thoughts about a custom blue ridge litespeed - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-04-2004, 04:04 PM

The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
husband's.

Your thoughts?

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Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
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11-04-2004, 06:58 PM

Claire Petersky wrote:

> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but
> it's too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue
> ridge. If I went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and
> go over to my husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

I like Ti bikes because they have an elegant, low-key appearance without worry
of paint being scratched. With a brushed finish, just rub them out with
Scotchbrite or fine steel wool. The less zooty ones have straight guage tubes
(not butted) that are actually more dent resistant than steel frames of the same
weight, and probably aluminum ones too. The downside is the expense, but
amortized over the 30+ years most bikes can last, you'll hardly feel the pain.
Once you've been riding long enough to know exactly what you want, and you can't
get it off the shelf, a custom frame makes sense.

Litespeed's parent company, American something-or-other, has an outlet store in
Tennessee with *great* prices. They sell on eBay too, officially. It's al
legit. Check it out if you're not looking there already. They might have a
Blue Ridge on sale that fits. I don't have the exact name of the place offhand,
but I can get it by tomorrow.

Matt O.

11-04-2004, 06:58 PM

Claire Petersky wrote:

> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but
> it's too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue
> ridge. If I went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and
> go over to my husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

I like Ti bikes because they have an elegant, low-key appearance without worry
of paint being scratched. With a brushed finish, just rub them out with
Scotchbrite or fine steel wool. The less zooty ones have straight guage tubes
(not butted) that are actually more dent resistant than steel frames of the same
weight, and probably aluminum ones too. The downside is the expense, but
amortized over the 30+ years most bikes can last, you'll hardly feel the pain.
Once you've been riding long enough to know exactly what you want, and you can't
get it off the shelf, a custom frame makes sense.

Litespeed's parent company, American something-or-other, has an outlet store in
Tennessee with *great* prices. They sell on eBay too, officially. It's al
legit. Check it out if you're not looking there already. They might have a
Blue Ridge on sale that fits. I don't have the exact name of the place offhand,
but I can get it by tomorrow.

Matt O.

11-04-2004, 06:58 PM

Claire Petersky wrote:

> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but
> it's too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue
> ridge. If I went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and
> go over to my husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

I like Ti bikes because they have an elegant, low-key appearance without worry
of paint being scratched. With a brushed finish, just rub them out with
Scotchbrite or fine steel wool. The less zooty ones have straight guage tubes
(not butted) that are actually more dent resistant than steel frames of the same
weight, and probably aluminum ones too. The downside is the expense, but
amortized over the 30+ years most bikes can last, you'll hardly feel the pain.
Once you've been riding long enough to know exactly what you want, and you can't
get it off the shelf, a custom frame makes sense.

Litespeed's parent company, American something-or-other, has an outlet store in
Tennessee with *great* prices. They sell on eBay too, officially. It's al
legit. Check it out if you're not looking there already. They might have a
Blue Ridge on sale that fits. I don't have the exact name of the place offhand,
but I can get it by tomorrow.

Matt O.

11-04-2004, 06:58 PM

Claire Petersky wrote:

> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but
> it's too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue
> ridge. If I went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and
> go over to my husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

I like Ti bikes because they have an elegant, low-key appearance without worry
of paint being scratched. With a brushed finish, just rub them out with
Scotchbrite or fine steel wool. The less zooty ones have straight guage tubes
(not butted) that are actually more dent resistant than steel frames of the same
weight, and probably aluminum ones too. The downside is the expense, but
amortized over the 30+ years most bikes can last, you'll hardly feel the pain.
Once you've been riding long enough to know exactly what you want, and you can't
get it off the shelf, a custom frame makes sense.

Litespeed's parent company, American something-or-other, has an outlet store in
Tennessee with *great* prices. They sell on eBay too, officially. It's al
legit. Check it out if you're not looking there already. They might have a
Blue Ridge on sale that fits. I don't have the exact name of the place offhand,
but I can get it by tomorrow.

Matt O.

11-04-2004, 07:43 PM

Claire Petersky <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
> too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
> went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
> husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

how much is a custom litespeed?

ooooohhhh, they have financing!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

har, har, har. not sure why i find that so funny.
--
david reuteler
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-04-2004, 07:43 PM

Claire Petersky <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
> too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
> went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
> husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

how much is a custom litespeed?

ooooohhhh, they have financing!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

har, har, har. not sure why i find that so funny.
--
david reuteler
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-04-2004, 07:43 PM

Claire Petersky <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
> too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
> went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
> husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

how much is a custom litespeed?

ooooohhhh, they have financing!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

har, har, har. not sure why i find that so funny.
--
david reuteler
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-04-2004, 07:43 PM

Claire Petersky <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
> too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
> went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
> husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

how much is a custom litespeed?

ooooohhhh, they have financing!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

har, har, har. not sure why i find that so funny.
--
david reuteler
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-05-2004, 04:39 AM

In article <IkAid.18038$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].pas.earthlin k.net>,
"Claire Petersky" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> The blue ridge litespeed that's on clearance is such a nice bike, but it's
> too big for me. Still, it got me thinking about a custom blue ridge. If I
> went this route, it means I'd probably leave my LBS and go over to my
> husband's.
>
> Your thoughts?

They are not cheap, but for a custom frame take alook at Moots.
A Moots frame will last a lifetime unless you get T-boned by a semi.

Another frame to check out is a Habenero custom.

I looked at some Litespeeds before my LBS stopped selling them because of
quality issues.

YMMV

HAND