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Litespeed Arenberg classic road bike returns more affordable and capable

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike
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Named after the Arenberg forest alongside the Paris-Roubaix course, the Litespeed Arenberg returns to the line with more approachable geometry and bigger tire clearance.

The frame is 3/2.5 titanium and made in their Tennessee factory. Compared to their racier bikes, the Arenberg’s head angle is ~0.5º slacker and the chainstays 5mm longer, giving it a bit more relaxed, stable ride over mixed roads. But, they say it’s still a solid climber and handler, too.

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike side view cropped in
2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike front angle

The model also adds disc brakes, and increases tire clearance to 35mm. They say it’s great for light gravel, which means it’s perfect for rough roads and dirt paths, or just all-day riding.

Cable routing remains outside the frame, but electronic shift wires and disc brake hoses run internally.

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike rear dropout closeup

Builds include:

  • Shimano 105 11-speed mech ($3,595)
  • Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed ($4,595)
  • Shimano Ultegra 11-speed mech ($TBA)
  • Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed ($5,595)

All bikes come with Shimano RS370 Disc, but they offer HED Ardennes RA and Vanquish RC4 wheel upgrades.

Note: As of this post, all four models are on a heavily discounted Winter Sale, some up to $1,100 off, plus free etched graphics.

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike front top

Stock, it uses a PFBB30, but you can upgrade to a T47 threaded bottom bracket. Other options include custom color anodization to replace the standard logo decals (which provide you with up to 9 color options as a starting point).

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike

A Chris King headset upgrade is available, too, as is a housemade titanium seatpost.

2023 litespeed arenberg disc brake titanium road bike

Framesets are also available for $1,695 (sale price, regularly $2,095).

Litespeed.com

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36 Comments
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luddite
luddite
1 year ago

Well done Lightspeed. A Ti 105 build for $3600 (3k in current sale) is a bargain these days.
Also providing the stack and reach most of us should be riding, rather than a poorly fitting World Tour geometry race bike that we’ll never be comfortable on.

JEREMY MOORE
JEREMY MOORE
1 year ago
Reply to  luddite

Mostly everyone can ride the bikes the big manufacturers are selling. A 7 degree angled up with a couple spacers is plenty for the bulk of the population. A 12 degree stem for people that need it will do too.

nooner
nooner
1 year ago

Anyone know the country of origin for these frames?

Grillis
Grillis
1 year ago
Reply to  nooner

It’s literally in the second sentence (3rd line).

Hino
Hino
1 year ago
Reply to  Grillis

Made in Tennssee. They have a rich history in biking related to the TDF and Olympians. I own a custom LS Watia gravel bike and it is rad.

JEREMY MOORE
JEREMY MOORE
1 year ago
Reply to  Hino

Yup and their bikes haven’t improved for decades

WhateverBikes
1 year ago
Reply to  JEREMY MOORE

LOL, what a nonsense reply. Just because they decided not to go the generic carbon route most other brands did, doesn’t mean development stood still. Regardless, there’s many reasons to love a relatively simple but well built, no frills titanium bike (that can still fit current day parts, mind you), and Litespeed chooses to cater to those who do just that.

Darin
Darin
11 months ago
Reply to  JEREMY MOORE

Read the article you are commenting on

Seraph
Seraph
1 year ago
Reply to  nooner

As stated in the article (right in the beginning too!): “The frame is 3/2.5 titanium and made in their Tennessee factory”.

Bob
Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  nooner

Says made in Tennessee. ‘Merica

Astro_Kraken
Astro_Kraken
1 year ago
Reply to  nooner

Not everyone knows where TN is and some of us wish we didn’t.

WhateverBikes
1 year ago
Reply to  Astro_Kraken

Oh please. It doesn’t exactly sound like a Taiwanese city now does it?

Charles
Charles
1 year ago
Reply to  Astro_Kraken

Go Gators

nooner
nooner
1 year ago
Reply to  nooner

WOW! That’s what i was hoping. This is an amazing value for pretty much a “forever” bike that rides like a dream. I love my Litespeed!

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago

Cool. I have a mid-90’s Classic. Many carbon and aluminum bikes have come and gone, the ti bike remains.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinger

I have a late 90s Classic. Still a great bike.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinger

I have a Seven with 200k miles on it. When I got it, carbon bikes only beat it out in weight. But now, nearly every carbon bike on the market is better in every way. My Seven was $12k in 2007. It’s now on permanent trainer duty. I just bought the cheapest Domane for under $5000 and it’s leaps and bounds better than my Seven.

WhateverBikes
1 year ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Define ‘better’.

Darin
Darin
11 months ago
Reply to  WhateverBikes

Even the new Domane has an issue with isospeed creaking and seatpost slipping. Pass

Wade D'Per
Wade D'Per
1 year ago

What does the bare frame weigh (56cm)?

Jason DW
Jason DW
1 year ago

That seems crazy cheap and made in America! If I had the cash l’d be all over this. Plus it looks awesome

Eric
Eric
1 year ago

Why on earth ate the seat stays higher that the top tube ant the junction? Looks hideous! No other bike manufacturer does this.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

Dropped seatstays are a relatively new style. The frame is a classic style making a return. Also, Ti bikes really don’t need the dropped stays for more compliance.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Dropped seatstays have been common for a decade. Also, ti bikes aren’t as compliant as carbon Endurance bikes. After getting my Domane, my Seven feels like an aluminum bike with aero tubes and wheels with 23mm tires

Eric
Eric
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Not getting what I am saying. This looks hedious. No one else does this! LItespeed claims this makes the bike more compliant.

B30B97FD-586E-4BB1-A6B0-D630E843B0E2.jpeg
WhateverBikes
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

My guess is people don’t get what you mean, because you are making a big fuss out of nothing. There have been plenty of brands that used this type of design, and I’m pretty sure there’s enough brands that still do.
Rocky Mountain mtb’s in the nineties are just one example, check the attached image.

It’s okay if you don’t like it of course, but acting as if this is some sort of crime against humanity is a bit weird.

rmmtb.jpeg
Johnny Howell
Johnny Howell
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

Yuk. The original 2000 model had gently curing seatstays that smoothed out bumpy pave (and NY City streets!)

Johnny Howell
Johnny Howell
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

That’s HIDEOUS Eric but get your point —- yes you are correct. Fugly! Look at older Arenbergs with the gorgeously swooping curved seatstays. Providing shock absorption along the cobbles with style.

Darin
Darin
11 months ago
Reply to  Eric

No. It doesn’t. It looks well designed and strong.

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric

I’ve seen this a lot over the years, some much more exaggerated than this. Never was very interested in why.

Douglas
Douglas
1 year ago

Ti has been my dream bike for the past 30 year’s. Even though the prices look good for the current climate, I still can’t afford them. I should have gone with the bikes direct version 13 year’s ago. But then I didn’t trust the direct to Consumer concept

Crevasse
Crevasse
1 year ago
Reply to  Douglas

Planet X has really good deals on titanium frames and bikes. About $100 to ship to US but no tax. Sign up for emails as they have sales all the time.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
1 year ago
Reply to  Douglas

Just buy a used bike for way less. As someone with a custom ti bike I loved for 200k miles, I also think they have little space in the world unless you’re touring. Carbon bikes are just so much better, including cheaper carbon bikes

Canopypilot
Canopypilot
3 months ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Hardly! Longevity is a key reason why so many people invest in titanium bikes. The frames will outlive you. Titanium is impervious to corrosion in almost all scenarios. It has an unparalleled tensile strength. And even in its bare essence, it’s far more attractive than carbon anything.

Yokla
Yokla
1 year ago

Whey pfbb?why?

Johnny Howell
Johnny Howell
1 year ago

Glad to see that it’s offered with a Chris King headset! What was great about the original Arenberg model (let’s see mine’s a 2000 or 2001) is it had the “beautifully curved chainstays” and “cold-wored radial seatstays for a stiffer, more comfortable ride”. Visually unique, but shared with the Tuscany! Also back in the day, fit a Campy Record/Racing Triple Chainrings. 20+ years on, still looks awesome, but won’t fit 32+ tires. 28c is pushing it. 25c Vredestein Tricomps or 26c Vittoria/Veloflex PAVEs about just dandy. I agree that this current model Arenberg has wierd looking seatstay junction at the seat tube. Eeewww!

As far as the manufacturing, I think the original LITESPEED folks, the Lynsky family, also make Ti bikes in Chattanooga TN. They sold Litespeed in 1999 to ABG, and started their own in 2006. Anyway, I like the look of unpainted stainless & ti, and the road feel is just dandy for old me.

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