Opener:

Since I did my last review of the Litespeed Ultimate Gravel order process and options I will not be including that in this review. Full disclosure I do not have this bike anymore because I went full steam ahead with disc and as you may know I now have the Ultimate Gravel. I have no plans to get rid of that bike anytime soon. I believe the design is pretty future proof for a few years. . When I purchased the T1SL (2016) things were starting to trend towards disc, but I sure didn’t anticipate the transition happening so fast. So here we are without a T1SL and I’m still going to review it.

Where it all started:

When the T1SL was released in summer of 2015 I was hooked because of the advertised weight of the frame (1000 grams). Eyeballing the standard T1 for years I just couldn’t pull the trigger because I thought it was too “heavy” because I still race and mostly enjoy climbing. I went to the World Championships in Richmond last in 2015 and Litespeed had a booth set up showcasing their bikes. It was there that I got to pick the brain of Head Designer and Engineer Brad Devaney. I had watched some videos with Brad being interviewed about their bikes over the years, but getting to speak with him in person was a treat. Unless you go custom, how often do you get to talk to the person who designed your bike? By talking with him it was obvious he has a passion for bikes and it was nice of him to take the time to talk. I left Richmond with a fresh catalog in hand and a wife who had to listen to me talk about it.

Ride and observations:

The bike is simply amazing to ride. I would not classify this bike as twitchy in any sort of way. My bike was a size Medium with a 54 top tube, 73 degree head tube and 73.5 degree seat tube angle. This geometry fit me perfectly and really that is the key to getting along with any bike. Compared to older titanium frames this is on the stiffer side, but nowhere near uncomfortable. Over the long haul you probably are not going to be as fatigued as a super stiff Aero bike and that in turn makes you faster in the end. When you are comfortable you are faster and having more fun.

Let’s go to the highlight reel:

Stable
Holds it’s line well in corners
Not quite the instant snap of a super stiff carbon bike, but there is a tradeoff there as well like I mentioned above.
To be titanium and so lightweight it really is incredible how much performance they can eek out of this frame
Handle’s century rides any pace you want
Handle’s crit races easily. The handling is spot on for anything
Descends beautifully and rails the corners all with no nervousness. I never experienced a speed wobble on this bike
Beautiful craftsmanship
Top tube shaping is very unique and eye catching. It’s made from 6/4.
Easily builds to sub 16lbs all in with pretty standard equipment.
Classic styling.

The last iteration was built with Campy Record 12 speed. As you see it ….. 15.62lbs. I will be doing a review on the wheels and components at some point.

6/4 Sheet formed into this tube. I have been to the factory before and to see all the machinery that is used to make the bikes was a cool experience. Where I work has a metal fabrication shop, but nothing like the setup they have at Litespeed. All o… — 6/4 Sheet formed into this tube. I have been to the factory before and to see all the machinery that is used to make the bikes was a cool experience. Where I work has a metal fabrication shop, but nothing like the setup they have at Litespeed. All of their dies are made in house.

If you decide to run electronic the guides that are on both sides of the head tube are easily removable making for a clean look. The decals are a little fragile, but they now have the etched logo option so problem solved.