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Submitted by
Navid
a Cross Country Rider
from Saopaulo Brazil
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | light weight, set-up and forget bike for fast and flowing trails. | | Weaknesses: | may be a tad too light. | | Similar Products Used: | Airbourne lancaster/ OnOne titanium | | Bike Setup: | Sid front, Race Face, xt shifters. Spinergy V-break wheels | | Bottom Line: | You would think in this day and age of sub 21lb/ 5in travel duals there is no place for a titanium softail with V-brakes!!! So did I. But now I get most of my daily pleasure on board this decade old machine and love every minute of it. Just make sure you get some light v-break wheels before they become instinct and set the pads abit farther from the rim than usual, then they won't rub if you are a pedal cruncher.
Sizing is strange, small is perefct for me but usually I ride medium/large... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Tokyo, Japan
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | light, responsive, takes anything you throw at it | | Weaknesses: | none with the frame, only issues w/components | | Similar Products Used: | bridgestone mb-1, voodoo wanga, santa cruz heckler | | Bike Setup: | mavic ceramic, xtr brakes, sram esp 9.0sl grip shift easton post, kore stem | | Bottom Line: | i've had this bike for six years riding throught northern ca and now in japan. handles like a dream, just enough travel in the rear for a large guy like me. only replacements have been the usual chain/cables. swapped out xt brakes for xtr (yes, still v-brakes), next on agenda is new crank (current xt) and drivetrain. recommendations on the these would be most appreciated, do prefer grip shift tho. great bike for any xc/fr rider even solid on the downhill, just not jumping boulders in colorado. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Siddo
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Mega quality build, perfect balance between flex and rigidity- absolutely the very best there is! Looks awesome too. | | Weaknesses: | Cost, cost and cost | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing similar, but Klein Adroit, Sunn Exact, Manitou HT, various Cannondale, Specialized and Trek rubbish | | Bike Setup: | Pace pro class, XTR, Crossmax, Thomson | | Bottom Line: | If you want to go fast, this is it. I only wished I'd had one of these when I used to race. Makes all those Aluminium hardtails seem so primitive. Really is the perfect balance, accelerates like a hardtail, but never punishes you when you get it wrong (my back never felt so good). Got my '03 model in the sales for £1000 (frame and headset), still expensive but RRP £1850?- although it's fabulous, it still seems awful pricey. Five flaming chillis for performance (would give ten if I could). If you can get one for sensible cash - DO IT!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dragula
a Cross Country Rider
from N.S.
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Coastal | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | BicyclesPlus Bedford, N.S. | | Strengths: | Strong & Beautiful,Lite weight. Impecable materials/welding
Clean traditional look no psuedotechnocrap
Superior warranty.Comparatively affordable without a compromise
You truely DO GET what you pay for!
| | Weaknesses: | This bike has idiosyncrasies but they only add to the mystery that is "UNICOI". | | Similar Products Used: | Similar Products Tried: Been riding MTB's since before the debate began about what to call them. 23 years on mtb,
| | Bike Setup: | Bike Setup: Syncros, Mavic Ceramic with XTR, Avid arch5.0 & Avid Ti. Levers,Flite (custom), SID xc 80mm, XTR with Carmichael Ti. Jockey wheels & more...(does it matter? cause it don't make it faster.)
| | Bottom Line: | Some people want sharks with frickin laser beams on the tops of their heads, I wanted the ULTIMATE XC machine ever. That is what this bike delivers every ride. It doesn't make me a better rider but it does make my rides better. "Unlimited" is the adjective one should use to descride the experience.
Unicoi is an acronim for Unlimited Necro-Intelectual-Corporeal Off-road Intimacy. If you think you own or have ridden a better bike you are DREAMING. Pinch yourself and buy one.
"Denn die Todten reiten schnell"
B. Stoker | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a
from Raleigh , NC
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowshoe, WV | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1179.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Smooth Ti ride. Great build quality. Lifetime warranty. Adjustable rear shock. Good customer service. | | Weaknesses: | Instructions on setting up the rear shock would have been good. Rockshox has the users guide on their website but it seems to be more gears towards longer travel. | | Similar Products Used: | My trusty AL Voodoo (R.I.P.) hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | SID front and rear. Raceface crank. King HS. Mostly XT. | | Bottom Line: | Bike didn't come with any docs but a quick call to LS and they gave me some tips on setting up the rear shock (guy I talked to weighed about the same as me and had a Unicoi too!).
MUCH smoother then my AL hardtail. Ti + softtail really is a great weight/comfort compromise.
Overall, I think this is the best XC bike money can buy...at least for the rooty trails around Raleigh.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Winglo
a Weekend Warrior
from Ca
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | CC | | Strengths: | Feel light and resposive, | | Weaknesses: | The decal(stick on lable) seems a little cheap. How about silk screening? | | Similar Products Used: | Vortex | | Bike Setup: | XT, psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | Great frame at a great price, on sale!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
duh huh
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Great choice for X country riding, works well on road too. Frame finish and welds are absolutely stunning, makes all those other Ti frames look like crap. Stiff enough with a little give for roots and rocks. Raw Ti frame is easy to clean, permits repair of minor scratches and blemishes. | | Weaknesses: | Awfully expensive. Bide your time and get a deal. 2001 model has complicated air shock, no instructions supplied by litespeed, maybe spring/elastomer is the better idea (no pump or mechanical engineering degree required) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale CAD3 rigid frame with Al fork!!! - must be why I like my Unicoi so much. | | Bottom Line: | I love it. Maybe a LS Ti road bike in my future (soon as I pull that bank job). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | House O' Dreams | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | River City Cycles, Chattanooga, TN | | Strengths: | This bike is incredibly light and stiff. It provides just enough travel in rear to take the edge off. | | Weaknesses: | It's not cheap. I bought mine as a complete bike on closeout and got a wonderful deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Owned or tested bikes from Schwinn, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, and Klein. | | Bike Setup: | XT/LX drivetrain, XT brakes, Easton handlebars, Control Tech stem and seatpost, Sid XC, nuke proof hubs, mavic rims, hutchinson python gold tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a wonderful bike. It's incredibly light, and stiff in all the right ways. I'm 190 and haven't had any problems with flex in the seat stay area.
If you're thinking about buying this bike, wait and look for a sale. I can't imagine spending $3,000 plus for the complete bike. It's a great bike, but not that great.
I gave it five for value because of the deal I got on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Carbondale, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hunter Creek to 4 Corners to Enchanted Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Best price for Ti soft-tail. Lifetime warranty, free SID, great welds and nice forgiving ride. Superb climbing on technical sections (Crested Butte, Moab & Aspen). Recommend for racers, day trippers and XC riders in rocky areas. | | Weaknesses: | Not as chi-chi as a Moots, but I saved $700 and my Rockshox SID XC was free. | | Similar Products Used: | Moots YBB (loved the ride, but not the price) | | Bike Setup: | SID XC, Mavic Ceramic Rims, XTR brakes, mix of XT/LX, Ti BB | | Bottom Line: | The Unicoi is a great light soft-tail. My previous hardtail prevented me from keeping up with the FS bikers on the big downhills, but now I can hang with most FS bikers on the downhills and smoke them on the uphills. I highly recommend this bike, but expect to get "craap" from the Moots and Merlin crowd...be fit enough to smoke em on the uphill! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dragula
a Cross Country Rider
from Halifax N.S.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Coastal | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lite weight. Impecable materials/welding
Clean traditional look no psuedotechnocrap
Superior warranty and not a moots Y Buy ME
Comparatively affordable without a compromise
You truely DO GET what you pay for!
| | Weaknesses: | A little pricy for the average Johnny Punchclock.
Bottom bracket flex may be objectionable to some.(little)
Linsky knows his stuff BUT the signature decal is over the top.(Acetone and it evaporates)If you're listening David get over it. | | Similar Products Used: | Been riding MTB's since before the debate began about what to call them. 19 years on mtb, first bike MX Leader dual suspension 20" wheels. 11.5 years in the bizz. | | Bike Setup: | Syncros,Mavic Ceramic, Avid arch5.0 adapted to xt servowave (ouch),Flite (custom), SID xc 80mm, more...(does it matter? cause it don't make it faster.) | | Bottom Line: | Listen to me now believe me later. Unicoi is an acronim for Ultimate Neo Industrial Canadian Off-road Insanity. If you think you own or have ridden a better bike your should SERIOUSLY consider psychotherapy. Unless, you are already aware that genital compensation and uterous envy are a bad combination. I have owned all materials and hit the high points of the manufacturers and this is simply the best. Better than all the rest. Better than any bike I've even met.
Ultra smooth on small to medium hits.
Zero drive induced lash or Biopacing.(any bike that you want to lock out has this)
Very lite.
Finish bombproof. (paint is used to hide imperfection. or for Fashionphyles)
Pivots are great if you need more travel but any pivot wears and this bike doesn't. (And that creaking one gets from worn pivots never begins at the end of an epic day. squeak creak)
Truely the bottom line is this: Litespeed has poineered the adequate travel, ultra naughty, svelte, cross country bike. People who write poor reviews of this bike are A:Expecting the bike to make them fitter or B:Wishing they owned one.
P.S. Lightweight in cycling shall now and forever be spelled LITEspeed.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike McDonald
a Cross-Country Rider
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light Weight
Price | | Weaknesses: |
WAY WAY WAY too much flex in rear end | | Similar Products Used: |
Moots YBB
Ibis Silk Ti | | Bottom Line: | I was so happy when I first got this frame and built it up. Then I rode it. It handled well, and felt pretty plush, but the rear stays were flexing so hard that the tire (a skinny 1.9 XC tire) was rubbing hard on one chainstay to the other. It also felt really weird. This was happening on slow rooty single track. I weigh 185 pounds, and maybe it just wasn't meant for guys my weight. The price is nice, but now I own a Moots YBBeat, and belive me when i say that the extra couple of bucks is worth it. The Moots gets 5.75 chilis, and the Litespeed gets 2. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody F
a Cross-Country Rider
from Gatlinhell, TN
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Secret- Ketchum Idaho | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Ride, Ride, Ride, craftsmanship weight titanium, my dream bike | | Weaknesses: |
Are you kidding? | | Similar Products Used: |
Santa Cruz Heckler, lots of steel hardtails | | Bike Setup: |
Came w/ XT, Judy XC etc- I am swapping out stuff from my other ride. | | Bottom Line: | Holy Cow! Flat out amazing bike. I got it used, took it home and stripped it, Scotch Brited the thing and voila, a brand new XT Unicoi for $1475. I have only ridden it once and that was with the stock build kit- can't wait to ride it w/ my Bomber. It easily outclimbed my old duallie and felt just as good on the downhills. I can't imagine ever wanting another bike. I am 5'8 and went with the 16.5 and am glad I did. It steers much quicker (but not too quick) than my Med Heckler did, love that shorter wheelbase and lower BB. I will update after I have had more time on the thing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun
a Racer
from Toronto Canada
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Lack of Maintenance
Virtally a hardtail
Immaculate craftmanship | | Weaknesses: |
Lack of shock instruction from Litespeed (frame shock maintenance) | | Similar Products Used: |
cromo hardtails
Litespeed Ultimate road | | Bike Setup: |
Judy SL
XT
CrossMax | | Bottom Line: | If you can afford this bike it has the greatest smoothness to wieght ratio of any softtail | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Lovin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Plush ride, great handling, light weight, | | Weaknesses: |
flexy | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek Y, KHS softy, Alum Hardtail | | Bike Setup: |
Sid and XT stuff | | Bottom Line: | The bike handles like a dream, I've got it set up with a longer stem. I'm pretty light so the flex dosen't affect me, but if you were a heavyweight you would definately notice it. The seat stays flex alot and do diminish braking power, but a brake booster will stifen it back up. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Price, weight, plush ride | | Weaknesses: |
Nil | | Similar Products Used: |
DBR Hard Tail (Aluminum) | | Bike Setup: |
Judy SL, XTR, Real-Design | | Bottom Line: | Great ride. The combination of Ti and the soft-tail make for a plush ride. It was a huge upgrade from a aluminum hard tail. The frame is also a great deal compared to other Ti soft-tails. LiteSpeed's service has been great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lund, Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Solid. No noticeble flex even with 19.5 size. Superb finish. | | Weaknesses: |
Nothing really. It is heavier than most other Ti frames due to the soft-tail. | | Similar Products Used: |
Previous bike was a steel Giant ATX 770 from '95 | | Bike Setup: |
XTR, Manitou SX-R, Hope pro front disc, Hutchinson Python gold tyres. | | Bottom Line: | If you are considering this frame remember the obvious - you are only as good a rider as your fitness allows! Blowing huge sums on a great frame will make little difference to how much enjoyement you have. You may go a bit faster, but you'll be just as knackered since you'll be pushing your body's limits, not the bike's.With that out of the way this is a brilliant frame. It does everything you want from a XC-frame. It just screams to be ridden! Uphill there is no sign of pumping unless your technique is really bad. The only time you actually notice the rear suspension is when you hit a medium sized bump at some speed with the rear wheel. It just feels softer. Nothing weird or supernatural.
Downhill it is blazingly fast and easy to get airborne.
I've found my bike a bit uncertain in tight technical stuff but that is very likely to be the fault of the tyres.
Despite numerous small crashes in the first weeks there is not a mark on the frame - a huge advantage of an unpainted frame.So why have I given it only 4 chillis? The frame is not great value for money. In Sweden this is a very dear frame. The total cost of my bike is almost US$8000. For this I hoped for an even more noticable improvement over my old steel clunker which cost US$1000. Yes, this frame is clearly better in every way, but nowhere near eight times better. This is natural with all things, but I thought it important to point this out. So 4 chillis for value for money.The frame is worth 5 chillis if money is no object though. It performs flawlessly and is a joy to ride in all conditions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doyle
a racer
from Memphis
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Let me start by saying that I have owned some of the best hardtails from Specialized, Cannondale, Trek (oclv hardtail and y-bike) and a Reynolds 853 frame as well and they can not hold a light to the Unicoi. As far as ride quality, I can not imagine anything better. You do not notice the rear action at all; it just feels like the trail is a lot smoother and less choppy than it actually is. A friend of mine borrow it for about two weeks that I was unable to ride, I thought he was going to hug me when I got it back. He already owns a nice ti frame but was so sold on the ride that he just purchased a unicoi as well. That is a hell of a complement. This frame is five stars all the way, I am lucky to own this bike and have it setup the way that it is - well under 23lbs and very nice. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a racer
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Amazing Bike. Had a KHS Team FXT. Nice bike, but 11 pivot points, down to none. A nice change. Got my bike from Hi Tech Bikes in San Diego for 1,300 clams. Very happy with Hank. Nice guy to deal with.Acceleration is incredible. No bouncing. Climbs well. Handles well. I have a White brothers SC70UL, Cane Creek Wham, riser bar. Nice set up. Very cool bike. Do check out Hi Tech Bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a weekend warrior
from Chattanooga
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Excellent bike. XTR all the way with an Atom Bomb. Closing in on 1000 miles.
All 5 star reviews are correct.
The only problem I continue to have is the spring begins to squeak like a cheap motel bed every 400 miles.
Well, I guess maybe one more problem: I can't blame the bike for shit.
Not making it up that lung buster is MY fault. Not the bike's! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from 90210
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Another update on my bike,
I just ordered the hard spring with rubber damping insert for my Unicoi. It's quite interesting that Litespeed didn't insert the rubber damping in the standerd mid-spring when they maufactured the bike. Anyway, after I put the hard spring with rubber inserts, MY GOD, it was too hard for me! I don't think I can buttom out at all!! Therefore, I switched back to origial spring with rubber insert...perfect setting for me! Only buttom out very few time during the ride. (i'm 150 lbs) It only costed me $10 to order from Litespeed with shipping and they even throw in some Big Litespeed stickers to me. CHEERS!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robb
a cross-country rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Orgasmic!!! They say the national average for masturbation for men is 1.2 times a day, own one of these bikes and it easily jumps to 10.2. A dream machine in every aspect of the designation. Take one ride on a Unicoi and you will never consider riding anything else again. Do you remember how much fun your first ride on a roller coaster was? Revisit that feeling with a Unicoi. Every inch of trail you cover feels like your on a rail. Granted, it is a little flexy, especially compared to the aluminum hardtails I've previously owned. But, after that inital new bike break-in period, it feels like the bike is steering itself, easily slithering around corners. The 1 inch of travel is perfect for any cross-country application. Takes the twinge off really long rides, keeps the rear wheel planted for those lung regurgitating climbs, and it shoots you down hill faster than a monsoon flash-flood. You almost can't describe it in technical terms. It does sound a bit esoteric, but the bike just feels like it wants to ride. Every millimeter of it is built to ride, and ride extremely well. If you have a bike that does one thing really well, or if you have a bike that does everything good but not one thing great, get a Unicoi and do everything great. It can best be summarized in this little analogy (bear with me). Your bike (and my old one) are like Mt.Kilamanjaro or even K2, majestic mountains in there own right, but they can't hold a candle to Everest which is where the Unicoi sits. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scuds friend
a weekend warrior
from canada
Date Reviewed: August 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
this is in response to scud's review.....i am so surprised that his bike has lasted this long....i have seen it...i have ridden it...it barely shifts because of the buildup of chain lube and dirt.... the brake pads (xtr brakes) are worn down to about the thickness of a human hair..the bottom bracket creaks. the manitou ti fork barely moves now from lack of maintenance. his spokes are so loose you could play them like a guitar. but the frame is still good but give him a little bit of time.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scud
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Oh baby...Had this sweet ride for approx. 1 year and I love it. God does this thing like to run - up and down hill. I'm approx 180lbs and I agree that there is some lat flex. To be honest though, you learn to use what little there is on those winding downhill runs. It's a fantastic soft-tail... perfect bike for someone who loves mountain biking - not just downhill, not just X-country. Long rides..longest so far being 6 hours and your baggets don't get pounded into trail dust. Had some bad luck this spring when branch tore my rear derailer off...bending the drop-out. At the time, I would have rather seen blood pumping out off my fractured femur than see that little curve in my drop out. I was like an expectant father at the bike shop when they bent it back. So far (1 month later of hard riding) no problems after the fix. I suppose it would have been nice to have a break-away hanger, but at least the shop was able to fix it (try that one with alum drop out). I don't blame Litespeed though, the workmanship is the best. I tend to be a little hard on my toys. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a weekend warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have just a few rides on my new Unicoi and love it. I do however have a few words of caution. I would not recommend it to any real heavy riders. It's perfect for me at 170 lbs., but it bottoms out too easily and bends too much laterally when my 200 and 240 lb. buddies take it for a spin. I built my bike with a 98 Long Travel Judy SL. I don't think the SL was a bad decision, but do yourself a favor, unless you enjoy a VERY soft fork, order heavier springs. I upgraded to the stiffest primary and secondary springs. I give my new ride 5 stars but if your a big guy with the stock SL you may give it 2. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a cross-country rider
from Pacifica, CA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm just starting to get the feel of the bike after about 100 miles. Its not as quick as my F700, but it's a ton more comfortable. At 4 decades old, it's going to be great for the old dude on the longer (30+ miles) rides. The design is trick and with a white bros sc70 fork it handles great. The only shorts were: decals tooo big, machine burrs were left in the holes (watch out when you string your cables!). I put on the good stuff on the ride and got it as a life time frame - after a 1,000,000 miles more - I'll let you know how much fun its been... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
koby-san
a weekend warrior
from TX
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had this bike since mid April and am still getting used to it. As noted previously : Climbs well and just enough suspension to smooth out the washboards. I had a Cro-mo hard tail with a suspension seatpost prior to this. The biggest difference is that my feet don't get pounded to numbness on downhill washboard any more. Still has big advantages in seated climbing over the rough. Took a long time to peel all the decals off the frame without scratching it. Very comfortable ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a racer
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: April 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Unicoi is the best frame I have ever ridden. Though it does have some flaws that other reviews have pointed out. But realize what this frame is. It is not a plush downhill machine. Yes you can bottom out the rear end (we're talking about an inch of travel, be realistic!) It also can feel soft or squishy in the rear. But it is something you can get used to quickly! Once you do, watch out! It is an awesome XC racer. I think it climbs better than my hardtail, takes a little off of the descents and lets you remain seated and power through rough flat sections. It is light and quick handling. I have heard some say you are better off with a light aluminum frame and a suspension seatpost. NOT TRUE! My previuos bike is an Easton Elite frame with a USE post and the Unicoi blows it away. It is well worth the hefty price tag. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mert
a cross-country rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, not much more to say that hasn't been firmly expressed above. I love the Unicoi's soft plush ride. I will agree that it does feel a bit too soft, or squishy, sometimes in the rear end. This thing can climb very well and you quickly forget about the rear spring. There are replacement springs for those of us who prefer the stiffer ride. With the Atom Bomb 2 and CrossMax wheels I am one very happy puppy! Even with the soft rear, I still give this ride five hot peppers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed b
a cross-country rider
from ma
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Incredible workmanship, welds are immaculate. Dropouts are pathetic, same as the Obed, functional, that's about it. Stock spring is too soft, does feel like a flat rear tire sometimes. If you watch someone ride this bike, there appears to be an incredible amount of suspension movement, but when you are actually riding it, it is not that noticeable. Lot's of lateral flex, even at low speeds. New bright brushed finish is extremely nice. Decals are cheesy. Seat tube collar is cheesy. The customer service at Litespeed is the best, no question. Not quite a Moots, but a close second. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XC Biker
a cross-country rider
from Big Bear, CA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Perfect bike for Cross-country! Very easy to build the bike within 25 pounds....no trick parts needed. The Litespeed quality is above average; compare with Seven and Merline, they are still better craftmanship. But when it go down to the bottom line....price, Litespeed is the first choice!! Good design with Unicoi too. It like perfect for me too....^_^
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brenda
a cross-country rider
from S.F., CA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike really feel so good for Cross-Country riding!! It can relly make you become a better biker too! With 16.5 frame, it look really strange that the toptube had band a little bit....but not for the larger size frame. I think it looks much better than without it. Thanks to Day light saving, I get to ride my Unicoi everday after my work now.
Litespeed, nice job. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a weekend warrior
from 90210, CA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Amazing bike. I got the hardtail's climbing ability and handleing. It also has the full-Susp.'s comfort and smoothness. Since I'm a weekend rider on the local fire trail and some signle track. This is the perfect bike to have! I had this bike for one month and already had 200 mountian miles on it. The Titanium Light brush finish is very very cool!! Even after my 200 hard rock pounding ride still like new!!
Litespeed Rule!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikeboy
a racer
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The good points of this bike seem too be well represented in the other posts. There are a few annoying points about this bike though:The 1 travel tends to bottom out and give you the feeling that you are running a 2.3 tire with 20psi in it. It has that just about to pinch flat feel because of this and takes some getting used to. It also has to settle in to some of the twisty turns and tends to move around a bit under hard cornering. I have only raced hardtails, so this is what I am comparing it to. After you get used to it, it is a very good XC racer | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Super Dog
a weekend warrior
from Santa Monica
Date Reviewed: March 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is my first titanium frame, I had Co-mo and Al. before and I believe titanium will be my choice, PERIOD!! This machine is absolutely beautiful constructed, perfect handling, stable tracking, durability, and attention to detail....just like Merlin. This is one of the first stock frames that fit me well from the start! (I'm 5'6 with 16.5 frame)and it does just about everything well. I don't have time for faddish mtb's that don't hold up to 3-5 hr rides.(I don't think you can do it on hardtail ^_^) At the same time I want a bike that is low maintenance and durable. The Unicoi answered all of my demands and oh so much more. I built it with XTRs, control tech, Zone, Bam Z2 and CrossMax and have enjoyed many maintenance free miles ever since. The rear Triangle is beautiful, feel like a hard tail with climbing and smooth downhill. It's very light and responsive to rider input and carves turns beautifully. I give 5 chilis!! Too HOT for TV ^_^.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Burke
a cross-country rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Fantastic welds and very nice Brush finish!
Compare to Moots YBB, it doesn't have the rear trangle like Merlin and Litespeed, which provide more clearance for your leg and stronger brakeing. And it's better than Merlin, coz they cost too much and they don't make these kind of full suspension.....which it make much sense!!
The suspension realy works well on small hits and it takes some of the sting away from bigger hits.
With SID, Full XTR, w/CrossMax
total weight 22 pounds. It's a sweet dream machine! Worth of every $ I spend!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oh Baby
a cross-country rider
from CO
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Oh my! This baby rule!! Eventhough the design is borrowed from Moots YBB, but Litespeed has made it better in quality, design (rear triangle) and price!!
Compare with my old Cand-V F/S, this one runs much much smoother on the cross-country trail, expecially on the up hill! It climb like a hard tail!!
Tell me a better alternative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With weight of 21.5 pounds, I don't think any full-sub can bit this. But this is a full-sub too !!
Got go riding now. This baby Rule!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from S.F., CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
What I really want to point out is the exquisite workmanship behind one of
these hand-made works of art.The welds are perfect, giving a laterally stiff but vertically supple ride.Mine weighs in at a mere 22.5 LBS.I don't qualify this bike as a
full suspension ride, but the rear shock will surprise you at what it can actually smooth over.It has incredible acceleration and a great well balanced feel(good
cornering).This could be many a rider's dream machine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DI
a weekend warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Very nice and good price. The litespeed quality is supur. It's better than Moots' YBB and Dean's Duke XC. The ride
is amazing....no bio-pasting or lossing power. If anyone thinking about getting a super light full-suspension bike with
very very low maintaince needed....this is the one to get!! No piotes to service, easy to clean, super light, very rigid
and perfect geomertry for Coss-country. The deal I got was evern better, for 98 Litespeed Unicoi frame with Mv
crossmax for $1699...you can only get the frame from Moot's YBB or Dean's Duke (if you are lucky). The bike
weight around 22.5 pound. This like a dream come true to me. | | Overall Rating: |
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