Does anybody know what year Langster this is? Notice the chrome crankset-none of the Langsters on Specialized's site has a Chrome one, but the frame has the older style geometry.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/b...709249030.html

Dave

Definitely an older one, 2005 or 2006 by the looks of it.

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/sear....aspx?id=10615
https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/Sear....aspx?id=11852

If you can get me the Serial Number I can take a looky-loo for you but probably as Seau said by the seashore it is probably early 2000s. Mine was a 2007 (and still is even with the crack) and had the Messenger cranks by that time as well as slightly better brake levers.

It looks almost exactly like that 2005.. Thanks guys. How about the price? The blue book says $95 for excellent condition, but the seller is asking $275, for what looks like a stock bike. How good are the blue book prices? I'm trying to compare this to a Specialized Langster SF:

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...694384854.html

I will probably have to go see these both in person to see their actual condition, but wanted to get an idea too of whether there are any major differences between the two. Looks like the SF has a different shaped top tube, and different paint job. It also has a carbon fork, but the regular langster doesn't say what fork it has (aluminum?) Are there any major differences between these two to justify the SF?

On a side note, what if the bikes are stolen? Of course I don't want to buy one of those, is there a way to know for sure? The only thing I can think of doing is to ask for the original purchase receipt, what else could be done?

Dave

I don't know where bike blue book gets their prices from, but no I wouldn't go by that. I think 250 wouldn't be unreasonable for it, but if that is an aluminum fork on there -- dealbreaker IMO. The newer version is definitely a better-crafted frame, and probably rides a little nicer. Those skinny seatstays are designed to make it more compliant. If you have the coin, I'd go for the SF.

I would get a Crabon fork for it personally or go with one that has it, I would also consider talking the seller down (assuming it is not stolen) and see how low you can go. The bike is not a bad bike and certainly is worth a bit more than Blue Book but not a whole ton more.

Original receipt will help greatly in verification or a bank statement could also work. Sometimes as well chatting with the person selling can help out.

Also for trying to make sure it's not stolen -- if the owner is any kind of legit bike nerd, they'll probably have about a million pictures of it saved from the time they've owned it until present. Could always ask to see. And as mentioned above, just chatting about it with the person can tell you a lot.

C'mon dood - do it right


https://www.specialized.com/us/en/al...=240036-159266

droooool

Looks like the 2005 is probably the most likely scenario if I bought a bike now. What would be a good carbon fork for that? What specs should I look for? I do some Singlespeed gravel too, so the fork will have to withstand that.

On a side note, I've never ridden an aluminum frame with an aluminum fork. If I rode it like that for a while, would it be intolerable?

Dave

I've done many thousands of road miles on my 2005 Langster, bought new. Aluminum frame, aluminum fork, great geometry. I absolutely love the way it rides, certainly more than any of my bikes with a steel fork (all of which have been collecting dust for years).

My one complaint about the early Langsters is that they use aluminum dropouts without steel plates, which means that that the axle nuts chew them up, especially at the rear wheel. I use washers to mitigate further damage, but I'd much prefer steel plates in the dropouts such as the newer Langsters use.

Dammit, I really kinda want a Langster now.

I don't know. Buying a 13 year old used bike with the idea of replacing the fork seems like a lot of work. The headset should be replaced because why not? It's apart already anyway. And then bar tape, and while I'm at it, brake cables and... Lots of work for an old bike and will probably wind up costing more at the end of the day anyway. Just my thoughts. To each his own.

What about this Wabi Special?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/b...713214718.html

Looks to be setup pretty poorly but it could very quickly be made roadworthy. IIRC Dave is about 6 ft tall. Not sure how this particular frame would fit. It might be worth waving $700 cash under the guy's nose.


-Tim-

Probably something most similar to what they used is the Ritchey Comp Carbon fork https://us.ritcheylogic.com/us_en/bi...rbon-road-fork however if you want the most comfort a ENVE or Whisky fork will be better due to being full crabons. However you just need to make sure it is the right size and straight steerer rather than tapered (a lot of the modern stuff is moving towards tapered) However Ritchey I believe makes a full crabon fork. Aluminum on aluminum is just not an ideal combo, yes you can ride on it and yes it will be fully functional but will not have the vibration dampening of the carbon so will be a more rigid less forgiving ride.

Most modern forks can handle a good mix of terrain but keep in mind your max tire on a Langster is probably not going to be more than 28 and might be less the older you go. I know my old 2007 version can just fit 28 Gatorskins but couldn't go any wider and nothing knobby. You can run skinny tires off road but it is not fun and especially on gravel you can slide out easily as I did last year on a short grav section on the way to our campsite on my road bike (with 28mm tires) luckily I saved myself and just got off and walked that last 3/4 mile.

Also Tim made a good point as usual. Headset would be a good replacement. I am happy to sell you my Cane Creek 40 for the cost of nice 4-6 pack of beer and a little shipping. It should be a fine replacement for the Mindset which I believe they were using at that point. Mine old one got crushed so I replaced it with this and then proceeded to not put a ton of miles on the bike and then the BB cracked and hence why I don't need the headset. I can also sell you the fork if you are interested which would get you closer.

However again as Tim said you could be replacing quite a bit and it could become a little more expensive but overall I was happy with my Langster and can't wait to finish up the new one so I wouldn't say don't do it but be cautious if you aren't looking to spend a lot.

Hey man, I saw a Langster Rio in real life. A guy was riding it on a charity ride recently and I rode with him for a mile or two and chatted. He had that thing immaculate and about 793 coats of wax on it. It looks WAAAAAY better in real life then it does on the internet.

Sounds like I'm better off starting with a new frame. That langster plus an enve fork and headset will easily cost $600+. Got most of the parts to build a bike laying around. Another option would be building a Wabi Classic frame. In that scenario, if my 27x1.25 front wheel fits, I could cobble something together for~$550 (would need a frameset, seatpost, and some little odds and ends).

Dave

It is not a bad looking bike but unfortunately it just isn't me. I dig the look of it and certainly am happy I could still get one but the old bike had a different vibe that this one won't have.

You don't have to go ENVE you could stick with a Ritchey Comp Carbon or I could give you a great deal on my stock langster fork but yeah you might be better off with something like a Wabi Classic. A 27" wheel is not likely to fit well as it is a bit bigger than 700c and you might run info some brake issues if you try and run it. I would certainly stick with 700c or if I had something with disc brakes I would go 650b

I bought a Langster back in 2009 and its been a great bike. Visually, it looks similar to the 2005.
The carbon forks really smooths out the road compared to the aluminum forks on my Giant OCR roadbike (I ride both on the same street routes)
There are some crazy colour combos and themes but I went the safe route. Raw aluminum clear coated.
Here's a pic of mine (shamelessly taken off the internet).......