Submitted by
tsali tsali
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: October 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
porcupine rim MOAB
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
a bike shop
Strengths:
Well what can i say this bike Smokes!!!!!!!! i have an awesome setup too and with this frame this is by far the best bike i have ever owned.
Weaknesses:
The only weakness is that my rear suspension is not adjusted completely right and i need someone who knows litespeeds to help me out!!!!! please email me at ski2rule@aol.com if you can help me
Similar Products Used:
everything
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tsali Full XTR HAyes Rolf Disc wheels Litespeed stem easton monkeylite and CT2 Marzocchi Z1 X-fly
Bottom Line:
well all i have to say is that this bike is bomb proof! I took it DHin, freeriding and even racing. I put some really strong components on it because i knew that for this price i would need a bike to be able to tackle everything. Well even though the price was crazy i was able to buy this bike from a guy who barely used it and pretty much was his baby and he never used it. I changed it around for a XC racer to a Freeriding machine. Well trust me BUY THIS BIKE. Once you try it you will never go back to Aluminum. Well Ride on and this bike deserves 300 chilis but i guess i can only give it 5
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Huskinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Rexburg, Idaho USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Adams Gulch in Sun Valley
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Immaculate welds,very light for a "full suspension", stable at all speeds, FUN to ride!
Weaknesses:
Rear shock squeeked like the cat was in the dryer again.....seems the company failed to grease it properly (easy fix though!), decals chip
Similar Products Used:
Klein, Trek
Bike Setup:
All XT with Rockshock SID SL, Rolf wheelset, Ritchy tires
Bottom Line:
The first week I had the bike it was difficult to adjust to after riding hardtails my whole life. At first the ride seems a little "plush" until you get the feel of it and get everything dialed in. The bike excells on the decends and is rightfully stiff on the climbs. On tight twisty singletrack I've found I have to lower my center of gravity more than in the past to experience the damping ride, but worth it. The more I ride the more I enjoy it. Well worth every penny (a whole lot of 'em!) Weight is down to 22 pounds....those who should buy it? Those who enjoy the best there is and value a quality product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder co Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
fraser valley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Climbing, going hard, long ride comfort, weight...you name it
Weaknesses:
Cost
Similar Products Used:
A steel team marin. It's not that similar at all actually. Both are bikes I suppose
Bike Setup:
MavicCross Link wheels, XT/XTR, Chris King hs, grip shift
Bottom Line:
I reviewd this bike 11 months ago. Since then I raced it in an enduro event in Wyoming and have ridden it hard all over. I got a proper position setup thanks to Ron Keifel @ Wheat Ridge Cyclery. If you are riding a bike like this make sure you have your psoition dialed in cuz mine was not and now it is much better, more balanced, better climbing etc.
I love it. It feels like a road bike on my dirt road washboard route. It descends scary fast yet is very stable at speed. It climbs like crazy, accelerates very well.
There is no slop in the rear shock that I can feel while riding and no loss of climbing power.
The shock in the rear helps me keep a smooth pedal cadence as I blast over rocks and washboards or logs or dogs or curbs. Very nice. As an old roadie I sure appreciate this ability to keep my legs spinning in a smooth and efficient manner, especailly over a long enduro course or out on long training rides.
It sprints well too.
It is worth every penny that it costs!
I'm off my skis after an awesome fun year and back into my enduro training and it is so fun to go out and ride this thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Trace Stanger
a Racer
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Amasa Back, Moab
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Ride, Strength, Looks
Weaknesses:
Paint tends to chip easy and decals are not the best.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized M2
Bike Setup:
Polo Sport RLX Team Issue--Full XTR, Ti Syncros seat post, Selle Italia Team Saddle, Rock Shox SID Race, Mavic CrossMax wheels, Panaracer 2.1 XC Fire
Bottom Line:
I wanted to finally get on some dry off-road conditions before reviewing this bike. It flys! The frame is extremely stable at high speeds and turns like a snake in the hairpin switch backs. I kept changing out the rear spring until I found the one for me. I am 170 and went with the yellow (firm) setup and love the way it shaves off the hard hits and keeps you in the saddle. On my way home tonight from the canyons in SLC, UT hit 52 MPH and it was sooo solid. Five flaming podiums for this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
exotec
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: December 30, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiff B.B.
Weaknesses:
nearest cable stop to rear D poor alignment with D
Similar Products Used:
Yep
Bike Setup:
yep it's set-up
Bottom Line:
This is a dream frame. Riding this thing is simply dreamy. So if you are concerned about $$$$ don't buy it but if you do anyway don't base reviews on $$$$. This frame deserves all the chilli's availabe. Great climber, descender, and techie manueverablilty
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shreddr
a Racer
from NJ Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
allamuchy
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
beautiful craftsmanship,
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
tried everything, FS HT, and everything in between
Bike Setup:
SC92UL, Hayes Discs, Race Cranks & BB, Cross Max Discs, Litepseed stem, bars and post, WTB saddle, XTR der's
Bottom Line:
I sold off my collection, dualies, hardtails, singlespeeds, you name it. THIS BIKE RULES!!!!! If Litespeed tops this one then there will be some very happy riders/racers out there. Check out the POLO race team, they are on Tsali's, I would give this thing 10 chilis if I could! Buy it, Ride it, Love it, Live it!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Alstatt
a Racer
from mesquite Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Big Bend State Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
down tube,quality welds,ride
Weaknesses:
decals sucked
Similar Products Used:
kona fs dean steel
Bike Setup:
Marz atom bomb,magura brakes,race face crank,stem,seat post,white hubs,king headset, all other bikes are inferior to this one
Bottom Line:
this is a nicely made frame.great design ,great ride.feels awesome on fast trails with small bumps.the bb is stiff,most people will have no flex.I do get a little bb flex but I am a 230 pound monster.the stancion tube did wear off the titanium nitrite coating in only 4 months,Litespeed has been pretty good about remedying things.Overall very good.I did notice very small actual travel,only about 8 mm after sag.I have the very stiff set-up.Perfect bike when money is no object,and you are looking for a happy medium between ht and fs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHASM
a Weekend Warrior
from Belleville Date Reviewed: October 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light weight at 23lbs, fast, stiff, with enough suspension to take the edge off.
Weaknesses:
Bike is great...cost to get it is HORRIFIC!!
Similar Products Used:
Merlin, Moots, Specialized, Trek
Bike Setup:
White Industries SC72UL, Kore Elite Stem and bar, XTR Brakes and Crank, Chris King, Racelites w/King Hubs, SRAM 9SL rear and XTR front derailleur, SP Frog pedals.
Bottom Line:
Had Canondale SV2000. Liked rear susp for confort but suffered with weight and rear susp action in climbs. TSALI has it all....climbs like my old hardtails, enough rear susp to take the edge off rough trails, and likes to go really fast. Unfortunately, you have to pay the price to get it all. Nothing but smiles on every ride. Five Hot chili's for this one.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TBONE
a Cross-Country Rider
from Asia Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Anything going up
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Durability, weight, absorption/comfort, handling, styling, and the natural brush finish that looks hot with all colors
Weaknesses:
Decals not too durable (I had to find something)
Similar Products Used:
Spec FSR, Merlin, Ibis
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Chris King HS, Kore Elite seat/stem, Litespeed Bar, Cane Creek Rims/Hubs, Time Atac Carbons, RShox Sid SL
Bottom Line:
This rig smokes!!! Be it uphill, downhill, technical or fire road. Easy to control, absorbs rough terain, and nuke proof.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Owl Hollow
a Racer
from Hawaii Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Solid bulid, Fine finishing, Feedback of a hardtail plushness of a Full sus.
Weaknesses:
Nil
Similar Products Used:
Trek 9800, Klein Mantra, Moots HT
Bike Setup:
Full xtr, Chris king Headset, Kore elite stem, Thospson elite seatpost, Selle italia flite saddle, time atac carbon paddles, Mavic crossmax, Rock shox Sid
Bottom Line:
This bike gives the impression of a hardtail. It does not produce the bobbing of a HT on out of saddle action and long straight climbs. Down hill trail absorbtion is fantastic. It is fast and aggressive!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
none
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Plush ride, Climbing, Bomb proof frame
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Gt, gary fisher
Bike Setup:
Grip shift 9..0, Xtr V brakes, Chris king, Kore elite stem, Selleitalia saddle, titec seat post, easton c2 handle bar, cook bros cranks, time atac carbon pedals, crossmax rims
Bottom Line:
This bike is basically bombproof. It handles well on single trek and technicals. The pivotless rear provides for excellent absorbtion of trail blemishes. Excellent climber, handles like a har tail with more traction due to rear sus kicking in. Amazing two inch down tube makes this bike stifff enough for those hooked on HTs. Handles the downhills with full sus dexterity. Five stars fir this baby!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tsali
a Racer
from tennessee Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
nothing i can think of
Similar Products Used:
anything litespeed
Bike Setup:
sid xc
Bottom Line:
My ovalised 2 inch down tubes gives me the stiffness i want. The pivotless 1 inchsuspension never, repeat never ever bottoms out. I am bomb proof. 6-4 tubing mixed with 3-2.5. Try to beat that for you titanium buffs. I give my self 5 stars
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bret
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
yes
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Forgiving ride with no loss in power due to flex. Incredible handling on tight fast singletrack. just shoot and hammer!!
Weaknesses:
My inability to take the bike to the speeds that it wants to go!! (But I'm working on that)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale S-V, K2 HT ,Trek HT,
Bike Setup:
XTR,Judy SL w/Englund,
Bottom Line:
This bike talks Faster, Faster, Faster It encourages nothing but speed in every and any section of a trail. Money is nothing life is everything. This bike puts life in a new perspective. ride, ride some more, don't ever stop riding.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
youngspeed
a Racer
from california Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999
The tsali represents the ultimate in soft tails. Frame flex is forgiving due to its ovalized 2 inch down tube. An excellent climber with very reactive feel(properties of titanium). On the straight aways, wash boards, and downhills, rides with ultimate plushness. Lightere riders might find little flex in the coil springs though. This bike will never bottom out. Rides on rails and handles the technicals with pleasure. Have to give it 5 chilis!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan Fong
a Weekend Warrior
from Cheraw, SC Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999
Favorite Trail:
everywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Perfect blend between full suspension & front suspension.
Weaknesses:
zip, zero, nil, n/a, etc......
Similar Products Used:
Moots, and almost every other type of full suspension.
Bike Setup:
Tsali w/ XT groupo & SID SL. Switched out the following items from my previous ride: Sweetwing cranks, Speedplay Frog pedals, Titec Ti-handlebars, & Synco Ti-Seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Being a short 5'-5 tall guy, trying to find a great full/soft-tail bike was almost impossible. All the bikes that stated that they were small were 16 or BIGGER - talk about not able to clear your privates. Most of the bikes I tried never felt right or ride correctly, some dumb salepersons even tried to convince me that the bike is right for me, YEA RIGHT! - - One day I tried the new Tsali. One word --- WOW!!!! I loved it the minute I slung my legs over the top tube. It felt right from the begining. Yea I know it is not as plush as a full suspension, but I feel that the rider needs some type of feedback from the trail. Anyways, the bike tracks true, the new downtube design & material makes flex almost non-exsistant. I just love the thing. Plus with the stuff from my old bike (ol' Cannondal Delta V-700) the bike is just over 22 pounds. I mainly ride single track & fire roads, this is were this bike really shines over all other soft-tails and full-suspensions. I cannot wait until the next time I can take my bike out. So until you hit a tree or a rock, happy MtB'ing.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
youngster
a Racer
from Colorado Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
secret
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plush finishing, rides over anything without a glitch. Bomb proof frame.
Weaknesses:
nil
Similar Products Used:
Trek y 33
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. It is bomb proof and goes over bumps with great ease. It climbs faster then anything Ive tried, and handles the techicals without a problem. Can't give it anything else but five chilis!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tommy Snow
a Cross-Country Rider
from Huntsville AL 35803 Date Reviewed: May 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Monte Sano State Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
I went from 3 to 1 of travel but I dont really notice a big difference, on rocky singletrack I just power thru, I dont have wait for the pogo to stop to pedal smoothly, climbing great over rocks, roots, loose dirt I am to pull the tough climb with this bike unlike my FS that break traction, with all the hard landings Iv had and the shock only comppresses about 1/2, so pleases me, no fear off bottoming out.
Weaknesses:
Ive not found any weakness yet in the frame, no flex, just true tracking, power....
Similar Products Used:
Kona hardtail 16in Proflex 857 FS Univega 900 FS
Bike Setup:
Manitou FS Ti 80mm XT/some LX ?bike weight 27lbs may have put SID XC on it see fork changes that much, somewhere gaining 3lbs? when i findit will repost .
Bottom Line:
Ive got about 150 mile in three weeks, just starting to get the bugs out of components.The frame is great fun to ride hard, in and out of the saddle. Track fast thru narly, rocky, uphill sections. If this frame can with stand the riding, I would be proud to ride it forever. Past lessons tells me time will tell. Will repost about six months quality control will come out by then. I cant give 5 star yet price too high, and not enough time in the saddle. Maybe next time.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim
a Cross-Country Rider
from boulder Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
not telling you
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Weight. Rigid 6.4 down tube. Rear pivotless Moots style shock.
Weaknesses:
Funding this thing cost me some stress, though Litespeed helped out with a free SID XC (no problems there so far!)deal last April.
Similar Products Used:
Team Marin (Cro-Mo), Mag 21, XT/XTR parts, XTR/Mavic wheels,
Bike Setup:
Tsali, SID XC, Mavic CrossLink wheels, mix of new parts and parts from old Marin
Bottom Line:
This bike outrides my old Team Marin by miles. It accelerates and climbs like crazy. There is very little feedback from the trail to the butt via the bike, which is very odd. But when shots disappear and you smooth over rocks and bumps, POW!! What a revelation. Smoother than my road bike on pavement in most situations.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from PA Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999
Okay, Okay...... Are you tired of me yet ? So I was a little hard on the SID. The 99 is a good fork for a racer. It worked great at race speed. It just took a couple of races for me to realize it. But I don't spend a lot of my time at that pace so it wasn't for me. And my air leakage problems weren't as bad as I thought. I just like to fiddle with it. I just put the WB on this weekend and have only ridden it for about 2hrs. It's plush and the extra travel is nice. Lots of adjustability too !!The Tsali is wonderful. It's smooth, well-behaved when I get in over my head, and is just plain fun to ride. Isn't that what it's all about ???Ride hard, ride fast, tread lightly......Rick
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from PA Date Reviewed: April 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Curse of the Dark Hollow race course in PA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
stellar performer
Weaknesses:
Sid SL Seatpost Mythos tires $$$$$
Bike Setup:
XTR/Sid SL/Control Tech stem and seatpost/White Bros 1 Ti XC riser bars/Michelin Comp S (came with Mythos XCs)
Bottom Line:
My 3rd review. I love this bike. As I stated before, it climbs great, handles like it's on a rail and is basically bombproof. But I have to wonder about Litespeed's component selection on a $4000+ bike. The Sid (63mm version)is a racer's delight. When it works. Mine worked for a while but now it leaks air in both the postive and negative cartridges. It's hard to get ride consistency when your fork adjusts itself from day-to-day. I'm not happy with it at all now. And my control tech seatpost is bending. I'm an old fat guy at 180 lbs but this is the first seat post I've ever bent (I don't have too much seatpost exposed). This makes me worry about the Control Tech stem..................... The Mytho's tires lasted about 10 hours before the rear sidewall was cracking / splitting. They hooked up very well though. The XTR is XTR; works flawlessly under all conditions. I still give the bike 5 chilis. It's a great ride, but I'd spec some different components. I going back to my White Bros forks.........are you listening Litespeed ?Thanks !!Rick
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Thomas
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cape Cod, MA Date Reviewed: March 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Otis
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
climbing, rough tight singletrack
Similar Products Used:
Hard tail bikes of all types.
Bike Setup:
I bought the frame and a Superfly. Most of my other stuff is straight up LX/XT.
Bottom Line:
After owning only hardtails and enjoying destroying the local full-suspension cry babies, I was unsure about the soft-tail system. First let me tell you I am now a true believer. This bikelets you peddle over the rough stuff and climb I don't know if I will ever own another frame and I am only 31.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a racer
from PA Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
Review number 2 !!! I've had the Tsali for about a month now. We've really had some nasty ice for the last couple of weeks here in central PA, but I've manged to get in about 15-16 hours on it. Anyway, here goes; the Tsali overall climbs better than my GT LTS-1 under most conditions. There are times when the L will out climb the Tsali, but these are in very slow, rocky, rooty, uphills where traction is the key. But then the Tsali isn't made to go slow. It's a racer. It loves to be pounded. Every pedal stroke produces power to the ground. It steers quickly but is not overly twitchy, it descends like a full suspension bike and the Ti frame absorbs a lot of the trail shock. The SID actually performs well. Coming from a White Bros SC90, I was a little apprehensive to say the least. We'll see how it (the SID) lasts. I'm very happy with my purchase. (One caveat would be to check out the sizing before purchasing. Mine is an 18, but the seat seems to be a tad small. It may be because of my 1 riser bars. It's fine for an old, fat guy but you young studs may want to check out the sizing)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rick
a racer
from PA Date Reviewed: January 11, 1999
Bottom Line:
Well, I've posted a lot of reviews on my GT LTS-1 w/ White Brothers SC90 fork and other goodies. But........I bought a Tsali to replace my aging M2 (it's a long story....). I've been extremely happy with my LTS and have raced it fro two long seasons. My Tsali arrived last week in the midst of an ice/snow storm. (I added 1 White Bros riser bars) However, I had to ride it. The conditions were so bad that I fell several times on the ice but here goes: Climb, yeow ! does it ever ! I rode a very familiar uphill singletrack and was at least a gear or two higher and faster along the way. The bike steered quicker than my L, but not uncomfotably so. It was starting to get dark so I headed back down. This is where I expected to be disappointed because the L is superb in the rocky downhill sections. I've passed a lot of hardtails with it in these type of sections. But wait!!! This thing rocketed down the hill. I started aiming for the big stuff trying to push the envelope on its handling. It went wherever I aimed it. Hmmmm.... I hadn't planned on this bike being my race bike but it could just happen. Summary: I've only spent an hour in terrible conditions on the Tsali. It was enough to impress me. Enough to make me ponder which steed will get the call at 7 Springs or Mt. Snow (or Michaux or Curse of the Dark Hollow locally). These events are known for their rocks and the L is at home here. But I think the Tsali will be also. Time will tell. We've been iced in ever since, but are expecting a thaw by the weekend.................. Personal stats: 6'0 180lbs Age: old (last year in the Vets class)
Overall Rating:
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