taxi777
06-24-08, 08:48 AM
Well I got my first solid ride in with my New York Taxi themed Langster. I am truly enjoying this bike! I did an out and back from downtown to the beach and back up through GG Park with a modest amount of climbing on some of the hills. My legs were still pretty shot from a weekend on Tam so I skipped the Legion of Honor climb.
The Langster come with the option for running in the fixed or freewheel mode. I’ll simplify the explanations’ for those who don’t have the gear head knowledge…Like me. The back wheel can be flipped or turned around so that one side is fixed (keep pedaling) and the other side is freewheel (backpedal/coast). I really like this option, especially on long rides or shooting down hills a plus 35 mph. I’m not at brave as some who like it in the pedal mode. My knees are in disagreement with that setting and I’m not comfortable with it in the city in that mode.
This bike has personality. I feel like the bike and I are very compatible. With a couple of small tweaks it has become the most comfortable bike I’ve ever owned. It is probably due to the compact geometry. My top end size is 60 cm, but this frame is a 61 and it feels perfect. I switched out the 110 mm stem for a shorter stem and flipped it (down). The bike comes with a very compact messenger bar. I switched it for bull horns. I’ve never used bull horns, but man Ramon was right, they are great for climbing! I feel like I’m on one of those goofy cross country ski machines at the gym. It’s giving me a well needed arm and shoulder workout. I have those Olive Oil stick arms and can’t seem to build muscle. I got home feeling like I had been working out on the Nautilus all day.
The no hands tracking on this machine is fantastic. Again probably due to the compact frame, and precise factory tube alignment. The ride is a little bit lively compared to my other bikes and she lets you know what kind of pavement you’re going over. The bars really absorb a lot of shock though. I tend to like peppy, nimble bikes and this is the perfect ride for me. I’m a big fan of aluminum…Call me crazy! I’m very relaxed and have a perfect balance of pressure on my butt and hands. No numbness (on any appendages) after 20 miles.
The 42X16 is a little tough on the city hills, but I’ll stick with. It will build up my strength. I have a naturally very high cadence (100 to 110) so the bike tops out on me at about 23 mph which is a nice pace line speed.
Specialized did a great job on the design and the paint is striking. I get a lot of looks from the local MILF’s! Nice! Bling and Pose factor is 10.
Seat feels great! I run all my bikes with Fizik Alliantes. The stock Specialized saddle is awesome and comparable to mine. Black and Yellow too.
I upgraded the brake levers to Cane Creek TT 200. Calipers are a little messy. The front tends to pick up grit for some reason. Hey…who needs brakes, they only slow you down anyway.
I love this bike, although the London, Vegas were stunning…but New York, with taxi theme? Fugetaboudit!
My goal next year is to ride it for the Davis double, unless I get a chance to stoke a tandem with someone...(hello? anyone?..can I canI?} Also to do the Aids ride to L.A. Seriously!
• Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum frame, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, integrated headset
• Specialized carbon fork, carbon fiber legs, aluminum steerer
• Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum flat bar, 400mm width
• Specialized Sport stem, 3D forged alloy stem and Specialized Comp, 6061 alloy
• Avid FR-5 brake levers
• Shimano 16t freewheel plus 16t fixed gear cog
• 42T CNC Zen Messenger chainring
FRAME Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, integrated headset
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK Specialized carbon fork, carbon fiber legs, aluminum steerer
HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM Specialized Sport, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm split clamp, 7 degree
HANDLEBARS
TAPE/GRIPS Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
REAR BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
BRAKE LEVERS Tektro short reach for drop bars
FRONT DERAILLEUR N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR N/A
SHIFT LEVERS N/A
CASSETTE FREEWHEEL Shimano 16t freewheel plus 16t fixed gear cog
CHAIN KMC Z-510HX
CRANKSET Sugino Comp, five arm, polished arms
CHAINRINGS 42T CNC Zen Messenger
BOTTOM BRACKET Sport cartridge, square taper, 68 x 103mm
PEDALS
RIMS Alex R500, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls
FRONT HUB Specialized forged alloy, 32 hole, double sealed w/ chrome track nuts
REAR HUB Specialized, 32 hole, forged alloy, double sealed w/ chrome track nuts
SPOKES Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI
REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI
TUBES Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE Specialized Comp Road, full padding
SEAT POST Specialized carbon fiber wrapped, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, alloy, 31.8mm clamp
NOTES Chain stay protector, clear coat, owners manual
The Langster come with the option for running in the fixed or freewheel mode. I’ll simplify the explanations’ for those who don’t have the gear head knowledge…Like me. The back wheel can be flipped or turned around so that one side is fixed (keep pedaling) and the other side is freewheel (backpedal/coast). I really like this option, especially on long rides or shooting down hills a plus 35 mph. I’m not at brave as some who like it in the pedal mode. My knees are in disagreement with that setting and I’m not comfortable with it in the city in that mode.
This bike has personality. I feel like the bike and I are very compatible. With a couple of small tweaks it has become the most comfortable bike I’ve ever owned. It is probably due to the compact geometry. My top end size is 60 cm, but this frame is a 61 and it feels perfect. I switched out the 110 mm stem for a shorter stem and flipped it (down). The bike comes with a very compact messenger bar. I switched it for bull horns. I’ve never used bull horns, but man Ramon was right, they are great for climbing! I feel like I’m on one of those goofy cross country ski machines at the gym. It’s giving me a well needed arm and shoulder workout. I have those Olive Oil stick arms and can’t seem to build muscle. I got home feeling like I had been working out on the Nautilus all day.
The no hands tracking on this machine is fantastic. Again probably due to the compact frame, and precise factory tube alignment. The ride is a little bit lively compared to my other bikes and she lets you know what kind of pavement you’re going over. The bars really absorb a lot of shock though. I tend to like peppy, nimble bikes and this is the perfect ride for me. I’m a big fan of aluminum…Call me crazy! I’m very relaxed and have a perfect balance of pressure on my butt and hands. No numbness (on any appendages) after 20 miles.
The 42X16 is a little tough on the city hills, but I’ll stick with. It will build up my strength. I have a naturally very high cadence (100 to 110) so the bike tops out on me at about 23 mph which is a nice pace line speed.
Specialized did a great job on the design and the paint is striking. I get a lot of looks from the local MILF’s! Nice! Bling and Pose factor is 10.
Seat feels great! I run all my bikes with Fizik Alliantes. The stock Specialized saddle is awesome and comparable to mine. Black and Yellow too.
I upgraded the brake levers to Cane Creek TT 200. Calipers are a little messy. The front tends to pick up grit for some reason. Hey…who needs brakes, they only slow you down anyway.
I love this bike, although the London, Vegas were stunning…but New York, with taxi theme? Fugetaboudit!
My goal next year is to ride it for the Davis double, unless I get a chance to stoke a tandem with someone...(hello? anyone?..can I canI?} Also to do the Aids ride to L.A. Seriously!
• Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum frame, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, integrated headset
• Specialized carbon fork, carbon fiber legs, aluminum steerer
• Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum flat bar, 400mm width
• Specialized Sport stem, 3D forged alloy stem and Specialized Comp, 6061 alloy
• Avid FR-5 brake levers
• Shimano 16t freewheel plus 16t fixed gear cog
• 42T CNC Zen Messenger chainring
FRAME Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, integrated headset
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK Specialized carbon fork, carbon fiber legs, aluminum steerer
HEADSET Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed bearings, alloy 20mm cone w/ one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM Specialized Sport, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm split clamp, 7 degree
HANDLEBARS
TAPE/GRIPS Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
REAR BRAKE Dual pivot, forged alloy w/ cartridge multi-condition pads
BRAKE LEVERS Tektro short reach for drop bars
FRONT DERAILLEUR N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR N/A
SHIFT LEVERS N/A
CASSETTE FREEWHEEL Shimano 16t freewheel plus 16t fixed gear cog
CHAIN KMC Z-510HX
CRANKSET Sugino Comp, five arm, polished arms
CHAINRINGS 42T CNC Zen Messenger
BOTTOM BRACKET Sport cartridge, square taper, 68 x 103mm
PEDALS
RIMS Alex R500, 700c, alloy double wall, machined sidewalls
FRONT HUB Specialized forged alloy, 32 hole, double sealed w/ chrome track nuts
REAR HUB Specialized, 32 hole, forged alloy, double sealed w/ chrome track nuts
SPOKES Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI
REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI
TUBES Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE Specialized Comp Road, full padding
SEAT POST Specialized carbon fiber wrapped, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized CNC, alloy, 31.8mm clamp
NOTES Chain stay protector, clear coat, owners manual