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Knocking their very own Spezia road frame off the top-step, Litespeed roll out a new “World’s Lightest” titanium road bike with the $6,499 USD Coll Dells Reiss.
Quick Hits: Nine Things to Know About the Litespeed Coll Dels Reis
- Claimed to be the World’s Lightest Titanium Road Bike
- Intention: Climbing
- Claimed frame weight: 948 grams (medium)
- Aerospace grade 3AL/2.5V custom-butted titanium tubeset
- Butting profiles are frame size-specific
- Tire clearance: 700c x 35mm
- Rider weight limit: 85 kg (187 lbs)
- Price: $6,499 frame only / $16,500 complete bike
- Available in 6 sizes – XS-XL
- Lifetime warranty
- More info: litespeed.com
With a claimed weight of just 948 grams (medium), the Coll Dels Reiss is around 197 grams lighter than the Spezia, the former claimant to “World’s Lightest” Ti road bike. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that is a significant margin. The percentage difference? 17%.
In the words of the famous Glesga Nature gals, “How, how?”.
With a rider weight limit, of course. While the 1,145 gram Spezia has no specific rider weight limit, that of the Coll Dels Reiss is just 85 kg (187 lbs) – well under the weight of the average American male. Still, just like all the bikes from Litespeed, this one is sold with a lifetime warranty.
Litespeed is using an aerospace grade titanium (what else), carefully tuning the wall thicknesses down the length of each tube to curate the strength and stiffness to the desired characteristic, while keeping weight to a minimum.
On their journey to producing the world’s lightest titanium road frame, Litespeed say they undertook considerable research on alternative manufacturing techniques, like 3D printing, as well as a long hard look at their processes, tolerances, and assembly techniques. However, they say they came up with no better manufacturing method than the current proprietary methods they employ for all their titanium frames.
The more realistic weight of the Coll Dels Reiss considers the addition of its T47i threaded BB, UDH hanger and welded titanium head badge; it then tips the scales at a claimed 1,049 grams. Still, record-breaking. You can reduce that by 69 grams by switching out the BB for a BSA SuperLight threaded option, and a further 35 grams with the Litespeed Ti SL dropout.
Other important frameset details:
- Internal cable-routing
- ENVE Road IN-Route fork
- Chris King AeroSet headset
- CNC two-piece shell disc brake mount
- 31.6mm seatpost
- 44mm headtube
It’s worth pointing out that 948 grams is still quite heavy when you remember that carbon road frames also exist. Plucking one at random: the Giant Propel Advanced SL weighs a claimed 845 grams. On the lighter end of the scale is the Schmolke Leggerissima weighing just 750 grams. I appreciate that titanium offers a distinct ride quality from carbon, but it’s always nice to put these things into context.
Allegedly, one can see – perhaps even pick up – the Coll Dels Reiss in person this weekend at Mid South Gravel.
Gallery
More info: litespeed.com
