Langster vs Fuji vs Fillmore vs Bowery

Amazing how much you learn from this forum. When I joined - all of a week ago - I thought it would be a really good idea to buy a Langster London from FW Evans. I have seen the error of my ways. They fucked up ordering the bike in, so I have my money back, and have a different plan instead. Seeing as you were all so incredibly helpful about what to do with my 1965 Gillott (thanks all), I thought I'd get your advice again.

Basically, after reading stuff on here and looking at some of the websites I want to do a really nice steel frame custom-built fixie - know what kit I want, what paint, etc. However, I am hugely impatient and can't wait the month or so it will take to build to start riding fixed. So I'm going to get an off-the-shelf fixie too, which I'll ride for a while, then trick out with a nice paint job, set of Velocities, etc.

Question is, which ready-made bike do I pick? I know standard Langsters get a bad press on here, but I rode an '08 today and liked it - so much lighter than the steel LeMond Fillmore and Fuji Track, much better finishing kit than the Giant Bowery, and at £360 for an '07 from Brixton Cycles it's way cheaper than the LeMond or the Pompino or the Genesis Flyer. Thought the ride was okay, and once I've built the other bike it'll be nice to have one alu and one classic steel-framed fixie...

I'm really still learning about all this - anyone reckon I'm making a colossal mistake picking a Langster?

i think, from what i've ridden the Fuji is the best. Also with specialized written all across your bike it becomes that little bit more stealable.
The Fuji can be resprayed when you get it and its only £297.
Fuji.
Hands down every time.

fuji track

Is nice. Is cheap. You like. You buy.

There's nothing wrong with Langsters.

scott not scot agreed.....if you like it,buy it....it's your world fatbloke....we're just visitors!!!

No, this is definitely YOUR world dude, but I like it, and I'm learning. Went to Brick Lane Bikes and Cavendish today, and drooled on their bits.

ooo careful down at brick lane bikes, don't want you to get wapping warriored.

pml!

lpg ooo careful down at brick lane bikes, don't want you to get wapping warriored.

they'll have the very shirt off your back!

where is he? wapping? he gone.

get a fuji. BLB always been fantastic to me.

lol.

"No, man, RPM cranks are the best around. Trust me."

Go with your gut fatbloke. You can (I did) agonize forever on minute details, I'm in the "if you like it, if you want it, if you can afford it.... BUY IT" camp.

i've got a langster 07 and i love it, go for it, just remember at least your not driving a car or even worse a bike with gears

If you want something htat you can make look nice wit a respray and some deep v's then I'd say go for the Bianchi Pista. If you're getting a nice custom one though who cares. Get which ever you can get quickest and cheapest. They're all similar quality.

get a langster (an ordinary one) and don't get deep-v's and risers they are for fashion victims, remember those dayglo socks from the 80's? that's what deep v's are. in ten years time you will look back at pictures of you r bike and ask yourself "what the hell was i thinking?"

Risers are fucking comfy and ideal about town.

i think we pissed off the businessman in him. (warrior)
He's prob an accountant!

andrewleitch86 If you want something htat you can make look nice wit a respray and some deep v's then I'd say go for the Bianchi Pista. If you're getting a nice custom one though who cares. Get which ever you can get quickest and cheapest. They're all similar quality.

true but i meant do it yourself.

sorry, but i got an 06, twatster, and have risers, used them for 12 years, can't get used to drops.........not a fashion thing.... comfy for me...

i forgot the smiley :-)

don't get risers get a ships wheel me lad, Arrr!

how did you know i was cornish???
edit....we like smilies

i like similes too

well i like similarians

Not that many changes on the Langster over the years other than the appearance. Me - '06. Caned the crap out of mine for 5000 miles and my maintenance beyond cleaning and puncture repair has consisted of repairing a broken spoke and a quick wheel re-truing (oh and BB needs replacing currently).
Admittedly you'll want to change bits as you go but that's personal preference.

i liked The Silmarillion.

Their lead singer - fish - was a twat though

MrSmith i liked The Silmarillion.

I tried and tried and tried but i cannot read that book.

andrewleitch86 If you want something htat you can make look nice wit a respray and some deep v's then I'd say go for the Bianchi Pista. If you're getting a nice custom one though who cares. Get which ever you can get quickest and cheapest. They're all similar quality.

Why bother with a respray? just get some mangers paint and varnish stripper and go for the chromed look. Verr nice. This is speaking from the biased point of view obviously. I reckon go with the fuji track, due to it being cheap as chips (more money for the custom jobby!) But then again if you've ridden it and ridden the langster then its just down to a matter of comfort. if you prefer the feel of the langster go for it. Tape/spray over the decals to make it steal-proof (well buy a lock too obviously) though, as htay wisely said.