Classic & Vintage - Help me identify this Litespeed!

Not sure if this is C&V but from my knowledge this is a 90's road bike. Tubing is 3AL 2.5V and the number on the BB is 24404. Anyone know what model and year this bike is?

Here's a pic:
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1373/litespeed.jpg

I know what it is: awesome! and my size... guess I've a new target kind of bikes - early 90's Ti!

I know what it is: awesome! and my size... guess I've a new target kind of bikes - early 90's Ti!

Dude...seriously...ti is wonderful. Do it.

haha with the current market over here I need to find a big stash of Au or Ag first before I can buy some Ti.... The last vintage Ti bike I saw here went for for over $2000.

I used to work in a shop that sold Litespeed around then. I don't think it's a Classic, because I remember Classics having round tubes (at least the tubes on the frame pictured look shaped...if they're round, it's probably a classic). It's not a Tachyon, which was a TT frame with shaped tubes. I do know that the fork is a Ventana because I had one of those on my Salsa LaRaza.

Pete

I'm not sure what the market is like there, but that's NOT the case here. I bought my Merlin for about $700. One was just available in jersey for 900...and it had top line parts and extra high end wheels. A sampson sold locally for $700 a few months ago. Ti is seriously undervalued IMO.

On Ebay, a good condition Merlin typically sells for around 1200ish. Honestly I think titanium represents fantastic value short and long term. I absolutely love my Mass. Merlin, it's next to my Marnati as my favorite bike ever. The down side is...they last so well that good condition ones won't be that rare down the road.

I guess Ti is so rare over here since it's really an american thing - most brands I know are American (or Eastern, but that's another story). The demand is high though, because those in the know all want a Ti frame. Plus there are almost no low end equipped bikes here, because the people who went through the effort to import a Ti frame from the states aren''t the kind of person that skimp on equipment.

I don't think many people in my area are after ti...the latest greatest weight weenies want CF and the vintage crowd want steel. It's a shame because in many ways I think ti really is the ultimate material for frames.

I can try and find you one locally and ship it...it'll come out much cheaper than 2000...even with shipping.

I would need more pics, but with what we've got, I'm going to guess it is a a mid 90's Ultimate.

What pictures do you need? I was thinking ultimate too because of the curved seat tube but maybe other models might have that too

edit* Also, the sticker impression on the top tube says "TITANIUM" near the seatpost and some sort of cursive word that looks like it starts witha "U" near the headtube.

Here's a couple pictures of the tubes for now,
http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8452/44498965.jpg
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/644/83011247.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5075/48863960.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6060/95681581.jpg

I used to work in a shop that sold Litespeed around then. I don't think it's a Classic, because I remember Classics having round tubes (at least the tubes on the frame pictured look shaped...if they're round, it's probably a classic). It's not a Tachyon, which was a TT frame with shaped tubes. I do know that the fork is a Ventana because I had one of those on my Salsa LaRaza.

Pete
The seat tube is round and curves near the BB, the down tube feels roundish but tapers, and the top tube is ovalized and tapers. The fork is a ventana (has decals). Any ideas?


I know what it is: awesome! and my size... guess I've a new target kind of bikes - early 90's Ti!
Haha, its for sale!

I don't think many people in my area are after ti...the latest greatest weight weenies want CF and the vintage crowd want steel. It's a shame because in many ways I think ti really is the ultimate material for frames.

I can try and find you one locally and ship it...it'll come out much cheaper than 2000...even with shipping.

The biggest market here consists of guys in their 40's or 50's that like comfort and really expensive kit, 60% of the guys you pass on the bike paths here have a tummy, grey hair and a campy 11 speed record pinarello under their bums, travelling 25 km/h :) and that's exactly the sort of person that would like Ti: flashy and expensive, yet comfortable! And thanks for the offer, but I'm afraid a new bike will be out of budget for another year or so. Besides, my single room in a frat house is also out of parking space :)

OK, I'd say it's an Ultimate.

Haha, its for sale!

I'll be right back, got a bank to rob now...

saw this on cl, you got a good deal, as soon as I saw it I started planning how I could leave room in my car when I drive through this weekend, but then realized it wouldn't last.

Too bad it isn't your size though, and it isn't really my size.

I'll be right back, got a bank to rob now...
Haha I'm not selling it for too much (i think), except that you are in Holland and shipping might be killer!


saw this on cl, you got a good deal, as soon as I saw it I started planning how I could leave room in my car when I drive through this weekend, but then realized it wouldn't last.

Too bad it isn't your size though, and it isn't really my size.
Thanks! luckily the first guy that went to look at the bike tried to haggle her and she didn't sell it to him. I really wish it was my size because I've been looking for a ti frame but I got it because of the wheels which I am putting on my Zipp bike. The 7700 Dura Ace was a bonus:)

Not sure if this is C&V but from my knowledge this is a 90's road bike. Tubing is 3AL 2.5V and the number on the BB is 24404. Anyone know what model and year this bike is? I am thinking about trading/selling the frame but I would like to figure out what it is and its value first. Looking for a ~50cm ti frame :)

Here's a pic:
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1373/litespeed.jpg

That is a 1996 Ultimate...

Looks just like my 1996 Classic..they are close in design too..

Here is my 1996 Classic..

http://www.cehoward.net/lspeed74%5b1%5d.jpg

However, because it is silky smooth, super fast, and amazingly light, I ride my vintage bikes more!! ;)

haha with the current market over here I need to find a big stash of Au or Ag first before I can buy some Ti.... The last vintage Ti bike I saw here went for for over $2000.

Not going to happen here, no where close to that amount. Ti Litepeed frames sell every day on eBay. Just check completed auctions as a guide. Local sale around here would not come close to matching eBay.

I picked up a Merlin built Quintana Roo two weeks ago, all nine speed DA, for a very reasonable price. The high end stuff tends to sell well under market on CL here. Great as a buyer, not so hot as a seller.

With the curved ST, end of analysis. It is an early Ultimate. Search for the Litespeed archives and you will find the model in the catalogues.

With the curved ST, end of analysis. It is an early Ultimate. Search for the Litespeed archives and you will find the model in the catalogues.
Thanks RFC!
I just looked at the 1996 catalogue as cehowardGS suggested. It looks like a perfect match, and the "ultimate" design matches what used to be the sticker!
Too bad it's not polished as intensely as the catalalog pic!
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/3132/litespeedd.jpg

Errr.. I seriously wish this thing was in my size. I tried to ride it just now but it's not going to work, so the frame is off to the sale thread. I'm glad we figured out what it was before I let it go, but it makes me not want to :/

I can't believe the complete bike retailed at over 5k back in '96!
see my SIG for the link :)

Errr.. I seriously wish this thing was in my size. I tried to ride it just now but it's not going to work, so the frame is off to the sale thread. I'm glad we figured out what it was before I let it go, but it makes me not want to :/

I can't believe the complete bike retailed at over 5k back in '96!
see my SIG for the link :)

If it was your size, you be in for a treat. ;) My Classic is about 17 lbs, with utegra componets..So smooth, you have to pinch yourself to see you have a bike under you..

Mine fits me like a tee...;)

Ebay is funny, I wouldn't be suprised if it went for $2500.. On Craigslist, I don't think you will get a much.. If it was my size, and you had it on Craigslist, sheesh, even I would low-ball ya...:D

The frame, will do so-so, on Ebay..nothing to holler about. Best chance to get something out of it, would be to leave it like you have in the picture, and put in Ebay.. Either with a reserve or a BIN that suits you..

It is a pretty bike, and it rides better than it looks..., luck to you,

$2500
Wow, really? $2500? that would be silly haha. I'm not really trying to flip the bike, just trying to get some money back and keep the wheelset for myslef =]. Let me ask you, is $400 asking too much for the frameset in your opinion?

and 17lbs is actually very light, for any bike. I want one! Ahh damn these short legs.

Wow, really? $2500? that would be silly haha. I'm not really trying to flip the bike, just trying to get some money back and keep the wheelset for myslef =]. Let me ask you, is $400 asking too much for the frameset in your opinion?

and 17lbs is actually very light, for any bike. I want one! Ahh damn these short legs.

$400 is a very good price for the frameset. If it was my size...well you know.

still too much for me, and the price would probably go 150% to include shipping to my abode... ah well.

Wow, really? $2500? that would be silly haha. I'm not really trying to flip the bike, just trying to get some money back and keep the wheelset for myslef =]. Let me ask you, is $400 asking too much for the frameset in your opinion?

and 17lbs is actually very light, for any bike. I want one! Ahh damn these short legs.


IMO, $400 for the frameset will go quickly!!

Post it on Craigslist and Ebay. Ebay with a starting bid of $400, and see what happens..;)

Shipping for a frameset to NL shouldn't be more than $75-100 max.

You guys should do a trade..You pick him up a nice Gazelle, Batavus, Reus, Concorde, etc. frameset and do the swap!


still too much for me, and the price would probably go 150% to include shipping to my abode... ah well.

IMO, $400 for the frameset will go quickly!!

Post it on Craigslist and Ebay. Ebay with a starting bid of $400, and see what happens..;)

I've just posted in the Craigslist but if it doesnt sell within the week I may have to throw it onto ebay. But I really don't like selling on ebay!