Build Details
I have had a bicycle in all common materials except Ti and had a chance to purchase an old Litespeed frame in Ti-3Al-2.5V. The catch was that the headstock had ceased into the frame completely – the aluminum post was nearly welded to the frame and the concern was it wouldn’t ever part. No other parts besides the frame and frozen forks were included in the deal.
After heat, lubricants and pounding I was able to break the parts free from the frame. With a little scotchbrite and elbow grease, the frame cleaned up very well for being 25 years old.
The bike had to be fitted up a new fork, handlebars, brakes, shifters, wheels bottom bracket, seat and seat tube. I chose a Frankenstein build based on available parts. I spent a little extra on the brooks leather saddle and had the rear wheel laced with an eccentric spindle so I could go single speed (I have since added a cassette wheel and shifter).
From here, I spun off several other bike builds – see below.
