Langster / Langster Pro / Langster Steel

also hope the felt turned up

I'm still around reading up on information about various bikes and components on this forum.

To the guys who helped with your advice thank you very much. To a lot of the other guys with unhelpful and ignorant comments I think you guys are total twats. Obviously I am new to single speed and fixed gear bikes, hence the many questions in what different components are.. which OTP bike is better etc..

Me, my brother and another friend have been interested in buying a fixie. Although we all ride bikes to work we are obviously not that knowledgable about bikes in general, especially fixies.

Some of the advice given has been very sound. Thanks again. After your input we have been going to different lbs's to test different bikes and are able to ask the right questions.

Some of the other comments are dam right rude, ignorant and just no help to anyone what so ever. Not very welcoming for someone totally new to riding fixed gear.

ha! classic!
"hi, i'm new here, and i demand that you answer all my questions, no matter how many times they have been asked (and answered) in the past. if you don't, you must be an absolute arsehole, how very dare you??"

"hi, i'm new here, and i demand that you answer all my questions, no matter how many times they have been asked (and answered) in the past. if you don't, you must be an absolute arsehole, how very dare you??"

3 years of this man.. 3 fucking years.. have some rep.

Hi all,

As a replacement for a Fuji Track Classic (the first half decent track bike I've owned, stolen recently from my flat) my insurance company has offered a Specialised Langster Steel 2010, or Charge Plug Racer 2010 (through Wheelies). I'm not feeling a whole lot of love for Specialised here, but would very much appreciate your thoughts on how the Charge/Langster measure up! Alternative is to get the cash, but after fees/excess are taken I'd end up with a whole lot less in my pocket than the value of either of these bikes.

I'd been riding my Fuji fixed, and didn't mind the drops for cycling N1 to W12 daily.

Thanks,

Cat.

^ Get either langster or charge, sell 'as new', buy a fuji / something else nicer.

Langster Steel isn't bad, in fact its a good looking bike. The Plug I feel would appear heavy and inert in comparison to your previous Fuji Track.

Why have they only offered those two choices anyway, instead of offering exactly the same? That's a bit odd, since your bike was readily available? Can't you insist on the same, pointing out that it had a higher bottom bracket and was lighter than both the replacement bikes offered?

Thanks for the feedback! For some reason Wheelies don't stock the Fuji I had (2010 Glassic), so they offer the nearest they can in terms of stock and specs. The Langster does look good, but the lightness of the Fuji was a key thing for me. Are the Langster/Charge much heavier?

Not sure whether to go back to a Fuji again as I've had two stolen (2009 and 2010 models) within 4 months of each other (one from street, one from flat). Feeling mildly cursed.

Indeed, ideally I'd like a bike that looks less stealable - the Langster/Charge both look pretty razzy. My brother reckons I should get the money and just build one up (thats what he's done, and hasn't had a bike stolen for a long time), but I'm no expert just yet.

Thanks again,

C.

The Langster weighs 9.2kg complete. The Plug weighs in at 10.7kg. Not sure how these compare with your Fuji but if weight alone is your deciding factor then get the Langster.

That's based on the Aluminium Langster BTW.

The Charge Plug is made of straight guage tubing (like old plumbing iron to be honest). Nearly all other bikes one could think of are made of double-butted tubing (lighter) now. The Plugs are popular as they're pretty bomb-proof. But in being that sturdy, they're heavy. In my opinion there are many, many bikes that would be a viable option to you, at the same price.

catvgale, look here for OTP bikes, and see here for the best bike locks and locking solutions.

This is not the LTW thread, but it sounds like your locking regime needs some improvement.

Thanks for the feedback! For some reason Wheelies don't stock the Fuji I had (2010 Glassic), so they offer the nearest they can in terms of stock and specs. The Langster does look good, but the lightness of the Fuji was a key thing for me. Are the Langster/Charge much heavier?

Not sure whether to go back to a Fuji again as I've had two stolen (2009 and 2010 models) within 4 months of each other (one from street, one from flat). Feeling mildly cursed.

Indeed, ideally I'd like a bike that looks less stealable - the Langster/Charge both look pretty razzy. My brother reckons I should get the money and just build one up (thats what he's done, and hasn't had a bike stolen for a long time), but I'm no expert just yet.

Thanks again,

C.

If it has to be one of the other, test ride them both. If you're used to the lightness of the Fuji track then I'm adamant you'll prefer the Langster steel.

A bike's "stealability" doesn't depend the bike itself, but rather the locks used and method of locking. In short, crap lock+ crap method of locking = a very "stealable" bike, regardless of how inconspicuous it is.

Bright colourful bikes like the ones in question may appear more attractive to the thief and are more likely to be eyed up by them, but ultimately it's those two criteria that they will analyse above all else.

Like GA2G said, have a read around the forum. There's a lot of useful info here that will hopefully prevent any repeat incidents in the future!

If it has to be one of the other, test ride them both. If you're used to the lightness of the Fuji track then I'm adamant you'll prefer the Langster steel.

A bike's "stealability" doesn't depend the bike itself, but rather the locks used and method of locking. In short, crap lock+ crap method of locking = a very "stealable" bike, regardless of how inconspicuous it is.

Bright colourful bikes like the ones in question may appear more attractive to the thief and are more likely to be eyed up by them, but ultimately it's those two criteria that they will analyse above all else.

Like GA2G said, have a read around the forum. There's a lot of useful info here that will hopefully prevent any repeat incidents in the future!

Thanks all. First bike stolen was definitely a case of crap lock/bad location/looking the wrong way for 10 mins. Second was a case of my flat being burgled. Will definitely be re-evaluating both bike and flat locking strategies, and my OTP options. Finding the forum enormously helpful,

C.

I've just got one of these, spec said 'zen messenger' chain ring... but i recon mines got an rd2 on it? anyone else found this??

I think they're the same thing.
RD2 = Messenger

I got the steel Langster, kept the track drops and ride it every day and love every minute of it. I came straight from riding a DMR trailstar mountain bike to this so not a very good comparison but I tried a few bikes before I settled on the Langster.

For the price its not badly specced, welds are neat enough but nothing special. wheels seem ok and can take a little abuse, pot wholes and mangled cobbles at speed don't seem to have harmed them.

I took all but the langster stickers off outside the specialized store when i picked it up, the sales guy looked pissed of but the mechanic looked approvingly at it.

I find its comfy even on long rides, gearing is ok it spins out a bit too early on the downhills but then I need the low gearing here in Plymouth to get me up the hills!

good value overall and not too heavy

I think they're the same thing.
RD2 = Messenger

its the zen part the makes it different. either way i'm very happy with the bike.

earing is ok it spins out a bit too early on the downhills

agree it does spin up too quick some times. but managed to overtake a learner on the way home today. felt good. cycle com said 34mph (very spinny). only had it 4 days see how it goes from here so far so good!!

better to spin than to grind.

agreed, knee's dont get that twinge so much. happy days.

PEDALS! the pedals are let down... dont want to ruin the the thing with a tacky combo of parts....
what pedals ?? i like mks gr-9's any good???

i nearly impulse bought a langster at the triathlon expo....
£295, for either reg or langster steel.
bargain?

Indeed dude, still pissed at myself for missing out on the Tricross SS when it was on sale.

3 years of this man.. 3 fucking years.. have some rep.

If only someone would get off their fat arse and list all the bikes, add photos and links on where to buy them, therefore making choosing an OTP so much easier than before. Nah, it'll never happen.

Indeed dude, still pissed at myself for missing out on the Tricross SS when it was on sale.

+1

I have a 2006 langster, it's ok. don't ride it very much because I reconverted it back into stock mode for winter and it is so disgustingly filthy from being ridden so much that i get dirty just from sitting on it! planning to re-re-convert it back into a standard trendy langster with single front brake and tiny riser bars. :)

Looks pretty hot to me and there's a red/white one as well that I cant transplant an image of but it can be seen here. Anyone here riding a steel langster?

• Reynolds 520 steel tubing gives this frame a classic look and that signature steel feel
  
• Timeless steel fork delivers durability and accurate handling while negotiating even the roughest road or track
  
• Sturdy and fast rolling Mavic rims with 32 holes in a sleek finish
  
• 42t alloy track-style crankset delivers efficient power transfer in a cool black finish
  
• Classic 1" quill track stem complements the retro frame
  
• Classic steel track-drop handlebar for the perfect position and look
  
• Old school minimalist saddle with copper rivets offers solid support with retro appeal
  

Not sure I would call those TIG welds a "classic look" but I guess a large proportion of the target market don't give one since it has CHROMEZ and OLD SCHOOL MINIMALIST RIVETZ SADDLE (which is as squashy as your average hybrid's).

Decent enough bike though. A friend has the 2010 red one and it's alright for an OTP.