|   New bike | mackgoo
Jan 10, 2002 5:22 PM | | How ya doin? I'm thinking about getting into MTB's and have been looking at some bikes. I really like the Litespeeds, in particular the Tanasi and Unicoi models. Does any one have any experience with these bikes or Litspeed in general?
Thanks |
| Excellent bike.... | fred³
Jan 11, 2002 3:59 AM | | and although I don't own one, I have a number of friends who do and have had no problems an luv em.
fred3 |
| Litespeed | DCS
Jan 11, 2002 8:10 AM | | While there are a lot of people who like to bash Litespeed (apparently because it is the largest manufacturer of titanium bicycles under the theory big = trash) while never having ridden or owned one, I do happen to own a Litespeed Tanasi. It is really an outstanding hardtail, very light, laterally stiff but with nice vertical compliance, gorgeous S-bend seatstays and chainstays, accelerates, handles and climbs really well and is durable as hell. There are other outstanding Ti hardtails made by other companies (Seven, Titus, Merlin), but I would say what sets the Tanasi apart is the 6-4 Titanium used for all the tubes. 6-4 is much harder than the standard 3-2.5 and is extremely scratch resistant. I have crashed the bike on rocks multiple times and the bike appears none the worse for wear. By the way, while some have criticized Litespeed's welds, the welds on mine and a few others I have seen appear perfect -- smooth and extremely even. While it is theoretically possible that there may be some inconsistency in weld quality from frame to frame, I can only speak from personal experience and say I have been completely satisfied. BTW, if you're going to get a Tanasi, try to get a 2001 model -- the same as 2002 except for no integrated headset (integrated headsets are a worthless fad in my opinion -- just get a King headset) and about a grand cheaper.
That said, a Ti hardtail as expensive as this one is really only for a hardcore hardtail enthusiast. Don't believe that any Ti hardtail is going to be as comfortable over rocky terrain as a good FS or even a good softail. |
| Litespeed...... | Markv
Jan 11, 2002 8:46 AM | | I owned an Occoee in the early 90's and the reason I've trashed Litespeed has nothing to do with it being a large company or the quality of the welds (geez!). It had everything to do with the short toptube, slack angles, and long chainstays. The bike was a slow climber and poor handler in tight singletrack. My brother had a Merlin at the same time and his bike flat out performed my bike! |
| Litespeed...... | DCS
Jan 11, 2002 11:23 AM | | Well, the early '90's was some time ago, especially since mountain biking only really got started in the late 1980's. Pretty much everything has changed since then (just look at suspension fork technology!). It bears noting that Litespeed's geometry also has certainly changed alot over the years. Over the years (including the last two years), they have lengthened their top tubes noticeably. Their chainstay length and angles are pretty much the same as competitors.
Of course, if the geometry and measurements of another brand are better for a particular rider, they should of course get that other brand. |
| I agree DCS on the early 90s...... | Markv
Jan 11, 2002 12:20 PM | | but Litespeed was very slow to change to the longer top tube lengths, and have stayed with the 16.9 chainstays and the 72 or 72.5 seattube angle. I got a lot of bottom bracket flex in my bike and the damn thing never climbed as well as the steel frames I rode in the late 80's. You can tell I little hot on this issue. I paid alot for a frame that never came close to meeting my expectations....... |
| Polite correction | DCS
Jan 11, 2002 2:43 PM | | Actually, if you look at Litespeed's catalogues and actually measure one of their bikes made within the last few years, you will see that their MTB's have geometry that is very similar to Merlins and other top notch brands. Take a look at the published geometries online for Litespeed, Merlin and Titus. For example, the 2002 Tanasi has 16.75 inch chainstays and a 71.5 degree headtube, compared to a 16.70 inch chainstay and 71 degree headtube on a Merlin XLM, and similar measurements on a Titus Racer-X. (A 71 to 71.5 headtube angle is pretty common on top flight X-C bikes today). I have personally measured my own Tanasi and find Litespeed's measurements to be spot on. |
| Additional Info | DCS
Jan 11, 2002 2:55 PM | | I neglected to address the seat tube angle and TT length issues you raised. If you look at the published parameters, you will see that Litespeed's seat tube and TT length parameters are very close to Merlin's and Titus. I'm not saying necessarily that the differences, while small, are meaningless -- but they are differences measured in about 1/2 degree in seat tube angles and about a tenth of an inch or so in TT length for comparably sized frames. Any difference in feel is due to geometry is likely to be subtle and different riders may like different bikes better. |
| Haven't looked at the 2002 Litespeed line..... | Markv
Jan 11, 2002 3:37 PM | | Because I don't really care.....have two full suspension bikes these days and I wouldn't own another Ti hardtail (or softail for that matter). They're not worth the price to me. You've been polite and very persistent. Enjoy your ride......thats all that matters. |
| litespeed catalog numbers? ha ha ha | colker
Jan 11, 2002 4:05 PM | | my obed had 1inch discrepancies in wheelbase length and 1/2 inch on sto height, bb height and around a full º on head and seat angles.
i bought a woods bikes and got myself a fireroad bomber. unacceptable. |
| litespeed catalog numbers? ha ha ha | litephil
Jan 12, 2002 7:54 AM | | do you need a high dollar bike when your just getting into mouintain bikeing?
any way i have a 2001 pisgah and i like it for me.mine has a longer top tube than the earlier models.i also ride a small 2002 switch blade and they are set up pretty close.i think the longer chain stays help the ride.i think it climbs good for me because its so lite(21.5 lbs).imo the construction is flawless except the drop outs are a little rough finished.i dont know about the 2002 intergrated headset.if your just starting you might want to get a cheaper bike cause you dont want it hanging on the wall.this bike was my goal 10 years ago.good luck |
| guinea pigs, all of ya! | macky mack
Jan 15, 2002 10:14 AM | | http://forums14.consumerreview.com/crforum?14@@.ef1a3b2/2 |
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