{"id":261,"date":"2017-02-08T18:52:36","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T18:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ridelikeaturtle.com\/sport\/?p=261"},"modified":"2025-11-21T00:37:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T23:37:17","slug":"my-new-titanium-top-dog-1997-litespeed-catalyst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ridelikeaturtle.com\/sport\/my-new-titanium-top-dog-1997-litespeed-catalyst\/","title":{"rendered":"My New Titanium “Top Dog”: 1997 Litespeed Catalyst"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"2017-06-04<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Now I have\u00a0finally got around to\u00a0riding road bikes of different materials – aluminium, steel, and titanium; no carbon bike yet for me! – I’ve come to realize how spoiled I have been with the Bianchi Ti Megatube. As that was only my second road bike (the first being a very respectable steel Wheeler Desenzano with Shimano 105), and having it for so long, I really didn’t understand nor appreciate what I was experiencing with titanium, and especially as that model was the pinnacle (or very close to it) of Bianchi’s 1996 range. What, not every bike has Campagnolo “Record” components?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, after getting back into cycling after several years and quickly going through a Scott Speedster 50 (aluminium), then onto a Bianchi M Alloy Pro (aluminium), then building up an old Bianchi Sprint 76 (steel) for fun and feeling the difference, I have come to appreciate the softer, more compliant materials. While I like the “zip” of aluminium, I like the “smooth” of steel even more. Must be my age…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titanium: the best of both worlds? In a word, yes<\/em>. The Bianchi Ti Megatube is just so nice to be on. That provided me with the inspiration for the next project, and so the search for a titanium frame began.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Catalyst<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After several weeks of searching, one popped up on eBay in Monterrey, California. After a long time watching it, with the listing timing out and being relisted a few times, the price slowly coming down, and finally a “make offer” button being added, I negotiated a good price – and a very good price<\/em> when considering the carbon fork and Campagnolo Chorus headset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks later, in the January online sales, I found a “winter wheelset” deal on Campagnolo Vento wheels that included Continental Gatorskin tyres and tubes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, a few more weeks pass, and a slightly-used Campagnolo Veloce 10-speed groupset, including a 12-25t cassette, came up for sale on eBay. I set my limit and stuck to it, and ended up with a fantastic groupset in silver, for a “Shimano-in-black” price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, I had been seeking out the finishing bits, such as the stem, seatpost, bars, cables & housing, pedals etc. (I had a new saddle already, and bar tape.) It all came together quite quickly really – sometimes you can just get lucky with auction sites!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Veloce<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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First impressions: light and <\/em>smooth.<\/em> It fits.<\/em> It reminded me of the 59cm State Bicycle Co. fixie I recently sold, it feels that solid, but of course about a million times lighter. In fact, as light as an aluminium bike, but as smooth as a steel bike. Maybe 57cm is just a little too small for me, and 59cm is perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think this will be one to keep. It’s not quite as nice as the Bianchi Ti Megatube… but I’d like to ride them back-to-back to be sure how different they are. Unfortunately I don’t think that’ll ever happen, with the Megatube being in France. For now I’m very happy with it, and won’t feel bad about advertising the Bianchi M Alloy Pro for sale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

   Now I have\u00a0finally got around to\u00a0riding road bikes of different materials – aluminium, steel, and titanium; no carbon bike yet for me! – I’ve come to realize how spoiled I have been with the Bianchi Ti Megatube. As that was only my second road bike (the first being a very respectable steel Wheeler Desenzano<\/p>\n

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