BF: "The Langster is ugly, has a sloping top tube, and is made of aluminum. We prefer the classic look of steel with a horizontal top tube."

Specialized: "Here is a track bike made of steel with a horizontal top tube in classic paint jobs. It also has a quill stem for extra classic flare!"

BF: "...Well, um... It looks like a Madison! Yeah! So therefore, fail! And the other Langsters are still stupid! And... Specialized SUCKS! Ha!"

No pleasing you people, is there? People are going for the modern look now? When did this massive shift come about? If I'm not mistaken, Pista Concepts have existed harmoniously with steel for a while now. I figured it would be *****s on parade for the new steel langsters, but people just seem determined to hate Specialized. I still want one of those steel Allez models they came out with this year.

I think the steel Allez is absolutely gorgeous, and if I needed (could afford) another road bike, I'd seriously consider buying it.

$660.....I guess that's the price of NJS


http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/.../9007-92_l.jpg

The complete build Langster Steel at $660 is lovely I think it looks nicer than the Schwinn... only things not "track" about it is is has average 73 degree HT and 73.25 degree ST angles (on the size 56) and a low 69mm BB drop more like a Steamroller (which I love but track frame BB drops are more close to 58-59-60mm). It's purely going for the "retro" or "classic" track bike look which it has successfully achieved. 1" threaded isnt horrible... allows for classic stem/headset fitment. I like it. For $660, if I wanted a classic track bike look with road comfort, rearward facing track fork ends, f&r brakes, track drops, 1" quil stem, retro saddle, good components and I didnt want a Mercier Kilo TT and didnt want to pay IRO prices, I'd get one...



http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/.../9007-92_l.jpg

I still doubt the NJS... I'm waiting to see one stamped with my own eyes LOL. I dont think a frame with a 69mm BB drop will pass NJS certification but I'm also not a Keirin specialist haha.

I as well, considering they were saying Specialized would be sponsoring a Keirin team. There's no sponsorship in true NJS certified Keirin racing. You get that bike handmade to fit you!

Well it's the fact that none of this is very original. When they came out w/ the Langster they just stuck track ends on a type of frame which they know how to make very well (aluminum w/ CF fork very similar to Allez) and then added some extremely UNcool decals in an attempt to make it look cool. Then, when they realize that people don't like this look, they copy the same bike that has been built by like 20 other companies. I mean, seriously, there is nothing that makes that steel langster stand out at all. It is completely unoriginal. I'm not saying it's ugly, b/c it's not, but you would think that a company as large as Specialized could do some R&D and come up w/ something of their own.

Also, there is no way that bike is NJS certified w/ that geometry.

Disclaimer: I generally don't like specialized bikes at all. Recently, however, I acquired a 1991 Specialized Sirrus road bike (for free), and I have to admit that it's a good bike. It has held up very well for the past 20 years, and I have fitted it w/ a rear rack and it makes a great commuter. Still don't think I would every buy one, though.

i said it in the track subforum and i'll say it again. i won't believe any of this NJS business until i walk into a bike shop and see the stamp on the frame

that being said. looks like a nice frameset/complete and not unreasonable price.

and that's what counts, right? nice frame, good price...

njs stamping is little more than a fashion tag... and one people have to get on their hands a knees to read with a magnifying glass, at that.

i still cant believe how cheap and crappy the dropouts look

Certainly not very original, but then again not much is. I guess I'm just frustrated at what seems like grasping at excuses to hate on a company.

I'm putting way too much energy into this. One more good-looking bike for a decent price should make me happy. Deep breaths... there we go, much better.

I can't believe that there are still morons out there who believe this thing will magically be "NJS". Where did this bull**** first originate?

This needed to be quoted

Not NJS - Confirmed
 

This is "from the horses mouth"...

"The Langster Steel frame has not been NJS approved. We are looking into it. It does pass the CEN standard tests."

Settled.

Nice frame. People will hate it just because it's Specialized. Now they can also hate it because it is not NJS. Damned if they do, damned if they don't...

hey reynolds 520 tig welded frame! who else do i know that offers reynolds 520 tig welded frames with snazzy cable stops (imo, i love them and run brakes)?

oh yeah, a kilo. i'll take a kilo please and spend the other 300 dollars on beer and pizza.

it is a nice looking bike though. where's the lugs? why not get a tiawanesse frame with lugs for godssakes.

When you are talking about creating a retro bike, exactly how do you expect to be original? The whole point of retro is that you are not being original.

See? Now that I agree with. I own one of those ugly Langsters, now powedercoated white.

When you start racing Keirin, then worry about the stamp. I am clueless about that crud other than to assume that 99.9% of the people that talk about NJS are not actually racing Keirin .

I had one of those. Glad you like it. I always thought it was flexy and slow-steering.

I don't think that NJS actually matters at all, but I would just liek to point out that this bike will definitely NOT be NJS certified to those people who are saying that it is.

The Sirrus is definitely not quick feeling compared to my other road bikes, but it makes a GREAT commuter due to the front and rear rack mounts. Considering that I got it for free, I am really happy with it. And...it's fast enough for what I'm using it for.

I think the njs stamp was useful for denoting a decent quality used frame. the markup nowadays is ridiculous and is now a fashion tag.

if you can get an njs frame for what they should be selling for (~$500 imo for an undented one) then it's a great ride. I was going to get a leader 722, but I won my njs frameset on ebay (didn't expect to since people usually bid the **** out of them). for the same price as the leader with a fork in blue, i got kaisei tubing, no dents (some paint chipping), hatta headset and s75 bb, and fillet brazing. it's hard to argue that they're good bikes.

From wikipedia:

"A common misconception regarding NJS is that it is a mark of quality, when in fact it is simply a mark of standardisation."

I don't care or know anything about NJS anyway. I liked the pre-city-themed Langsters because they had eyelets for racks. I'm guessing eyelets are not NJS.

Also, I can't believe that morons are still arguing about "NJS" in 2009.

well, do a degree it could show quality, as vivalo lost theirs when they had forks fail.

and njs stamped frames are generally made of a high quality steel. that isn't something that many would argue with.

so, an njs stamped bike will probably be a pretty good quality bike. that said, a non stamped 3rensho would be miles nicer than a stamped langster.

njs stamped frames are nice, but they just sell for an inordinately high price. i got mine for 360 plus shipping though so it's all good (what they probably should cost)

Price tag on this frame says $400 even.
http://twitpic.com/g519f/full

I probably should have read this before posting to see how many people were dogging this bike.

I just got my frameset and love it. It did not come with the flat crown fork though. Kinda erked about that but oh well.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/100_1826.jpg

just gonna ask, with reynolds 520 and roadish track geo, why not just get a kilo? the only difference i can spot offhand is the chromed frame and fork. geo is looking somewhat similar.

just wondering