2014 Litespeed M1

With a new frame design for 2014, the redesigned M1 arrives complete with full Shimano 105 components, Easton bar, stem seatpost and Shimano R-500 wheelset.  The elite unidirectional monocoque 24T carbon frame is loaded with features not normally found at this price point. 

New frame technology includes a box-section profile at the oversized PF30 BB to ensure optimum power transfer, while the unique design of the downtube improves aerodynamics for decreased drag and further improved stiffness. 

The new, tapered headtube provides precise handling and front end stiffness.  Fun and fast for a solid day of racing or training, this bike is ready to take what the road throws at it.  

Our carbon bikes are loaded with cutting edge technology and great component sets to provide a responsive, stiff, smooth and modern ride. The M1 offers the Litespeed badge and heritage, plus a bit of technology from both the C & L Series, at more aggressive price point. 

2014 Litespeed Li2

Our long history of material knowledge and expertise has been meshed with new frame and bottom bracket technology to create the 2014 Li2. In fact, we spent over four years to develop and design this elite, UCI-approved racing bike. The Li2 uses every possible material advantage to improve ride quality and handling while maximizing power-to-pedal quickness and overall agility.

An example of trickle-down technology, the Li2 features the same frame technology as the L1R, only in 30t carbon. Combine our premier frame technology with a top-of-the-line spec that includes Ultegra Di2 components ad Reynolds Assault aero wheels, and the conversation is over before it even began.

The BB386 bottom bracket design not only provides increased stiffness and performance, but the larger bottom bracket size allows us to incorporate larger diameter tubing. The result is maximum power transfer. To take advantage of this, our proprietary Quadrilateral System creates a box shape to minimize frame flex while braking and power sprinting. Combine this with the reactive and precise, yet stiff, 1.125'X1.5' tapered steerer fork, and you have a bike that is begging to go fast.

Our design team continues to look for ways to include top-of-the-line, performance-enhancing technology into our frames, always striving to build the perfect ride. The 2014 Li2 offers a perfect example of our ability to help set the de facto cycling industry standards in the course of in-house applied, practical design.

Get to Know Astellas Cycling Team... Thomas Brown

New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team: 
Name: Thomas Brown

Age: 27

Hometown: Athens, Georgia

How did you start cycling?

I got into cycling in third grade after seeing the Olympic road race in Atlanta.  After that my friends and I would ride mountain bikes around all day jumping off of everything.  The mountain bike phase lasted four or five years.  I got a road bike around middle school and have been doing it ever since then.    

What do you like about cycling?  

I like the sensation above all else.  Cycling gives me a feeling in my body, mind, and soul that I cannot replicate with anything else.  Cycling gives me incredible happiness in how it allows me to explore new places, roads, and see the world.  

What do you not like?  

While I love traveling for races, I really enjoy being home in Athens sleeping in my own bed and cooking in the kitchen.  

What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?  

Besides cycling, I am also finishing my graduate degree in Public Health this spring.  I deeply believe in education and that I will be able to combine my experiences with cycling into a life long career in Public Health inspiring people to live healthier and happier.  Besides that, I just got married in January.  My wife is also a professional cyclist and we often train together.  

When did you start riding with Astellas?  

This is my first year with Astellas.  I was with SmartStop-Mountain Khakis for four years before this and Jittery Joes before that.  

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year? 

I’m excited to be involved in a new program and hope to use my experience from other years to have fun, get results, and be a part of a cohesive team.  

What type of racing is your “specialty?” 

I definitely have become more focused on criterium racing in the past couple years.  It suits my characteristics and I know the races well.  

What races are you excited for this year? 

Living in Athens Georgia, I cannot help but get excited for Athens Twilight.  This coming year will be the 10^th time I’ve raced it.  The atmosphere at the race is like no other race on the circuit and I totally love it.  

What bike will you be riding this year?  

I will be on a Litespeed L1R.  I’m really excited about the bike.  Growing up in the Southeast, Litespeed was always a major player in the local scene.  I’m happy to finally get aboard one!

Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?  

My major tip is to keep everything in your life in balance.  Don’t stress about the small things and just relax in general.  

Be sure to follow Thomas Brown on Twiter @tominimo, and follow the Astellas Team @astellascycling

2014 Litespeed C3

Our 2014 Litespeed C3 blends race performance, amazing ride quality, and reliability all at a great price. We made the C3 with 30T carbon fiber, using our Reactive Pressure Molding (RPM) frame technology, and it shares many of the Aerologic features found on the C-Series flagship model, the C1R. We refined and tested the aero seat post, shrouded water bottle mount, and aero tuned cross sections in the wind tunnel in order to give you the aero advantage on roads outside the wind tunnel.


The shrouded water bottle mount on the down tube makes that necessary cargo almost invisible to the wind and the aero tuned downtube morphs every millimeter for maximum aerodynamics. Aero seat stays decrease aerodynamic resistance while adding stability and comfort and a tapered fork with our unique bowed design helps absorb turbulent shock and allows air to zip through for a smooth ride. Our engineers used variable-size tubes for all of the aerodynamic elements in order to maximize performance across the bike's size range.

Our Reactive Pressure Molding (RPM) precisely controls the internal structure and wall thickness of the carbon frame during the manufacturing process; this allows us to use design elements far beyond what can be achieved with conventional bladder molding. The result is a lighter, stiffer, faster bike with incorporated aerodynamic elements without the added weight of filler materials.




The minuscule drag penalty of the external cable routing is far outweighed by the weight saving and
ease of maintenance that the design represents. Not to worry, though. The other C-Series models do come with internal cable routing.

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Hogan Sills

New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team: 

Name: Hogan Sills

Age: 24 (in May)

Hometown: Champaign, IL

How did you start cycling?

My dad raced as a junior when he was in high school. He picked up racing again about ten years ago, and I started riding and training with him then. After my first race at the age of 15, I was hooked.

What do you like about cycling?

I love the speed, tactics, and the journey of training. 

What do you not like?

Of course, I don’t like to crash. Also, I wish cycling would take off more in the U.S. so riders would be supported more to focus on training and racing.

What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family? 

I like to snow ski, fish, and do anything outdoors. I also have a degree in civil engineering from Purdue.

When did you start riding with Astellas?

I rode for Astellas two years ago. Last year I moved to a smaller team, but I am excited to be back now.

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year? 

It’s very exciting. I always dreamed of riding professionally as a kid and even at a young age I trained hard for this. I’m more motivated than I’ve ever been, and I realize that just because I’m a Pro now, doesn’t make me magically faster. I have to train that much more.

What type of racing is your “specialty?” 

I’ve always had a good sprint, so criteriums are my specialty. I also tend to do well on hilly road courses.

What races are you excited for this year? 

I’m most excited for the North Star Grand Prix, the USPRO National Road Race, and the USPRO National Criterium.

What bike will you be riding this year? 

The L1R.

Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice? 

My philosophy for chasing the Pro dream was to never put all my eggs in one basket. A college degree is the most important investment for your career (probably not cycling), so I always put that first, and then trained for cycling in my free time. It works if you make a schedule and stick to it. There’s a lot of life after cycling, so don’t forget about that in your pursuit of going Pro.

Check out Hogan's blog "Hogan's Heroes" and follow Hogan on Twitter at @hogansills, and don't forget to follow @astellascycling on Twitter and "like" Astellas Cycling on Facebook.

2014 Litespeed L1

Industry-leading, race-ready carbon technology from titanium’s most recognized and trusted brand, our 2014 L1 utilizes every possible material advantage to improve ride-quality and handling while maximizing power-to-pedal quickness and overall agility.







Our long history of material knowledge and expertise has been meshed with fresh frame and bottom bracket technology to create the 2014 L1. Indeed, over four years of development have gone into designing this unique elite, UCI-approved racing bicycle.

The 2014 L1 is loaded with the same frameset features as the L-series flagship, the L1R.  Light, stiff, and performance-ready, no detail was overlooked in the engineering of this model. The L1’s state-of-the-art feature set includes our own Reactive Pressure Molding Construction, BB386 EVO technology- a wide-bearing BB30 system- and a barely UCI -legal 1.125” x 1.5” tapered steerer fork, plus an overall attention to detail and asymmetric design feature set simply not available on other comparable pro-grade bikes.

Multiple asymmetric, shape-specific design features increase performance and enhance stability. At the
front of the frame our proprietary Quadrilateral System creates a box shape that resists braking forces and flex to manage the simultaneous torsional-frontal and lateral-load input from both road and rider. The asymmetric down tube/seat tube junction provides a balanced, efficient drivetrain power transfer. And, overall larger diameter tubing used in the chain stays, seat tube, and down tube means less flex in the bottom bracket area for maximum power transfer to the pedals.

2014 Litespeed M3

Nothing short of pure Litespeed legendary ride
quality, the M3 stacks an incredible value-add feature and component set onto an elite unidirectional monocoque 24T carbon frame.

With an all-new frame design and graphics for 2014, the re-designed M3 arrives complete with Shimano 105 components, Easton bar/stem/ seatpost combo, and Real Design wheelset. We loaded the elite unidirectional monocoque 24T carbon frame with features not normally found at this price point and engineered the bike for a quick, snappy feel out of the saddle and maximum performance when climbing or sprinting.




Frame technology includes a box-section profile at the oversized PF30 bottom bracket to ensure optimum power transfer, while the unique design of the downtube improves aerodynamics for decreased drag and further improved performance. The tapered headtube provides precise handling and front end stiffness. Fun and fast for a solid day of racing or training, our M3 is ready to take anything your next ride can throw at them.


Fans of the Litespeed brand will also recognize a familiar attention to detail in both frame geometry and overall build specificiations, including the Shimano 105 drivetrain and an aero-shaped down tube design. Unlike any off-the-shelf bike from the mass-market manufacturers, the M3 arrives with both classic Litespeed styling and proven ride-quality derived from decades of thoughtful and innovative bicycle design.

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Clay Murfet

New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team: 

Name:  Clay Murfet

Age: 25

Hometown:  Launceston, Tasmania

When and why did you start cycling?  

2001, my brother was racing on the velodrome and I loved the look of it so I jumped on and had a try.

What do you like about cycling? 

I love the adrenaline of racing and training aspect of it. Training so hard and pushing your body to its limits and reaping the rewards.  Cycling rewards those who work the hardest.

What do you not like? 

Crashing. 

What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?   

I spend a lot of my time with my friends at the beach. Fishing, camping and hunting. Also as much time with my 5 year old nephew. I am his favorite Uncle! (and his only)

When did you start riding with Astellas? 

2014

How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?  

It is going to be a great year for the team. This will be my 5th year as a pro and every year it gets more exciting.

What type of racing is your “specialty?”  

I would consider myself an All Arounder.  The harder the race the better.  Races of attrition.

What races are you excited for this year?  

Redlands, Joe Martin, Gila, Philly, Beauce and our European stint.

What bike will you be riding this year? 

Litespeed L1R

Anything else? Tips, tricks, advice?  

Advice to youngsters would be to just enjoy it and have fun until you get to about 18-19 and then decide if you love it enough to make a career out of it.  I see it too many times, really talented juniors get too serious too early and get burnt out and give up before they reach their 20s.

Be sure to follow @astellascycling and @ClayMurfet on Twitter

Get To Know Astellas Cycling Team... Brandon Feehery

New for 2014, we are proud to sponsor Astellas Cycling in the team's first year as domestic professionals. Get to know the team: 


Name: Brandon Feehery


Age: 21

Hometown: Homewood, IL


When/Why did you start cycling? 

When I was 10 years old. Growing up I always went to my dad’s races and I wanted to be like him so when I turned 10 I got a road bike and started racing.


What do you like about cycling?

Traveling to new places to ride and race my bike and being able to push my body further then it has ever gone before.


What do you not like?


Crashing, but that comes with the sport whether you like it or not.


What do you do outside of cycling? Jobs, hobbies, family?

I like to play ice hockey and hang out with family and friends.


When did you start riding with Astellas?

2012


How do you feel about becoming a Professional domestic team this year?

This is a new opportunity for me and I am extremely excited to be racing for Astellas again this year.


What type of racing is your “specialty?”

Criterium racing.



What races are you excited for this year?

All the races, especially USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships and U23 Nationals.


What bike will you be riding this year?

LITESPEED L1R

2014 Litespeed C1R

Cutting-edge.  Smart design. AeroLogic. The aerodynamic design of our C-series flagship, the C1R, was fine-tuned and tested in Charlotte's A2 wind tunnel. We carefully constructed it with aerodynamics in mind at every turn- aero seat post, shrouded water bottle mount, and aero tuned tube cross-sections-so that the C1R reduces average aero wattage by almost 30 watts, a 16% advantage across all yaw angles compared to a traditional road bike.  It is not unlike adding an expensive pair of race wheels to a non-aero bike... minus the expense.

To round out this ground-breaking frame design, we incorporated features such as full internal cable routing for all cables/wires, 60T carbon, Di2 compatibility and BB30 for one loaded bike. The C1R is available as a frameset or completely decked out bike with Shimano Di2 components as shown.

Refined carbon construction for 13% increase in stiffness of front end, thanks to our Reactive Pressure Molding (RPM) carbon fiber construction method.

Unique Aero shrouded water bottle mounting, which makes such necessary cargo almost invisible to the wind.

Morphed seat stay design to increase aero performance, stiffness and ride comfort, while saving weight at the same time.