PhatRoadie

I've been considering a Litespeed Ultimate and am wondering if anyone on the board has any personal experience with one.

Any input would be appreciated.

RonH

I have a Litespeed Tuscany.
Just get the bike. You'll love it.

velocipedio

teramo here, litespeed makes brilliant bikes.

RiPHRaPH

i own a lightspeed ultimate and would be honest and detailed concerning the handling, quickness and comfort of this bike.

i am struck with the quickness in sprints. it is the most responsive bike i have ever riden. The 6/4 BB area and the short wheelbase makes for a substantial difference in a sprint or uphill. I still can't believe how quick the bike accelerates when you need to put the hammer down. It seems like a 1/2 turn of the crank and you are accelerating.

I ride with ksyrium's and d/a 10sp with a ouzo pro fork and EC90 seatpost and fizik saddle. It is aggressive while cornering.

**please note, for all those in the 'lightspeed is overhyped/overpriced camp' or the Ti is an overrated material trolls: i own the bike, am happy with it, and am answering a question to help another BF member.

PhatRoadie

Thanks to everyone for responding. I am in the middle of buying my 2nd bike. My first bike, I bought when I knew nothing about bikes. Luckily, experienced roadies pointed me in the right direction and I was able to purchase a second hand italian steel bike with good parts for a reasonable amount.

50 pounds, thousands of kilometers and a bunch of races later I'm ready to reward myself.


Hi RiPHRaPH,

Does the stiff BB and down tube area make the bike uncomfortable over 100+ kms? How about over sketchier road conditions? I was considering the Vortex but one of the Cat2 guys in the club had one and told me it was an @ss hatchet.

Also is your fork the Ouzo Pro Integrated or the regular one?

Moonshot

FWIW, if you don't want an integrated head tube Litespeed can build one for you without it. I have an '04 Tuscany with a standard (non-integrated) head tube.

PhatRoadie

Thanks for the info. I've been going back and forth on this.

On one hand, an integrated head set could cause ovalization of the head tube and a permanent squeak which is not covered by the warranty.

On the other hand the bike might look less cool with a standard head set. (I'm shallow, sue me )

ZappCatt

REALLY???
You are saying that if you buy the bike directly from Litespeed, specced as STOCK out of the factory(integrated headset) and it fails(ovalisation of head tube) it is not covered by warranty????

That is nutty. and it would suck....

PhatRoadie

Its not just Litespeed.

Damage to the head tube supposedly happens over time. So the issue wouldn't come up till considerable wear develops. By which point it would count as "normal wear and tear" in most warranty agreements. The Chris King site has several pages on the "evils" of integrated headsets. The issue is probably overstated.

watchman

I have an 01 Vortex and am very happy with it. I know those frames have been made stiffer each year, but the 01 is very comfortable and climbs like a ***** ape.

my58vw

I have been thinking about a ultimate also... nice to hear they are nice and stiff...

2manybikes

Did you actually go through this? I have not, but Litespeeds have a lifetime warrantee. I can see where this could be a gray area. Just wondering, it would be nice to know if some one has been through it first hand.

2manybikes

** What about those in the "Litespeeds are worth every penny/ you get what you pay for" camp, or the "Ti still the holds the record for the lightest production frame ever, and has for a few years (900 grams size md/lg) trolls." or the "I love my Litespeeds and they have plenty miles on them". camp ~ ??

Can we have a voice too?

Quick ! Circle the Litespeeds around us for flame protection. They'll take it. They don't melt either.

PhatRoadie

No, I haven't. I don't even own a Litespeed... yet.

I do know someone who developed a crack in his BB after several years of riding, but because his dealer closed down, could not avail of his warranty.

RiPHRaPH

i'll tell you, maybe it is the fit, but my 59cm is damn comfortable. i came from custom steel, and can see where it would be a bit more harsh on longer distances, but with the EC90 seatpost and fizik aliante saddle i run, i find my sensitive back giving me no problems. and these roads here have seen better days. my fast club rides are between 50 and 70 miles, and i am yet to do a century on it yet, but i exclaim every week 'i love this bike' and can't wait to climb on it each and every ride.

the integrated ouzo pro, with carbon steerer makes it nice too. the d/a crankset is stiff and responsive as is the BB area (6/4 Ti) >> i saved some $$, going with ritchey pro stem and ritchey WCS bars. overall, it is a bit more harsh than my Steelman was, but i can run vredstein forezza's, with 145 psi max, to 130-135 psi to make it even smoother.

in short, i'll gladly take a bit more harshness in the front end (might a different fork be better?) for the lightening turning radius and quickness i feel every time out. is it the perfect bike? no. but from where i sit, but i've yet to find a quicker bike. i am sitting right over the engine, and it is quick when you jump up and need to hammer.

my bike runs 17.8 lbs.

on my ride this AM i was thinking how there isn't another bike i'd want (need) to ride other than this one. That makes it a great bike for me. I'm still loving it.

2manybikes

Ouch! That stinks. So, Lifetime warranty= Lifetime of the place where you got your bike.

velocipedio

umm... if he has his original receipt, there should be no problem. he only needs to bring the bike to another litespeed dealer. the warranty relationship is with the manufacturer, and not the dealer.

having said all this, he could ALSO send the bike back to litespeed and have the BB replaced at his own cost, which would be a few hundred dollars. much less than a new bike.

CycleFreakLS

Yes, and Litespeed should have him on file ... along with the SN of his frame.

PhatRoadie

Now I can't wait to have one.

PhatRoadie

As I understand it, for some reason he was not on file. Despite this, he still purchased a Litespeed for his next bike.

triggersd

I'll chime in...

I've got an 03 Siena, size ML (56cm). This frame is made of 3/2 TI not the 6/4 that the Ultimate is made of. The Siena also has the carbon seat stays. I have not had any problems with flex and the bike doesn't produce any pain on rides over 100mi. It's super comfy. Take it for what it's worth. . . The damn thing is a rocket ship and it rules. No problems with the integrated headset thus far. Good luck with selecting your new rig.

Aonbay

I am the owner of an 02 Litespeed Ultimate. Starting in 2002 the ultimate also came with a carbon seatstay. I have never ridden a bike with a nicer or more comfortable ride and I am speaking of a half dozen centuries and many metric centuries. It is also a stiff, short wheel based sprinter's bike. In short, a very fine bike for many venues of bicycle performance. Since I am 66 years old I think this bike will out last me but if it doesnt I will buy another just like it.

J

John Ryder

I have a 1998 Litespeed Ultimate and love it. It's a great ride. 55cm and 17.2 pounds.

PhatRoadie

Thanks to everyone for responding. I'm sold. I ordered one today,it should be here in a week.

f1junkie

I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd post pics of my 1994 Ultimate. It rocks.

Cheers

Dave