So i've stared seeing quite a few Specialized Langsters here in DC but have yet to run into another Special Ed Angst

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anyhoo. thought i learned how to skid the other day. i was excited for a split second when the pedals weren't moving forward but then i went to pedal down and the bike didn't go anywhere. thats right, ring and cog slipped. didn't have any tools so i went to the lbs a block away (who installed the cog and ring, but not where i purchased the bike). anyway, they tighten it and i go around the block and it slips again. he tightens it again, i go around the block again and it still slipping. hub is stripped. mech recommends i go to original store and request new wheel and if they give me a hassle then come back and they'll see what they can do. so orginial store says "we'd order another wheel from specialized but the same thing is going to happen. you're not supposed to try to back pedal or skid. we'd recommend you upgrade your tires to this $190 dura ace wheel, and give you $45.00 credit."
said i'd think about it, but right now i'll just throw my brake back on and ride it free.
i go back to closer lbs and they said they'll call specialized on tuesday, but may want to consider just getting a different hub. recommended surly. i thought that might be a better way to go. i'm gonna give the closer lbs my business from now on.
what would be youse guyses recommendation? i know there are some anti-langster-ites out there, so short of getting a different bike....Upgrade wheel or just the hub will do?
it's a wierd going back to free. less control. more angst.

Get the free crappy wheel replacement from shop #1.

Sell crappy wheel replacement on e-bay.

Buy/build decent rear wheel.

BTW, I like the tape job.

Was City Bikes one the shops you went to?

I agree. Get the replacement from specialized ride. They need to know how bad these wheels are. When you can get the surley hub and either use one of the rims or get a new rim. This way you can have multiple rims. one for fixed and one for free.

thanks for your input. didn't think of that. yeah city bikes was one of them. only a couple blocks from home. i like them.

nice!

what are the stock langster wheels, anyway? sounds like total garbage! a fixed gear you cant skid on???

I used to have a SPECIAL CIA helmet (named in a similar way). Everyone thought it was a hoot. Then I started to ride with a guy from Nicaragua. It freaked him out so much that he didn't like to ride with me even though he "got the joke." I peeled off the remaining stickers until there was just the "S."

i thought about whether or not it was going to offend anyone. i'm not trying to be insensitive. i just thought it was clever. but i'd take it off if it offended anyone. i think i'd like to eventually paint over all decals except for the angst. subdued. i don't need to be reminded what kind of bike it is from 360 degrees.
by the way i think they are suzue basic hubs. i don't think the lockring was installed correctly or they should've used loc-tite? i don't know, i'm a noob, so i've got lots to learn and am hoping my lbs can enlighten me. i am learning alot form this forum though so thanks!

The bike's actually sold as a singlespeed isn't it?

I have the suzue basics and I skid all the time. Might have been an install error. I've never seen suzue's in black before.

they may not be suzue. there are no markings on them. from everything i've read, it seems like an install error.

this bike is sold as full bike for msrp $450.00 (stocked as freewheel on flip-flop hub) so i don't know what just a frame would cost, but there is a high end langster s-works frameset for around $1000.

not really, and DC streets are pretty heinous. flatted once, too much broken glass everywhere.

y'know, i don't know! sorry. maybe i'll try to figure it out tonight. you looking into getting one?

I know people on here don't like them because they are a bit heavy and ride like wood, but Specialized Armadillos are a life saver on DC's lovely "streets." I once got four flats in one week before I switched to the 'dillos. They seem to handle glass better than just kevlar lined tires.

thanks for the tip on the armadillos. they're probably worth it around here.

so it seems it weighs 20.72lbs according to this forum
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=607

dude! I totally saw your bike parked in adams morgan last night.

You should get the touch-up paint in carbon ($10) and paint over the letters.

Now I know Dura ace hubs are suposed to be great and all but save your money and get the Surly. I tend to think that sealed hubs are better for city riding. I have a pair of Zipp hubs that are just amazing.

Oh and yes those stock wheels are crap. Mine never even made it out of the door of the bike shop. When I bought my Langster I had the shop put my wheels on and sold the stock ones. I then used that money and built up a set with Van Dessel hubs.

i can't believe they're that bad. my fuji road bike hubs from the 80s can hold up to skidding. i don't know what the best course of action is, but i'll at least share your anger.

i feel like a celebrity. and a bit dirty.

thanks, didn't know these were available. now i gotta commit.

You can just peel off the decals, can't you? Use the car polish to take out the clearcoat on top of the letters and peel off the vinyl. This would not work if the letters are somehow printed (which I doubt). If you can take out the letters you can reposition E and D.

i don't know, the paint sounds like less hassle and i wouldn't mind touching up the scratches already received. damn street signs.