Whether geared or singlespeed, it has amazing vertical compliance with perfect torsional rigidity. Pinhoti SL: Named after the rugged trail system in Georgia, The Pinhoti SL is the perfect titanium hardtail. These models included titanium wrapped, carbon forks and seat stays. Aluminum frames first introduced in 2002, remained in production until approximately 2010. Non-Current Titanium Models: Classic, Ultimate, Catalyst, Vortex, Nachez, Tuscany, Liege, Palmares, Arenberg, Siena, Ghisallo, Veneto, Solano, Firenze, Teramo, Bella, Ardennes, Archon, Niota, Icon, Xicon, Tachyon, Blade, AppalachianĪluminum Models: Sirius, Avior, Mira, Vela, Palio, Hyperion. The M-Series are built to exceed the demands of training and racing, day in and day out, with design features that are unheard-of at this price point. M-Series: Litespeed has two M-Series bikes: M1 and M3. The C-Series is an aerodynamic road bike series. Litespeed has four C-Series bikes: C1R, C1 (Dura-Ace), Ci2, and C3 (Ultegra). The L-Series is an all-around road racing bike, with an asymmetrical frame, and UCI-approved.Ĭ-Series: The carbon C-Series was introduced in 2008. Litespeed has four L-Series bikes: L1R, L1 (SRAM Red), Li2, and 元 (Ultegra). L-Series: The carbon L-Series was introduced in 2012. T-Series: The titanium T-Series includes award-winning T1 (formerly the Archon), the T3, T5, and the T7 which was introduced in 2013. Litespeed has been a contractor and consultant to NASA for projects that require titanium-intensive sub-assemblies including the landing gear on the Mars Curiosity Rover.
LITESPEED BICYCLE FRAMES PRO
In 2014, Litespeed announced that they would sponsor the Astellas Pro Cycling Team for three seasons.
LITESPEED BICYCLE FRAMES PROFESSIONAL
Litespeed has also sponsored the professional cycling teams Lotto-Adecco, DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed, Calyon/Litespeed Pro Cycling, and Team Maxxis. In March 2011, American Bicycle Group announced that bicycle retailer Competitive Cyclist of Little Rock, AR had acquired the rights to the Merlin Metalworks brand. Litespeed purchased Merlin (bicycles) and Quintana Roo in 2000 from Saucony, and trademark of Tomac in 2001. European brands such as Eddy Merckx and Bianchi have contracted Litespeed to construct titanium frames in their own lines. Several professionals have ridden Litespeeds painted as other brands. In the 1999 Tour de France, Lance Armstrong rode a titanium Litespeed Blade painted and labeled as a Trek during time trials. Litespeed bicycles have been tested and ridden by many in the competitive cycling and triathlon world: Tour de France cyclists Greg Lemond, Robbie McEwen, and Lance Armstrong wheel innovator Steve Hed IRONMAN competitors Tim DeBoom and Cameron Brown Olympians Simon Whitefield, Jeff Kabush, the ITU Triathlon World Cup champion Vanessa Fernandes (Portugal), and 59-time French champion and 13-time world champion Jeannie Longo. Thus began the journey that would make Litespeed the go to authority on titanium bicycles. Frame after frame was made until one was deemed show worthy and taken to the Long Beach bike show in 1987. He used leftover titanium frames from a chemical job to build the first frame in 1986. Its interest in bicycles began when one of the workers took up cycling while recovering from a running injury. The company has its roots in a custom machine shop known as Southeast Machine that specialized in exotic metals.