Chances this litespeed stem is real?

[Anthony]

When Litespeed started out they were just another company exploiting a newly available resource...

...most Ti frames/components are made in the Far East with material from the former Soviet Block; the big manufacturers just buy them up and apply their logos before selling them on at a vastly inflated price.

If you Google the Chinese factories you can buy a Ti full susser for about £500; a big brand name buying them by the container load is still making a very healthy profit, even after all the overheads incurred...

You don't appear to be aware that Litespeed always made all their own titanium fittings, as well as making frames for other brands and they incorporated their own fittings into those frames.

This stem is an ahead stem, so it was made long after Litespeed started out, so it's not clear what that reference was supposed to lead on to.

If you look at Litespeed ahead stems, they all employ quite sophisticated clamp arrangements. They never made a stem branded as a Litespeed with this kind of crude double bolt arrangement sticking out. It's possible that they may have made some for another brand under contract, but I personally doubt it, as they didn't want to be associated with down-market things.

 

[Anthony]

Is it so totally inconceiveable that a firm such as Litespeed engineers would design/develope/test a particular frame, their marketing bods take a couple of pre-production frames and a couple of crates of Johnny Walker Black Label to the Far East for a Trade Expo, find a supplier who could build said frame to their spec. at the right price and order a few thousand for export back to the States for marketing under their own brand??
Is that not how industry works in today's Global Economy??

That's easily said, but it doesn't make sense. US consumer protection law is quite strong, and if a company like Litespeed claims a product as made in Chattanooga and it isn't, it puts itself in thrall to every employee, every trade contact etc who know the claim is false and could shop them at any time. It isn't worth the risk. That's why if you see say an original Reynolds 853 sticker on a frame, you can rely on it that under the paint there is an 853 tube. It just isn't worth the risk to use an inferior tube.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Hmmm, just wondered; Fender guitars, for instance, are invariably only 'set up' in the States once they arrive from the 'outsourcing' factory. Even their 'Custom Shop' editions aren't necessarily 'manufactured' in house...

...it would probably be the exception to the rule that a companies products were entirely 'home grown' these days.

 

[thecannibal]

...it would probably be the exception to the rule that a companies products were entirely 'home grown' these days.

Hence 'one of the most reputable ti mountain bike builders ever'.

 

[sastusbulbas]

Hi all

Not been here for a while, but in my opinion that is not a Litespeed ti stem.

They were matt in finish, and had a two bolt clamp arangement nothing like that in the image posted, similar to the old Moots two bolt on a square block style.

Same with the front bolt binders, usually slightly conical/tapered in the middle at the split. Google images should give you an idea.