Steel Specialized Langster

Hi, I've just bought a cheap 58cm steel Langster (looks like 2010 model) on ebay with a view to using it as a track bike. I'm expecting to have to change the cranks as I think they're 170 rather than 165, but I'm starting to think the BB height may be less than the required 11", does anyone know if this is the case?

Usually if it is a proper track bike then yes, the BB height will allow 170mm cranks in the Velodrome.

Thanks for the reply, it's a steel Specialized Langster, which I think was aimed at the wanna-be hipster market, rather than the velodrome. It was marketed by Evans cycles as suitable for the velodrome, but I think the BB height might only be 10.5". Having read up on it a bit more now, I think the cranks might be 165, so it's not all bad. Also, it should be ok for Aldersley velodrome (my local track) as that's outdoors, but I bought it mainly for riding on the boards at Derby, which it may not be suitable for. I'm picking it up middle of next month and thought it'd be nice to know in advance.

Should be Ok for indoors as has 'track' (or near as damn it) geometry

That is excellent news, cheers.

I've collected the bike.
Here are the regs for Derby velodrome:

The specifications required for Derby Arena’s track are:

• only purpose made track bikes may be ridden on the velodrome track
  
• the bike must be in good condition and undamaged
  
• the bike must be the correct size for the rider
  
• a fixed wheel drivetrain
  
• 165mm (170mm for pursuit) cranks with 280mm (11”) or greater bottom bracket height (measured from floor to centre of bottom bracket)
  
• the frame must not have braze-ons or extraneous fittings
  
• the frame must have track ends
  
• tyres/tubulars must be in good condition
  
• tyres/tubulars must be 21-25mm wide
  
• tyres/tubulars must not have coloured tread
  
• tyres/tubulars must be cleaned before entering the track
  
• no dual compounds are permitted
  
• tyres/tubulars must be correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications
  
• tubulars must be correctly glued and not taped
  
• new tyres/tubulars must be cleaned with white vinegar or isopropyl alcohol prior to use on the track
  
• the wheels must be of the same size front and rear
  
• the wheels must be spoked (not disc) for all taster and accreditation sessions
  
• the handlebars must be drop bars and have bar tape/grips and bar-ends (aerobars are permitted only in specific sessions)
  
• brake levers or callipers must not be fitted
  
• spare sprockets must not be fitted to double sided hubs
  
• quick release wheel axles are not permitted
  
• wheel axles should not extend beyond the track nuts
  
• mandatory gearing for all riders on taster sessions - 84” (47x15 or 50x16)
  
• the chain tension should be tight enough to avoid derailing but not so tight it ‘binds’ the drivetrain
  
• chain, sprocket and chainring should not be excessively worn
  
• devices such as bike computers or digital displays must not be visible to the rider whilst riding.
  
  

The Langster fails on a few points but most critically it has insufficient BB height, so it looks like I'll have to continue renting one of their clanky monsters for the foreseeable future.

they stole that from LV
lol
im surprised the langster BB is that low tbh. my mrs has one and i thought it was fairly close to proper track. how far off is it actually?

About 1/2 inch. There is the langster pro which has proper track geometry but they're pricey

Blimey! More rules than the common market!

Just like the EU , all for the consumers safety ...... :-)