Road Cycling - is a Tuscany worth it...?

i've been looking for a bike and can't decide with all the options... i notice that the 2003 Ultegra Tuscany's are starting to go on closeout prices for $2,500... i'm thinking of just going all out and get one of these... but are they really worth it...?

I test rode a 03 ultegra tuscany and thought the ride was very nice. If I hadn't purchased the custom made steel frame that i did, I'd have purchased the litespeed.

why not just ride it and see if it's worth it to you? It's a quality bike but perception of quality and value is different for everyone

well, i don't wanna ride it if i'm not gonna get it... i'm scared i might actually like it... but how come the closeout prices are so cheap...? well cheap compared to MSRP of $3,300 for a brand new one...

I did just that, got one on closeout for about that price. And only had a short ride on it first. I haven't regretted a single penny about this bike! Especially on what passes for "chip seal" up in Wichita Falls on the Hotter'nHell 100! I was feeling really bad for the folks on aluminum bikes at about mile 50+!

If you have the funds, get it!

ok, if i do decide to order one, do i get the one with black or no...? i like the look of the black but when i was reading all these user reviews about the Hyperion's paint having a tendency to peel off, i'm not so sure about Litespeed's painting skills...

It seems to me that painting a Ti bike is like painting a brick house. A brushed Ti finish is forever, needs very little maintenance and looks great. Of course everyone will know you have a Ti frame as well. Painting does stealth the bike. Litespeed decals are a bit flimsy though on the brushed frame.
Steve

FWIW, Hyperions are painted in a different facility-all Litespeed aluminum frames are sourced from Taiwan. Litespeed's painting skills are pretty decent just for the fact that they're able to paint titanium-not exactly the easiest material to paint.
As far as the decision for painted or not painted goes, not painted is where it's at. First, I like the look of Ti. Second, the brushed finish will look new years down the road-the same cannot be said of a painted finish.

As far as paint goes, I personally don't like painted Ti bikes. I bought a polished Litespeed Classic frame about 10 years ago and the thing still looks fairly new. On a Tuscany, I'd go with the brushed.......flaunt the frame material....

if you get a painted Tuscany i'll come over there and :crash: you ;)

Tuscany is worth it.
Nice ride
excellent geometry (if it suits your body geometry that is)
Don't bother with paint
The decals are replaceable. Litespeed uses those decals so that owners of their bikes can update them annually if they so choose. Keeps the bike looking current.
They peel off easily using a hairdryer.
decals get damaged anyways so you'd want them to be replacable.

Ride it. If you like it (which I'm sure you will) buy IT!:beer:

Get the natural finish. Think of all that extra weight you will have to drag around with the paint. Paint must add 50 or 60 grams.

Originally posted by Code Monkey
i notice that the 2003 Ultegra Tuscany's are starting to go on closeout prices for $2,500... i'm thinking of just going all out and get one of these... but are they really worth it...?

Ouch, I paid around that amount for an Ultegra Arenberg (the poor man's Tuscany). These Litespeeds are nice bikes indeed.

I would prefer a 2003 model over a newer one, because Litespeed is slowly abandoning the classic esthetics (tubes are getting thicker and less straightforward).

Leave the frame unpainted. Titanium is just too beautiful to cover up.

Which components come with these closeout Tuscanies?

errrhh cough cough ultegra cough cough clears throat

If the geometry fits you, get the Tuscany. it wil lbe the best investment you ever made. It's not unusual for Litespeed to drop the MSRP this much towards the end of the year. If you prefer the compact geometry, check out the Litespeed Sienna which you can get for about the same amount aroun this time of the year.

Cheers

Originally posted by TimB
errrhh cough cough ultegra cough cough clears throat

... and reaches for his wallet and offers Code Monkey to bridge the price gap between a Chorus and [Bruco apologizes beforehand and prepares to wash his mouth] Ultegra gruppo.

The Shimano allergy seems to be getting worse and worse. :D

Get the pure, unadulterated Tuscany! (I did. :D ) Paint makes it look common.

The Ultegra components are very solid and well performing. Code Monkey can always upgrade some stuff when some of his poser friends with overpriced components get frustrated with their sad pedaling imitation. Then, Code Monkey can swap the cranks (perhaps get some nice carbon ones) without paying too much. Ultegra is great, and I rode it for a long time pulling all the flashy posers behind me.

Cheers

Originally posted by karesz3
The Ultegra components are very solid and well performing. Code Monkey can always upgrade some stuff when some of his poser friends with overpriced components get frustrated with their sad pedaling imitation. Then, Code Monkey can swap the cranks (perhaps get some nice carbon ones) without paying too much. Ultegra is great, and I rode it for a long time pulling all the flashy posers behind me.

Cheers


Exactly! Componenets and frame materials will not determne how good you will be. You, the engine, will determine that.

I have had everything from RX100- 105- Ultegra-Dura ace and it was always me that made the most difference. Don't get caught up in the label. Ultegra will perform like a champ for years, my Dura ace is only marginally better but I am just as fast on either setup.

ok... ... ... i did it...! i bought a 2003 Tuscany with no black paint... well sorta... i put it on layaway... still waiting for that insurance check to go through... but you guys are right, those things are pretty... those pictures at the Litespeed website don't really tell the whole story... i test rode it and it was good... but i think it's an over statement to say that "it's like riding over glass" like some comments i've read... it is smooth, but it's not THAT smooth... it didn't have that stingy kickback that an aluminum has when you hit a bump... now i won't be able to sleep at night until i get that thing... maybe i can camp infront of the shop at night so i can watch my bike from the window...

Congrats! You can't go wrong with a Litespeed. Don't forget to join the owners group at www.litespeed.com when you get it!

Oh dear, it seems theres a bad case of neubicalitis going about.
last patient was seeing sleeping in front of a bike shop with one hand on the shop glass snoring, zzzzzzzzzzzzz tuscany zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztuscanyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztuscany slurp saliva, licks lips, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzztuscany




:beer:

welcome to the club.
no don't forget to join the owners group at the litespeed website and register the frame

Congrats, CM - you won't regret it!!

I love the look of that half black frame, but in the end, the brushed is easiest to care for and probably the longest lived. That's what I have and it's just a work of art.

Congratulations, CodeMonkey! You and the Tuscany will ride happily ever after...

You made the right decision. Bare is better. Two important components are your fork and seat so choose wisely. Welcome to the club.

forks:
Reynolds Ouzo pro Integrated

Saddle:

Fi:zi'k Alliante.


done deal thats your bike


sweeeeeeeeeeet

Originally posted by TimB
forks:
Reynolds Ouzo pro Integrated

Saddle:

Fi:zi'k Alliante.

Second that! The Ouzo Pro is an excellent fork; its design is a perfect match for your frame.

Don't know the Alliante myself, but have heard good things about it. My saddle is a Selle Italia Flite. I love it, but perhaps you won't.

Just ordered my 2003 Tuscany last night - should be here in about a week. I'm getting the Ultegra group, also going with the black paint - I think it looks great!

Now if we could just get rid of some of this snow ..... !!

my riding buddy swear by his litespeed. the brushed finish shows every fingerprint, but that is such a minor complaint. they are not light either, but for flats and rolling hills it kicks. a lightspeed with kyserium's is so beautiful. the ride is smooth and the handling is great.

nothing wrong with ultegra. have yet to have a failure or any unscheduled maintanence yet.

and the lightspeed warranty brings piece of mind as well.

Read you can use lemon Pledge wipes to get rid of the finger prints.

Didja get it yet???

Didja get it yet???

I hope so, that was three months ago.