TaxesStink wrote:
> I have spent a little time passively looking for a Ti frame. I have
> come across a 1998 Litespeed Ultimate frame that is in excellent
> condition for a reasonable price with fairly low miles. Assuming there
>
> is nothing wrong w/ the 1998 model, how much better is the 2004/2005
> model?
>
>
> The newer models have several advantages:
> 1 - carbon stays
> 2 - improved aerodynamics
> 3 - improved Ti mfg. technology (??)
>
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated...
>
>
> Also, is there any scenario where one of you might consider a 1998
> model over a new one?
>
>
> Thanks so much in advance.
G'day TaxesStink (another thread one day on that name)
I have a Litespeed Ultimate that I estimate is about 1995 vintage. I
bought it in 1998 after the Australian Institute of Sport had finished
with it and no doubt given it a thrashing - I like to think it was
Stewie O'Grady's favourite steed. It has straight seat stays and a
curved downtube, and I'm pretty sure was made from 3/2.5 Ti, before
they switched the Ultimate to 6/4, but who cares? My LBS got it
re-polished before setting it up for me and it looked new, and still
does. I've done 5-10,000 km a year on it since then and am on my third
groupset and second set of decals. It now has mixed Chorus/Record with
some custom Record wheels. I've just fitted an Easton EC90SL fork and
upgraded it to Aheadset. The weight now is just under 8.0kg, plus
pedals. Spend the same now and you would be down around 7.0kg, but I
have more than that on my gut. I have a bike that looks as good as any
new one, and where I ride there are a lot of top-end bikes. With the
new fork, it corners even better than before - couldn't get much
better. The ride is magnificent - especially compared to the harsh Al
thing I had before. Before I bought it, I rode a bunch of bikes on the
same day and it thrashed all of them for comfort and speed. I don't see
myself buying another bike in a long time - why? I can still ride with
the fast bunch (at 45 y.o.) and win the odd sprint, but it's not the
bike holding me back. One thing I love about it is after a wet ride, I
just hose it down and it looks new again. I laugh at the poor fish who
have a race bike and a training/wet bike.
So, what should you do? No question in my mind. If the frame checks out
OK...
Donga