[ti_litespeed]

I have both an Ultimate and a Tuscany. The Tuscany is more comfortable to ride. I had to experiment with different wheels and added a Brooks saddle to the Ultimate to make it about as comfortable. But I can accelerate quicker and ride up hills easier with the Ultimate. Stable handling? I believe the Utimate's shorter wheelbase makes it it a bit more squirrely on downhills and in crosswinds. I've no experience with the Vortex, but I gather it's more racing-oriented, with probably a stiffer frame than either the Ultimate or Tuscany. It can be too much of a good thing.