Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Jamis Sputnik/Cannondale Capo/Specialized Langster

Looking for light, sturdy, comfortable. I've ridden a langster and it feels great. I can't find a Sputnik in stock anywhere, but I know stores that can order one for me, but you have to pay for the bike before they will order it for you. They're all about the same price where I am. Curious on your thoughts. The Jamis is advertised at 16.7lbs which sounds awesome for a steel frame but that could be on the 49cm or something.

The supplier is out of sputnik's in Canada for the year. Might be the same with the US.

had a sputnik and went to the capo. don't like to deal with rust. capo is made in USA.

capo. test-rode the sputnik and went back to the capo.

the langster is aluminum. it is loud. the carbon seatpost is really carbon wrapped aluminum.
it is light. with good wheels it could be a beast of a bike. I really like the look of the boston


everything feels slow compared to my old conversion. it had a 6 inch shorter wheelbase

The Sputnik is a pound or two heavier than advertised...And that's BEFORE you add a brake and pedals...Expect a 55cm Sputnik to weigh in at about 19.5 lbs with pedals and a front brake with a crosstop lever...It's a nice frame though with excellent Maxway threaded adjusters on the track ends...
I enjoyed the Capo when I took one for a test ride last year but, despite what I'm assuming is a lighter aluminum frame on the cannondale, the Jamis felt lighter overall...Maybe it was the wheels...
Can't speak on the Langster since I've never tried one though I have to say I'm more partial to the look of a steel frame with a flat top tube than a compact aluminum frame...
I don't think you'd go wrong picking any of the three...They're all decent bikes from solid manufacturers with good dealer networks...

i love my capo, but they are sold out everywhere. my best friend searched and searched for one and ended up getting a concept on ebay... if you can find a capo, i bed you would be happy. it feels like a rocket to me, and im still rolling on stock wheels.

I might actually return the langster and get a masi. not sure yet.
or if a nice enough frame falls in my lap

I might actually return the langster and get a masi. not sure yet.
or if a nice enough frame falls in my lap

pm operator before you do this. he's built more than a few masis and can tell you if they're worth it. Bareknuckle would be pimp if u could afford one. i cant.

capo: frameset is the only thing nice about it. everything that comes stock is ****, or heavy ****.

capo: frameset is the only thing nice about it. everything that comes stock is ****, or heavy ****.

Actually I think the same can be said for all three bikes. Rode a Capo, have a Langster, and never ridden a Sputnik.

All three are good framesets to build up from if you like upgrading. All three make decent off-the-rack SS/FG bikes. None are stellar w/o upgrading some of the parts (speaking of the Capo and the Langster as I have never ridden the Sputnik).

My Sputnik should be here on Friday. I'll let you know how I like it when I build it up.

NAES

My Sputnik weighs 20 pounds with Brooks saddle, pedals, front brake and two brake hoods - stock wheels

I test rode both the Langster and the Capo. The Langster to me felt like a turd compared to the Capo. The Langster seemed to me like it was built for recreation. The Capo frame is more responsive. Never rode a Sputnik.

Prepare to spend some extra and change things on any fixie you buy is my opinion. I was dissapointed in the fact that the Capo does not come with a fixed gear, only a freewheel. I bought the fixed gear and ring and switched it around right away. Took the freewheel off and am not even sure where it is now. I changed the bars out to a set of TT bars with only a front brake. Also switched to a different seat. the seat that comes on it was not comfortable to me.

I test rode both the Langster and the Capo. The Langster to me felt like a turd compared to the Capo.

Now picture the Capo with wheels that aren't pigs like the stock ones they come with. Great, robust, strong wheels for pot-hole laden commutes, but feel slow as hell. I switched them out for my friend's OP's for a week and was amazed at the difference. As it stands I've replaced everything on the bike but the wheels, saving the part with the biggest real-world performance bump for last.

If you're going to get a Langster, get it soon because I heard the 2009 models are going to be well over $800 even for the base model.

does cannondale offer just the capo frames for purchase? if they do, i would do that.

capo hands down.
langsters are basically garbage, and the jamis doesnt compare to the capo in frame quality.

I love my capo. Fast as hell and it's the lightest bike I've ever seen. It's like a stealth bomber 4 realz.
I ride about 24 miles a day on it commuting.



I'd replace the seat and the pedals right away though. I put a speed v mountain bike seat on it and some clipped pedals. The handle bars are good if you ride a lot.

does cannondale offer just the capo frames for purchase? if they do, i would do that.

Not sure. You can only get their bike through authorized cannondale dealers and they all have to be like 30 miles apart or something.

The capo is a great bike for the money. However, as others have said, you will be spending money to bring it to your liking. In stock http://www.eriksbikeshop.com. The langster is a great bike, if picking the langster go with the S-WORKS Langster(Look around and you will find one cheap,used that is), it is available in frame/fork and doesn't ride like a turd as one member has suggested. Word of advice, go ride the bikes on a test ride, opinions don't mean much here because those with them are not you. Your opinion is what matters ultimately, and you will only reach that decision by riding the bikes your interested in. Bottom line is=Function before Fashion.:thumb:

Sounds like the capo is the way to go. I had heard so many good things about the Sputnik and it was relatively cheap, but I figured the 16.7lbs listed had to be too good to be true. The only other concern that I'm having is the toe overlap of the different bikes. I ride a 58 (59 cannondale) but I've never ridden the Capo and don't have a cannondale dealer nearby. I've ridden the langster and have no problem with toe overlap. Again, never ridden the Sputnik. Does the capo/sputnik have toe overlap (I'm riding a 58 or 59). I'm really looking to go the lightweight route. So I might look for a capo frameset and build up from there.

I get a bit of toe overlap on my 52 but that's standard for frames that small. It's never a problem unless I'm going extremely slow and try to turn sharply. In any case I don't believe you'll run into any at 58.

oh yeah, the price jumps from the langster from 680 to 840. for the base model langster.

better paint tho

ride the alloy bikes before you decide. also realize that the sputnik has a more relaxed geometry typical of a road bike.

personally, i found the capo nervous and harsh...but then i'm an old man i suppose. also, i know of more than one that has cracked. i bought the sputnik for the geometry and the steel...parted it out, keeping only the frame. it's a 52cm and weighs right at 16lbs complete (with one brake)...volos wheels, campy carbon crank, woundup fork. highly recommended. frame quality is fine...somewhere between a sachs and a huffy. sure, made in taiwan. whatever.

Capo 09 update from cannondale website....
Question: Hi Brad. I'm really excited about the new capos coming out! I missed the 2008 capos- my partner got one and I took too long being indecisive and am now eagerly awaiting the 2009 capos. Can you post a picture of the one that's rumored to be retro in style. I want to make sure I should be waiting! Thank you!
Response: I can't post a picture, but the '09 bikes should be on the website in September. I will clue you in, take the '08 red and white Capo and make it black and white (super classy) and then there's a complete redesign (graphically) from last year that is more urban-fixie stylie. Give you a few clues - white components, gray fade, artistic but suttle decals, and a splash of purple with and optional mint green. I can't wait either! Ride on. BRAD

58cm 08 capo weighed in at 19.2 with the plastic pedals. Cost of the 09 will be $859 or $869

No toe overlap on my 53 Sputnik. Geo is a bit more lax but the bike is still very responsive and quick. Cant speak for the Capo. Do you want steel or alu? If youre city has crap streets this should be your biggest concern.

langsters are basically garbage

why is this true?

Just letting everyone know. I ended up picking up an '08 Black Capo and I'm loving it. It felt like the best quality frame for the money. Thanks for everyone's help. The only thing I did to it was put on a Sugino 75 crankset/bb and a front brake. After I run the stock wheels into the ground, I'll probably put on a nicer/lighter wheelset. But the ones that came on it are perfectly fine. Thanks again, take care.