Litespeed is one of the oldest and most venerable brands in cycling with their iconic American titanium frames handmade in Chattanooga, Tennessee handwelded by titanium specialists under argon gas from aircraft grade titanium tubes to create some of the most beautiful and sought-after titanium bikes in the world! Adorned with the Litespeed crest, these bicycles are a classic piece for both the cyclists' den and on any paved road. As expected of some of the most admired titanium bikes, these frames are made to last more than a lifetime, and they are timeless pieces that will always draw compliments every time they enter a bike shop or catch the eye of an avid cycling enthusiast.

With 17 Tour de France stage victories in a single year under Robbie McEwen of the Lotto-Adecco Team, the Litespeed Vortex was made as the apex bicycle in Litespeed's lineup, more expensive and lavish than even the Litespeed Ultimate. This is because while every other Litespeed model, as well as the vast majority of titanium bikes out there, use the more common and accessible 3AL/2.5V titanium, the Vortex uses only 6AL/4V titanium, which is stronger and stiffer for better power transfer and damage resistance, but much more expensive to come by and requires much much higher stringency and mastery to shape and weld. And to this end, the Litespeed Vortex is considered by many to be the King of Titanium Race Bikes.

The Vortex was designed to be a master of all paved road racing, emphasizing overall riding experience and readiness as opposed to specializing in any one aspect (such as sprinting, endurance, climbing, aerodynamics, etc...) at the expense of others. Here is a $8K+ Litespeed Vortex titanium road bike mated to a carbon fiber Easton EC90SLX fork running on a Tour de France winning Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 2x10 speed drivetrain (crankset further upgraded to Dura-Ace 7900) rolling on French handmade Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL 700C wheels with aerodynamic bladed spokes wrapped in like new (manufacturing middle seam still visible) Italian Vittoria Rubino Pro Clincher tires. Nothing was neglected in this ultra classy build as the saddle is Prologo c.one50 carbon fiber, handlebars are FSA internally routed carbon wing, the headset is the infamously smooth and long-lasting Chris King, and the seatpost+stem are Pinarello's MOST/TigerMax carbon fiber! Even the quick release are Carbon-Ti superlight and dust caps on the Dura-Ace shifters were upgraded to carbon, which is something that only a person who is truly obsessed with his bike would do! Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 is legendary, considered by many to be the OG groupset of cycling, the perfect equipment after which all Shimano groupsets were unnecessary because it was simply perfect in all that a groupset had to do, and had absolutely no unneeded fillers. This groupset was released during the golden age of Lance Armstrong and it had the honor of adorning many of his Tour de France steeds. To those who don't chase down the most expensive newest cycling gadgets, this is the ultimate groupset that oozes cycling class! And matching the steely veneer of the groupset are the silver bladed Ksyrium SSC SL wheels which represent the gold standard for alloy wheelsets to most competitive cyclists, built by Mavic, the biggest name in quality cycling wheels in the world. The SSC tag stands for, "Special Service Course" and is given to only the most top of the line racing wheels that Mavic makes.

The result of all that effort is a bike that weighs just 15.19 pounds as pictured, which is what a $7-8K carbon road bike usually weighs at the bike store and barely race-legal over the 15 pound minimal limit for racing bikes at any UCI sanctioned event like the Tour de France. Having owned several titanium road bikes before including the notorious Moots Vamoots, the Vortex is by far the lightest and most most imposing titanium racer I have ever ridden. It is a size 55cm ML and I'd expect a rider of around 5'7"-6'1" to fit this bike depending on personal preference, body proportions and configuration of parts. This is a featherweight racing machine that also happens to be a classy OG titanium superbike that serves as an everlasting conversation piece and a source of cycling pride! Also great as a head-turning and fast commuter. Hills are effortless with 20 smooth and reliable Shimano gears on a super light build. Everything works perfectly and looks as new, and as is expected with titanium, if it ever does take a beating, just wipe it down clean, order a new set of stickers from Litespeed and you'll have it looking like new again!

The MSRP on the 2007 Litespeed Vortex with Dura-Ace build was $7,800 plus tax (which is $8,424 at 8%). The stock wheels are Fulcrum Racing Ones, which are basically a straight trade for the Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs even though the Fulcrums were heavier by a bit. The upgrades to the seatpost, saddle, headset, cockpit, crankset, etc... are a few hundred more more but for simplicity, I won't bother to add them. Selling for just $2,200 for a timeless bike that not only rides like new but also instandly makes you the center of attention in every cycling crowd.

Litespeed Vortex (Dura-Ace build) MSRP $7,800+tax=$8,424 (See pic)

As of now, the only Litespeed Vortex listed on eBay is a much older version with much older components for $4K before taxes:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115969666768

A bare frame without even the fork or seatpost sells for $2,295 and that's on sale from $4,499 plus tax:

http://www.theoldbikeshop.com/bikes/litespeed-vortex/

Professional Review of the Litespeed Vortex:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/comment/icons-cycling-litespeed-vortex-311140

"Icons of cycling: Litespeed Vortex

Litespeed was so confident in its bikes’ performance, sizing and build quality that the majority it supplied to the 26 riders on the squad were off the shelf and in stock sizes. McEwen’s Vortex was a standard 53cm.

The Vortex was the main bike and was made from the lightest and stiffest grade of titanium, 6Al/4V.

Litespeed’s tube shapes were, it said, ‘geometrically enhanced’. The Vortex had a 10-sided seat tube, a diamond-shaped top tube and teardrop-shaped chainstays.

It was incredibly sophisticated and could only be produced, as Litespeed pointed out, by people who had been custom fabricating titanium for 40 years. And with its gleaming Dura-Ace 7700 groupset it was the best-looking bike in the peloton."

Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 Groupset Review:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/icons-cycling-shimano-dura-ace-7800-234815

"Shimano Dura-Ace 7800: The Japanese firm’s Tour de France-winning groupset embodied the Armstrong era

Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 was a hard act to follow, and when 7900 arrived in 2009 it got a lukewarm response.

For many, the high-sheen 10-speed Dura-Ace was the most striking looking and best-performing groupset of the pre-carbon, pre-Di2 era — power dressing for bikes in the most notorious yet arguably most spectacular decade in cycling."

Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL Wheelset Review:

https://products.roadbikereview.com/product/wheels/wheelsets/mavic/ksyrium-sl-411244.html

"These wheels saw 5-9k/year for five years, about 4k total thereafter - STILL GOING.

Went through other brands of wheels while the SL's live forever: Alex broke spokes and ultimately the hub; Zipp 303 developed waves in braking; Zipp 404 permanently damaged on a typical pinch-flat pothole; Velocity/Shimano eventually lost hub integrity. Despite wear, still trust these more at 40-53 mph than others in my stable; even have a second pair that wait patiently for the others to fail. Never out of true or broken despite use in rain, northern crap roads, and four or so crashes"

"Went through pot holes, loose gravel roads, a few crashes, sun and a lot of rain then ended up at a beach in Seattle. Still spinning, quiet, tight hub and most importantly, still damn true. The wheel climbs well when i took it up some mountain passes and accelerates real well for a 1500~g wheelset. Control is very sturdy coming down 10-15 miles of descent, no shake whatsoever. Braking surface is pretty wide and tacky."

"I wasn't looking for the flashiest, lightest, aero, blah blah blah. Well, this wheelset is both, as well as plenty durable. They've taken quite a few last second "oh s***!" surprise potholes and nary a whimper. I bought the notubes kit and converted tubeless, and I have yet to get a flat since doing this almost two years ago (knock on wood!). The initial sticker shock is my only complaint, but compared to the entire road wheel market out they're reasonable."

"I've had a lot of wheels at this point. Aksiums, elite's, ritchey, custom, etc. These wheels are really amazing. They ride a bit harsh, but they spin forever. They REALLY do make you faster. I went through a number of pot holes, but they keep going without a problem."

"I did the Marin Century on them this year and the were really comfortable, rolled fast and cornered like the bike was on rails. I am 6ft and weight 235lbs. These wheels stay true I really like them."