Matte Grey, Beautiful Welds, Lightweight: My Litespeed At a Glance

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06-25-06, 08:41 AM

#26

rufvelo

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Very nice 14max, congrats again!

How does it compare with the Cinelli SuperCorsa? Fit comparison? Weight 18 v/s 23lbs? Ride comparison?
(Tell me it sucks, you've already got me bookmarking the Colorado Cyclist Firenze page for daily review

)

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06-25-06, 09:08 AM

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cydewaze

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Nice bike man! I especially like the WC stripes worked into the Litespeed logo.

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06-25-06, 01:09 PM

#28

14max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rufvelo

)

Actually the fit is better than the SuperCorsa. Remember, I only had the SC for a short period of time and didn't even give it a ride so my experience is only limited to setting it up and fitting myself to it before deciding to send it back. I will say, however, that the difference in riding the Litespeed, an 18 pound 'lightweight', opposed to riding the Rivendell, a 23+ pound 'heavyweight' (these are relative terms, folks), is astonishing and enlightening--so to speak. I was amazed at not only the weight difference but also how nicely the bike soaked up bumps and the really neat way it tracked and cornered. I felt like I was in a sports car rather than a family sedan. And the ride wasn't twitchy either. I half expected to be thrown around at the slightest change in direction but that wasn't the case. The oft overused "tracks like it's on rails" applies here.

06-25-06, 01:10 PM

#29

14max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cydewaze

Nice bike man! I especially like the WC stripes worked into the Litespeed logo.

I thought the stripes were kind of cool, too. I used yellow, white, and green tape to finish the bars to bring that out a bit more...

06-26-06, 05:47 PM

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fmw

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Congratulations. My favorite bike is built on exactly the same frame. It is a dandy.

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06-29-06, 10:07 AM

#31

14max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fmw

Congratulations. My favorite bike is built on exactly the same frame. It is a dandy.

Fred - Your Firenze is awesome. I can only imagine how a Chorus or Centaur group might have looked on this frame...

06-29-06, 11:27 AM

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Bob S.

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14Max; Congrats on the new ride & welcome to the world of ti bikes. You will love the way your bike rides. As stated before, the 2005 & earlier Firenzes rode had a nice ride. Bob

06-29-06, 11:36 AM

#33

14max

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob S.

14Max; Congrats on the new ride & welcome to the world of ti bikes. You will love the way your bike rides. As stated before, the 2005 & earlier Firenzes rode had a nice ride. Bob

Bob - The ride is quite an experience. There is nothing about it that I don't like, honestly. I also like the maintenance free part of Ti. I'll still look after the bike like it's lugged and painted steel but just not with the obsessiveness that I felt before...

06-29-06, 11:43 AM

#34

Olebiker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 14max

Welds are different and one can really discern a good weld from a great weld, especially if left unpainted. I've seen, and now own, a frame that has great welds. The craftspeople at places like Merlin Litespeed, Dean, Spectrum, Moots, and Indy Fab should be very proud of what they produce...

I stopped in a convenience store a couple of weeks ago and when I came out there were two tattooed, Harley-riding, leather and denim wearing bikers looking over my Douglas Precision Ti. One of them told me, "Man, I am the best welder in town and I can't weld like like this."

I repaid the compliment by commenting on his really ratty old panhead.

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