I purchased this 18" Litespeed Unicoi titanium "semi-rigid" as a 1999 frame closeout in 2000. It has seen many configurations, but has always been ridden hard and keeps going strong.

The rear suspension is a simple coil spring that allows about 1" of travel - plenty for my riding and it keeps things light, simple and maintenance-free. Set up this way, it weighs slightly more than 24 lbs. and is quite nimble. A good climber.

Component list:
SRAM 9-speed Gripshift & rear derailer & cassette. Shimano XT crankset, front derailer & rings Chris King headset & hubs (red) Manitou SKREB 80-100mm fork On-One Mary bars (a recent addition that has nearly eliminated wrist fatigue for me!) Ritchey Pro stem Ritchey V4 Pro pedals Avid Ultimate rim brakes Forte' Pro SLX saddle Mavic X717 rims, black anodized IRC Mythos XC 2.1 tires

... and, oh yes, my current mascot, "Mr.Whiskers," a tribute to my idol, Jacquie Phelan. These photos are from my weekly haunt, Pocahontas State Park, near Richmond, Va. But the bike goes to Douthat S.P. in the Blue Ridge mtns as often as I can and has made trips to Arizona & Central Oregon, too.

Paul Germain

Midlothian, Virginia

GermainArt@aol.com