Specialized Langster

Ole Rodrigo

I'm looking at getting one of these for commuting - anyone familiar with them ? They look good so far, except for possible issues fitting mudguards ( or so I'm told )

kumate_champ07

they are pretty decent, check planet x as they might have deals on now with their fixed gear bikes, some of them can fit mudguards and even disc brakes

lennymc

colm_gti is selling a nice on-one bike in here, decent spec.

colm_gti

lennymc wrote: »

colm_gti is selling a nice on-one bike in here, decent spec.

That's now sold, forgot to mark it as sold

Langster is nice, but if it's a singlespeed you're after I'd have to recommend the On-One pompino....it has eyelets for mudguards and racks, and can take up to a 35mm tyre, far more versatile than a langster. Do they even have fittings for brakes?

manwithaplan

I had a Langster until it was stolen a couple of months ago. There are eyelets for a rack and I had one fitted and carried a far amount on it. I only fitted half mudguards though because clearance is very tight. It's a decent machine, fairly fast and light, and I had no problems with it in a year and a half of ownership.

But...when it was robbed, I checked out the cost of a replacement and it was about €300 more than I had paid for it. Admittedly, I got one cheap that had been hanging around the Bike Hub for the guts of a year beforehand but I couldn't justify paying €700 plus for one. Fortunately, the insurance was new for old and paid out at the new list price but I got a steel fixie frame built up instead. It's a bit farm gate-like but is fine for my short commute.

Ole Rodrigo

colm_gti wrote: »

That's now sold, forgot to mark it as sold

Langster is nice, but if it's a singlespeed you're after I'd have to recommend the On-One pompino....it has eyelets for mudguards and racks, and can take up to a 35mm tyre, far more versatile than a langster. Do they even have fittings for brakes?

Those features would be good to have alright, especially being able to fit proper wide mudguards. There's days when I yearn for a decent pair. The langster comes in track and non track versions - the non track has fittings for brakes so might get a pair of cruds on handy enough.

Call me a prude but the only thing about the pompino is its translation . Throw in some lycra and its a look I doubt I could, er, pull off :pac:

manwithaplan wrote: »

I had a Langster until it was stolen a couple of months ago. There are eyelets for a rack and I had one fitted and carried a far amount on it. I only fitted half mudguards though because clearance is very tight. It's a decent machine, fairly fast and light, and I had no problems with it in a year and a half of ownership.

But...when it was robbed, I checked out the cost of a replacement and it was about €300 more than I had paid for it. Admittedly, I got one cheap that had been hanging around the Bike Hub for the guts of a year beforehand but I couldn't justify paying €700 plus for one. Fortunately, the insurance was new for old and paid out at the new list price but I got a steel fixie frame built up instead. It's a bit farm gate-like but is fine for my short commute.

The new ones dont have the eyelets so would have to be blades or cruds. Theres mixed reports on how well they fit. The 2013 ones look really nice, maybe theres a few extra hundred euro added on for its good looks but 750 from Cycleways isn't too bad if it lasts and I can use it for winter spins. I don't really mind if its aluminum, steel would be nicer though.

colm_gti

ror_74 wrote: »

Those features would be good to have alright, especially being able to fit proper wide mudguards. There's days when I yearn for a decent pair. The langster comes in track and non track versions - the non track has fittings for brakes so might get a pair of cruds on handy enough.

Call me a prude but the only thing about the pompino is its translation . Throw in some lycra and its a look I doubt I could, er, pull off :pac:

Haha just sand the pompino decal off if it bothers you that much

It's a fantastic frame though, super comfortable, I done a few 130km spins on mine no bother!

Can't comment on cruds, but I had raceblades on my road bike for a month, they now live in the bin, I'd rather a wet arse to be honest!

I built mine up with all the best bits (mostly brand new) for about €700, you could do it on more of a budget if you had access to a few parts or were willing to wait for bargains!

Ole Rodrigo

Meh, I could live with it - but I'd be watchful for any sniggery Italians

Defo will consider it, if I could get some other uses besides commutes it'd be a welcome bonus. Thats in and around the figure I had in mind so I might start looking at possible components. What gearing did you end up using ?

colm_gti

ror_74 wrote: »

Meh, I could live with it - but I'd be watchful for any sniggery Italians

Defo will consider it, if I could get some other uses besides commutes it'd be a welcome bonus. Thats in and around the figure I had in mind so I might start looking at possible components. What gearing did you end up using ?

I went for a 44t chainring and 16t freewheel, but had 16t and 18t track cogs as well. After a few weeks use, I was regretting not going for a 48t chainring though.

Ole Rodrigo

Right - 48/ 16 seems to be a good setup from what Ive read.

I suppose getting the front right is more important as you can change around the rear more easily, if needs be ?

colm_gti

ror_74 wrote: »

Right - 48/ 16 seems to be a good setup from what Ive read.

I suppose getting the front right is more important as you can change around the rear more easily, if needs be ?

Definitely, track sprocket is about a 10er, freewheel is a little more, chainring is about €30?

Ole Rodrigo

Right ok. Did you fit any mudguards ?

petethedrummer

ror_74 wrote: »

Call me a prude but the only thing about the pompino is its translation .

I've learned a new Italian word today. Would never have known till I read this thread.

Dermot Illogical

petethedrummer wrote: »

I've learned a new Italian word today. Would never have known till I read this thread.

Ditto

colm_gti

ror_74 wrote: »

Right ok. Did you fit any mudguards ?

I had a cheap set of SKS commuter's fitted for most of it's life, til one day my big foot clipped the front one during a sharp turn and ended its life prematurely. I kept the back one fitted til the plastic part of the mudguard separated from the flimsily attached bracket....regretted not just buying the SKS blumels in the first place!

Ole Rodrigo

Good to know these things. Not least if you ever took your shiny new single speed on holidays to Italy

dave_o_brien

Also worth a look:

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/track-bikes/alloy/FXE%20Bike

I've a Dolan Pre-Cursa, great track specific bike.

G rock

Check out the pearson range too.

I think they look nicer

(i have a pompino by the way)

Ole Rodrigo

They both look great, the Pearson especially ( although over my budget ). I had also looked at the Bianchi Pista, this years model seems to be only available in celeste - last years chrome is out of stock anywhere I looked.

The Langster seems to be the best value so far. It'd be good to buy from the lbs too . However, the option for bluemels on the pompino is tempting.

G rock (i have a pompino by the way)

How do you find it ?

Dermot Illogical

I have a Bianchi Pista and it's a lovely bike. Drilled for front and rear brakes, but only front come with it. It's 48x16 is perfect for anything other than really steep stuff. Smooth, comfortable, good-looking and fun. Highly recommended.

Ole Rodrigo

Thats good to hear. Really is a lovely bike and was the one I wanted initially but last years model is hard to come by.

I'll keep an eye out for one though.
,

G rock

I'm very happy with mine too. I'm running it fixed with 48-18 (it's a bit lumpy round here), and like colm said, no problems on long spins (have done 150k on it, aiming for a 200 during the summer!)

With mudguards, carradice, dynamo hub, it isn't the lightest. When I was asking about it before I bought it it was described to me as "agricultural"!
On the phone now, but I have a picture of it in the images of beauty thread I think.

Maybe a bit unfair, but kinda his the mark! The full mudguards are the main drilling point for me though

G rock

That should say selling point. Can't edit on my phone for some reason

Dermot Illogical

ror_74 wrote: »

Thats good to hear. Really is a lovely bike and was the one I wanted initially but last years model is hard to come by.

I'll keep an eye out for one though.
,

I got a chrome one in Pennyfarthing. They were keeping a rolling stock of them last year so might be worth giving them a call?

Ole Rodrigo

G rock wrote: »

With mudguards, carradice, dynamo hub, it isn't the lightest. When I was asking about it before I bought it it was described to me as "agricultural"!
On the phone now, but I have a picture of it in the images of beauty thread I think.

Maybe a bit unfair, but kinda his the mark! The full mudguards are the main drilling point for me though

Ha - agricultural. Classic. Just seen the pic, I see what you mean. Still, looks really nice, but I wonder if it might be overkill for my intended use (mostly Dublin commutes with less frequent spins outside the city) . The mudguard option is tempting. Incidentally, the same option is on the Charge Plug Prestige - roughly the same price as the pompino, only available in bright red though.

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

I got a chrome one in Pennyfarthing. They were keeping a rolling stock of them last year so might be worth giving them a call?

Will do, thank you kindly.

Dermot Illogical

ror_74 wrote: »

Will do, thank you kindly.

I was in there this morning and they have one on display. 59cm.

Also, it might be worth checking McQuaid's in Finglas. I was in there a couple of months ago and they had one on display.

Ole Rodrigo

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

I was in there this morning and they have one on display. 59cm.

Also, it might be worth checking McQuaid's in Finglas. I was in there a couple of months ago and they had one on display.

Never thought of McQuaids actually, good call. 59cm would be too big, I called them at the weekend and thats the only one they have.