Buying a repaired Litespeed?

[deaddog]

I'm looking at a 2004 Blue Ridge that developed a crack in the bottom of the headtube/downtube weld last year. Litespeed cut out the old (integrated) head tube and replaced with a new (non-integrated) head tube. No known reason for the crack.

Would that crack/repair make you wary of buying the bike? Seller says it is a net plus because you have a new non-integrated head tube with fresh welds and - he presumes but doesn't know - that Litespeed would have fully inspected all of the welds during the repair.

The bike is not a screaming deal, by any stretch, but it fits the profile of what I've been looking for.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

[bargainguy]

Repaired by its parents? More reassuring than third party repairs IMO. Did the present owner mention if the work now carries its own warranty?

[dave thompson]

Wait. Bide your time. Something better, more perfect for you, will come along.

[giordana93]

A ten year old frame with a fixed crack better be a screaming deal to even remotely merit a look. A better deal will come along.

[Black Dog]

Why not get it? The repair will be As good as new. That is essentially what the head tube is. If you like the bike and it is within your budget then get it. The failure rate is low to begin with and the odds that there is another weld on the bike that will fail is very low. At least you know the history of this bike. You may not for the next one.

[deaddog]

You guys are like the wise angel on my shoulder overcoming the devil of immediate gratification! Tough to find a titanium, slack geometry cyclocross or touring that takes wider tires for mixed surface trails - for under $2K - but I'll keep looking.

WRT warranty, LS gives lifetime on frame and repair but only to original owner - so, effectively, no warranty.

[R2D2]

Price?

[deaddog]

Thinking I can get it for $2K with SRAM Force

[dave thompson]

Thinking I can get it for $2K with SRAM Force

Way too much. Patience grasshopper.

[avalonracing]

Thinking I can get it for $2K with SRAM Force

Yeah, I would say it is overpriced by more than $1000.

[Ken Robb]

I usually want a triple on a touring/rough road bike so that pretty much eliminates SRAM for me though I enjoy a compact 50x34 on my Strada Bianca.

[pbarry]

Yep, as others have said, way too much coin for that bike, (though it's better/improved now). Keep looking.

[jtakeda]

Wayyyy too much. Pass

[lhuerta]

yeah, i would say it is overpriced by more than $1000.

+1

[rice rocket]

Litespeed is building disc CX bikes for 2014.

http://team.sixcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Litespeed-CX-Bike-2000-1850x1199.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

I'm looking at a 2004 Blue Ridge that developed a crack in the bottom of the headtube/downtube weld last year. Litespeed cut out the old (integrated) head tube and replaced with a new (non-integrated) head tube. No known reason for the crack.

Would that crack/repair make you wary of buying the bike? Seller says it is a net plus because you have a new non-integrated head tube with fresh welds and - he presumes but doesn't know - that Litespeed would have fully inspected all of the welds during the repair.

The bike is not a screaming deal, by any stretch, but it fits the profile of what I've been looking for.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

Well, they probably 'fully inspected the welds', during initial manufacture also.

Unless it was dirt cheap, I'd stay away.

[oldpotatoe]

You guys are like the wise angel on my shoulder overcoming the devil of immediate gratification! Tough to find a titanium, slack geometry cyclocross or touring that takes wider tires for mixed surface trails - for under $2K - but I'll keep looking.

WRT warranty, LS gives lifetime on frame and repair but only to original owner - so, effectively, no warranty.

http://www.habcycles.com/cross.html

[eddief]

can design you a new custom:

http://www.carverbikes.com/frames/custom-ti