Litespeed

C1R

The Litespeed C1R Frameset is the crown jewel for any carefully tuned aero stable. Aerodynamic tube cross-sections, a weight-reducing integrated seat mast, and a down tube that changes its shape every millimeter are all features that help you conserve watts as you slice through the air en route to the finish line. Compared to last C1 frameset, the new design shaves grams and increases stiffness like never before. Build it up with a pro-level wheelset, and with a SRAM Red or a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, and establish road superiority wherever you choose to race.

Litespeed's C1R frameset is the culmination of three years of intensive engineering, research, and development. While it stands as an improvement over the previous C models, the C1R is the frameset that Litespeed had always intended on producing. Made from the feather-light Ultra Modulus 60T Nanotech carbon fiber, the frame expresses a weight reduction of around 125g, superior aerodynamics, and a 13% increase to the front-triangle's rigidity. These accolades are directly attributable to the use of the nanotube-strengthened carbon material. Because of its efficient, workhorse fundamentals, this carbon has been used exclusively for the construction of the aerodynamic C-series. The nanotubes integration increases the frame's lateral rigidity for side-to-side sprinting, and it heightens the vertical compliance for a smoother, less bumpy ride-quality. Combining the material choice with a labor-intensive molding/layup process results in one of the industry's best strength-to-weight ratios, and this translates to direct power transfers that allow you to feel your dollars at work. 

Above all else, Litespeed aspired to marry the highest echelons of comfort and aerodynamics with the C1R. The radical ideas forced Litespeed to re-think the technology in its manufacturing process in order to execute the design principles. To achieve the ever-flowing C1R shape, Litespeed developed Reactive Pressure Molding (RPM) to create advanced molding techniques that allow increasingly rigid aerodynamic shapes while reducing material weight. Typically, manufacturers use a process called bladder molding to form their carbon shapes. This regimen requires extra filler material and permanent components; all of which contribute to useless weight within the frame to achieve a drag decrease. However, RPM allows precise control of the inner wall thickness by using a polyurethane sleeve. This brings aero shapes like the C1R's full-carbon head tube to life. Litespeed also made great strides in making the C1R extremely aerodynamic outside of RPM. The proprietary carbon fork has been bladed and bowed to allow a clean airflow over the front wheel. The C1R also features a shrouded water bottle mount and integrated seatmast to reduce drag. The mast also dampens road vibration, lowers weight, and increases rigidity for powerful seated-sprints. To further increase airflow over the frame, the C1R features ultra-thin seat stays and a cutout in the seat tube for the rear wheel.

The C1R frameset uses a 1.125 x 1.5in tapered 60T aero carbon fork that's been mated to an oversized aero head tube. The head tube uses a conventional height, however the fork's crown is situated unconventionally higher. Litespeed found that the elevated head tube design eliminates the need for headset spacers, which reduces drag, increases comfort, and shaves grams. Meanwhile, the rear-triangle features an asymmetric design of the down tube/seat tube junction that's been incorporated to promote a direct conduit for energy transfer from the BB30 bottom bracket shell. This combination provides a potent drivetrain efficiency that makes the C1R a force to be reckoned with in the peloton. 

The Litespeed C1R Frameset is available in five sizes from Small to M-Large and in the color Black/white.