DiTBho

hi
Yesterday I found here and downloaded all the catalogs made by Litespeed from the early 90s to the late 90s.

It includes a lot of interesting frames and info.

I really like to find and buy an early Litespeed Classic 1993 (size 56), as it looks a manificient blent of geometry, strenght and comfort, while looking more "vintage" than both of the other models and of the subsequent Classic models.

What do you think of the Classic? Any feedback from an owner?

Do you recommend that I proceed with this one or should I focus on other models? Vorex? Ultimate?

• Vortex, 6Al-4V, cold worked
• Utlimate,6Al-4V/3Al-2.5V, cold worked
• Classic, 3Al-2.5V + 6Al-4V BB, cold worked
• Catalyst, 3Al-2.5V, cold worked

DiTBho

p.s.
Can I also ask you for some suggestions on where I could find one of these frames? even without a fork as I already have one here.
I'm already keeping an eye on eBay but I've never seen any stills of the '93.

SpeedofLite 

I don't have significant experience with Litespeed before 1997.
Of the models you listed, I have a 2001 Vortex and a 2001 Classic. I once owned a 1997 Catalyst.
They all provide that famous titanium ride (feel the road, but not the bumps). However, handling and responsiveness is where they seem to differ in my hands. The Vortex is great for rides up to 20-40 miles during which I want to go fast. I feel it accelerates faster and has better responsiveness than either the Classic or the Catalyst, but it also seems just a bit less comfortable than the Classic over distances greater than 50 miles. So I like the Vortex when I feel the need for speed. I like the Classic when I want to be comfortable and recreationally fast over longer distances. The Catalyst I had just didn't have anything going for it other than being titanium. Not bad, just not inspiring. All of that said, all bikes were set up differently so there are those variables to consider besides my subjective opinion. Tires, tire pressure, wheels, and frame fit can all change one's perspective.

Bottom line -- I would buy a Classic before the other two. I have never owned or ridden an Ultimate, but I've had a few friends comment about their Ultimates, and they all said pretty much the same thing -- stiff, quick handling, a rocket ship great for criteriums. Good luck with your decision and quest for an early 90s model. They're out there, just be patient and cast a wider net than just eBay and Bike Forums.

beech333

I own a Classic, Natchez, and Appalachian. I really like the Natchez, because it smooths out road chatter so well. I imagine it would be a poor choice for a wannabe racer though. Most would likely call it "noodley". If I want to go "fat guy fast", this is my go-to bike.

I picked up a larger frame last year, but i don't have photos available. I think this was the initial build of my original frame, using parts I scavenged out of my spare parts bin. It's ugly, but comfortable. The fork was kept uncut, in anticipation of a larger frame.




I dislike the Classic for the same reason that I like the Natchez. It is a bit more stiff and I find I never really ride it. If I were into group rides, this might be more appealing. I've been meaning to harvest the parts off of it for a few years now, but never got around to it. Maybe next year...

I like the Appalachian quite a bit, but it has much wider tires, and fender mounts. I use this one with bags, then tend to haul bakery/farmers market goods back home after saturday morning rides.

Andy_K 

I wonder how much depends on the fork. These were available with at least three different forks. I'd guess that makes a noticeable difference, but I'm not sure which of the options is best. Aluminum forks have a reputation for a harsh ride, but I find that good tires eliminate that, if it is a real thing at all

I've got a '96 Classic with the Kenesis fork (which I pm'd you about). I didn't find the fork to be harsh, but I haven't ridden a Litespeed with any of the other options, so I don't know how the handling compares.

My theory is that the lateral stiffness of the fork would be the important thing, but I don't know which option would be stiffest. I think with carbon that's a property of the design rather than the material. To some extent that's true with steel or aluminum too, but particularly so with carbon.

georges1

Two of my friends owned a Catalyst and loved every bit of their bikes for the handling and comfort. Another one owned a vortex and used it for triathlons, it had mavic cosmic carbon wheels and dura ace 7800 transmission and brakes, it was his favorite bike, he still uses it.

kunsunoke 

I can vouch for the Catalyst. It has smooth, supple riding properties; good directional control, and it doesn't beat you to death from fifty miles in the saddle. You'll want to get a good fork and a good wheel-set for it, though - preferably fat tubulars, or ghetto road tubeless.

DiTBho

That's exactly what interests me: an average speed of 30-35km/h on 50-80 Km round trip a day, and ~25-30Km/h 180Km round trip during some weekends.

I tend to prefer steel forks even on titanium frames. However, we are talking about artisanal forks, handmade by craftsmen, with a high offset and weighing 450g.

Classic 700x24 wheels (like Campagnolo Omega), medium profile, medium compound tyres, inflated to 7 BAR.

easyupbug 

Many years ago I spent time on a '93 Ultimate and was not impressed with the Kinesis aluminum fork. Very happy with the carbon forks on my 3 Ti frames, Tuscany, Firenze and a Habanero.

Dean51 

I purchased a '98 Classic frame with a Look carbon fiber fork just over a year ago. I built it up with DA-7700 hardware and it has been on the road for ~1200 miles. This is the only ti frame I have ever ridden, so I cannot compare it to other Litespeed models. I was drawn to the Classic because.....at risk of offending others....of the straight seat stays.

Dean

DiTBho

So, definitively the Litespeed Classic is the best for me, as I'd like to ride for long distance: 50Km .. 200Km

I know a craftsman who builds ultra-light steel forks in Nivacrom, weighing only 430g, classic design with curved blades.
It's not cheap (~300 euro), but I can think about starting to save and put some money aside, to give myself a gift for Christmas 2025.

DiTBho

It seems difficult to find a Litespeed Classic frame, and when I find one on eBay typically it's never my size (560mm)
Very frustrating because I've been looking for it for years now and I've done nothing but hot air.

But I won't give up =)

purpurite

I can't compare to other Litespeed models, because I haven't ridden others bikes. I can only compare to my previous steel and aluminum bikes. So what you get from me is pure exaggerated infatuation about my '03 Classic. Easily the best road bike I have owned.

I. LOVE. THIS. BIKE.

It's not the flashiest road bike, or new, or super light, but I don't see myself ever selling the Classic. Just perfect for me, and that old school geometry is just wonderful to look at.

Russ Roth

I had a 98 or 99, it was done in pearl white with bare ti stays and matching carbon fork. It is seriously one of the only bikes, the other was an elos steel DeRosa, that I wish I could have back. The look was sedate but amazing and the ride was incredible.

DiTBho

PM ... there are funny people out of there.

Frst they contact you because they want to sell you a bicycle frame, then it turns out that they have no intention of selling anything and start making up "fancy reasons", as if to export something from the USA it was necessary to go through the FBI, the CIA and the White House with the written permission of the President of the United States (sarc).

and when you tell them that you can manage the whole importing procedures, prepare the exporting documentation, and book a ticket from UPS, so all they have to do is:

• pack the bicycle frame
• receive a label by email, to print
• put the label on the parcel
• drop the parcel off into the nearest UPS point

they start saying that what YOU say doesn't necessarily make it so, as to export something from the USA will really require to contact the FBI or CIA or whatever other "fancy government agencies".

Two years ago, a Chinese guy from a Chinese government agency that does avionics R&D contacted me on a forum because I had two SandPoint PowerPC boards for sale at a yard sale, and he sent me a PDF contract. He said ... that stuff is difficult to find, and they needed two.

So, I simply filled it out a digital document and followed the same procedure for exporting. No "man in black" knocked on my door and I received two international bank transfers of 500 euros.

So, what's the point in wasting people time? If you are not willing to sell, don't waste people time with your fantasies, and I already know there are thing on eBay, I don't need someone telling me this, as those two american selles on eBay don't want to export, for other reasons, this time linked to the very stupid eBay policies which add a lot of costs, among other things, also at my expense.

If only... they used the international shipping program, we would be all happy.

So, time and time again, it's really frustrating once again to have to say "never mind, maybe next time".

Andy_K 

Like I said in my most recent PM, I'm sorry my decision upset you. It was not my intention to waste your time. If I had known it would involve international shipping, I would not have sent the initial offer.

Again, I apologize.

DiTBho

A guy in the UK had a Titanium Lemond frame (590mm, not my size) for sale, and a friend of mine contacts him because he is interested. The seller responds with two solutions:

• due to eBay policies he didn't like he doesn't want to use the international export program, so he suggests that, in order to stay with eBay,my friend should have found someone in the UK so that the seller would ship the goods to the UK as eBay's end-to-end business. At that point there would be no more seller liability, no more business with eBay, as this “man in the middle” would have to handle a shipment from the UK to Germany.
• private negotiation, outside eBay, Paypal payment "friends and family", which violates the user agreement on Paypal, especially if you have a "business account", so it's potentially money lost if something goes wrong.

The matter was at a standstill, because neither solution suited both of them, but Liverpool is not that far away from London where I had to go there for work, so I made a favor to my friend, took the train, then a taxi and I went in person to collect the package and paid in cash.
(~900 UKP)

I remember, the fork was not included, so I only brought along a cheap rear Campagnolo Avanti16 hub, which I mounted on the frame before it was put into the package to make sure that something doesn't go wrong when they load the package into the hold of the plane and maybe load something heavy on top that could bend the seat stays or/and chain stays of the bicycle frame.
(maybe it's just my paranoia, but that's how I am)

Then once arrived the airport at the final destination, before going home, I looked for the first UPS point, filled out a form, the dude printed a ticked and applied it on the parcel, so it got shipped to Germany.

Long trip, happy ending.

DiTBho

2003? it looks "too modern" for me =D
Which fork are you uring?
I really like your wheels!

Manny66 

I have a Litespeed Classic with LOOK forks, It rides fantastic , super light with the Dura Ace 9 speed and bladed spoked wheels. I highly recommend it , great all around bike . It feels Fast.

DiTBho

May I ask why you specifically decided to choose the Classic frame instead of other models?

DiTBho

the Classic bicycle frame has a particular top tube, whose diameter is greater on the head-tube than on the seat-tube. Aesthetically, it's something unique.

has anyone ever tried to assemble a Classic bicycle frame with late 80s and early 90s part?
e.g. Victory headset and cranks, steel fork, Cinelli 1A Stem and classic handlebar (not oversized)?

purpurite

As far as I know, there have been few (if any) changes in the Classic frame up until about late 2003 or 2004 or so when they went to an integral headset (other than decals). Finding one from any year up to that integrated headset, and you essentially will find an identical frame. Litespeed also sells decals from just about any year bike, if you want to back-date or up-date the look to something you like more.

The fork is a Litespeed-branded Reynolds Ouzo Pro carbon. Rides wonderfully.

The wheels are 2003-era Velomax Tempests with the decals removed. I think they were bought by Easton and now sold as Easton Tempest IIs. The hubs spin smoother and easier than any bike wheel I have ever owned. Almost completely silent rear cassette, too. I would buy another set if I came across one in good shape.


EDIT: if you are looking for a Classic frame, the serial number under the BB will tell you the born on date.

1XXXX = 1997
2XXXX = 1998
3XXXX = 1999
4XXXX = 2000
5XXXX = 2001
6XXXX = 2002
7XXXX = 2003
8XXXX = 2004
9XXXX = 2005
10XXXX = 2006

So, look for any frame number under 80000 that does not have an integral headset and you will find the same Classic frame. Mine is an early 2003, so just before they made the change to integrated headsets.

WaveyGravey

I have the Litespeed Tuscany. Love that bike.