Litespeed Siena

Details
Category: Custom Projects
Published on Friday, 30 December 2011 19:51
Written by Administrator
Hits: 12223

Taking a 19 pound, 6 year old bike down to a 15 pound titanium racing machine


2004 Siena Litespeed rebuild
Click Image To Enlarge

Component list
2004 Litespeed Siena titanium frame with carbon seat stays and fork
Full Easton EC90 carbon cockpit including crank
Easton EA90 SLX Wheel set
KCNC Super light Brakes
Sram Red drive train and shifters
KMC lightweight chain
Exustar carbon and titanium pedals
RavX  super light skewers, saddle, and computer
Vittoria Rubino Pro training tires with Kenda light tubes
Vittoria Diamonte Pro racing tires with Panaracer super light tubes


I purchased this bike new, about 6 months ago. The bike is a 2004 model that was a store left over. The bike had Mavic Ksyrium wheels and a 3T cockpit. The drive train, brakes and shifters were Shimano Ultegra. The bike weighed in at a hefty 20 lbs 5 oz. By today standards the thing was a tank. I wanted to see if I could get the weight down to around fifteen pounds using up to date components. I did a lot of research on cost verses weight. The listed components were the lightest and best performing I could afford. As I was building the bike I noticed the weight dropping, especially when I got to the Easton wheel set. In the end, I beat my target weight, coming in at 15 lbs 0 oz.

The bike is very fast and the new components work flawlessly. The bike rides very smooth and the handling is superb. There is a very noticeable difference from the bike I purchased and the one I built. All the bearings on the bike are ceramic hybrid. The rolling resistance is low on these bearings and it is definitely noticeable. The Sram Red shifters and drive train make shifting fast, smooth and accurate. The wheel set is the one thing that has made the biggest difference in how the bike performs. The wheels are light, stiff and fast rolling. I recommend upgrading the wheel set first. It is where you get the most bangs for the buck. The crank and all the carbon components are light and stiff with good vibration dampening characteristics.  Please be advised if you are upgrading a nine-speed system to ten-speed you will have to replace all drive train components and the shifters, as they are not interchangeable. I am very pleased with the end result a great riding bike that is technically up to date.

If you have a frame that fit and you enjoy, consider upgrading components. New frames are expensive and may stop you from getting a new bike. Update and build the bike of your dreams.  I highly recommend letting the staff at Alpine bikes assist you with component selection and compatibility issues. Their staff is very knowledgeable and ride the products they sell.