new langster
 

im sorta new to fixed gear but love it. i just bought a specialized lagnster and was wondering what your oppinions were on the bike. so far i love it. im running a 48tx16t gear ratio.

I rode 3-4k miles on mine in a year and just sold it to upgrade. I think that the frame is pretty good, actually, and the only real problems I had with it were that the bottom bracket died after about 1k miles, my rear wheel more or less broke at about 1.5k miles and the stock saddle was pretty bad. Other than that I had good experiences. I think that for NYC riding 48/16 is about right. I ride 49/15 now and it is a hair too tall for me.

Good luck!

IMO if you like it that is all that matters. Specialized makes good stuff in general. If a BB goes you can simply replace it with something new or better. I too am looking at this bike for future purchase...maybe I can get an 05 next fall on closeout. :D

I wish my Langster wasn't way too small for me.

I'll admit, I bought it without much knowledge on sizing. It felt big to me because I was used to hardtail freeride and BMX bikes. Ack.

If it weren't for the fact that it is too small, there's no way I'd be getting something different.

But I recently got a new a job, in a new city. That justifies a new ride, right?

A new job, a new city? That justifies TWO new bikes!!

I ride a Langster in NYC. I recently changed to a much smaller gearing from the stock 48/16 to 42/14 (way small, I know. I was too math challenged to figure out that a 44 or 43 chainring allowed for a much more useful range.) However, I'm evening out my pedal stroke, climbing the bridges easier and learning to trackstand. I'm happy to spin and leave the mashing to those mightier than me. My knees and I are friends again.

(edit - I'm actually running 42/16. As others have pointed out 42/16 and 48/16 are the same gear.Though I've got it as 81 inches, not 78.8. But I'm using a chart, not real math.)

Ride the BB 'til it breaks. It will soon enough. Keep in mind you'll want a square-taper 102 or 103mm spindle BB to replace it. If you see a good deal on a good BB, grab it and install at your leisure. By all accounts your rear wheel will give out next. You can easily build/buy a good replacement.
All that remains of my '04 Langster is the frame. I put a steel fork and steel handlebars on. The front end is solid and heavy and rides like a dream. I replaced everything else because it was a long, cold, lonely winter.(Did you know you can buy bike parts online 24hrs a day? Without even getting up? Without even a good reason?) My around town beater is now too nice to lock up.
BTW are you riding the 05 version? I think the tubing was upgraded. Post the specs and any pictures when you get a chance.

Thanks for reading, Mark.

I picked up a Langster a few months ago and I love it. I probably have put around 600 miles on it so far. There are some langster haters out there but who cares what they think. It gets me to work to the stores and around my town and back it also has me ignoring all my other bikes (which seem to be getting jealous of the Langster) I will post some pics later if anybody is interested

I had a Langster last year and loved it... one reason why I went and just got an Allez.

I sold the Langster to get a Pista though.

Just curious as to why you made the switch

yeah i do believe its a 2005 model. i dont have pics yet but when i do ill post them. how much will a new bottom bracket run me?

I love my langster to death. I got one a few weeks ago and my first one I bought last summer. The components arent the best, compared to a bianchi pista, the pista comes outfitted as a much better bike, but I still love the ride of the langster so much better. Im completely happy when I ride my bike and not ever really frustrated with anything about it. Can you ask for more than that?

Some people might be hating because it does not "look" like a track bike. We sell quite a few of them but most people said they would prefer the traditional geometry and steel tubes look of something like a Pista or Flite100. The guys riding them love them.

I wanted a steel frame for my fixie. No particular reason other than that.

[QUOTE=markwm@vzavenue] I recently changed to a much smaller gearing from the stock 48/16 to 42/14 (way small, I know. I was too math challenged to figure out that a 44 or 43 chainring allowed for a much more useful range.) [QUOTE]

Color me confused. That should be the same ratio- resulting in 78.8 gear inches? For both 48/16 and 42/14... are they not identical?

Yeah, they are.

does a steal frame feel much different thatn the aluminum?

Yes.

in what ways? or is it a preferece thing?

had a specialized allez, very much like your langster. Was looking at some dude's langster in the subway the other day and remembered how I had wanted one because of the springy light feel of an aluminum frame. Instead I ended up with a steel frame that feels very solid but just as swift.

Try the two out and you'll understand, actually feel the difference.

You can build some give into a steel frame, it will flex many times with out fatigueing. Alluminum does not like to flex and will rapidly crack if flexed to much, so the builders design them to be very stiff. They have gotten better over the years but still ride harsh when compared to a steel bike. As a personal test try and get a little strip of steel and alluminum, then start flexing them to see how they hold up.

just bought a langster from mister reverend chuck here actually, pretty funny seeing him here after jumping over from the 'touring' forums...

hey chuck, if you see this before i'm in the store again, what are the chances on switching out the gearing, coming from road riding i'm more of a spinner & can deal with high cadences better than mashing.

I just scored an upgraded (drive train was 1/8" and it had a DA cog and lockring) '05 Langster from the Chicago Bike Show for 250 bucks. I'm not too fond of the styling, new school backwards sloping top tube and all, but I really enjoy the ride. A welcome addition to the stable.

I was on Hilton Head island (S.C.) last week and stopped by a bike shop. Guy said he'd sell me a Langster for "less than $500." Currently model apparently. Looked great. Does that price sound about right?

Didn't buy it, however. Wife was waiting in car.

Dave

enantiodroma, do you want to switch to a different freewheel or go to a cog? I will not be in on Thursday, so if you want to make a change, please wait til Friday if you can. My boss is not as fixed/single oriented as me or Todd(He was not in when you came by) We should be able to do it as long as we have what you want in stock. The only thing I am having trouble getting right now is 17t track cogs, can't find them anywhere??