Litespeed has just announced it is to make ownership of its legendary framesets more affordable with the release of the new Xicon.

Pronounced ‘Zicon’, the handbuilt 3Al/2.5V titanium frame is priced at £1,699 but isn’t short on features. Tubes are oversized and tapered with ‘asymmetric bi-planar chain stays’ in five semi-compact geometries. The price includes headset and carbon fork.

The new frame will be built in Litespeed’s Ooltewah, Tennessee factory and will carry the company’s standard lifetime warranty.

“Offering a full titanium, hand-built frameset with the Litespeed name on it, at a retail price point of £1,699 – is just unheard of in our industry” says Peter Hurley, CEO of American Bicycle Group. “This is the kind of breakthrough that our dealers need right now, and we’re excited to be able to provide it in the heart of the spring selling season. And the best news is that this is just the beginning. We have a lot more up our sleeves as we head into 2010.”

More at www.litespeed.com and www.paligapltd.co.uk.