Road Cycling - Valkyrie or Firenze??

I have narrowed my choices to a entry Ti bike. I'm considering the Airborne Valkyrie or the Litespeed Firenze. Both would be Ultegra equipped, although I think the Firenze uses some 105 (FD, BB). The geometry is a little different for both bikes and I'll obviously have to verify fit and comfort.

Any strong feelings either way, or if either fits are they a good choice?

Thanks,

According to Airborne's measuring technique I should have gone for a 60cm,
but a 58 was much more comfy. Fantastic frame - as good as and possibly more
comfortable than steel, hard to believe (the carbon fork might add to the ride quality) your joints will thank you for it in years
to come. Still learning to ride it as it's very responsive (chucked me off on the first ride) I recommend it.

I have a Firenze and love it. I did upgrade to full Ultegra triple at purchase. I can't imagine that you would really notice the BB or fr der. Or you could upgrade for a few $$.
Have you ridden both? I didn't try an Airborne. I centainly haven't heard anything bad about them.

Keep us informed when you do your test rides.

My opinion is a little biased since my shop deals Litespeed, but the Firenze is an amazing deal. For like 2000 bucks and Ultegra and a GOOD Ti frame, thats an amazing deal.

Cycling Weekly tested the Litespeed Firenze/Airborne Zepplin/Lemond Arrivee
and the Firenze was rated the highest, even though the Airborne was equipped with Chorus/Ksyrium SSC SL's.

Firenze had Ultegra/105 wheels- although they note Mavic Cosmos now come standard instead.

"I'll obviously have to verify fit and comfort."
Pick the one that fits best.

I made a similar choice 3 weeks ago...bought the Litespeed and am amazed at how comfortable it is...my first road bike, and each day I find myself thinking about how fast I can get home from work to get on it!

The Firenze is basically an Arenberg, and that is a fantastic bike. You can't go wrong with this choice.

Cheers

Yes, the Litespeed site shows the Firenze with Shimano r540 wheels, which I was a little nervous about with the low spoke count at 202 lbs. But, it comes with Mavic Cosmos. They roll increadably smooth and stay true. I did ding my rear rim on a railroad crossing, but that was my fault.

BTW, another benifit is that I am now 193 lbs.

Don't get me wrong here, I like Litespeed and own one of their compact frame gemoetry bikes. I tried the Frienze because of the price and was looking for a traditional frame gemoetry; it was VERY responsive but I didn't like the way it handeled, just didnt seem to corner well to me when pushed hard. Ended up with a OCLV Trek, just felt fantastic. On my Litespeed the if polish ti frame gets tiny scratches I just use #0000 steel wool to get rid them. Wondered what you do with raw ti that they use on Frienze, if you were to try to buff it out does it show where you try to fix it? Would think it would since the metal has no final finish. JMO...... :) Ever try?

Don't get me wrong here, I like Litespeed and own one of their compact frame gemoetry bikes. I tried the Frienze because of the price and was looking for a traditional frame gemoetry; it was VERY responsive but I didn't like the way it handeled, just didnt seem to corner well to me when pushed hard. Ended up with a OCLV Trek, just felt fantastic. On my Litespeed the if polish ti frame gets tiny scratches I just use #0000 steel wool to get rid them. Wondered what you do with raw ti that they use on Frienze, if you were to try to buff it out does it show where you try to fix it? Would think it would since the metal has no final finish. JMO...... :) Ever try?

I totally respect your opinion. I have a totally different experience however. I've found the handling to be wonderful, much better than a Madone. I have more experience on a Siena and Vortex but the Firenze also felt very good (from what time I've had on it).

As for polishing, you can get the same finish as a Siena or Classic by going at the frame with a brillo pad. To actually permanently scratch a ti frame is pretty tough to do though.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll let you know how it goes. My frustration is trying to find bikes in my size that I can ride. Few LBSs in the area have the inventory so I need to wait for transfers, orders, etc. I heard the Firenze availability was slow - maybe because of high demand?

When looking around, a couple LBSs said that they could not keep the Firenze in stock due to high demand. I just happened to get luckey and wander into a shop that had one in my size.

I have found the handling to be great. Well, at least up to 50 MPH. I ran out of cajones after that. :eek:

I've also heard the Firenze is one of their fastest selling models. It is one of their best selling bikes period. Hard to keep in stock.
Also, this isn't a mass-produced generic bike made in an anonymous factory. It's handmade in Tenessee.

Closure at last!! I ordered a Firenze with a 8-10 week wait for my size. Then LBS called me and said that I could get a Solano with different wheels and seat post and made me an offer I couldn't refuse! Now I'll get my Solano in a week. Can't wait! I actually like the looks of the Solano a little better.

Nice! The Solano is a really sweet looking bike!

Congrats. You just made the deal of your lifetime if you got a good deal on the Solano. It is almost as good as a Vortex.

Cheers

Congrats. You just made the deal of your lifetime if you got a good deal on the Solano. It is almost as good as a Vortex.

Cheers

Who did you have to sweet talk to get a Solano in 1 week. I ordered one 2 weeks ago and still have 3 weeks to go of course if I rode a 61 they had it in stock but I needed a 59 and yes they are sweet bikes. A friend mine ordered on shorty after they came out and I fell in love with his. Outdoor magazine has a review on them http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/200403/road_bike_review_2.html check it out here.

Philli

Philli - Good question. I ride a 59 as well and the LBS said that the factory had some available. Since I already have a bike I'm not in any hurry----I'm lying of course ;)

Philli - Good question. I ride a 59 as well and the LBS said that the factory had some available. Since I already have a bike I'm not in any hurry----I'm lying of course ;)

I have a bike as well but I am in a hurry. You know it is like waiting on Christmas to get here when you were a kid and I am still a kid at heart.

One of us is not getting a truthful story and I hope it is me.

Philli...

I have a bike as well but I am in a hurry. You know it is like waiting on Christmas to get here when you were a kid and I am still a kid at heart.

One of us is not getting a truthful story and I hope it is me.

Philli...

TXTG,

Have you gotten your Solano yet? Mine is suppose to be in this week but my shop hasn't heard anything yet.

Let me know....

What was the price difference?

What was the price difference?

I ordered the Solano from the start and I think there is almost 1k difference, but supposedly the other guy got a deal.

philli

I should receive the Solano this week - a few later than planned! I swapped the wheels (chose Mavic Cosmos) and an al seat post v. carbon. knocked $$ off the price so it closed some of the difference between the Firenze and Solano.

I should receive the Solano this week - a few later than planned! I swapped the wheels (chose Mavic Cosmos) and an al seat post v. carbon. knocked $$ off the price so it closed some of the difference between the Firenze and Solano.

I have heard I am getting mine this week, but we'll see.

Philli

my solano arrived today. LBS will build it up and I can get it tomorrow.

Congrats!!! Will you be able to sleep tonight?

my solano arrived today. LBS will build it up and I can get it tomorrow.

Congratulations on the bike. I have been told that mine should have shipped this week, but the wheels were holding it up. If I remember right you got a different set of wheels so maybe that is why you got it. Anyway mine should be here soon.

Enjoy the ride...

Philli

my solano arrived today. LBS will build it up and I can get it tomorrow.

TXTG,

Well I never got my Solano. It seems that Litespeed didn't make enough frames and mine was left out. I was getting ready to cancel the order, but they offered me the Tuscany frame with Solano components for a few hundred more so I went that route. I guess I am getting a better frame for just a little more so I am happy. That is if I get it next week. How do you like yours?

Philli

It seems you satared out with a $2000 litespeed. Now whats it going to cost you?

It seems you satared out with a $2000 litespeed. Now whats it going to cost you?

I didn't start out with the Firenze that was the other guy I started out with a $2900 Litespeed I was getting for $2350, but now it is going to cost about $2650. I am basically getting a Tuscany with the Solano parts.

gabiker,
Sweet deal on the Tuscany. That is one of their best road frames.

gabiker,
Sweet deal on the Tuscany. That is one of their best road frames.

RacerX,

What is different about it that makes it more expensive. Is it just the shape of the tubes? I guess that is what it has to be since it is the same geometry and material.

Thanks.

I didn't start out with the Firenze that was the other guy I started out with a $2900 Litespeed I was getting for $2350, but now it is going to cost about $2650. I am basically getting a Tuscany with the Solano parts.

Oh! So you've worked it into a sweet deal,going to be a cool bike. Might be the last one you'll need for awhile.

Oh! So you've worked it into a sweet deal,going to be a cool bike. Might be the last one you'll need for awhile.

I think it is a pretty good deal and I am looking forward to getting some miles on it. I should have it by Tuesday next week just in time for a regular 28 mile loop that has about 43 hills on it. Should be a good test.

Thanks...

RacerX,

What is different about it that makes it more expensive. Is it just the shape of the tubes? I guess that is what it has to be since it is the same geometry and material.

Thanks.

The Tuscany has an integrated, shaped headtube, upgraded Reynolds fork and the more manipulated tubeset. Solano only has a shaped top tube while all the Tuscany's tubes are shaped.
Ti gets stronger the more you bend it so it does help with the characteristics.

The Tuscany is the equivalent to a 3/2.5 version of the Vortex. That's no small compliement!

The Solano is a sweet ride too.

The Tuscany has an integrated, shaped headtube, upgraded Reynolds fork and the more manipulated tubeset. Solano only has a shaped top tube while all the Tuscany's tubes are shaped.
Ti gets stronger the more you bend it so it does help with the characteristics.

The Tuscany is the equivalent to a 3/2.5 version of the Vortex. That's no small compliement!

The Solano is a sweet ride too.

And all of that really means what to a regular 100 miles aweek rider?

And all of that really means what to a regular 100 miles aweek rider?

The same thing your posts have to this forum

And all of that really means what to a regular 100 miles aweek rider?

Shokhead,

It means it might make a 100 mile a week rider into a 200 mile a week rider which I already am or close to most of the time.

It means than your post because your one of the most negative people I know of.

Shokhead,

It means it might make a 100 mile a week rider into a 200 mile a week rider which I already am or close to most of the time.

It means than your post because your one of the most negative people I know of.

Sorry Shokhead I meant that for someone else.