What should I look for? All their model names get too confusing from the past. I’d like a good all around road bike, long training rides, maybe an occasional race, etc. I know some use lighter tubing (the Ghisallo, etc.) which is probably not what I am looking for. They are appealing as they offer a great ride, and I think I have more faith buying used Ti than used carbon. Plus I could scrub the frame, slap some new decals on and have a new bike.
Dura-Ace groupsets are now around $1,000 so with a new groupset, a used frame, maybe some used 404s or 303s and some new decals I think I could have a pretty sweet ride for a decent price.
Let’s say the budget for the bike is $1,000-$1,500 for the frameset, maybe a little more if it had an especially nike fork. Is this realistic?
I’m selling my Classic, 3/2 Ti frame, polished finish. The Classic is traditional European road race geometry. Has an original Kestrel EMS carbon fork with a Ti steerer tube and a USE Alien Ti seatpost. Am selling the frame, fork, seatpost and Campy record headset for $900 plus shipping. All in great condition. PM if interested and to see a picture.
Lot’s of good used ti bikes out there. I think you first need to decide what type of geometry you want (compact or standard) and go from there. If cost is a concern I would stay away from anything with shaped tubes like the Vortex, and avoid 6/4. I would also want to make sure it is a little more modern frame with a 1 1/8 steerer instead of 1 inch. Good buys out there are the Tuscany and the Classic. Both go for around $900 for the framesets used. I am in the same boat as you and this is probably the way I will go. Oner final note- don’t discount buying a complete bike. The prices are very good and it has become very, very hard to build something equivalent for less. Good luck with your search. Should be a fun project.
Yes, the 6/4 is lighter. You also will hear things like it’s “stiffer”, “more brittle”, “difficult to work with.” Most of which don’t mean a damn thing to 99% of us, really.
I’ve never ridden an Ultimate…and it’s known as a “Crit-style” bike - again unimportant to 99% of us. But it looks purdy and the wheels go round and round, so it would be fine I’m sure.
I’ve ridden the Tuscany(traditional geom) and the Siena(compact) -which I have now. I can’t think of anything that the Siena lacks for my needs. It’ll be the bike I have for a long, long time.
Yes, the 6/4 is lighter. I have it on my Vortex and have had no problems. If you’re a very heavy rider, maybe get the 3/5 ti. If you want a good all around bike, the Vortex, Ghisallo and Classics are good picks. Check out the Litespeed website for specifics on each bike’s characteristics, that should help you narrow your search.
What are the realistic pros and cons of compact versus standard geometry.
I have heard good things before about the Tuscany as a good all-around bike. Was that still being made relatively recently that I could find one with a 1 1/8 steerer tube and not a million miles?
First off, great choice! You can’t go wrong with Ti, as long as the bike hasn’t been abused - it’ll last forever. Good suggestions so far - the Classic and Tuscany are both great all-around bikes. The Sienna is also a very sharp frame. Personally, I don’t much care for the carbon seat stays on the Ultimate and Sienna but that’s just personal preference. If you can find an early model Ultimate ('01-ish), I highly recommend it. I’ve got an '01 Ultimate (all Ti) and can’t recommend it highly enough. It was my only bike for years and pulled double duty as a road and tri bike (with clip-ons) very capably. Still looks sharp, too! I’m planning to switch it over to 10-speed in the near future and give her some new decals - like you said, I’ll have a new bike!
So the 3 common recommendations seem to be the Classic, Tuscany and Ultimate. What are the differences between them? Are they all the 3/2.5 ti? What are the geometries of each? Standard or compact?
Is there a hierarchy to the Litespeed range or are they more different bikes for different purposes?
I have an 06 Tuscany. I got it in the fall as LS was DCing the frame with Campy Record 07, Easton EC 90 SLX fork and Easton Assents wheels. Very nice, love it.
I really don’t know what the pros and cons are. I think it mat just be personal preference based on looks. I have heard that some people say compact geometry results in a lighter frame or can be made to fit more people over a broader range. I have also heard some people say that compact geometry climbs and sprints better. I really don’t know though. I am guessing it might just be more of a fashion trend than anything else :).
Classic: Euro geometry, 3/2.5 ti. Nice ride. Early models have the 1 inch steerer. Recent ones have 1 1/8.
Tuscany: Similar to the Classic, but not as laid back. 1 1/8 steerer.
Siena: Same tube set as the tuscany but compact.
Ultimate: Depending on the year it has a blend of 6/4 and 3/2.5 and carbon stays. Pretty solid bike.
Vortex: 6/4 ti. Racing geometry. Lighter, top end bike from Litespeed.
Ghisallo: The climbing bike. Unless you’re tiny or like superlight bikes I’d pick something else. Most roll their eyes when they say this bike is “stiff”. It isn’t, really.
I rode the Tuscany and Siena and found both to be too flexy in the bb. I rode the Ultimate and Vortex and liked both. My brother has a Classic that he loves. I’m 6’ and 180lbs. He’s 5’9 and 165.
I ended up buying a Colnago CT2 which is 6/4 with Titatanium stays. I liked the Colnago geometry a lot.
If I were picking a Litespeed I’d pick the Vortex.
When you say the Tuscany is not as laid back as the classic are you referring to geometry? A little less laid bakc might be better for me I would think.
So the Sienna and the Tuscany are virtually the same but one is compact? So I guess either one of those would work fine.
I am not a fan of the carbon stays so I think that would keep me away from the Ultimate, no need for the Ghisallo.
I think I am goint to avoid the 6/4 ti, plus I am only around 160 (closer to your brother) and not a powerhouse on the bike so I would think the Tuscany/Sienna would be a good pick. Any reason to choose on of those over the other?
It is not so much that 6/4 is lighter per se. Rather it is ‘stronger’ and therefore less material can be used to make a tube of the same strength, and this makes it lighter. You will therefore be also buying a thinner tube wall. One other thing about 6/4 is that it can not be drawn into tubes (Im not a materials scientist, but enjoy reading the literature) due to the elongation (or lack thereof) of the metal alloy. It must therefore start as a sheet, which is then cut, formed into a tube, welded close, then manipulated to form the shapes that you see in those bicycles. When you think about what they do, they are artists! By the way, I have a litespeed tacheon (second or third generation, cant remember exactly) with kestrel fork, headset, and a bunch of various bits and pieces that I am planning on selling. I am looking for $700 for frame/fork and bits are negotiable (size is 57cm).
I don’t know why you’re avoiding 6/4? It’s a nice ride.
Anyway. I was referring to the geometry when I contrasted the Tuscany and the Classic.
If I had to choose between a Siena and a Tuscany I would choose the Tuscany because I don’t like compact geometry. When I say compact geometry I’m not really referring to sloping TT’s. It’s not the same.
Check the head tube lengths, the Litespeed compact geometry has taller HTs for a given TT or Virtual TT.
Siena is a compact version of the Tuscany. The Siena used to come with cf seat stays which personally I would just avoid. I think it was the 06 model year they moved to ti stays. If you want a ti bike then just get an all ti bike.
I have an 05 Tuscany but probably would prefer an 06 since they moved to standard headset vs integrated but not a huge deal either way. I will say it is not as stiff in the bb as some of the cf bikes out there but I think the level of compliance does make it a very comfy ride. I like the idea of a ti road bike since I ride mostly in the winter in all kinds of crap whether and conditions and you don’t have to worry about damaging the frame or finish. The stuff is pretty tough. As for the 6/4 vs 3/2.5 I would approach it this way…if you are buying the bike to race on then maybe go 6/4 but for an all around road bike then 3/2.5 is a safer bet. Just my $0.02
Thanks, it’s sounding more and more like the Tuscany is the way to go for me. And 06, which I believe was the last year, seems like the best all around bet.
Now I just need to figure out sizing and keep my eyes peeled.