I was talking to a bicycle designer this morning and we got talking about the specialized langster. I have always disliked the langster but couldn’t really put it into words what i found so wrong about it. I mean, it is a decent bike. But he brought up this point. What does the Specialized tokyo graphic have to do with tokyo? He nailed it, that really is it.
The previous city langsters are pretty kitchy and tacky, with their city themes. Kinda funny, whatevers. But tokyo with that gaudy ass color combo and the stupid japanese text. who the hell is that suppose to appeal to? The japanese? or to the americans that go into hot topic and buy those chinese dragons, chinese characters shirts?
The C+G is obviously designed by a westerner and his stuck in the dark ages concept of Japan. The last samurai died ages ago. That color and design does nothing in the least bit to represent tokyo. As most of you guys probably know, Japanese frames are mostly one color, simple decal style.
k.
I think the bike is ugly but I see where they were going with it.
i don’t think you will find many arguments here.
I think it would’ve been cooler if it was sushi themed. Like a rice colored frame with nori rims and random wasabi accents.
I think the langsters problem is much more geometry related than paint related.
Explain…
that langster looks like a fuji se.
I’m sure he’ll use the tired argument of “wah sloping top tube” instead of looking at the tube angles which is really what creates the feel of the bike. Bottom line is the langster is aesthetically opposite of traditional track bikes and some people dont like it.
I figured as much. I guess if the wheels aren’t almost rubbing the seat and downtubes, it ain’t shit these days. And curse those sloping top tubes!
curse 'em!
sure. i think most people here agree with me. but as an asian person, this is first bike that i have ever found offensive in a cultural sense. And if you think about it, that’s really quite a feat.
I don’t have to be asian to find that bike offensive. Maybe they’ll make an Atlanta edition with the rebel flag and cotton on it.
I’m sure he’ll use the tired argument of “wah sloping top tube” instead of looking at the tube angles which is really what creates the feel of the bike. Bottom line is the langster is aesthetically opposite of traditional track bikes and some people dont like it.[/quote]
Or maybe he means the low bottom bracket and slack headtube angle. Although the sloping top tube is ugly as sin, as well.
Anyway, yeah, you don’t have to be Asian to be offended by things that lack taste. Just take the Las Vegas Langster, for example.
I’m not from Las Vegas, but that offends every sense I can use on a computer. If I could smell it, I’d probably hate the way it smelled, too.
I have to say I find it funny that people want to ride fixed gear bikes on the street but when a company comes along with a bike designed for that (slack angles, sloping toptube for standover, brake cable stops) it gets looked down at. I sell Masi in my shop and the Speciale Fixed is probably the best out of the box street fixed I have see this year. But riding fixed on the street is rarely about function over form is it not?
That being said the themed Langsters are disgusting. The regular one is ok but will be forever stigmatized as a girls bike in my book.
Braden
Only two worthy Langsters or few langsters
Langster Comp
Langster Sworks
Old Langster barspinnnz
That tokyo langster would be so much cooler if it was made out of katanas.
[quote=“blickblocks”]
I think the bike is ugly but I see where they were going with it.[/quote]
Andy Dick!
[quote=“bradencbc”]I have to say I find it funny that people want to ride fixed gear bikes on the street but when a company comes along with a bike designed for that (slack angles, sloping toptube for standover, brake cable stops) it gets looked down at. I sell Masi in my shop and the Speciale Fixed is probably the best out of the box street fixed I have see this year. But riding fixed on the street is rarely about function over form is it not?
That being said the themed Langsters are disgusting. The regular one is ok but will be forever stigmatized as a girls bike in my book.
Braden[/quote]
I thought track geometry was preferred on the streets for negotiating tight areas? I was under the impression track bikes get use on the street because they’re nimble and can be ridden at walking speed or slower (stopped). I love the agility of my geared crit and my tarcky.
Petr5
The trail on most Track and fixedgear road bikes is the same. Mid 6 to 7. That whole nimble, dodging through cars nonsense is just more “dude zen” bull crap. I like riding a TRACK geometry bike on the street from time to time but if I was going to regularly commute on a fixed I would opt for a longer wheelbase and slacker headtube bike because it will handle about the same and the trade off of super snappy acceleration for a smoother ride is one I am willing to make.
I can’t ride through traffic on that bike because the clearances are too large.