Why are Litespeeds so cheap?

[Anthony]

This is a 1996 Obed with some decent kit sold for £330 posted.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LITESPEED-OBE ... 1054809794

OK, the fork is crummy and that and the back-to-front seat post weren't doing it any favours looks-wise in this auction. And he would have done much better to split it. But most brands of ti frame would make that much just for the frame only. Even brands that Litespeed built - say a Marin Ultimate, would make that much or more for a frame. It's not a one-off either, it's a typical price. I don't get it.

 

[gtRTSdh]

Gutted I would have loved that. No idea why so cheap, lack of nostalgia factor, lack of racing pedigree?

 

[Rod_Saetan]

I don't think 'cheap' is the right term, perhaps good value for money, I had a Lookout Mtn, it was a good bike, better made and livelier than my Hei Hei was (although about 8 years separated them).

 

[ishaw]

I think that's one example of a bargain. Full bikes generally go for less than you'd expect, frames more than you'd Like. In the middle of last year I paid much more than that full bike sold for, just for a lite speed obed FS frame, though it is nos as far as I can tell.

Time of year will also have contributed to the price that one went for, as will the spec as it isn't that great.

I think lite speeds are excellent bikes personally, I think there was a similar thread yours, no love for lite speed or something that might shed some light?

 

[suburbanreuben]

A litespeed with jump forks and funny angled saddle..?
No thanks.

 

[JeRkY]

Indeed, highlighting one example of a bike that wasn't exactly advertised at its best isn't a great way to evidence your theory that the brand is generally cheap to buy second hand.

To increase your studies sample size, I paid £700 for my XTR equipped 2000 LS. (and sold it to a colleague for £900, 6 months later)

 

[suburbanreuben]

Indeed, highlighting one example of a bike that wasn't exactly advertised at its best isn't a great way to evidence your theory that the brand is generally cheap to buy second hand.

To increase your studies sample size, I paid £700 for my XTR equipped 2000 LS. (and sold it to a colleague for £900, 6 months later)

Profiteering alert !!!

Rightly or wrongly they have a reputation for cracking.
If presented as a "normal" XC trail bike this example would doubtless have acheived a higher price. Looking at it as is though, you do wonder what its been used for, and the note of negativity by the buyer "No returns but I'll refund if you're not happy" , probably doesn't help.
It looks like a gamble, and flogging off the low rent componentry won't cover it.

 

[GT-Steve]

My obed rode beautifully, as did my mountain, and the Marin team Ti. Quality was no better or worse that the hei hei, Merlin or McMahon.

Never understood why there's less love for litey's there jolly spiffing and no more prone to fatigue than any other retro frame..

Best kept secret

This particular obed is built nasty, but at that price, it's the frame you're buying and ready to adorn with proper kit.

 

[hamster]

The later ones tended to crack after the Lynskeys sold out to ABG. The designers then tried to keep pace with carbon and under-built them. At the same time there may have been a lowering of quality standards. But the old frames like that 96 were well made and last.