Sometimes I feel like I am riding a magic carpet. It is very responsive and smooth. It seems like it can almost read my mind. Plus it is super durable, I am the third owner of this bike and it still rides better than most new bikes. This bike will never go out of style or become obsolete no matter how long it is around.
Bike Setup: Full XT, Chris King Headset, Mavic Crossmax SL, White Bros SC-90, weights 23 lbs
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Submitted by
Perry Adriano
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004
Strengths: Ti Main triangle 7005 rear aluminum Horst Link rear. I ride this bike regularly up Mt Diablo's North Ridge Trail. Climbs great and is acceptably manuvable on the downhills from 2000+ ft elevation.
Bike was purchased from a gentleman from Moab Utah. Components showed signs of fade and wear from years of riding.
My intent was to restore the bike, frame up when got it. I was surprised to find that the frame was still in perfect alighnment, (incl dropouts, hangar ) hoarst link bushings looked new, so all I had to do was buff the TI a little, get new decals from Litespeed, and the thing looked brand new. Installed Upgraded components and I had a sub 25 lbs. FS XC bike!
I was very impressed when I first took it up Mt. Diablo. It handled predictably well on the climb although pedal bob was something I had to get used to, but was minimized by adjusting the spring compression on the Original Rock shox delux.
Ridding downhill was a BLAST suspension handling was predictable although limited by the capability of the rear RS delux. Front Judy SL worked fine. I did service the front suspension and upgraded to Ressi Gems and Enduro seals (both great products). I think my next upgrade will be a Risse Astro 5 or Terminator for the rear.
Im happy, with the bike and its performance considering the frame is almost 6 years old, guess thats just Litespeed quality!
Weaknesses: Rear shocks are very limited. Good thing Risse builds for this application. Litespeed no longer sells suspension parts for the bike and have not found any, yet, on the web. I do dread the day I get suspension link problems,
Bottom Line:
98 Hiawasse FS all around great bike for my application. Technology on this bike is old but still performs. I like it!! but what do I know?
Similar Products Used: Fisher CR-7, Klien Attitude, KHS LTS1
Bike Setup: 98 Litespeed Hiawassee, M760 XT hollowtech, King head set, Mavic CrossRoc, Answer Carbon risers, Thompson stem & post, Avid mechanical disks, Avid Speed Dial Ti
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Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Winthrop MA USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002
Strengths: Light,
Weaknesses: Horrible suspension
Bottom Line:
The suspension on the Hiwasse blows. Almost no damping, so after every hit it slams back into the frame, even after an upgraded coil. Anyone who likes this bike has never ridden a good full-suspension bike, or maybe they just like stuff slamming into their asses. Fortunately, I broke the rear (aluminum) triangle at the dropout (an obvious week spot just from observation) and got the bike replaced with my Pisgah. Litespeed should replace all Hiwasses not already on a trash heap. I heard the Hiwasse made the 10 worst all time list in some MTB Mag. Correctamundo.
Similar Products Used: Proflex 856, Litespeed Pisgah
Bike Setup: XT, Marzochi Air
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Submitted by
Ti Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from the Deep South
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Strengths: Litespeed Quality Great Handling Classic HT lines Light
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike new in 99. I stripped the bike down to the frame put the old parts on my old Cannondale and sold it. I build the Hiwassee for durability and light. I've gotten both. I've traveled all over the country with it and it's still going strong. It's held up beautifully under my 200 lbs. If you find a used Litespeed Hiwassee and are wondering if you should buy it - my advice buy it immediately, build it up right and ride and enjoy. There is one problem with them though - they are last bike you'll ever buy.
Bike Setup: 96 18" Hiwassee HT, 99 Rock Shox Sid SL, XTR Bontrager Vailant wheelset, King HS, Raceface Turbine LP Cranks, Thomson Seatpost, WTB SSTX saddle, XTR UN 91 BB, Control Tech stem, Easton EA 70 handlebar, Avid SD 2.0 Brakes, XT 8 spd. shifters, XT frt. and XTR rear derailluers, WTB Stealth Pedals, IRC Notos tires Total weight= 23.2 lbs.
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Submitted by
Javier Garza
a Cross Country Rider
from Alice,TX
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Strengths: Acceleration out of the seat,and loves to climbs
Weaknesses: corners can be a little scary but once you get to know what the bike is capable of doing corners become very predictable as well as your outcome of your race!!!
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike back in 96 and decided to take up the sport of mountain biking. This hiwassee is a hardtail,and i know that they turned the hiwassee into a full suspension now. After upgrading my hiwassee i will not trade or even think about trading this bike. Litespeed's are bike's for life and i plan to pass this bike to my kids whom ever decides to race mtb's. This bike rocks. Anyone looking for a nice older model hardtail to upgrade the 96 or 95 hardtail hiwassee is a bike for life. and will be well worth it!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Schwin hardtail bike,and Diamond Back hardtail
Bike Setup: Everything that was on the bike when i first bought has been upgraded. I currently use a Syncros stem,and Seatpost. Ride on gortex cables (yellos). Yellow Race Face carbon cranks,bottm bracket i have a titanium world class,Esp 9.0 sl shifters,and deraieur,The famous Judy sl yellow fork,Crossmax wheels, yello/black Huthison python tires,and Xtr brakes and levers,shimano 747 pedals,and a yellow serfas kevlar seat.
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Submitted by
Erin
a Weekend Warrior
from Hawaii, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2001
Strengths: Short travel XC bike with simple rear suspension design. Actually same design as the Titus Racer-X. I had the Obed FS but sold it to buy the Hiwasse FS because it had the dropped top tube with more standover clearance, beefier rear triangle and the beefy seat stay reinforcement to reduce seat stay flex during hard braking. Also has the Horst Link.
Weaknesses: Get rid of the RS rear coil over shock and buy the Risse Astro-5. The Risse is a winner and the adjustable damping control is one lever only that goes from plush to firm in a 180 degree swing. Makes the bike really enjoyable to ride.
Bottom Line:
Been wanting a Hiwasse FS since I read the MBA magazine test review in 98. Wanted to build up a dependable XC/trail bike. Sacrificed some weight with the front shock and disc brakes but this bike is the bomb.
Similar Products Used: Obed FS with the Risse Genesis. Merlin Fat Beat
Bike Setup: XTR transmission with Magura disc hubset and Avid mechanical brakes. Atom 80.
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Submitted by
Roger
a Cross-Country Rider
from Miami,Fl
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999
Strengths: Lightweight,nimble what an XC dually should feel like.
Weaknesses: The stock rock skox deluxe stinks. It makes the rear to bouncy (no dampning adjust) Bushings need to be greased regularly
Bottom Line:
Best damn bike I've riden. Changed the rear shock and I love it even more. Screw the fact that you can't get big name R. shock, the Risses is wonderful. To bad litespeed isn't making this bike anymore I'd like to hve seen the next incarnation of this machine. If you can find one buy it. Don't be like everyone else. By the way Colorado Cyclist still has a few.
Bike Setup: Sram 9.0 shifters, levers and R.derailler, 99 Manitou Ti Sx,Monkey lites, Syncros Ti post,Xtr BB, cranks, brakes and F. derailler,Crosslands, Risses Astro five rear shock.
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Submitted by
Tim Peters
a cross-country rider
from Northeast Illinois
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1998
Bottom Line:
When writing my review I forgot to mention Quiet Hut Sports in Whitewater Wisconsin. If you live in Northern Illinois or Souther Wisconsin and are planning on buying a Litespeed, go to the Hut. 5 Chiles for the Quiet Hut!!!
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Submitted by
C Puliafito
a cross-country rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1998
Bottom Line:
Got my Hiwasse about 4 weeks ago from Farina Bicycles in Watertown. Apparently, the 1998 models are sold out because Litespeed had to contact a dealer to get the frame in the size that I needed. It's an outstanding machine. I set it up with XT package with Rock Sock Judy SLs as described in the Litespeed web site. A great ride. Excellent climbing. Rugged yet unbelievably light (about 25 lbs). I am sure that this is the best full suspension titantium frameset out there,.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a cross-country rider
from Bolton, CT
Date Reviewed: September 26, 1998
Bottom Line:
Great frame! I built mine with XTcranks, deraillers, BB, levers, Avid brakes, Control Tech stem/seatpost, Flite saddle, King hubs/517 rims, Speciallized Control/Master tires and an Atom Bomb fork. It weighs in at about 26.5 lbs (19.5 frame) which is fine for me. I was used to riding my old '89 Stumpjumper Comp which weighs 29 lbs. I bought it iin early June and have ridden it 3-4 times a week including doing the 24 hrs of New England. I had to wait 2 months to get it because of a recall on the rear triangle (interference with the chain on the small cog). It was worth the wait. It rides cross-country very smooth and has accurate, responsive steering. The only thing that take getting used to is super steep, technical decents over rocky terrain. The Marzocci compresses while the Rock Shox extends and it gives the feeling of going endo. You just hang on and it will get down it, but it is a test of wits.I have only had 1 problem with it so far. The Rock Shox Deluxe blew a seal right before the 24 hr race. Needless to say, I did the race with no shock damping and it still performed well. Rock Shox replaced the shock in 2 weeks including 2-day shipping. I just wish other companies would offer shocks to fit this frame, I have not found any yet.The only little gripe I have are the cable stays on the top tube. After scraping my knees several times, I filed the sharp edges round with a file. Other than that, it is a great frame. It climbs equally well to a hardtail counteracting slight suspension-induced power loss with excellent traction. It feels light and very lively. Quality of workmanship is top rate.
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Submitted by
Bud
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco Bay Area
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
This is a followup to the earlier post on the Hiawassee full suspension frame. Since then its got another 500 miles on it, and two small problems have surfaced. The first and most annoying was all the noise coming from the bottom bracket and the pivots. Pulling everything apart I found a complete lack of grease in the pivots, and no grease between bearings and cups or cups and bottom bracket. After cleaning everything up and coating everything (including the bearing spacer of the Synchros BB) with boat trailer grease (the blue StayLube stuff), everything is quiet. I'm suprised and dissapointed Litespeed would put out the frame with no lube in the pivots, and am thinking of adding grease fittings so disassembly won't be necessary next time it starts squeaking. The other problem is with chain rub about 3 inches forward of the rear drop out on the chainstay. It only happens in the smallest sprocket, and so far hasn't even taken the paint off the chainstay. But it does rub enough to make noise, and I can feel it in the pedals. Litespeed wants me to send the frame back to Colorado Cyclist. Yeah, right. If it rubs, I want a new rear triangle, or a new frame *before* I send anything back. What am I supposed to ride while they make up their minds what to do about the problem? I guess that's just part of the perils of doing business via mail order.These are small problems, the first one is taken care of, and the second is only present in the small cog, which I don't use much anyway. The bike's still a gas to ride, still tracks straight as an arrow, is still laterally stiff, and hasn't broken (except for a derailleur cable ;). The Hiawassee is pounds lighter than most FS frames out there, as stiff as the best ones, and has that magic Ti feel. Litespeed support via email sucks, but I've been able to get most of my questions answered over the phone. If I had it to do over again, I don't think I'd make any changes. Buy this frame.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Peters
a cross-country rider
from North East Illinois
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
I purchased my 98 Hiwassee in early June. So far I have raced it twice, did a road century and have hundreds of miles on the Des Plains River Trail and at the Southern Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin. I bought this bike to replace a 96 GT LTS 2. The Hiwassee likes to be ridden more like a hardtail, a very comfortable one. If you try to bomb rocky fast downhills the bike will skip and deflect like a hartail. Find a smoother line and the bike sticks. Climbing is fantastic, it hooks up were my buddies hardtails break loose and moving in and out of the saddle on a hill is very natural.The bike is raceably lite 25-1/2 lbs with all XT drive train, XTR/217/ IRC Mythos wheel set and Judy SL fork. I replaced the spring to 400lb spring rate ( I weigh 185 - 190 lbs ) and have 3-1/2 turns of preload which gives 1/2 sag. The ride is a bit harsh but it softens the hard hits and takes the edge off small square bumps.What I don't like - The bike is somewhat noise. Hard hits transmit a very audiable thump through through the frame, when it bottoms out it turns into a bang. Mechanical - so far so good. I have noticed that the horst links on the swingarm need to be checked weekly ( that is about every 90 - 110 miles for me ). The bottom bracket pivot needs checking every two weeks. If you let them get loose you will here creeking and cracking when hard on the pedals. Even if the pivots get slightly loose the bike stays Mac Strut ridged when loaded. ( Mac Struts are not noted for their lateral stiffness but this one seems pretty darn stiff).I plan on riding and racing this bike for at least 3 seasons. If it (the Hiwassee) performs as good as it has been it should be no problem.4 chilies
I bought this frame four months ago, and decided to ride it a while before judging it. I was a little nervous writting the check at the dealer, but with all the collected parts installed, the payoff was big. I built it up with all ESP 9.0 (Brake levers, shifts, f&R derailers), Avid 2.0 arms, RaceFace crank BB & HS, Thomson seat post, and custom wheels (CR-18, White FS, DB spokes, Real cassette). This bike ROCKS. Handling is nible at low speed, twisting single track, while giving up nothing at higher speed descents. It is the perfect bike for here in the mid-west, where we have lots of different terrain and conditions.
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Submitted by
Bud
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco Bay Area
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1998
Bottom Line:
'98 Hiawassee Full Suspension FrameAfter waiting 6 months for Santa Cruz to bring the Heckler SL to market, I gave up and bought the Hiawassee. I'm glad I did. This spring, the trails around here are pretty chewed up from all the rain, with lots of waterbars, ruts, and cow hoof holes. The Hiawassee, combined with an Atom Bomb fork, takes all the rough edges off and saves my back and kidneys a pounding. The frame tracks arrow straight, even when crossing shallow ruts that run the same direction as the trail. The bike climbs reasonably well, but you'll feel the front and rear shocks pogo some if you get out of the saddle. In the saddle, traction is great, and if you can keep enough weight on the front tire, you can climb most anything. After three months, I can't feel any side play in the swingarm. The suspension is fully active, and you'll bounce on the rear shock if your peddling isn't smooth. Increasing the preload some helps here, and contrary to the RockShox owners manual, you can use more than three turns of preload without coil binding the spring (Litespeed sez its OK). Set up with about 1/2 of preload, and 7 full turns of preload on the fork (softest compression damping setting), the bike floats over small and medium bumps. You'll feel the big hits when you're bombing down hill, but nothing like on a hard tail. Best of all, handling is precise, and you go where you point. I feel like this bike is a lot more controllable and safe at speed. Jumps are no problem: compress the shock and fork with your body weight just before the top, then bunny hop as the front wheel hits the top. When you land, its not a jarring bang, just a pillowy plop. The finished bike weighs about 23 lbs. I used XTR derailleurs/shifters, Cook E crank, Avid 1D 2.0 brakes, White Ind. hubs, Mavic rims, Specialized Dirt Master/Control tires, Syncros ahead stem, Ti post & bb, Scott LF2 carbon bars, King headset.About the only down side is the squishing noise the rear shock makes when it moves. Turn up your walkman if it bothers you. And if I had a choice, I wouldn't paint the rear triangle red, and I'd leave off the disk brake mounting bosses. These are small nits, and I'm delighted with the bike. Colorado Cyclist has the best frame prices, and will give you a great deal if you buy a fork at the same time.Now, anybody wanna Litespeed Ocoee hardtail? See Litespeed For Sale for a description and pictures.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chewie
a cross-country rider
from Oak Harbor, WA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
After doing extensive testing of the Hiwassee and Titus Racer-X I came up with this data. It is too large to post here but you can find a very honest and thorough review of the '98 Hiwassee at http://www2.whidbey.net/~jjb/I will update this review as I continue to find out more information.Please feel free to e-mail me with questions.
