ultegra 9sp with a triple up front. I will change it to a small double for Cross season, and going to fit it with some 38C as a gravel trekker... Will follow up with more in the future, after a season of riding.
Con's, Right now as set up, the stems to long for my body. That's a standard fit equation... With this era of bike, finding a 1" threadless stem in 90MM is an issue, but again, that comes with the territory of buying an older bike. ***** Updated 11/2019, I have now started racing cyclocross after a 20 year hiatus. Loving the Appalachian. It's riding great for city commuting and ripping on the Cross courses. Super happy with the low dollar investment, and great vintage beauty of a bike. Run a couple different wheel sets, with mix of tires, mud/all around and a hard pack setup. Only issues the bike suffers is pilot error. Last weekend, Even had a few teens scoping it out at the Cross race "cool bike Mister" I did note it was a little old than they were, which brought smiles to their faces...
I recently acquired a 1998 Appalachian (June 2019). Yup 21 year old bike. Only ridden if some 30 miles so far. Its a beautiful crafted bike. So far I'm super happy. I had seen notes on toe overlap, soft when standing up to sprint, I have not had any issue's like this. Its a 53cm, I'm at about 157 pounds (71.5Kg) for me, I do not notice any deflection when standing up and pumping on it, I have no toe overlap issues with the front wheel. The ride is plush, in that the titanium and Aluminum front fork seam to absorb a lot of road vibrations. I'm running 23C tires, and its got a Full Ultegra 9sp with a triple up front. I will change it to a small double for Cross season, and going to fit it with some 38C as a gravel trekker... Will follow up with more in the future, after a season of riding.
Con's, Right now as set up, the stems to long for my body. That's a standard fit equation... With this era of bike, finding a 1" threadless stem in 90MM is an issue, but again, that comes with the territory of buying an older bike. ***** Updated 11/2019, I have now started racing cyclocross after a 20 year hiatus. Loving the Appalachian. It's riding great for city commuting and ripping on the Cross courses. Super happy with the low dollar investment, and great vintage beauty of a bike. Run a couple different wheel sets, with mix of tires, mud/all around and a hard pack setup. Only issues the bike suffers is pilot error. Last weekend, Even had a few teens scoping it out at the Cross race "cool bike Mister" I did note it was a little old than they were, which brought smiles to their faces...
|
OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| VALUE RATING |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
|
None
None
This bike is a lifer! This frame will do anything: casual road-racing, cyclo-cross, even touring (has rack bosses). Great feel, plush enough on rough surfaces to prevent bone-jarring but stiff enough to still feel very precise. I expect to be riding this bike for the next 10 years.
Similar Products Used:
None
| OVERALL RATING |
3 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| VALUE RATING |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
|
Light, great handling
Customer Service
Ordered the Appy on 08MR99, received 20MY99, much longer than the promised 4-5 weeks. Several problems 1) Dealer (Missing Link, London, ON) forgot to order the saddle, 2) missing lower headset seal, 3) missing aheadset stem spacers - I had requested 3 of spacers, 4) no front or rear brake cable adjusters, 5) cantilever mounts on custom steel fork were too low - brake pads would not contact rim, 6) shipping damage - 2 bent spokes and broken XT cantilever bushing cover, 7) wrong width bars sent, 8) wrong tires sent. By 27MY99, the saddle, correct bars and tires had arrived and I built up the bike (my request). However, did not receive 3 of spacers, front & rear brake adjusters, spokes, seal or bushing cover. Bought the spacers, adjusters and spokes from a better equipped dealer. Litespeed still promising to replace the fork in 2-3 weeks - I had to grind the cantilever slots to get the pads to the rims. Love the bike, just not impressed with the dealer or Litespeed customer service. Litespeed did not think about making the brakes adjustable. Litespeed suggested contacting Cane Creek for the headset seal, that's bogus - if I bought a car or motorcycle that was missing a widget, the manufacturer would not tell me to contact the widget manufacturer. One tip when buying any cyclocross bike - pay attention to crotch clearance. The dealer tried to sell me a larger frame saying that the top tube length was important, but I bought a smaller frame and longer stem - works fine - I like long stems. Will update if I ever get satisfaction.
Similar Products Used:
none
| OVERALL RATING |
4 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| VALUE RATING |
3 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
super light, fairly plush ride
not stiff enough!
I can't be too critical, because I got a deal on this bike. But, in comparison with my road bike, the litespeed is just not stiff enough in the bottom bracket. And yes, that's with road tires on the litespeed. also, i hate shimano stuff, but that can't be fixed really for a cross bike. Other than that, this bike is good. Soft ride, okay handling, super light for portages. I just expected lightning acceleration, and don't get it. not a major problem while in the woods, but not so good when you want to dust off cars on the way to work! Not sure if it's really worth the big bucks for titanium at this point.
Similar Products Used:
None
| OVERALL RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
| VALUE RATING |
5 |
★★★★★
★★★★★
|
Light weight, geometry, handling, ride quality, versatility
Front cantilever brake rigging.
Excellent all around bike. I use it for commuting to work, long rides in the mountains and occasional off road rides. Its geometry makes it suitable for agressive riding as well as the casual family ride with a bike trailer attached. Buy this bike if you are an ex racer who now has a family and want a machine that you can enjoy to ride with the wife and kids as well as with the guys. It will definitely answer the beckoning call for performance you are used to in your true road racing machine.
Similar Products Used:
N/A