My first titanium
07-07-21, 08:38 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
My first titanium
After couple of steel frames, got a titanium one. 
From seller, it is a 2003 Litespeed Firenze.
Going to rebuild it with a shorter crank arm - 172.5mm is not for me.
From seller, it is a 2003 Litespeed Firenze.
Going to rebuild it with a shorter crank arm - 172.5mm is not for me.
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07-08-21, 02:47 AM
#2
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Welcome to the club.
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07-08-21, 03:00 AM
#3
Mother Nature's Son
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Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
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phtomita , nice looking bike and I am happy for you. I purchased my first, and only, titanium bike in 20017. It is a 2003-04? Airborne Zeppelin purchased from an Ebay auction. Ti is very close to riding high quality steel with considerably less weight. The durability and ease of cleaning/polishing the ti is a definite plus. Enjoy the ride and be safe.
07-08-21, 04:46 AM
#4
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Those curved seatstays look great, very elegant.
07-08-21, 08:45 AM
#5
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Wow, it looks to be in very good condition! Congrats,
07-08-21, 07:20 PM
#6
Clark W. Griswold
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Love all three of my Ti bikes. Looking to add more to the collection (at some point further down the line). You will love it.
07-08-21, 08:59 PM
#7
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07-10-21, 04:16 AM
#8
Senior Member
I have owned two titanium frames and loved them both, and am looking to get a third. They ride like top shelf steel, but really don't save much on weight compared to a top shelf steel frame. The benefit of not having to worry about paint makes a huge difference to me and is the reason I am geeked out on titanium.
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07-10-21, 09:51 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
Drive side pic 
- Need to remove the spacers and replace bb.
- Need to remove the spacers and replace bb.
07-11-21, 10:15 PM
#10
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So, is this too ugly?
Not wanting the hassle to make it shorter ....
Not wanting the hassle to make it shorter ....
07-12-21, 06:07 AM
#11
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It would look better with a spacer moved to under the stem. I'd be surprised if that negatively impacted your riding position. Such tidy welds on the HT/TT junction!
07-18-21, 02:01 PM
#12
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Thread Starter
Moved all the hardware from my Nishiki to the Litespeed.
Noticed I don't have a closer photo yet .... So far around 100 miles on titanium on after couple adjustments. Very nice.
I noticed the wheelbase is shorter for the Litespeed that has a frame one size up from the Nishiki.
Noticed I don't have a closer photo yet .... So far around 100 miles on titanium on after couple adjustments. Very nice.
I noticed the wheelbase is shorter for the Litespeed that has a frame one size up from the Nishiki.
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07-24-21, 03:41 PM
#13
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Thread Starter
After some 250 miles .
Something is missing from when riding a full steel frame - my Tri-A was one size smaller and don't know what it is exactly. I will be keeping the Tri-A frame now. Initially was thinking on building it with a Ultegra 6700 and pass forward.
Since was a nice ride to pick it up and just 5 bucks, I got some more real state on my cockpit.
I like that bottle location
.Something is missing from when riding a full steel frame - my Tri-A was one size smaller and don't know what it is exactly. I will be keeping the Tri-A frame now. Initially was thinking on building it with a Ultegra 6700 and pass forward.
Since was a nice ride to pick it up and just 5 bucks, I got some more real state on my cockpit.
I like that bottle location
07-25-21, 02:52 AM
#14
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I've never had titanium but I've been keeping an eye on this '04 on CL. The price has dropped a couple of times. If it goes down below 1K I might not be able to resist.
