London Fixed-gear and Single-speed SJS Cycles

Hi all,

Finally sold my 54cm Flyer after accepting it was too small for me. A lot of upper body weight was on my wrists, and no amount of fiddling with saddle fore-aft, different stem lengths etc could fix it.

I sat on a 56cm Flyer the other day, and to my surprise - had the same problem! Am beginning to think the Flyer's geometry wasn't for me. I had this same problem when test riding Bianchi Pistas. So...

I guess my body type needs a road frame rather than a track frame?

I test rode a Fillmore the other day and loved it (55cm, but my nads were touching top tube). They didn't have a 53cm built up, but maybe I should try that. I found the riding position to be much better than the Flyer, more upright somehow, although looking at the two frames it's had to see how.

My other option is a Langster. I know they get loads of grief on here and don't look as nice as traditional frames but comfort is my no. 1 priority! I road a 56cm and it felt pretty good, accelerated a bit quicker than the Fillmore, and I had more stand over clearance. But I prefer look of Fillmore!

Which would you guys go for and why?

And is there any difference between the 2008's and 2007's?

Thanks!

John

PS. I cannot find any in-depth reviews of either bike, any links?

review of london langster here:

http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/1442/3/the-white-horror-2007-london-langster/#Item_23

im pretty sure your going to get the same answer from everyone..........not the langster.

I might say try the Kona Paddy Wagon! Like all Konas it has good geometry, and quite a roomy cockpit area.

What is wrong with the Langster? I actually quite like the green colour scheme (I HATE THE LONDON ONE).

Seems pretty decent. If they're so bad why do Brixton cycles stock them? They can't be that bad surely?

I wish I had the time, money and skills to build my own... sadly off-the-peg it is for me.

So... if it's possible, some un-biased, objective pros and cons of the Lemond and Langster please! ;-)

John

Google "bike fit" and find a website that takes various dimensions and kicks out some sizing info. Choose the least racy of the outputs if there's more than one. That will give a better idea of sizing than asking a few people on here and basing your decision on seat tube size.

Also you should be aware that good cycling form is to take weight on your legs and saddle, not bars. A lot of this is about having the right size bike, but you also need to have correct posture and strong core muscles (ie abs and back) to support your upper body. Your back should be quite straight - try consiously pushing your lower back forward so that you aren't hunched on the bike.

i was just saying that for your safety...if you get a langster you will be shunned by the whole of the cycling community all over the world....just ask murtle.

1. they ugly

2. a bike shop stocking a bike is no guarantee that said bike is "good"

3. It takes about half a day to build a fixed wheel bike, and can be alot cheaper than off the peg and it's really really easy.

4. i think the fillmore looks quite nice.
(objectivity doesn't exist)

I personally like this fit calculator http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

I like to go for something around the "Eddy fit". But I am not religious to.

This one is also good to give you an idea of if you are more legs of more arms or more body. http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Try and find a shop with the filmore in your size give it a ride around. Try shifting yourself backwards a forwards in the saddle a bit. Try experimenting by riding with just your figure on the handle bars. This way you can get a rough impression of what it would be like to have a shorter stem or one with more rise.

Remember though as Momentum said if you are not accustomed to cycling you will ache a little as you will be using some muscles more than others, just like if you start any new sport.

If you can go to the bike shops during the week when the staff are quiet, then you can ask lotts of questions get them to have ago and fitting the bike for you, watch you ride along for a bit so they can judge your body position e.t.c

Get the bike you like, as you say the London Lancaster is very trashy but other than that, if you like the green one and it is fun buy it, ride it customize it take the stickers off if you are that worried. One thing I do think about specialized bike is they have crap graphics and loads of them. Of course that is just my personal aesthetic opinion. If you like the Lemond buy that. It will be your bike you have to judge what is important to you.

it's all true....... even my dog wouldn't go near me, until it was locked away.....

Is it just me or does the Fillmore frame look very similar to the Steamoller?

naaa!

While I much prefer the geometry of the pre-2007 langster, though the aluminium fork was shite and needed immeadiate changing, objectivey speaking there's a lot to be said for the Langster as an entry level ss/fixed. The frame is lighter than pretty much all the other off-the-peg bikes, meaning it's realy worth upgrading with better wheels etc. Also Specialized standard equipment like saddles, bar tape etc. tends to be pretty decent, so you get off to a good start. What I think most people here, myself included, object to is the rubbish graphics/aesthetics of the recent Langsters, but like you say the green 2008 is a move back in the right direction. There are definitely better bikes than the Langster, I really rate the Willier Pista, but for the money I don't think the Langsters that bad a deal. Others WILL disagree. One thing in favour off the Fillmore is that it's got a two piece crank with outboard bearings, at least on my road bike I've found these make a real (+ve) difference.

TheBrick - Thanks for that link - most useful. Haven't come across that one before!

polybikeuser - I was wondering about those outboard bearings. What are the advantages?

Bigger bearing => more durable, from what I understand anyway. Fixed riding tends to be hard on b.b as well so double +

Lemond filmore is easily the better looking bike. Shame about the alex rims.

i've ridden my mate's 2005 langster and it feels quite nice to be honest it's light, quick and zippy, even with the original forks. i don't know about the new ones, but to be fair i think the frame is not bad. but if you want comfy i think the lemond would be the more comfy option. the slacker seat tube angle and steel frame would make it more forgiving.

still, by the end of the day, it's best to try it out yourself. just make sure the shop get the bikes adjusted properly for you before you go and test it.

and for the 56cm flyer you tried, i'm still very sure it's the setup rather than the frame. if it's the frame it only means that you need a larger one.

Not a Langster.. you need a..

Most people bagging Langsters have never ridden them. Their comments are typically based on them not liking how Langsters "look" and the fact that newbs tend to ride them as their first bikes and do silly things with them/on them. Like 31trum.. :)
How a frame looks is the least of your concerns - I mean, you just got rid of a bike that didn't fit.
I bought one as I wanted a bike I'm not attached to for parking outside. I don't leave my good bikes out. I also like the fact they are such hated machines. :)
I need to sort mine out and ride it properly but in the short zips around Eals, I've noticed: VERY VERY light, VERY zippy, mine saddle-bar drop is a bit much. Brakes are still nice. Can't comment on original fork coz I don't have one but 31trum hated it I think?
Don't listen to the haters, ride what you like, but just so you know, you will be mocked for owning a langster. Silly, but that's what this place is like. :)

The frame on a Langster is ok-ish quality, although the geometry is not liked by all. It is the rest of it that is a big pile of shit though.

I'd go for the LeMond... although are you sure you don't want to build up your own? Easily done for the £400 or so that an OTP bike will set you back.

for some reason skidding is ridiculously easy on the ride i rode. dry ground, 70 gear inches. all i need to do was simply to stop pedalling and resist a little bit. bum on saddle.

yeah why don't you build one? it's fun to do.

Appreciate you may have purchased the bike - but the steel of the lemon was just much more responsive and fun than the alu of the langster.

I felt much more comfortable on riding the fillmore, and found the ride to be much less "twitchy".

Barnie at Brixton Cycles (BC mentioned above) swears by the Lemond and if they are the same price, always the Lemond. If they aren't or you prefer the geometry of the Langster on riding...then do as you body tells you.

im plumping for a singlecross, then i can play off road :P

You don't need a singlecross to do that. I use my Steamroller offroad, just get the right tyres and any bike can do it (as long as it has enough clearance)

I just use Armadillos, or currently trying out Ribmos as they are lighter. I like the freedom of being able to just head off up a fireroad or a bit of singletrack rather than being limited to road only.