Another stoopid Question

Sorry, I've been littering these boards a bit mainly because I am rather bored at work - Anyway looking to get a new frame and after cruising the bay have realised that anything with a horizontal drop out commands a much higher price.

Sooo - thinking about a conversion. Have all the bits which I'm hoping to take off my Langster. I've looked on here and Sheldon and due to the fact I have the mechanical knowledge of a small cat called Toby, can't work out how hard this is going to be.

Is my main issue going simply going to be chain tension?

Just to clarify, are you looking for a road bike to convert using the parts on your langster?

Issues will differ depending on the frame you are building up.

That's the rooster, yeah. Just an idea I had while sitting here bored at work. On a budget and it's wither that or get my current frame re-sprayed - fancied a retro frame though.

I'd be guessing the hardest bits to transfer would be the BB. I'm also guessing that it's english threading on it. And you'd need a headset since the one on the langster is built in into the forks. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Alot of guesswork tips here. sorry.

If you want an old road frame to convert, ensure it is the right size, has horizontal dropouts and is not a Peugeot (they can be tricky)

Make sure the BB threading, dropout spacing and headtube of the frame are compatible with your langster components and you'll save money. Oh, and get some tools if you don't have any.

EDIT: You'll gain a good deal of knowledge from doing this, but if it sounds like too much hard work, get a respray instead.

intergrated headset!
the least of your worries is chain tention
stick to your langster

[strike]^ I'm inclined to agree, but he can always keep the original stem on the conversion[/strike]

Fuck it. Respray.

Fair enough! Sounds like a nightmare with my technical skills or lack thereof!

or you could inverse spray it, sometimes called stripping.

1 a track frame will ride better then a conversion or your langster (assuming its of the new compact geo.)

2 there is no way all of the parts on your langster are going to transfer smoothly to a suitable vintage road bike, or be right for it. prats that wont fit (off the top of my head) are forks, headset, stem, and bars. also chainline will be different, as a road frame will most likely have wider rear spacing. you may also need to get the BB shell reamed.

1. don't spray a langster, save the money to make something better.

2. an old frame will probly come with bits rusted inplace.

concluesion: save up for a track frame, and ride the langster in the mean time.

Not sure saving is going to be an option. I was just going to go for a matt black.

well do what you want, thats just my advice.

buy less, ride more.

more more more more more more

how do you like it?

how do you like it?

stick with the langster, it'll ride far better than any conversion.

that's not true, is it, alex?

some conversions ride better than any langster. even the dogshit coloured sit-up-and-beg beauty that came out a few years back. you'd know that if you rode any of your bikes for more than five minutes before selling them, you feisty young ficklemeister.

and i love the contradictory advice in this thread, it's really got to the heart of the matter.

Ficklemeister, brilliant.

due to the fact I have the mechanical knowledge of a small cat called Toby

Is he a tabby? With a gammy eye? And a white paw?

He's not the best with gear inches, but I hear he's doing some sterling work sourcing rare NJS stuff.

An hour with a dremmel to remove the braze ons then 40 quid spent at Armourtex turned my langster into this:

Better to lurk round here more to get a jist of things, as the more you understand, the more your idea of an ideal frame etc will change, use the Langster to get your skills down, then when the times right take the plunge

An hour with a dremmel to remove the braze ons then 40 quid spent at Armourtex turned my langster into this:

Better to lurk round here more to get a jist of things, as the more you understand, the more your idea of an ideal frame etc will change, use the Langster to get your skills down, then when the times right take the plunge

One brake? Flat pedals? No straps?

Anyway, I agree (on this thread I'm not sure what I agree with, but it's bound to make someone happy).

Saying a track bike will ride better, what's all that about Chris? Why don't they all ride track bikes in the Tour de France?
No, no, no. A track bike is best for on the track.

If you do a lot of miles, a road frame (conversion if you like) is likely to be more forgiving. If you do short distances and like darting about in traffic, a track frame will be fun. Yer pays yer money, and makes yer choice.

Why not stick with the Langster? FWIW, you'll probably and up with some old half rusted pile off junk off ebay, put all the Langster bits on it (well, the wheels, BB and cranks might fit) and find you liked the Langster more. Ride it 'til it's dead, or gets nicked.

Fence panel fail^

One brake? Flat pedals? No straps?

Picture from when i sold it - took my Aliums off and put those on, N.O.S platforms from the depths of my shed, and its running a flip flop, but put SS for the purchaser to test ride

Fence panel fail^

My whole garden is fail

An hour with a dremmel to remove the braze ons then 40 quid spent at Armourtex turned my langster into this:

seems like you've changed:

bars
lever
tyres
chainset
seat
seatpost
pedals
chain(?)

you've also painted the stem (and headset spacers?) and added the chainstay protector for comedy effect.

sorry VV, I love your langster but neg rep for truth failure...