Wow. I can tell you guys the new Saber for '06 is a very, very impressive effort.
First- The Saber’s geometry has been proven for some time. It is a valuable resource especially for the longish torso fit who wants a lightly higher head tube.
For '06 Litespeed has paid attantion to details: The new graphics are excellent in my opinion. They envoke a very current media appearance- digital and “X-Games, MTV” looking… Very current, very subtle and really cool. The graphic treatment of this bike is a home run.
Also, most importantly- Litespeed returned to what they do best with this important bike. It is now 100% 3/2.5 vanadium titanium. The new seatstays are radiused, in small diameter and titanium. This will undoubtedly make the bike lighter.
Also, the seat tube on the new Saber is bladed shaped for better cosemetics, ride and aerodynamics. This makes the bike an easier sell for retailers as it compares visually to a greater degree with the other aero tube appearance bikes out there.
I have always loved the Saber, and I think Litespeed deserves a lot of credit for continuing to evolve this bike and make improvements each year. The new Saber looks pretty exciting.
Hopefully, now that I’ve spilled the beans- Herbert will show us all a photo!
The new Saber sounds like a nice bike, Tom. Sometimes I wish my 03 Saber had had full ti stays…maybe I wouldn’t have soured on it when the carbon stays broke after that wreck…
I’m waiting with baited breath to see the updated Tuscany…and hoping the only real change is the move back to an external headset…that bike is a home run already…
Thanks for the kudos, I will pass them on to Brad and all the other engineering guys and of course to our graphic “superman” Sam. I have attached a pic of the 06 Saber plus a pic of the 06 Siena.
We have worked very hard on all the 2006 bikes and hopefully it shows.
Lots of technology has trickled down and that is awesome.
I’m waiting with baited breath to see the updated Tuscany…and hoping the only real change is the move back to an external headset…that bike is a home run already…
Looks awesome! Will you be writing up a review in the near future (sim. to the Blade review)? I’d like to see how the two compare…
I have a Saber that was the last model prior to the carbon seat-stays (2001?) and have been considering upgrading in the future - this may sway my decision to stay with the Saber and not go to the Blade
Be sure to look at the details on the Saber: '06 Saber retains the proven Litespeed head tube design. This design is a boon for fitters who don;t need to use stacks of spacers to raise aerobars to a good, powerful, comfortable position. It also stiffens the front of the bike for better climbing out of the saddle and road-bike steering on a tri bike. Saber takes the seatpost binder bolt assembly from the Blade. Awesome. It wroks perfectly, is simple, durable and strong. Saber uses the Litespeed/QR/Real Designs carbon fiber aero seatpost with a wide range of fore/aft adjustment. Saber’s new seat stays are a proven Litespeed design. In my opinion they are stronger, lighter and more comfortable than the former carbon stays. Saber is the famous 3/2.5 vanadium titanium that represnets the highest degree of durability in the Litespeed line. It is strong, flight case tough and rides nice. ABG’s parts kits have nver been better. The spec reads like a wish list: Arione Tri, Visiontech, Wheels built with a HED designed manufacturing process and Shimano, Shimano, Shimano…
definitely a nice bike. any ideas on availability? also, what is the resoning for not having a rear cutout? I thought those were all the rage? Is that the only difference between this bike and the blade? who would care to estimate the time savings a bike with such a cutout would offer over one without such a cutout on two identical riders under identical conditions?
just a little off topic (but still in the same facility in TN), Herbert can you give an idea of MSRP on QR’s new carbon offering to go with the Lucero? Thanks
Is it me or is there a little less slope to the top tube on the new sienna? I like the new decals as well. Looks like 2006 is is gonna be a good year. Thanks for the eye candy.
Damn, the more I look at these pictures the more I like them. very nice
