Road Cycling - Litespeed Atlas...should I buy it or what??!! I need some advice...Help Please!

Hello,
I am seriously considering buying a 2002 Litespeed Atlas but I don't know anyone who has ever owned one or had any experience with one.

The come equiped with Campy Centaur and Proton wheels.

My first questions is in regards to these componants...
Is Centaur similar in quality to Ultegra...better or worse?

These Proton wheels...what is their quality?
Would they be similar to say...Kyrsium elites?

http://www.wheelsnmotion.co.uk/wheelimages/litespeed/atlas_06%5B1%5D.jpg

I really like this bike but I am unsure about spending so much money.
My LBS has my size (new) on sale right now for $1700..does that seem like a good deal? They list out at $2400

Please help me with any input you can offer, It is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Lance

I hate to take business away from your local shop but, go to www.coloradocyclist.com they have the model up from the bike your thinking about. They have a Litespeed 'Hyperion' w/ full Ultegra, carbon seat stays and some other nice components. Check it out. Colorado wants $1700 marked down from $2400.

NO experience with the bike, but it seems like a good deal.

Centaur is far better than Ultegra in performance and fit/finish. Veloce (campys gruppo under Centaur) also outperforms ultegra.

To some degree its a matter of opinion but Id take the Centaur over Ultegra anyday. Does the bike fit you? If this is your first road bike, thats a lot of bike.

what o LOAD!

the hyperion isn't the model up. Litespeed offers 4 Al bikes. 2 are compact, and two are a more classic geometry. Within each geometry, they offer a Shimano equipped bike, and a Campy equipped bike. So, it boils down completely to personal preference. Do you want shimano or campy? Do you want compact or traditional?

I was thinking about buying the Litespeed Atlas as well...
Does anyone know anything about this ride??!!

looks kinda cool...

WOW...looking around trying to find out more info on this bike...
I found it on sale for $1400! In my size!!!
I went ahead and bought it! I'll have it in a few days.
For this frame with full campy centaur and proton wheels for $1400, it sure seems like a good deal to me. I don't know nothing about campy stuff. I hope this Centaur group and Proton wheels are good stuff.
What do you guys think?

man...if I was gonna buy Litespeed, I'd buy a TITANIUM one...

Hello Lance.

I ride on Proton wheels and think they're very nice indeed.

For some reason, they're not even listed on roadbikereview.com, but here in the UK they've had some very good reviews in the cycling press.

Enjoy you're new bike.

Originally posted by lance
WOW...looking around trying to find out more info on this bike...
I found it on sale for $1400! In my size!!!
I went ahead and bought it! I'll have it in a few days.
For this frame with full campy centaur and proton wheels for $1400, it sure seems like a good deal to me. I don't know nothing about campy stuff. I hope this Centaur group and Proton wheels are good stuff.
What do you guys think?

Total crap...even Shimano Sora is better than Centaur....and proton wheels are terrible, they are heavy and poorly constructed.
(sarcasm intended)
Scroll up....wasnt this question answered earlier???? :confused:

Originally posted by H20.1
Total crap...even Shimano Sora is better than Centaur....and proton wheels are terrible, they are heavy and poorly constructed.
(sarcasm intended)

Geez, I almost had a hernia when I read that.
but then H20.1 we know that Centaur is bottom of the barrel
for campy top line, right? :lol:

Marty

Originally posted by lotek

Geez, I almost had a hernia when I read that.
but then H20.1 we know that Centaur is bottom of the barrel
for campy top line, right? :lol:

Marty :D