Litespeed Ghisallo or Cerv茅lo R3 SL ?

I want a bike that is fast, light and can deliver a punch when climbing hills! To my mind, both of these bikes can do that but the skinny chainstays on the Litespeed are at odds with claims made by Cerv茅lo! If the truth be known I would prefer Titanium but the design just looks dated.

Anyone have any thoughts on this??

(please don't suggest Treks, Schwinns or Triples, - thanks!)

I'm sure you've already perused road bike review.com.
I checked there as I recalled reading that the Ghisallo was very light but rather flexy. I don't want titanuimites to be pissed at me for improper reporting. Here's an excerpt on the Ghisallo: "I have experinece high speed wobble with this bike if I am cruising down hills over 35mph. Known as the death wobble, that is what it feels like. I have heard this from other Ghisallo riders too. The manufaturer is not sure as to why, but they seem to be concerned and searching for an answer."
My initial bias toward the Cervelo was confirmed by the reviews I read there. I don't live anywhere near a mountain but I aspire to own a Cervelo someday that will inspire me to travel to the Alps. Until they make something better the R3-SL looks like it would be the bike to have.
Then when I get old I'll buy a titanium bike.
I'm confused by your comment about the skinny chainstays. Did you mean seat stays? I thought the R3 chainstays were rather substantial.

the titanium looks outdated because it looks more like an old steel bike, but titanium is equal to carbon in many ways. it really becomes a personal preference more than anything.

climbing is one time when weight really counts. what i would do is compare weights on the two, especially the wheels. ultimately that would be the decider for me. i would go with the lightest if i wanted the best climber.

Those are both sweetness! I think if you're after climbing prowess, the Cervelo is probably the better choice but it's a hefty price to pay. They're a great company and have really come a long way (I guess Litespeed has, too, honestly). The Cervelo frame is superb.

The Ghisallo is awesome, too, but unless this frame is radically different, you may not appreciate the slight flex that titanium usually brings. It's designed very well, but I'd guess you'll still feel some flex. Some people like flex, some hate it. Personally, I don't mind it.....it helps in other areas of riding and the "performance loss" is so minimal that it's almost a non-issue. Carbon designs are inherently sexy, but titanium is a great frame material and I wouldn't let the "outdated" appearance sway you much.

The bottom bracket is lower on the Cervelo, which might be nice if you have some twisty downhills (and if you don't pedal through bumpy corners a la Paris-Roubaix).

both are a bit out of my league as of yet, but for staying power id have to go with the litespeed, itll last you longer and will not gain the flex that carbon gains after years of abuse. beyond that the cervelo is cerainly the "sexier" of the 2.

I have a Titanium Merlin and a cabon Colnago, my suggestion would be to ride both and see if you can live with the slight dead feeling of the carbon versus the feel of the titanium. Other than the feel of the road both bikes would climb like a bat out of he** it would just depend on your preference in how they ride. Most good bike shops will let you take them for a spin before you buy them so take advantage of it.


As far as the dated look goes there is no dated look of classic geometry there is a reason big makers stick with that "look" it is beacuse it works.

i like steel, but out of your choices the cervelo has much more "bling" factor, and is probably a better race/fast bike.

I am a loyal Litespeed owner. TI is the best. The Ghisallo is an awesome frame. Great stiffness to weight ratio, great for climbing and hello...titanium lasts FOREVER!!! If you are going to spend this much for a bike don't you want to know that you will get a lifetime out of it (even if you crash it, which I hope you never do).

Mr.G is shopping. YES! Someone who knows what they want for a change. (no Schwinn Peloton suggestions, OK?)

I have a fellow cyclist in our group that has the Lightspeed with Ultegra group. You talk about a fast climber! I rode the bike once to help diagnose a shifting problem (10 speed cassette with 9 speed shifters were the final diagnosis -- a problem of the local bike shop that assembled it for him), but what a responsive bike.

I would love to be in your shoes buying a Titanium bike, espically the Lightspeed. Did you read this from their web site: "This is not a bike for mere mortals. Indeed, you might not be ready for this much performance."
I know it is marketing, but once you ride one you tend to believe it.

Cervelo r3, it's the stiffest bike I've ever rode. carbon may degrade but not during the course of your racing career. and when it's time to upgrade, the cervelo would probalbly sell for more. afterall, people can't resist the brand and the sex appeal. if you want punch climbing hills: SPLURGE on wheels. zipp 303 or neuvation c38.

The R3 is better for climbing. If you have rough roads, and most of us do, then the R3 will have a smoother ride. The Cervelo lines are made different than other bikes in that they fit the bike to the rider and not to the frame geometry. Therefore, you get better control due to the proportion of the top tube and the seat tube. It's complicated but overall better fit, I think. Titanium is dated but some of my cycling buds swear by them. I'm waiting for magnesium. Should be next. The only downside to the R3 is the $$$

Cerv茅lo R3 SL is a great bike. I鈥檓 not sure about the Italian design, as you are likely to spend quite a lot of money on it. I ride a 鈥淭rek Madone 4.5 WSD鈥?& it performs well.