Ride Entry – 28th February 2009
by admin on Mar.01, 2009, under Uncategorized
Bike: LiteSpeed Vela
Distance: 32 miles
New bike, finally built after my Lemond breakage. Trouble is, it seems as the Lemond snapped it took a number of components with it, not least the rear mech and driveside crank. Ho hum. So I can’t possibly afford to buy Ultegra components brand new to replace these with so it’s compromise time. Take the Ultegra rear mech off the crosslight, and buy some nice new (but water damaged), 105 cranks off chain reaction. Half price and they come with a nice coating of mud absolutely free.
Lots of messing about with diddy componentry that won’t move across, fit the forks with their carbon steerer very carefully indeed, I don’t trust that at all. But it’s built and ready. It’s fucking light and no mistake, I’d say the only bike that has come close is the Langster and that had no gears or freewheel.
The other thing the two bikes have in common is their stiffness, the litespeed is completely rigid at the back end which means quick acceleration but a rough ride. And possibly as a result, my bike was killing me after 30 miles. I doubt it though, more likely to be a setup issue, I could ride the Langster all day and never feel a twinge at all.
Fast though.
March 1st, 2009 on 4:59 pm
Looks good Jon. Shame the steerer has been chopped so short or it would look even better.
Started rebuilding my road bike yesterday. Need to decide whether to put the cheap, heavy cranks on that I have lying around or to get some new ones.
March 2nd, 2009 on 8:59 am
Frame looks good, what is it made of?
I’d steer clear of any flood sale stuff that has bearings.
March 2nd, 2009 on 10:30 am
Yeah, the bars are way too low as a result, which is a pain. And numerous people have pointed out the bars are pointing in the wrong way.
Frame is crazy. It’s Alu with carbon forks and carbon seatstays.