new guy GIANT and Litespeed w/Campy
Rule #5
Posts: 11
Hi all - first post here. I'm a mostly road rider and tend toward being a weight weenie. Long time Campag fan and have two road bikes in rotation now. GIANT TCR advanced from 2011/12 with then-new Super Record. As you can see frame has integrated seat mast. Love the ride - very responsive yet damped and weight is 15.2 lbs with pedals. Wheels are hyperons, the brake tracks of which have now become completely scalloped and I am retiring them. Rode them for around 7 years without a single problem. Taking this opportunity to try something different - going to put on Roval clx 32 rim brake wheels and switch to Dura Ace 9100 mech. Really out of curiosity - just want to see what I've been missing. Here's a pic of the giant before it gets new groupset and wheels. Will also be interested to see what the weight is.
Second bike is 12 year old Litespeed Vortex. Campag chorus of recent vintage. Mike Garcia wheels - mostly DT swiss alloy. Bike weighs 16.5 lbs. Rides like a surgical instrument. Extremely precise and alive - a bit harsh compared with the Giant. Not changing anything on this bike. Anyway - note about saddle position - I like the nose down - easier on my middle aged prostate! Sorry if thats tmi!
Second bike is 12 year old Litespeed Vortex. Campag chorus of recent vintage. Mike Garcia wheels - mostly DT swiss alloy. Bike weighs 16.5 lbs. Rides like a surgical instrument. Extremely precise and alive - a bit harsh compared with the Giant. Not changing anything on this bike. Anyway - note about saddle position - I like the nose down - easier on my middle aged prostate! Sorry if thats tmi!
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originally had shamal tubeless ready wheels on the litespeed - responsive as heck and without a hint of flex. But changing flats was so difficult with that tubeless-ready lip that I dont use them anymore. Nice looking wheels tho
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....and cue the ribbing.0
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Saddle position looks perfect0
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Pnev wrote:Saddle position looks perfect
Yep - spot on.0 -
Very very sweet set up on both bikes - hat.
Maybe rotate the Lightspeed's bar a tiny tiny tad but apart from that, all cool.
Top work that man.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Thanks guys. I know the saddle is funky - but it works for me and allows me to keep riding. Pretty much all that matters.0
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Does the litespeed take fenders?I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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I think litespeed did make some frames that have fender attachments. Mine does not. The Vortex was it's racing frame and did not come fender ready. A little history of the frame below.
http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/comme ... tex-3111400 -
No offence but curious as to how that saddle 'works' for you?argon 18 e116 2013 Vision Metron 80
Bianchi Oltre XR Sram Red E-tap, Fulcrum racing speed xlr
De Rosa SK pininfarina disc
S Works Tarmac e-tap 2017
Rose pro sl disc0 -
Unloads anterior perineum. Had recurrent prostatitis and found that by moving nose of saddle down, it took the pressure off the the area that was becoming irritated. Forces me to sit on my sit bones not the soft tissues.0
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Rule #5 wrote:Unloads anterior perineum. Had recurrent prostatitis and found that by moving nose of saddle down, it took the pressure off the the area that was becoming irritated. Forces me to sit on my sit bones not the soft tissues.
Your knees must be screaming..0 -
Absolutely hate, hate, hate that Giant. Sorry but it's just horrid. The Litespeed however is rather nice (apart from the saddle obvs).0
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That Litespeed with 60s. ......... yum.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Tashman wrote:
That's a very strong reaction lolShortfall wrote:Absolutely hate, hate, hate that Giant. Sorry but it's just horrid. The Litespeed however is rather nice (apart from the saddle obvs).
Come on. It's pig ugly and the worst thing is he's put the most beautiful groupset in the world on it. Talk about sacrilege!0 -
Shortfall wrote:Tashman wrote:
That's a very strong reaction lolShortfall wrote:Absolutely hate, hate, hate that Giant. Sorry but it's just horrid. The Litespeed however is rather nice (apart from the saddle obvs).
Come on. It's pig ugly and the worst thing is he's put the most beautiful groupset in the world on it. Talk about sacrilege!
"Most beautiful groupset in the world."
Are you sure?
I remember some bloke on here arguing tooth and nail and getting all lairy insisting that Ultegra was.
I know where my side in this argument lies...........Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Other than the seat tube it just looks like a bike to me0
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Shouldn't we be focusing more on the saddle angle?0
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Hey Tashman stop the hate! It is what it is: fast and comfortable. Re saddle position. Doesn't hurt knees at all - makes the upper arms and shoulders work a bit more. Which is ok with me. Found an interesting discussion about this from a forum you guys may have heard of.
viewtopic.php?t=126933420 -
There must be saddles that are available that don't pressure the same and would therefore work flat!Trail fun - Transition Bandit
Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
Allround - Cotic Solaris0 -
No hate from me fellaRule #5 wrote:Hey Tashman stop the hate! It is what it is: fast and comfortable. Re saddle position. Doesn't hurt knees at all - makes the upper arms and shoulders work a bit more. Which is ok with me. Found an interesting discussion about this from a forum you guys may have heard of.
viewtopic.php?t=126933420 -
O my - I am sorry Tashman, it was "shortfall". Apologies.0
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Rule #5 wrote:O my - I am sorry Tashman, it was "shortfall". Apologies.
Sorry. I just don't like the ultra compact frame, the massive amount of seatpost, the extreme seat angle, the meh colourscheme. I also don't like Giant as a brand. I just think they're bikes are pretty bland and corporate. I do love the SR gruppo though which is the antithesis of everything I just said about Giant and I really like your Litespeed.0 -
Shortfall wrote:Rule #5 wrote:O my - I am sorry Tashman, it was "shortfall". Apologies.
Sorry. I just don't like the ultra compact frame, the massive amount of seatpost, the extreme seat angle, the meh colourscheme. I also don't like Giant as a brand. I just think they're bikes are pretty bland and corporate. I do love the SR gruppo though which is the antithesis of everything I just said about Giant and I really like your Litespeed.
Tis ok. We all have our preferences. Thale aesthetics of how a bike looks has never really entered into my decision making process. Giant is in fact a giant company. One thing I like is they make everything in house and really have the most experience with carbon. Fwiw that giant frame is my second one. The company replaced my first when I noticed a crack in the seatpost. No questions asked. Free of charge.0 -
Rule #5 wrote:Hey Tashman stop the hate! It is what it is: fast and comfortable. Re saddle position. Doesn't hurt knees at all - makes the upper arms and shoulders work a bit more. Which is ok with me. Found an interesting discussion about this from a forum you guys may have heard of.
viewtopic.php?t=12693342
And that says the same - if you're having to do that then it's the wrong saddle. You need to work with a bike shop and trial a few. It'll transform your cycling.Trail fun - Transition Bandit
Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
Allround - Cotic Solaris0 -
lostboysaint wrote:Rule #5 wrote:Hey Tashman stop the hate! It is what it is: fast and comfortable. Re saddle position. Doesn't hurt knees at all - makes the upper arms and shoulders work a bit more. Which is ok with me. Found an interesting discussion about this from a forum you guys may have heard of.
viewtopic.php?t=12693342
And that says the same - if you're having to do that then it's the wrong saddle. You need to work with a bike shop and trial a few. It'll transform your cycling.
Done it over and over. Trialed dozens of saddles. Thanks. Best solution for me is what you see. Very happy doing what I do. Should have only posted pic of the bikes without the saddle - as I did in the second post of this thread. The saddle thing gets very old. As I said it works for me. My arms don't hurt, my knees don't hurt, my twig and berries work fine. I ride a lot and love it. Where exactly is the problem?0 -
Imposter wrote:Shouldn't we be focusing more on the saddle angle?
no because its his bike and he's happy with it and it works for him so its no one elses business.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
Rule #5 wrote:lostboysaint wrote:Rule #5 wrote:Hey Tashman stop the hate! It is what it is: fast and comfortable. Re saddle position. Doesn't hurt knees at all - makes the upper arms and shoulders work a bit more. Which is ok with me. Found an interesting discussion about this from a forum you guys may have heard of.
viewtopic.php?t=12693342
And that says the same - if you're having to do that then it's the wrong saddle. You need to work with a bike shop and trial a few. It'll transform your cycling.
Done it over and over. Trialed dozens of saddles. Thanks. Best solution for me is what you see. Very happy doing what I do. Should have only posted pic of the bikes without the saddle - as I did in the second post of this thread. The saddle thing gets very old. As I said it works for me. My arms don't hurt, my knees don't hurt, my twig and berries work fine. I ride a lot and love it. Where exactly is the problem?
as 5 said - his bike, the saddle works fine for him.
horses/courses fellas.Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
thought I'd post a follow up = as I initially mentioned, I switched to Full Dura Ace mech groupset and Roval 32 wheels. The tires are specialized cotton 26mm clinchers (wanted to try them too - supposedly very compliant and the rims can be rigged for tubeless riding and low inflation pressures) . Biggest difference IS the wheels - the rovals replaced hyperons and the new ones feel far stiffer. Tires and wheels are much wider, as is all the rage. First few rides they do feel fast, tho its weird to look down and see the tires so wide. Dura Ace brakes also with the improved brake track on the new rims are a definite improvement over the Campy brakes and rimes. Bike weight is exactly the same. Anyway since frame is the same, the bike feels dialed in and I'm ready for some serious miles - if only the weather would cooperate. C'mon Spring!
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