Road Cycling - I'm so confused

Well, maybe that's an overstatement but I have reached a conundrum so to speak. I've been looking at new bikes for over a month now and I've test ridden to many to count. I think I've settled on titanium for the frame material. It really seems to suit my needs the best but I have not ruled out steel. I rode several Litespeed models that were very light and pretty darn cool looking. I then went to look at some Serottas on a recommendation from a friend and was very impressed. Herein lies the problem. The Litespeed Tuscany and Vortex come in 57 and 59 frame sizes, I'm more of a 58. The dealer seemed to indicate that it was very difficult for any frame manufacturer to match the stiffness created by Litespeed in a Ti frame. The Serotta marketing material seems to differ in opinion. I really really liked the idea of custom fitting via the Serotta fit system but that bike would set me back considerably more than a Tuscany. Does anyone out there have experience with perhaps a Litespeed and a Serotta Ti? Is it true that even though the Serotta may weigh a bit more than something like a LS, their fitting system will mitigate the weight difference due to the proper form and angles that the rider can attain? I kind of got the impression that LS frames are technologically more advanced and a little better but the Serotta will give me a perfect fit. They're both very expensive so I'd like to get some more idea, opinions, etc before I go out and shell out my savings!! Much appreciation for any advice!

The hottest bike in the world is doggy doo if it doesn't FIT. The most important thing for you to look for is fit. The second most important thing is fit. The third most important thing is fit. Whether the thing is steel or ti or pasta should about 5th or 6th. I have a steel bike and a Ti bike. The steel bike has a much nicer ride. Get the Serotta, their owners are a very happy group. I would love to have one, personally.
You can ask them to give it the type of ride you want. In Ti or steel. But since money is an issue, steel makes more sense. Now that I have answered your question, I have one for you. What sort of riding do you plan on doing?

Correct me if I'm wrong.... I thought Serrotas were basically custom made Litespeeds.

Don't get too hooked on the numbers. To get that frame size number some manufacturers measure from the center of the crank to the top of the seat tube. Others measure from the center of the crank to the center of the top tube, like Litespeed. Therefore, a 57 in a Litespeed is more like a 58 in some other brands. Remember that the top tube length is much more critical than the seat tube length.

"Perfect fit". No such animal. Look at any of the fit calculators. They will give you a RANGE for all of the measurements, not a hard number. Just look at the top tube measurement, for example. Two people with the exact same measurements could very well do better on slightly different lengths. One may like to be stretched out more than the other.

Unless you are 7ft tall or have arms like an ape or some other really unusual body shape, I can't imagine that really have to have a custom frame. That's why seat posts go up and down, and stems and cranks come in different lengths.

My advice. Find the ballpark of what size you should be on and then test ride. I would damn sure want to ride a pretty close sized Serotta before I put down that kind of cash. Either way you go, you will have one fine ride.

The hottest bike in the world is doggy doo if it doesn't FIT. The most important thing for you to look for is fit. The second most important thing is fit. The third most important thing is fit. Whether the thing is steel or ti or pasta should about 5th or 6th. I have a steel bike and a Ti bike. The steel bike has a much nicer ride. Get the Serotta, their owners are a very happy group. I would love to have one, personally.
You can ask them to give it the type of ride you want. In Ti or steel. But since money is an issue, steel makes more sense. Now that I have answered your question, I have one for you. What sort of riding do you plan on doing?

To answer your question, I like crits but primarily I like long road races in season and long rides (50 miles+) off season. I ride on a lot of mountains (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona) in the off season on vacation. I am almost indiffferent in the performance of the steel and Ti frame but I like of liked the springy feel I got from the Ti. Was not a big fan of the frames w/ carbon seatstays.

Hi,
I'm a big fan of the Tuscany. If the fit is good; it's a bike that can do all those things. But as an owner of a Ti bike that has a less than perfect fit.....make sure you get a great fit before you lay down cash. I'm a tourista/commuter, so I don't have much to say about cafe racers. But I do know from shopping. When you have questions about Product A, and Product B costs too much....maybe it's time to take a long look at C,D and E.

I like crits but primarily I like long road races in season and long rides (50 miles+) off season.

If you plan on doing a lot of crits, go with the Serotta. There's something about their build that makes them track through corners insanely well. I borrowed one for a crit last year and never touched the brakes once or came off my line, even taking 90 degree corners at well above 30 MPH.

The Litespeed Tuscany and Vortex come in 57 and 59 frame sizes, I'm more of a 58.
The LBS can adjust the saddle setup, stem length, etc for a 1 cm difference in frame size to match "your size".


Get the Tuscany. You won't regret it. I've had mine for nearly 3 years and love it. :love:


Pictures?? ---> http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/Litespeed01.jpg
Pictures?? ---> http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/Litespeed02.jpg

No one is "a 58". You could be any of a broad range of seat tube sizes depending on the bike manufacturer.

Ignore the number and find what fits you.

lightspeed top tubes are measured center to top i believe, while most steel is measured center to center. a 1cm difference is nothing a setback seatpost or longer/shorter stem can't fix.
the lightspeeds now are headset integrated. you are pretty much married to it ---> the lightspeed warranty is also part of what makes that brand special.

i ride a custom steel, and have been happy with it.
remember, that stiffness can also be as much a factor of the type of rims and tyre pressure you use.

go ahead and try to shoot holes in the 'Lightspeed is a very good buy/bike' theory. you may find people telling you that there are other bikes just as good, but none can quibble over the bike itself.

p.s. i saw just as many crit's won by steel Waterfords as Ti bikes last year.

I'd love to own a Lightspeed, but i want to buy the frame and build it - Lightspeed changed policy a few years ago and will only sell complete bikes. I don't know if i'd ever buy a stock bike again,,,, there is always something i'd want different. the mail order co's sell lightspeed frames on closeout at the end of the season.

isn't shopping fun?