What would you guys think using a shimano nexus 8 internal gear hub in a Langster (the fixed gear offering from Specialized), and using that for a commuter? It seems like a good idea because the stock langster would only require the new hub and shifter, and you'd be good. Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks!

EDIT - nevermind, I would need a whole new wheelset. bleh.

Great idea. Might want to look at dropout spacing.

You can buy a premaid nexus wheel from Harris Cyclery and then add to most any old steel frame road bike. Spreading the rear stays is not difficult. I did the conversion with a 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur. I got my hub on ebay w/ shifter and two cogs for $151.00. I had a local shop build into a Sun CR 18 36 hole rim. Here are some pic. If you want to do this and have questions let me know. I love the bike and it is a fantastic commuter. I have been riding all winter w/ Studded Nokians. Looking at this pic I realize I need to wash it!

The spacing would not be a match, and since the langster is aluminum you wouldn't be able to do much to fix it.

Check out the 'Bianchi San Jos8' on the harris cyclery website if you're looking for a road/tourer with Nexus 8--

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bianc...os8/index.html

I did this last year....it was a nice ride and was flawless in it's shifting. But I eventually went back to a normal setup on a regular cross frame

Nexus 8 is spaced at 132.5, the Special Ed is 120mm. If you can locate and older Shimano, Sram or Archer hub, they might have a suitable spacing.

As other have pointed out, the San Jose is a great candidate. I had it set up on a Surly 1x1 for a period of time. The IRO Rob Roy and Surly Cross-Check have also been used.

Utterly brilliant!

Only available if you can pick it up. They won't ship.

A new Sturmey Archer 8 spd hub can be spaced down to 120mm. So you can put an internal hub in the Langster without respacing the rear. You do need a new rear wheel built though..

the hipster are gonna laugh at you...

Duz you be one?

And you can laugh back when you sail by them heading up the hill out of Valley Green in Fairmount Park. You will be spinning comfortably as they dicovser the "zen of being one with the bike" while trying to pedal a 52x19 up a 12% 3/4 mile long grade!

I do hereby award you with the blue ribbon prize for best post of the day. Love the zen and one with bike stuff.

From the specialized website:
That's in the description of the langster, funny thing is that it has front and rear brake.

Try it some time. I really love climbing on a single speed bike & sometimes gutting it out over the top just feels good and right. I am not much on the "zen" stuff myself, but I wouldn't be quick to dismiss the appeal of a single gear bike.

Assuming you have chosen a reasonable gear, it can actually be easier to keep your speed up a climb. I am also a much better climber on my geared bike since I started riding single speed/fixed gear.

No issue at all with fixed gear. Just does not appeal to me. I was born to coast. I was just being a smart a$$ after hanging the fixed gear forum for a while ,which is the most fun forum to lurk in IMHO.

Fixed gear forums are like a trip to the zoo for me. Fun for about 30 minutes, but then the screaming kids and smell of crap become overwhelming.

Jeff - who spends about half of my days on a fixed-gear