Whilst I’ve got two spare frames I thought I’d put up a small thread on the differences between the two.
I’ve seen many Lightning passed off as a Xizang over the years so maybe in the future this might help someone ID what they have.
Lightnings are often seen as the poor brother to the Xizang but are in fact rarer due to them only being produced 97/98. However they aren’t quite as nicely finished as a Xizang that is true.
So I’ll compare a 97 Xizang and a 98 Lightning. (Lightnings were the same 97/98 both in 18 inch
Weight - The Lightning is 1700g. The pictured Xizang is 1570g but is missing its brake studs and decals. I did weigh my other 97 Xizang before building it last year and that was 1620g inc bosses and decals. So the Xizang is slightly lighter.
End caps - The Xizang has just the GT logo , as the Lightning has the Ti grade too. Personally I like both but I guess the Lightning is slightly cooler.
Brake bosses - Xizang has the small disc which is held in place by the boss. The lighting is a normal style.
Canti mount loop thingy - Xizang has the bracket to use a canti. Lightning doesn’t.
Dropouts look identical.
Cable stops are in a different position on top tube
Headtube - Lightning is butted.
Lightning has shaped stays on the inner and outer. As the Xizang is normal.
I’ve seen many Lightning passed off as a Xizang over the years so maybe in the future this might help someone ID what they have.
Lightnings are often seen as the poor brother to the Xizang but are in fact rarer due to them only being produced 97/98. However they aren’t quite as nicely finished as a Xizang that is true.
So I’ll compare a 97 Xizang and a 98 Lightning. (Lightnings were the same 97/98 both in 18 inch
Weight - The Lightning is 1700g. The pictured Xizang is 1570g but is missing its brake studs and decals. I did weigh my other 97 Xizang before building it last year and that was 1620g inc bosses and decals. So the Xizang is slightly lighter.
End caps - The Xizang has just the GT logo , as the Lightning has the Ti grade too. Personally I like both but I guess the Lightning is slightly cooler.
Brake bosses - Xizang has the small disc which is held in place by the boss. The lighting is a normal style.
Canti mount loop thingy - Xizang has the bracket to use a canti. Lightning doesn’t.
Dropouts look identical.
Cable stops are in a different position on top tube
Headtube - Lightning is butted.
Lightning has shaped stays on the inner and outer. As the Xizang is normal.
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