ExpatPeru

Found this odd guy under a scrap heap. Got a bit scratched up on its way out but the frame looks solid. Full XTR drive and brake levers (and rear hub). Looks like the shocks and stem were replaced with random specialized and gt bits. The mismatched wheels got pretty banged up too. Can't find much info on this past a $900 eBay listing. Seems kind of absurd but I dont have experience with anything titanium. Worth fixing up or just an old oddity? I think it might be a '94, but I am coming up pretty empty with online searches. Old threads mention that ti Basso frames of the time were made by litespeed. Was in the process of looking for a titanium roadbike, would this still have enough value to get me started on one in a trade? Any info on it would be appreciated.
Excuse the quality, cracked lense cover.

curbtender

That's a keeper, those thumb shifters still work?
What size is the headset?

ExpatPeru

They seems to, pretty stiff and in need of some serious love. Poor thing got rained on a bit when it was in the scrap heap. I've managed to save similar models that were further gone than these, so I'm hopeful. Looks like a 1 1/8 dia compe aheadset.

zukahn1 

That's not scrap it's a pretty nice bike chances are you could pump up the tires oil the chain put some pedals on it and ride it half way across the country. Other than being dirty and neglected I don't see any issues with this one. As for info the components place it as a late 90's bike. Fixed up and ready to ride I would say it's $250-300 bike great find.

curbtender

I miss pulling bikes off the landfill. I'm guessing you could get that much for the frame. You tall enough to fit on that bad boy?

ExpatPeru

This is at the higher end of my size range for a mountain bike. Pretty sure I could make it work. I knew the $900 ebay price on a identical frame was too high, but I was hoping it was a rare enough find to trade for a dinged up ti road bike frame. Through another rather fortuitous find I have a set of titanium Morati mtb cranks I got for $10 I could throw on it, but the internet says they might be rather prone to cracking. Sadly none of the other guys in my local bike nonprofit seem to know much about titanium frames and components from the 90s. I'm hoping the forums have bit more guidance for me. I'd hate to waste something special as my second string mountain bike, but I'm just fine riding around outdated titanium.

curbtender

What state are you in...geologically.

ExpatPeru

Nevada

zukahn1 

Nevada is a great state for finding old neglected bikes almost all are rust free with none dried out rubber bits.

2old

Looks like a great find to me. Why not clean it up, put some 26" X 1" tires/tubes on and use for the road? Probably (given the chance) I would have it bead blasted, new decals added and go from there.

2cam16

Cool find. Hope the Future Shock still works.

ExpatPeru

The prognosis is not good on the fork. Looks like I may just make a gravel beast out of it. I'm still really surprised on how little I can find about this bike from the mid 90s. I only know Basso as a roadie brand and would be interested in learning how this particular model came about. If it really was a litespeed build, were their frames made for other brands of the same quality? Any of you bike gurus have suggestions on where I could find more info on it? Maybe a link to the Basso 94 catalog?

vintagerando 

These XTR jewels are sought after, for sure.

2old

The guy that owned Lightspeed then, owns Lynskey now AFAIK. Call them and maybe they'll help.

jdawginsc 

How the heck do people find such great things on landfills? I can't even get to mine...only a convenience center.

zukahn1 

Too bad the fork is not in good shape this is often the case on nicer 90's MTBs found or brought cheap. Finding a nice fork for this on that is a good match for a good price may be a bit of a problem.

KonAaron Snake 

Worth a lot too sell? Ehhh- I’d guess, cleaned up, $400ish max complete. Part out more.

imo the bike is worth more as a rider...I don’t think my litespeed mtb is hugely valuable, but damn if it isn’t a super effective, all purpose commuter you don’t worry about chips, or rust with. I stuck huffy stickers on mine, put on a rigid fork, and it’s a drop bar commuter par excellence.

TiFan25

Sweet find! Would you consider selling? I have basso ti road bike and would love to pair it with MTB (also this appears to be a larger frame which is a plus for me as I am 6’2”).