Road Cycling - Litespeed?

Help! Should I buy the Tuscany or Siena!?! I'm a rec rider and I don't want to buy another frame for say the next ten years. Any info or opinions would be great!

Cheers!

Leyton

I hate to say this but if you want it to last 10 years under everday use you had better treat is very very very careful or look for another brand.

Just use common sense and ride safe and be careful.

Isnt titanium more durable than all other material?

No, it's not.

Originally posted by Xavier
I hate to say this but if you want it to last 10 years under everday use you had better treat is very very very careful or look for another brand.


why?

Originally posted by ImprezaDrvr
No, it's not.

Your saying Titanium is not more durable than aluminum?

It's a wonder this site does not sink from the load.Many would argue that Ti is more durable than the others.That also assumes quality construction,no abuse and frame chosen with respect to rider weight and size.Does not Litespeed have a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner that covers defects in materials and workmanship? So what is 10 years in ones lifetime?

What is your height, weight, age?

The Siena has carbon seat stays that should offer a more comfortable ride but also has a compact frame. Do you want that?
If you are tall or have long arms or torso you may not want this frame.
Have you been fitted at your LBS?

I'm 57 and got my Tuscany (2001) because the frame should last many, many years and the curved seat stays and carbon fork help soften the bumps. I also like the tradition frame geometry.

http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/Litespeed1.jpg

I'm 6' and 190lbs. My LBS fitted me to a 57cm Tuscany, but I'm considering the Siena cause its the same price and I've read good things about it. I'm a little concerned about the compact frame cause I've never been on one before. I'm pretty sure Titanium is the way to go, and Litespeed seem to have a really good reputation.

Titanium in many ways is the material of choice in frame building. Steel which offers wonderful ride characteristics does loose these qualities over time. Some carbon frames not all will fatigue and develop what has been described to me as a "Soft" loose feel. I personally have had an aluminum frame fail while out of the saddle in a sprint (at the seat tube binder area). A Ti frame of quality craftsmanship, will better retain the qualities desired in a frame in general for a much longer period. (This I am paraphrasing from a former pro bike racer). As had been stated before, most if not al high end Ti frames have a lifetime warranty.

Xavier...............got something to say or an ax to grind why not spit it out. Pretty lame for a so called 'moderator'. But, that was your MO at the Bulltek forum too as I recall.

Cipher....thats quite a load. Ship is sinking and I got no hi water pants. Why not do your own research instead of spreading the manure and folklore?

Originally posted by pokey
Cipher....thats quite a load. Ship is sinking and I got no hi water pants. Why not do your own research instead of spreading the manure and folklore?

As I stated prior, I have personally owned an Aluminum bike (5 yrs.) that failed, at present I own a carbon frame that is approx. 10 years old which I feel would qualify me to relate my experiences on that material... I own a Ti frame mountian bike (6 yrs.). And as far as the steel frame is concerned, I also own a steel (Garry Fisher) 5 yrs, winter beater.

While researching this Ti road frame I will be receiving I picked the brain of a former pro rodie I am friends with...

This I feel gives me the qualifications to make the earlier post!

Can't we all be friends ???

RonH, hot bike.

Originally posted by Arsbars
Can't we all be friends ???

RonH, hot bike.

I already thought we were... :D

Cipher....well ok I guess. Questionable qualifications are maybe better than none, but it's mostly bull sheot, and floklore. What was it someone said of picking the brains of idiots?

Originally posted by pokey
Cipher....well ok I guess. Questionable qualifications are maybe better than none, but it's mostly bull sheot, and floklore. What was it someone said of picking the brains of idiots?


Thank goodness! I went to bed feeling so useless and inadiquite... Its refreshing to know I have received your vote of confidence! (Coming from you, it really means a lot seeing as you are held in such high esteem around here.) Have a GREAT day!!!

I'm hardly the ultimate expert, but I think the argument can be made that steel is as durable as Ti, provided you minimize corrosion. If you sweat like I do, that's a problem. But I think that issue is a red herring relative to your original question.

Litespeed is a well-established company that manufactures well made bikes in the US company (so warranty issues are easier if you're on the NA continent). And, as pokey points out, the frames have a lifetime warranty. I've never heard anyone complain about the quality of a Litespeed frame. Certainly good for 10 years, and Ti commands a higher resale value, too. ;) You might do better, but you can do a whole lot worse.

Disclaimer: I am biased. My ride? '99 Litespeed Classic.

Well, it all depends on the mileage. Years is an indeterminate figure now isn't it? I have known people who put 50,000 miles on a steel frame. I have put 30,000 miles on aluminum frame bikes - one did break but Cannondale gave me a new frame so I can't complain about that. I would think that virtually any quality bike frame would be good for 50,000 miles and probably more. I have retired bikes, not because the frame was bad but because the components were shot. It just seems cheaper to buy a new bike then sticking a new groupo on an out of date frame.

I should think that a Litespeed frame would last nearly anyone 10 years unless they are very very high mileage cyclists. Besides if it fails, that might even be good. Since it has a lifetime warrenty, Litespeed would give you a new frame and that would be all to the better.

I do not ride a Litespeed. But I know many people who do and everyone I know who has one really likes it.