I've owned more modern frames that came close, and older frames that didn't, but this 95(?) Litespeed Catalyst feels like I control it telepathically!
Anyone else ever rode a bike that made them feel this way?
How does one ensure a modern/newer bike elicits the same feeling and control?
by ASAP_Gutzy
9 Comments
It’s very personal. There’s no real way to ensure the next one feels the same. My advice, stay with it if it works for you. Upgrade components as they wear out but there’s nothing wrong with what you’ve got!
My new Crux feels the way you describe. It fits me so perfectly and is just the right balance between stiff and twitchy race bike and comfortable, compliant and light.
For me it comes down to geometry. I would try to find something that matches dimensions exactly. Your bike also seems like it has a very uncomfortable hoods position and forward rotation of your bars. But if that feels amazing for you try to mimic everything on a modern bike.
Doesn’t sound like you have any reason to change.
I have an old CAAD9 I enjoy riding much more than my much newer emonda SLR. I love them both but I never hesitate to take my C9 on longs rides
That is a forever bike. What would you want from a newer bike? Everything on it can be updated while keeping the geometry the same, even new handlebars if you wanted to. I have a ’97 litespeed and I used an innicycle adapter to put modern stems and handlebars on it. I upgraded the group to 11speed ultegra, and the wheels are next. There is no reason to replace this frame unless you just want to
I felt the same when when I sat on my 01 Lemond Zurich. Still riding it today.
Funny you ask, I got a 1994 Litespeed to replace my 1989 Miyata and despite being technically nicer in every single respect, I still ***LOVE*** my Miyata and will never part with it. Recently I pulled the pedals off the Litespeed and put them back on the Miyata… To me the M is exactly like you described, it feels like I can handle it telepathically. It will do anything I ask it to do
This is how I feel on my trail bike. Every once in a while I think about an upgrade, but then ask myself why? Soon as I sit on it, I remember just how it feels and performs.
My XC bike is great, but no attachment. My gravel bike is fine, mostly good for commuting.
My last road bike also felt amazing. At some point I looked into updating the wheels to go tubeless and considered the cost to price ratio and just decided to retire it. Fortunately, I feel the same on the new bike, with the benefits of all the updated tech I wanted. Now the old bike is becoming wall art in the living room 😂
I have a Vortex of the same era (late 90s). The frame is outstanding to this day.
To answer your question more specifically, I did a few things to update my Vortex:
1) Dura Ace 9000 groupset with a King bottom bracket. Keeps the aesthetics of the silver 1990s accents but provides 11-speed performance.
2) Modern FSA cockpit (40cm K Force Lite bar) with an SMP Dynamic saddle and Fizik bar tape. The stem is a 0-degree x 100mm Seven titanium stem that matches the look very well. There’s a shim in there to allow for a 1 1/8″ stem to work with a 1″ steerer tube.
3) ENVE SES 4.5 wheelset on DT 240 hubs. Conti tires (28mm front, 25mm back)
https://preview.redd.it/c6yoqrllhcaf1.jpeg?width=1797&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04fab8114b8e95940541e3298bdaed5e580d5807
The hard part in your case will be your fork. You can replace the headset with a threadless 1″ like the King one I have. And you can find Reynolds or similar quality 1″ steerer tube forks. But they are both hard to come by.
Everything else is more or less modern-ish, 11 speed componentry. The biggest upgrade in feel comes from the bar and shifters. Compact geometry bars and modern shifters feel very different than classic bars.
Performance wise, modern wheels and tires are where most of the speed will come from. You’ll save about 2-3 lbs. going a carbon bar and seatpost, and to a newer groupset.
Message me if you have questions — I love this build because it’s both retro and actually as fast as I think it should be. It’s like meeting your hero and going, “They really are as amazing as I thought.”