Litespeed Ti
 

Any love for Litespeed Ti frames?
They have been going for quite some time but seem to be rarely mentioned on here when discussing what Ti frame to get.

Sure do! I've got a 1999 Tuscany that I bought new and rebuilt this past winter. It's not my main ride any more, but it's fun to get out on for a change of pace.

I can't comment on the current Litespeed lineup, mine was before the ownership changed and has David Lynskey's signature on it.

I think they suffer from the problem of not being as snooty as a Seven/ Moots/ Dean, but not as affordable or readily-available as a Lynksey or BD.

I have a 2000 Litespeed Palmares. I love it so much I am having trouble justifying spending $$ on a replacement, even though I definitely want a new bike.
I am currently putting 100+ miles a week on it.https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5a6242bd1.jpg

My main ride is a 2000 LS Vortex (classic 73/73 geometry, full 6/4 Ti construction) - barring some bike-destroying trauma, I doubt if I'll ever replace it (unless that Palmeres above is a 55, and then I could be swayed!). As has been said earlier, they're a little too high volume to have the cachet of a Seven etc, but IMO that volume is a strength - I'm pretty confident that no US manufacturer has built as many Ti frames as LS, and for Ti, builder/welder skill is the key factor. I bought my Vortex frame used on eBay, 3 years old, and less than a 1/3 of the original price. I figured that a Ti frame from a reputable builder, with no obvious signs of trauma, made a rock-solid used purchase, and 15 years later, the Vortex is as great as when I bought it.
I think the Lynskeys were bought out by ABG around 1999 (my first LS, a 1998, carried a Lynskey signature, my 2000 does not), but the workforce (Including the Lynskeys) didn't change immediately, so early ABG Litespeeds are as good as Lynskey-era bikes. I can't comment on where they are quality-wise these days, but Lynskey frames are pretty good. I guy I ride with bought a year-end Lynskey R240 frame/fork for ~$1000, which I consider to be a bargain, considering the quality of the construction and the reputation of the builder.
I don't see too many "old" Litespeeds on the road these days, but they're always good to see

Sorry, it's a 51 :-)
When I ride, I see a couple Litespeeds locally. One gentlemen told me he has almost 100,000 miles on his.

Very few people seem to use a titanium bike as their main ride, other than the poster above. I have always wondered why. And why the pro teams never adopted them.

I think someone suggested that the technology came around at a bad time, and was overshadowed by carbon fiber.

What I'm wondering though, is whether there is any reason to pay a premium price for a used one? Durability is not a draw for me, I already have enough steel bikes to last me well into the year 3000.

You need to get out more. I know plenty of people who do, including myself and other BF members.

Informative post, thanks.

Agree with [MENTION=186391]indyfabz[/MENTION]. Lots of people I know use Ti as their main bike, myself included. I would say roughly 25% of my club-mates are on Ti as their primary road bike.

I know that bridge! I was going to drive to Bull's Island tomorrow and ride in Hunterdon County but I think I am going to stay closer to home so I don't have to drive home in the rain. Just passed through your way last month during a tour from VT to Philly. Came down the canal path from Easton and crossed back to NJ at Riegelsville. Camped at Dogwood Haven in Upper Black Eddy.

Most bike companies didn't make ti bikes and titanium had a reputation of being too flexy compared to steel.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfab7dd761.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e45845f02.jpg
1994 polished Ultimate
2006 Firenze
2007 Vortex
2007 Ghisallo

I finally acquire a ghisallo 2 years ago, but will need to build it back up.
The Ultimate was rebuild recently, The Vortex will likely go 11 speed this year also.

Four years ago it seems like all of us were riding Trek carbon bikes. Recently our informal weekend group recently had 7 ti-bikes out of ten riders. Three of my friends own 5 Palmares between them. One of these friends has 7 or 8 Litespeeds. I just stare and drool when visiting his basement.

never wanted a carbon bike... always wanted a TI bike,,, got a TI bike litespeed vortex 07.. never wanted or want for another bike... feels kinda cool to have the monkey off the back

The funny thing is I was talking with a friend today (actually AG's old boss) about the bikes we're buying, and mentioned that my next road bike was likely going to be either an R3 or something titanium. His comment was "well titanium bikes are very expensive". Maybe a Moots or Seven, but he had the feeling that actual transaction price on even a Lynskey was much above an R3, when it's really lower (or can be, easily).

g
THAT is a good looking bike.
MY LS is a 2002 or 2003 (don't recall right off) Ultimate with the Record cranks. You've got me beat with your wheelset. Mine is mix and match after cracking my second Ksyrium and not yet decided on what I'm going to dump my money on.

Speaking of dumping my $ I'm thinking about re-doing the entire ront end of my bike including a front disc brake.

Mid 1990s to early 2000s Litespeeds are my favorite bikes to ride. I'm still searching for the elusive 2000 Palmares 57cm.

Now let me get this out there: For the love of vintage Litespeeds and all that is holy, do not replace your cracked decals with anything other than original replacements from the same year.
Otherwise, I will never ride with you, you empty-headed animal trough wiper, whose mother was a hamster and whose father smelt of elderberries. If I see oversized mid-late 2000s stickers or later model capital block letters slapped on your beautiful 1990s Litespeed frame, I will most certainly fart in your general direction and blow my nose at you.

I ride Ti as my main bike, but when I go on bigger organized (charity) rides, 1 in 100...maybe??

Charity rides? Those are not serious cyclists.

I stand by my 25% estimate for enthusiasts, especially those over 40.

Well, this thread just went into the toilet.

over 40 and Ti...I think you are on to something.

Because Ti is fly, that's why.