Litespeed’s Unicoi softail has been around for a few years, but we recently came across it again and thought you, our readers, would be interested in seeing it. With 45mm of rear-end damping built-in, and the capability to run up to a 140mm fork, the Unicoi would be a great alternative to using a modern full suspension as a bikepacking or touring rig.

Named after a trail-rich area of northeast Georgia, the Unicoi has an enviable cross-country racing legacy, ridden at events ranging from the Olympics and UCI World Cup to stops to your local XC series—and it’s certainly no stranger to the podium.

Despite its suspension capability, the Unicoi delivers the stiff performance and incredible weight savings expected in a titanium hardtail. On climbs, the absence of a mechanical suspension helps keep the Unicoi light and nimble, with rear-end stiffness for responsive punch and traction when scrambling up steep grades. A set of Litespeed carbon chainstays elegantly finishes the frame adding torsional stiffness, enhancing climbing performance.

See more at Litespeed.