Litespeed already had the Gravel, a well-built titanium all-rounder that that we rode though all seasons and all manner of adventures. But now there’s an upgrade. A faster, more aerodynamic, more vertically compliant built to race the toughest dirt and gravel roads – the new Litespeed Gravel Ultimate.
2019 Litespeed Gravel Ultimate ti gravel road race bike
The Ultimate name was first introduced on the road for Litespeed as a premier 3AL/2.5V race bike decades ago. Now with that same go fast mentality they have reshaped their Gravel into a mixed surface race weapon.
What makes this the Ultimate gravel grinder?
The new Gravel Ultimate expands on the Gravel by giving the mixed-surface bike an all-new 3AL/2.5V cold-worked titanium tubeset. Crafted in the US, the new frame gets a custom truncated airfoil downtube and a shaped toptube, wider at the ends for improved stiffness and more stable handling. Out back it gets aerofoil shaped seatstays that dramatically swoop to combine both aerodynamic performance and more rear end compliance. Even the headtube & PF30 bottom bracket shell are butted to keep things light, with a frame coming in at 1,299g for a medium.
The new bike carries over the disc brake only setup, with a flat mount rear caliper and 12mm axles paired with the same 1.5″ tapered steerer full carbon fork as the standard Gravel. Even though it is designed as a race bike, that fork includes fender mounts, and fender mounts are optionally available on the titanium frame as well. The bike is standard with Di2-ready electronic routing only, but is customizable for mechanical drivetrains, too.
Clearance on the bike is generous for whatever type of gravel racing you get into. The frame will fit up to a 45mm wide 700C tire or up to a 2.1″ 650B/27.5″ tire, making this thing pretty trail-capable.
2019 Litespeed Gravel Ultimate geometry chart
The new Gravel Ultimate is meant to move fast so its geometry leans toward a nimble road bike feel vs. the more relaxed Gravel tourer. That means slightly longer toptubes, slightly steeper angles and slightly shorter wheelbase vs. the standard Gravel, while retaining the same Stack & Reach numbers to maintain rider fits. The Gravel Ultimate is available in five stock sizes (S-XL)
Litespeed Gravel Ultimate Pricing, Spec & Availability
The new 2019 Litespeed Gravel Ultimate is available in three electronic drivetrain builds, one mechanical, or as a standalone frame only. The Di2 ready frame by itself sells for $3500 and is available with either matte black or titanium gray decals.
Complete bike builds will set you back $10,500 with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group, the same $10,500 with SRAM eTap, or the slightly more affordable $7,000 Ultegra Di2 build with Stan’s Grail wheels. A Shimano Ultegra mechanical complete bike with Sun Ringle Charger wheels is the lowest cost of entry to the Ultimate at $5,950.
Bare frames are ready to ship out next week, with complete bikes likely to add about a week or two to the delivery process.
And if you are holding out for a new Road Ultimate bike after hearing of the Gravel Ultimate… Rumor has it that Litespeed has a new race version of their disc brake road bike in the works, possibly to debut within a month. #comingsoon!
