Although carbon is the dominant high-end bicycle frame and component choice these days, titanium is still a coveted material and Litespeed showed a few new offerings at the 2015 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas. Among them were the light T1SL road frame and the Ku-wa adventure cycling model.
Litespeed T1SL
The T1SL frame is 15% lighter than the original T1 and landed just above the 1,000 gram threshold. The goal was to reduce weight but make it a frame that can be raced by everyone, and not only for very experienced riders. It also features a 6Al-4V, multi-faceted top tube and a clever solution for an internal Di2 routing which easily converts to external mechanical routing.
"We brought the weight to the 1kg threshold without diminishing the original T1's carbon-like stiffness. This is the lightest "Everyman" ti production race bike. Where in years past we've created superlight frames that were made for select riders on specific days (mountain top finishes), this bike has no limits. It's the best race bike we've ever produced and can be spec'd to or below UCI weight minimum with perfectly tuned performance," said chief engineer Brad DeVaney.
The cable guides at the head tube are not welded as it is typical, rather they are screwed in place on the Litespeed T1SL, and when they are removed that is where the Shimano Di2 cables will go in.
The T1SL, along with the other titanium offerings of Litespeed, is hand crafted in the USA.
Litespeed Ku-wa
The adventure cycling category is a growing market and this is where the new Litespeed Ku-wa comes in. Ku-wa is the Cherokee term for Mulberry and pays respect to Mulberry Gap, located in North Georgia, not far from the Litespeed facility.
"The Adventure Cycling category has brought new uses and customization of specification, requiring a fresh design capable of more build options. Fast gravel pursuits allow the bike to be setup with a rigid carbon fork and your choice of the many 700c tire and wheel combos on the market. For more aggressive woods trekking, build 27.5" tires up to 2.3" wide and a suspension fork. Flat bar? Drop bar? Your choice. Bike packing? Perfect. The customer can opt for custom rack brazen-ons or leave the frame "clean" for a more contemporary Velcro baggage system," added DeVaney.
According to Litespeed, the Ku-wa features the industry's first all-road application of Shimano's flat mount brake standard.
Yup, it is called Ku-Wa and likely there will not be another product in the cycling industry with that name.
The Ku-wa is ready for Di2 too, but is handled here as with the other off-road frames. Cable housing runs full length to keep the drivetrain clean and plugs cover the Di2 routing opening.
The Ku-wa will be offered in sizes XS, S, M and L and retails for $2,400. It is available right now.
