Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New "Boston" Langster, Need Mod recommendations

Finally pulled the trigger on A SS/FG. I purchased the Langster Boston because my LBS had a 61cm on hand and I got it for just over $500 new. I have it parked at my office to use to get around town for my frequent trips for items and lunch. He also threw in a TimBuk2 messenger bag. Will upload pics tomorrow.

I am looking for recommendations on some mods or changes on the bike. I have already flipped the wheel and riding it as a FG. Spent a couple of hours on the MBP getting used to the FG ride, now I love it.

Couple of items that I don't like.
The pedals...would like to change but don't want to go to clip less in case I ride it to a meeting.
Removing the back brake...seems redundant
I already have fenders installed
I am removing some of the stickers...especially the one that proudly says...manufactured in Taiwan

Any other Mod recommendations are welcomed.

If you don't like the pedals and you will be riding on a casual basis, I recommend the MKS GR9 pedals with toe clips. They only cost $20 + $13 for clips + $10 for toe straps. Those pedals have a more platform feel so you can ride with any shoes and it will feel comfortable. Also those pedals wont eat up the soles of your shoes. The GR9 pedals are somewhat narrow to help on avoiding pedal strike. The next suggestion I would say is to replace the saddle. I personally have a Brooks B17 that I found online for $55 shipped. Its nice but takes a little time to break in to be really comfortable. After replacing those two things, you should be set for a little while. That should hold you over till spring when I would suggest a better set of wheels and hubs. Oh yeah, its your preference but you may or may not want to change the bars. I don't know much about the bars that come on the Boston Langster. Hope you like your bike and will use it a lot.

he threw in a Timbuk 2 bag for free?

you got screwed!

edit: simply because timuk2 bags suck, nothing to do with the bike)

Just ride the bike.

Having been a Boston resident, I don't understand the decals on the Boston edition. I never got a close look but what makes them Boston specific?

What shop sold it for just over $500? That sounds like a good deal.

What shop sold it for just over $500? That sounds like a good deal.

Not a lot of people qualify for a 61cm bike.

just ride it. change out anything that brakes or is uncomfortable.

start with the contact points: handlebar tape, pedals, saddle. any changes there will be the most noticable and the best bang for your buck.

if the saddle is uncomfortable change it out.

add water bottle cages.

change out anything that brakes

right.

Cool!..I purchased the 08 Specialized London Langster. Nice bike, although the pedals and saddle must go.
Wheels are'nt bad, alot of ping ping when climbing with it.
Typical specialized quality and very nice component spec. Nice CF fork.
You got an excellent deal at $500. I paid $700 for mine in a 58cm

Wheels are'nt bad, alot of ping ping when climbing with it.


Stress relieve spokes and check true + tension. Most likely wheels weren't retensioned out of the box. Machine built.

I had never seen this version:
http://yamashige.blog.ocn.ne.jp/photos/uncategorized/200761_039.jpg

congrats on the buy I think I like it best out of the langsters.

My list of upgrades personally would be:

the aforementioned gr9's (i love mine)
new saddle, maybe a white turbo
some oury's on the tops of the drops if you're doing a lot of city riding
risers for fun
white deep v's
maybe a black thompson stem

my chain stretched a ton

he threw in a Timbuk 2 bag for free?

you got screwed!

edit: simply because timuk2 bags suck, nothing to do with the bike)

i don't see how getting a "sub-par" bag for free is getting screwed but ok, man.


and hey don't these all come with alias saddles?? that's way better than most stock saddles..

get rid of that skinhead looking eagle.

replace the frame :)
jk, congrats on the new ride.

Congrats on the bike, however I would have gone with the Portland? Or is it Seattle. Whichever one is behind it with the wooden fender and cup holder ;)

Congrats on the bike, however I would have gone with the Portland? Or is it Seattle. Whichever one is behind it with the wooden fender and cup holder ;)


I rode the Seattle first...Too Geeky Sheik. The coffee cup holder shrieked Star bucks. The simulated wooden fenders reminded me of the wood decals that used to be on the side of ever station wagon from the 70s.

Living in MA and the style of the Boston...PLUS the fact that he had this 61 sitting around made my decision.

Thats for all the tips...Update tomorrow with Pics.

What kind of fenders did you put on?

greg is 180 your weight
?

greg is 180 your weight
?

Was until racing ended but will be again by April. Currently 190 at 76 inches. When I joined the Bike forums I was 240.

180 stands more for the direction change my life has taken.

congrats ^

Keep your rear brake.

whats wrong with taiwan

whats wrong with taiwan

Yeah, their 13 year olds are really good welders.

you're confusing taiwan with china i think. taiwan is a developed nation with sufficient child labor laws

plus i would imagine most taiwanese frames are welded by machines

I'll say it once again: the "Made in USA" sticker tells you nothing about quality anymore. Sorry. What if your US welder was having a bad day?

I'll say it once again: the "Made in USA" sticker tells you nothing about quality anymore. Sorry. What if your US welder was having a bad day?

You are correct, worse yet what if the QA inspector was hung over from self medicating his dead end lifestyle.


whats wrong with taiwan

In the age of globalization the Taiwanese are probably as good if not better welders than the rest of the world. I am just one of those "buy locally-grow locally" advocates. Got to see the "Big Picture".

In the age of globalization the Taiwanese are probably as good if not better welders than the rest of the world. I am just one of those "buy locally-grow locally" advocates. Got to see the "Big Picture".
that's a much more reasonable answer than accusing them of child labor

Made in USA may not say much about quality, but you can count on the workers not being held as slaves like in China (http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9494&size=). That, and the amount of lead in the paint is less.

Made in USA may not say much about quality, but you can count on the workers not being held as slaves like in China (http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=9494&size=). That, and the amount of lead in the paint is less.

Where is China in this conversation? That there Langster was made in Taiwan.

Where is China in this conversation? That there Langster was made in Taiwan.

I was trying to say that it's good to buy american. By the way, Taiwanese framebuilders are excellent.

I was trying to say that it's good to buy american. By the way, Taiwanese framebuilders are excellent.

Fair enough.

i dunno enough to say for sure but buying taiwanese products may be a good way to hurt the chinese government

anyone know if this is true
?

i dunno enough to say for sure but buying taiwanese products may be a good way to hurt the chinese government

anyone know if this is true
?

Sh*t doofo, I am never sure are you serious or not. But yeah, if your question was serious, the answer is yes, at least in the sense that it irritates the Chinese Communist Party high priests. Now, if you were just wisecracking, then, ummm... ah **** it, I'm too tired for this.

im being srs wroomwroom

irritating chinese authorities might be a selling point for some i guess

how much money from a taiwanese product might end up in china i wonder

irritating chinese authorities might be a selling point for some i guess

Hell, we could just send Brandune over there. The entire country would probably explode.

Hell, we could just send Brandune over there. The entire country would probably explode.

have him pick up a few artistic cycling bikes while hes at it

Hey....how the hell did I get dragged into this!??!?!

Hey....how the hell did I get dragged into this!??!?!

Shouldn't you be on a plane right now?

A'ight, peace y'all, I'm off to Taiwan

A'ight, peace y'all, I'm off to Taiwan


**** dude! You're getting on the wrong plane! Goddamnit you're doing it wrong!

Kthnxbaihttp://www.trinity.edu/org/ics/AirChina-plane.jpg

**** dude! You're getting on the wrong plane! Goddamnit you're doing it wrong!

hahahahaahhh.. well at least he left in the right general direction. Next stop is HK and then Mainland China.

By the way, have you guys noticed that we really have no BFSSFG patrons from China (I have seen a guy from Taiwan, though). Strange, considering the 1.5 billion potential cyclists there.

hahahahaahhh.. well at least he left in the right general direction. Next stop is HK and then Mainland China.

By the way, have you guys noticed that we really have no BFSSFG patrons from China (I have seen a guy from Taiwan, though). Strange, considering the 1.5 billion potential cyclists there.

You're looking at one right now

^^^Didn't know there was a Toronto in China, too.

EDIT: are you from China originally, now living in Canada?

In the age of globalization the Taiwanese are probably as good if not better welders than the rest of the world. I am just one of those "buy locally-grow locally" advocates. Got to see the "Big Picture".

This makes no sense. Removing a "made in Taiwan" sticker does change the fact that you bought an overseas-made frame. You are not advocating "buy locally-grow locally" unless you lie to people about where your frame was made.

**** dude! You're getting on the wrong plane! Goddamnit you're doing it wrong!

Only in Bike Forums Doofo's House

Pics as promised. Everyone should have a FG in their office.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/gregogarrison/OfficeLangster.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p230/gregogarrison/Langster.jpg

This makes no sense. Removing a "made in Taiwan" sticker does change the fact that you bought an overseas-made frame. You are not advocating "buy locally-grow locally" unless you lie to people about where your frame was made.

You are correct...I will gladly leave the sticker intact and embrace my multi-cultural global connection. ;)

^dont listen to him. he seems to have hugged a tree a little too hard and got it lodged somewhere. Take off the stickers that are above the clearcoat, as they are meant to be taken off.....nobody wants that ugly crap on their bike....

ps. I think that boston langster is kinda sharp.