* What: High-performance bicycles
* Company: Litespeed Racing Components
* Address: 9308 Ooltewah Industrial Blvd
* Web site: www.litespeed.com
* Telephone: 800-229-0198
* Owners: Privately held. President and CEO is Peter Herley, who also is a co-owner
* What's special: Unlike other manufacturers, Litespeed was working with titanium in other industries before it began building bicycle frames. "That gives us the technology and tooling to do things no one else can do," said Steve Dunn, director of sales and operation at American Bicycle Group, of which Litespeed is a subsidiary.
* The origin story: Litespeed began making bicycles in 1987. "At that point, some of the people who were here were riding bikes and weren't happy with the offerings in the market place," Mr. Dunn said. "They looked at the tubing that was (at Litespeed) and said, 'Hey, I think I can produce that with what we've got on our floor.'"
* How long does it take to make: Average production time for stock titanium frames is 10 days.
* Where it's sold: East Ridge Bicycles (5910 Rinngold Road)
* How long has it been making bicycles: Since 1987.
* Future expansions planned: Litespeed is investing in marketing carbon-fiber frames as well as building international distribution.
* Lessons of the trade: "One of the biggest things is that -- for everyone in the sales department, including Peter, our CEO -- we ride," Mr. Dunn said. "We ride other products to see what we like and don't like and then sit around with our designers and say, 'Here's what we're happy with and not happy with. Let's make the best bike possible.'"
-- Compiled by staff writer Casey Phillips, cphillips@timesfreepress.com