Thanks. I was a wrench for 6 years in the 90's so no worries on installing myself. Just don't know what kind to buy. There is a glut of them on fleabay but no clue which one is good. Thanks for checking.

The stock headset on the bike really is pathetic...

I spent about 1.5 hours on the headset today. I swapped EVERYTHING off my old frame and onto my new one to keep my used stuff used and my new stuff new. Well, I probably should have left the headset. It still doesn't stay tight. The bearings for some reason don't stay packed. I'll search the bike shops to see what they have, mine has nothin.

The micro sized bearings don't help, but the retainer is really what is to blame. It does not hold the bearings so even with a lot of grease, they still fall out. I actually don't have a problem with mine staying adjusted, I just think the stock set is worthless and can't wait to get rid of it.

Mine doesn't really count since there aren't too many Langster Pros floating around... but keep you eye on Ebay and you might find one. Currently on the bullhorns but it's so simple to swap back and forth to the drops when wanted.. I think I'll do that tonight actually. Anyway, I love this thing. It seems effortless to get up to speed because of its lack of weight (15.62lbs). The only thing I dislike about it at this point is the lack of drilling for a brake on the front since it wasn't meant for street riding, apparently. I'll have to replace the fork with another in order to gain that. The ride is actually more comfortable than my Surly Cross-Check thanks to the seatpost, seat, stem, and fork that all seem to dampen vibration and shock nicely. Stem has been swapped from the generic Cannondale one in the lower pic for an Easton EC90. Handling is quick without being too twitchy. If something happened to it, I would seek out another without question.

Hi Guys,

I'm toying with the idea of a Langster for commuting because of it's price and easy maintenance, but I'm a little concerned that the frame and wheels may not cope too well with bumping up and down the odd curb here and there, what's the biggest tyre wheel combo that this frame would take? or do you think the the stock setup could cope?

To be fair, the wheels are fine, just heavy and probably would work great for commuting. They are bulit 3 cross so they would be perfect for commuting IMHO. I had 700x25c tires on there and I could have probably fit 700x28 no problem. If I went with 28c tires, I probably would have been a tight fit getting it through the brakes when mounting/dismounting them, but that does not happen all that often.

I actually use 700x23c tires on all my bikes and just tried the 25c tires for a brief period but the roads I ride are good enough that they don't warrant the extra 2mm's.

As long as you know how to take curbs easy and you don't pound on your bike I don't see any reason why the stock setup would not work just fine.

Hiroshima, here's what I found out.

None of my LBS's had a similar one in stock. One had an integrated headset in stock but I think it was a different size. It ran $70 anyways... yikes. I did go for a long ride today though and the headset stayed adjusted so I think I'm just going to stick with it until something comes along. I'll probably end up finding one in QBP or something.

Thanks for the reply. Just got back from a ride at lunch on my SS. I love riding that thing. I appreciate you looking nonetheless.

I own a 2004 entry-level Langster, purchased used in 2006. 8,300 fast, city-commuting miles so far, going strong. Small changeouts, but still mostly stock. The stock hubs that everyone hates on so much were recently given a bearings changeout, and she's still a champ. Still quick, still nimble, still ugly.

Street Cred aside, the Langster is a 100% perfect bike for the investment.

That's Lois, he's talking to... not Meg. Freakin newbs.

Amazing, none of the langsters posted in this thread has made me lose my lunch. Some are positively OK looking. Good work (?) everyone.

Seems like there're a lot of posts indicating that it's a great bike as long as you replace basically everything. . . why not just build up like you want or get a better bike from the start? Seems cheaper that way. . .

i'm just impartial to the sloping tt =\

it's probably on the level of the other aluminum frame makers out there (ie giant etc)

I like mine just fine, but I bought it as a frameset and built it up how I wanted / could afford. I managed to dodge the sloping tt problem largely, and my only complaint is the integrated headset.

thats the first langster i have ever seen that i liked.

I love my Langster, its still pretty new and it could use some upgrades but its fun as hell. it does ride pretty rough but you get used to it.

whats the weight on that bike?

Mine was fine until it was ran over.

However, I think the price point is set a wee bit high for the quality of components it comes with.
That and the graphics look idiotic. Somehow I did not notice the lovely skulls on the fork.
<-- dumb *****

your guess is as good as mine

I think just about any road/fixed/SS bike in the $600-800 is only good for the frame. Most bikes at this price point have crap components. The Langster Comp has good bits, but costs $600 more and you still have parts on that bike that I think are crappy. (plus if you are like me, and run F/R brakes, the comp is not an option). But to answer your question, most midpriced SS/FG bikes don't come as frame only builds, and not everyone wants to spend a ton of money all at once. Part of the fun is upgrading your bike.

I have replaced the fork with an Ouzo Pro, and the seat clamp for a Campy since this pic was taken,... so now the only bits that are original on my bike is the Frame and Headset.

Here is my Langster:

The "Seattle" langster is a joke. I have yet to see anybdy ride a fixedgear bike with a latte on their bars. Don't buy one of the special edition Langsters unless you want to be laughed at. Theres somebody selling one on CL for $700 here... LOL

what bullhorns are those?

yeah the *only* reason i ride a bike is for approval from others.

Profile T2 Wing 42cm

the integrated hs is the reason i wouldn't mess with the langster. and i'm one of the few people that likes isn't appaled by the looks of the langster. i'm not a big fan of the bowery either, felt like a boat when i rode one. i'd go with the IRO jamie roy frame and build that up.