Road Cycling - What do you think of this Litespeed ad?

What do you think of this current ad from Litespeed?

Thats pretty good. Why wouldnt that be funny? Im 100% sure they didnt actually run over that animal.

Well, not something I like to see. I have a Litespeed and a Trek. Makes me want to contact Litespeed and tell them they can have their bike back and where to shove it; besides with my Trek life without the LItespeed would not be no comprmise.

dead animals aren't very funny to me. it's like saying "hey! buy our bike, you can kill animals on the road just like a car can!" which i think it's pretty dumb...actually, ads for bikes are pretty pointless in general.

and litespeeds are kinda ugly, not that you can see the bike in that ad clearly enough...i'd rather have a merlin any day, or an airborne, or a macalu.

and the aesthetics of that ad are just...dismal. it looks too gloomy. i like to think of sunny days and green leaves and blue skies and crap like that when i think about riding my bike. things i don't like to think about: dead trees with no leaves, nasty, grey skies, dead things, a cold, grey, colorless world. then again, maybe that's what tennessee looks like all the time...

People>> people lighten up ! It's just an ad. Some of you act as though that was your dog or something. If that was a real life situation, be happy the rider didn't get hurt. Don't be so negative. It almost seems as though you are upset that you don't have a lightspeed. Enough said !:)

a bit of black humour goes a long way on a monday morning.


of course that does not mean that we should run out hop on our litespeeds and go hunting.
AFAIAA, they do not issue hunting licenses for a litespeed

it's pretty dumb...actually, ads for bikes are pretty pointless in general.

and litespeeds are kinda ugly, not that you can see the bike in that ad clearly enough...i'd rather have a merlin any day, or an airborne, or a macalu.




:rolleyes: it's a frickin' ad.

merlin=made by Litespeed, macalu=made by Litespeed :rolleyes:

you picked an odd quote for your response...

i didn't know merlin was owned by litespeed, and i'm actually kinda sad to find out that they are. didn't they used to be based in MA? i'm pretty sure one of the S.C.U.L. (http://www.scul.org/) guys used to weld for them...i remember some story about igniting some Ti scraps at a party at the shop one night...oh well...i think litespeeds are heinous looking. i kinda figured that macalus were made by someone like them, since i just found out about them recently, i don't really care much about them.

just because merlin is owned by litespeed doesn't make me like litespeeds and it doesn't make me dislike merlins...and it doesn't mean that they're all welded by the same people, they certainly don't follow the same designs...i still prefer the look of the merlins over litespeed. i think maybe the litespeed people just own the merlin name and handle the customer service end and allow the merlin people to continue manufacturing their own frames. the cyrene is probably one of the most beautiful frames around, aside from maybe an IF crown jewel...

it's obviously not a real dead animal, or an animal they killed for the purpose of the ad...aesthetically, the ad is just gloomy as hell and doesn't make me want to ride a bike at all. ads are pretty superfluous to the cycling world, because most of the people in the market for frames that cost as much as litespeeds do buy bikes based on what they need and not on what they see in an advertisement (at least that's what i gather from reading the forums here). i guess i just don't see the point for them to take out ads...they make a good product, and anyone who'd be interested in a quality ti frame has most likely heard about them already, and if not, they will when they go to the LBS to look at high-end bikes. the ad doesn't even really tell you anything about the bike. it reminds me of a cheesy car ad and that kinda makes me sick to my stomach.

BTW, i voted "just not funny." because i just didn't see the humor in it. it wasn't shocking, and it didn't make me want to buy a litespeed. i looked at it and thought "wow, that's pretty ridiculous..." as opposed to "OH MAN THEY KILLED AN ANIMAL!!" or "OH NO THEY ARE PROMOTING ANIMAL VIOLENCE!!" i don't really see anything marketable or funny about roadkill. if someone really hit an animal of that size on a bike, their ass would be tossed...hard.

i think it's a dumb ad. the topic of the thread is "what do you think of this ad?" and that's what i think of the ad. criticizing my opinion is just being argumentative.

if there was a chevy suburban ad that showed a masi, or a colnago being crushed under it's wheels, you all would probably sh*t your pants...

merlins are manufactured by Litespeed. That means the same welders make both. There are some key differences in how they are made to justify Merlin's price difference.

Since Litespeed makes everything from the Classic to the Vortex, how can you make a generic statement like "I don't like how Litespeeds look"
How are Litespeeds ugly compared to any other Ti bike?

i don't like the shapes of their tubing. the classic still uses a weird-ass looking tapered top tube. the merlin cyrene uses all round tubes...at least that's what it looks like in the pretty pictures on their site...since i'm not quite in the market for a new road bike (i like my old steel pinarello just fine thanks), i haven't had the oportunity to look at both of them up close.

just found something interesting on the merlin site (http://www.merlinbike.com/history.aspx)...it says that in 2000, merlin was acquired by the "American Bicycle Group from shoe-manufacturer Saucony and is relocated to Chattanooga, TN." which is where litespeed is...it would seem that litespeed doesn't own merlin, but rather, they're both owned by saucony...it still makes me sad to know that they're all owned by the same people. but you're wrong. merlins are not manufactured by litespeed. they're both manufactured by american bicycle group.

but i still don't like litespeeds. i don't like their name, i don't like their graphics, i don't like the way their frames look. i like that merlin is honest about what they do, and i like their welds (i have actually seen several merlins up close, just not the cyrene).

just to add a little bit here: here (http://www.americanbicyclegroup.com/) is the link to the american bicycle group website. they make no mention of serotta, and i know in the litespeed debate thread you said that serottas are made by litespeed. it would appear you're wrong about that...

Here's the difference between Litespeed, Trek, and Cannondale...

Trek advertises Lance

Cannondale advertises Simoni winning the Giro, and Astraloa winning the World Championship, and the "Legalize my Cannondale" campaign to change the rules of the UCI on bike weights..

Litespeed shows a guy riding over an animal...certaintly they will sell more bikes that way.

in the litespeed debate thread you said that serottas are made by litespeed. it would appear you're wrong about that...

Serotta makes Serotta.

I sell them.

It certainly is an attention grabber......

Serotta make serotta, thats a fact.
Spectrum makes Spectrum, thats a fact,
American Bicycle Group owns Litespeed, Merlin, Tomac and Quintana Roo.
Litespeed makes Litespeed, thats a fact
Litespeed makes Tomac, Merlin, QR and Litespeed, thats also a fact.
Merlin also make Merlin's, thats also a fact.

Litespeed make the best titanium bikes inthe world, thats a fact. This is borne out of evidence that they also make Merlin, Bianchi, Merckx, QR, Tomac, and a host of other Pro peleton used bikes branded as something else. Surely that must be a measure of their quality and design. A top pro was quoted as saying that if he wanted a Ti bike he would ask Litespeed to build it. If he wanted a steel bike he would ask Colnago, If he wanted a Carbon bike, he would ask Time (who have been supplying carbon frames to other manufacturers for nearly 10yrs), If he wanted aluminim he would ask Cannondale.

Cool you don't like Litespeed, just don't knock them because then you'll be knocking almost every other Ti bike available.

Why does'nt Litespeed market their bikes as heavily?
Because that would interfere with their supply agreement with a host of other frame manufacturers, sme situation as Time

Tasteless!

PS: OTS,
AMG (american Bicycle Group) is a holding and management company that co-ordinates teh activities of 4 american companies with similar skill and market base. Of that group, Litespeed brought the technical expertise, Merlin the brand image, QR the Triathlete market and Tomac the MTB'ers.

the 4 brands appeal to different people.
Litespeed to racers
Merlin to traditionalists who liek to own something different, hand crafted exotic yet technological.
QR to the triathletes
and Tomac to the MTB'ers.

Mechanical design and manufacturing specification is all by Litespeed.
Marketing and customer specification is by the various brands

:lol:
I own a Litespeed and am always dodging squirrels.

Anyway it's just an ad to grab your attention and apparently it did!

Tim B, You want really good Ti and are willing to pay for it look at Seven and Independent Fabrication. I own a custom IF and the workmanship and warranty smokes anything Litespeed puts out.

why would I pay for a custom IF or Seven when Litespeed make customs also?

I wonder why they didn't put a tag line on:

"Litespeeds tested on animals!"

Lighten up, it's an ad...remember Joe Isuzu? Was HE funny? Oh wait, he was lying to people about the ability and cost of a new Isuzu...that's wrong, let's all boycott Isuzu now, etc.etc.

My $.02
PJ

just found something interesting on the merlin site (http://www.merlinbike.com/history.aspx)...it says that in 2000, merlin was acquired by the "American Bicycle Group from shoe-manufacturer Saucony and is relocated to Chattanooga, TN." which is where litespeed is...it would seem that litespeed doesn't own merlin, but rather, they're both owned by saucony...it still makes me sad to know that they're all owned by the same people. but you're wrong. merlins are not manufactured by litespeed. they're both manufactured by american bicycle group.

ABG owns both Litespeed and Merlin. They are manufactured by all the same people at Litespeed's manufacturing facility.


but i still don't like litespeeds. i don't like their name, i don't like their graphics, i don't like the way their frames look. i like that merlin is honest about what they do, and i like their welds (i have actually seen several merlins up close, just not the cyrene).

Litespeed and Merlin are welded by the exact same people. Merlins have double pass welds for aesthetics and are priced accordingly.


just to add a little bit here: here (http://www.americanbicyclegroup.com/) is the link to the american bicycle group website. they make no mention of serotta, and i know in the litespeed debate thread you said that serottas are made by litespeed. it would appear you're wrong about that...

Just like you were so sure I was wrong that Litespeed does not make Merlins? That Merlin is made by ABG (an umbrella business entity) and not Litespeed or that you like other bikes that are actually Litespeeds? That of all the labels that Litespeed makes bikes for, including Eddy Merkcx (no longer), that there is no way they make Ti bikes for Serotta? Yeah your absolutely right.

Tim B, You want really good Ti and are willing to pay for it look at Seven and Independent Fabrication. I own a custom IF and the workmanship and warranty smokes anything Litespeed puts out.

Never ridden a Seven but IF makes incredible bikes.

I can't agree on workmanship (I would call that a draw) or warranty since I don't know how you can beat a lifetime warranty.

IF has limitless paint options so if you want to throw that in with workmanship than IF is the winner.

I would also go with Litespeed for a custom ti bike since you can get any size, tube shape and geometry you want.

For steel, IF.

Those of you who don't see the ad as funny probably don't like the new Quizno's ads either...

55/Rad

but i still don't like litespeeds. i don't like their name, i don't like their graphics, i don't like the way their frames look.

Sounds like you have an axe to grind. :rolleyes:

As far as the ad goes. I don't think it's funny or offensive. Geeze.....IT'S NOT REAL, let's lighten up!! ;)

merlins are merlins. they are put together by the same people who make the litespeeds, but they don't use the same designs as litespeed, therefore merlin != litespeed. if they were, they would be branded as such.

i wouldn't call it an axe to grind, so much as personal preference...

and i don't like the quiznos ads...but i love the rathergood.com animation/song that it's based on. (yes, i know joel veith did the quizno's ad). it's good that he's getting money out of it, but the original song is much better than the quizno's "remix."

[QUOTE] People>> people lighten up ! It's just an ad. Some of you act as though that was your dog or something[QUOTE]
No offense, but as a litespeed owner, I find it taseless. I'm a varmint hunter, help out local cattle & horse farmers - and find that even with varmints life is extremely precious. Death is a part of life, but mocking it is beyond the boundaries.

merlins are merlins. they are put together by the same people who make the litespeeds, but they don't use the same designs as litespeed, therefore merlin != litespeed. if they were, they would be branded as such.


That's correct. Merlins are made by Litespeed but to Merlin's brand spec. Laser etching, double-pass welds, different process for making the bottom bracket and the more extensive use of carbon fiber.

Litespeed has taken care to manufacture Merlins to keep their identity.

[QUOTE] People>> people lighten up ! It's just an ad. Some of you act as though that was your dog or something[QUOTE]
No offense, but as a litespeed owner, I find it taseless. I'm a varmint hunter, help out local cattle & horse farmers - and find that even with varmints life is extremely precious. Death is a part of life, but mocking it is beyond the boundaries.

Road kill is a part of life whether you're in the country or big city. The ad isn't suggesting you run over animals.

The ad is suggesting that a Litespeed will make you as fast as a car. thus unable to avoid an animal.

I ride on a bike path and this actually happened to my teammate! It was a squirrel but was totally unavoidable. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.

then how can you say that merlins are litespeeds?!

i don't like litespeed. i like merlin. not because of who puts them together, but because of their designs. you've been saying this whole time that they're the same. now you say they're not the same?

actually, now that i know the whole story, if i'm ever in the market for Ti, i'll probably think about supporting IF, because they're small, i've talked to them before and they're really nice, and i like their paint...then again, there's always van tuyl. (http://www.vantuyl.nl/index.php?id=64&PHPSESSID=c3f7eff424b987ae41c33385a6a741dd)

....and i don't like the quiznos ads...but i love the rathergood.com animation/song that it's based on. (yes, i know joel veith did the quizno's ad). it's good that he's getting money out of it, but the original song is much better than the quizno's "remix."

Yes, I agree. But the original song doesn't include the words "tasty, crunchy, warm and toasted..." not to mention the concept of a pepper bar. Those pesky marketing folks - always thwarting the creatives by wanting to use the clients money to tout the product.

55/Rad

As the person who started the poll, it's about time that I weighed in with my views. I was offended by the ad because I love animals and volunteer a lot of time for wildlife rescue. I am very suspicious of any humor that panders to views that animals are disposible.

The ad did what all display advertising is supposed to do: it got my attention and I remembered the product. The bad part is that it turned me off totally from the Litespeed product. Making one part of your market laugh while offending another part is just stupid advertising. This is advertising, which is about selling as many products to as many people as possible. It's different from being a shock jock, which is about making some people laugh at the expense of others (mostly as in majority over weaker minority). You don't like what a shock jock is saying? You turn him off. That's not how advertising should work. But it has: this ad has turned me off to Litespeed.

The ad is also just plain creepy. The gloomy winter scene, the dead possum, and the ad copy talking about Tennessee's excellence in taxidermy all really put me off. It reminded me of the only time I drove through Tennessee and we were tailgated (and bumped a couple of times) by two guys in a pickup truck with a rifle in the gun rack in the rear window. Maybe they were getting ready to hunt us and stuff us. I think what we did wrong was to be driving with New York license plates. This ad did not give me a better view of being on the roads in Tennessee.

Rich

then how can you say that merlins are litespeeds?!

i don't like litespeed. i like merlin. not because of who puts them together, but because of their designs. you've been saying this whole time that they're the same. now you say they're not the same?

response moved to "Litespeed Debate" to stop off-topic discussion of Stinger9oh's original topic

Well I actually have run over and kill;ed a chipmunk on the silver comet trail. His path and mine crossed so precisely that I ran right over the middle of it with a 1" wide tire. We saw it flopping for a moment then nothing more.

The bad part is that it turned me off totally from the Litespeed product.Aren't you glad you decided on the Mondonico?

It's a muskrat!!! I have ran over a rabbit on my Trek, and I think it's a hoot! Btw. I can't afford a Lightspeed, it doesn't matter who makes it! ;)

wouldv'e been better if it was a cat.

The ad is suggesting that a Litespeed will make you as fast as a car. thus unable to avoid an animal.




Or... You ride a litespeed and you like to run over roadkill. Just a thought.

Only good possum is a xxxx one.

Now car companies can run ads running over a litespeed...

The ad is more dull and boring than it is funny or shocking. Mostly a waste of marketing dollars - no wonder their bikes are expensive. : )

Sounds like you have an axe to grind. :rolleyes:

As far as the ad goes. I don't think it's funny or offensive. Geeze.....IT'S NOT REAL, let's lighten up!! ;)

I heard in their next add they are going to have a Litespeed truck run over a ZEBRA ! LOL............
:D

I heard in their next add they are going to have a Litespeed truck run over a ZEBRA ! LOL............


But, they can't catch me. I ride a Litespeed! :D

....heard PETA is all over Litespeed.

As far as the ad goes. I don't think it's funny or offensive. Geeze.....IT'S NOT REAL, let's lighten up!! ;)

It is quite real in the sense that language and images affect (and reflect) subconscious beliefs. The ad is just irrelevant to cycling. Why let animal cruelty sell bikes?

The ad is just irrelevant to cycling.

Obviously not, since this is one of the hottest topics on the CYCLING forum.

Well, if anyone is enough of a moron to let this ad affect their subconscious beliefs, then we have alot bigger problems than a dead opossum. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

....heard PETA is all over Litespeed.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
Soooo what?

Amazing. I thought we were discussing the ad. The farther through the thread I read, the more off the subject we became. Anyway, I have no problem with the ad. I actually think it is clever, but then I'm not a member of PITA

Obviously not, since this is one of the hottest topics on the CYCLING forum.

Well, Litespeed has pulled the ad from all magazines that have not yet been printed. I guess they themselves realized it wasn't relevant. Or worth it . . .

I like it! :)

....heard PETA is all over Litespeed.

Not true as of the date of your posting (3/3/04). I sent a scan of the ad to PETA on 3/11/04 and that was the first they heard of it. On the same date, I also sent it to the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley. Both organizations said that they were going to talk to Litespeed.

Rich