Submitted by
Zen
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatoon, SK. Canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2001
Strengths: Awesome looking frame. Great Geometry for my size 14.5. Had bought a disk break adapter but did not fit correctly, called Litespeed talked to Collins Bishop. Awesome guy, even called me at home to make sure everything was alright. Hope to get the disk break adapter soon to stick on my disks. This is my version of the perfect trailbike, not too much travel, simple design.
Weaknesses: Some squeeking in the rear shock, but advice from my fellow mtbr's has remedied that problem.
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike, I got a deal on every part of my bike. If I were to buy every part of my bike retail it would of cost me about $6000, but I managed to get the whole thing set up with disk brakes for about $2500 and full xtr. I am riding this at the 24hrs of Adrenalin and I believe that I am ready for anything. I will tell you how the bike handles after the marathon.
Similar Products Used: Titus Racer X, Cannondale Team Sobe, Cannondale F700
Bike Setup: 2000 Tsali 14.5 frame, Ti stem, headset seatpost, bars, and saddle. Full XTR 9spd. Magura Louise disk brakes, Spinergy Cyclone disk wheels, Conti tires, and Time pedals.
Strengths: Same as the positive things others are saying. The suspension works best if you modify it to get 19mm travel at the stanchion and use the soft red spring. It is not an instantly satisfying bike but if you are a racer the bike feels nearly perfect once you are warmed up and flying. I am 6'2" and 180 lbs and I have won many 35+ expert races. The suspension is 75% as plush as a USE seatpost but is very responsive and gives excellent trail feedback.
Weaknesses: Mine had no travel when new and it was a major hassel comunicating with thier warrenty dept. They simply don't listen or answer your questions. They really give you no respect. The bike was repaired by twisting the spring pivot but they will not admit this. The bottle on the seattube makes solid contact with the downtube. So if you are using a say niterider battery in the seatube bottle holder you will dent the downtube. A cheap fix for this would be for a custom water bottle holder but they refuse to answer e-mails and want me to bring the frame in to be checked out. I will really make them fix this when my racing season is over. I have seen this problem on many other litespeed mtbs as well but most people dont complain.
Bottom Line:
It is a very impressive looking bike that inspires confidence.If they had better warrenty service I would have nothing to complain about. The Moots is built with more love. If you decide on a litespeed check out all the stupid stuff like water bottle placement,Frame width for the cantis frame alignment and any other accesory mounting very carefully.They really suck if you need to get it fixed.
Similar Products Used: Rode a stock Moots and it felt as good as mine did (with modifacations). I did not notice any more BB flex on the moots than with my tsali and the water bottle holrs were in the right place. I wish I got the moots instead.
Bike Setup: 26" monkey bars with negative rise stem to give same hight as a flat bar with 0 stem. SST saddle (a must) full xtr including seatpost and ceramic rims with sid. Just over 23 lbs without bottle holders and 550 gram tires(21" frame) 24+ with race tools.
Weaknesses: im not sure the decals will go the distance
Bottom Line:
Ridin and racing for 12 years, have broken everything, aluminum, steel, carbon fiber but never owned ti! This bike has the sweetest ride I have ever experienced. If it holds up I have found my true love at last, BTW Discs Rule!!! 6*
Similar Products Used: this is a softtail, not a f.s. my first ever but have had many f.s bikes, GT, Schwinn, AMP
Bike Setup: White Bros SC92UL, CrossMax disc wheels, Hayes discs front & rear, race face BB, crankset, XTR the rest
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Alstatt
a Racer
from Mesquite Tx
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1999
Strengths: lots for your money innovative design
Weaknesses: cheap decals
Bottom Line:
This awesome frame is heavy duty,stiff in the bb,Litespeed gives you a lot for the heavy price tag. Massive,radically ovalized 6/4 Ti down tube is probably the most expensive in the industry.Perfect for those who are hard on frames,yet want some softening of the ride.Excellent on small bumps and fast trails,but it is more like a hard tail than a full suspension.Nimble and feels awesome
Bike Setup: magura Johnny T brakes, race face crank,bb,stem,seatpost white ind hubs,rynolite rims,xtr der.,simply the best bike ever
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Owen
a Racer
from St. George, UT
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1999
Strengths: Ride Quality Build Quality Low Maintenance Design Lifetime Warranty Titanium's Abillity to Absorb Harshness Litespeed's Experience and Longevity
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
This is the perfect race bike if you're riding fast, bumpy terrain. It allows you to pedal while seated without robbing you of power like a longer travel bike. The only time I wish I was on a longer travel FS bike is slow, technical stuff with big drops. Then I'll ride my Cannondale Super-V. The frame is light for FS, very comfortable, and I'm faster on it than on my old Cannondale CAD3 hardtail, both climbing and descending. I've added the optional elastiomer, and cut off 5 mm so the last bit of travel is a bit dampened. I was launched off the saddle with the full length elastiomer. Compared to a longer travel bike, this is a sports car...you feel every bump, but you're not jarred or thrown off course by them. Control and therefore confidence are excellent. If you can afford one, you won't regret buying it!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Hardtail and FS. Schwinn HT and FS.
Bike Setup: Mazocchi Superfly King HS and Hubs LP Composites Bar, Barends and Post Flite Saddle Bontrager Valiant Rims Mythos XC Tires XTR Drivetrain (Mega 9)
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