Mountain Biking - What do you all think of Litespeed?

Im planning to get a new bike in a couple of months. I know litespeed makes nice bikes, does anyone have one? What do you think of it . I was thinking about a full suspension litespeed.

Funny you ask that now. I've never even seen a Litespeed MTB before, but yesterday I was in Springfield MO. and saw one. Looked great but I know nothing about the performance. I do know that Litespeed makes an awesome road bike though.

I have had my litespeed MTB since 1997 and it is still my prize possesion (two parts groups and two forks later). Point it into a technical section of single track and it will pour through it like water over Niagra Falls. They are such smoothe riding bikes...I cannot say enough about them. Good luck.

http://www.litespeed.com/english/bikes/tanasi.html
Looks like they make only titanium frames. IMHO it's better to get an Al or steel frame and save a lot of money for better parts than to buy a titanium frame.

I love my Litespeed hardtail. Titanium rides like magic.

Litespeed's are great bikes. Made in the USA. They are one of the largest manufacturer's of quality titanium bikes. They acquired a smaller company (was it Moots? No, who was it?) and got a lot of their welders. They put together some very well made frames. The welds are perfect!!!

Titanium is more expensive, but it'll outlast 3 aluminum frames.

I just noticed that a mail order company, Jenson USA I think. Is advertising ZION frames. They look a lot like Litespeeds at a cheaper price. Does anyone know about ZION? May be worth doing some research.

Airborne is also a ti frame builder, with a cheaper price tag. I think theirs are made overseas however. I've seen a couple of their frames and it's difficult to distinquish any flaws, if any. The welds were good and the frames looked great. Not as nice as Litespeed's, but still nice.

L8R

Apparently Lightpeed bought out Merlin, who were/(are) top Ti meisters.
Lightspeed have a pretty good reputation and their design consultant for road frames is Eddie Mercx. They build the Ti frame for his badge.
Ti has a great ride quality for a hardtail, but what advantage does Ti have when used for a full sus?

not a big fan of the lightspeed "softtails." although I hear they finally came out with a replaceable rear triangle if it goes.

other than that - Litespeeds are SWEET!

Merlin, that was who it was!

Thanks.

I bought a Pisgah frame a couple of years ago and was going to build it up for XC racing. I ended up needing some $$$ and sold it. Never got to build it, much less ride it. The welds were perfect!

I would have liked to at lease ridden the thing once!

L8R

I'm lucky enough to own two and have enjoyed both. One is road (classic model) the other a cross frame.

They ride nice like a steel frame, but are light like aluminum. Can be fixed if necessary.

Does anyone have the FS model they now sell. It seems nice, but this is the first bike ive seen that uses a rear Rock Shox as the dampner. Any opinions on this?

My NRS 2 uses a Rock Shox SID on the rear. No problems in two years of hard riding.

If any one is interested, Litespeed also makes Aluminum bikes. Have been for a couple years now.
American Bicycle Group is the parent co. of Litespeed, Merlin, Tomaso and Quintana Roo.

LiteSpeed was using unique headset designs a year or so ago and if there was damage it meant a frame replacement. Anyone have more details? I think it was/is similar to the concept Cannondale was using.

For ti I think I would go with a Seven.

Yeah,

Litespeed bought out Merlin Metalworks a few years back now, and the ex Merlin Team set up Seven Cycles.

If you're considering a Ti bike and can afford one, Seven would be your best bet (especially their sexy Sola series, also made in Steel)....but either a Merlin or Litespeed would make an awesome bike.

Below is a sexy looking Litespeed Tellico

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/mtbr/gallery/files/MyBike(42).asp

Check out Ebay for some great bargains...a pre 1997 Merlin were said to be better than later Merlins.

Cheers

Rich