Ok so this is what I ended up getting today.

[Apex]

It isn't the Trek, but the Specialized Langster. It felt super comfortable, so I said why not.

Here are some pictures. I still need to set it up. It is definitely weird riding without a freewheel. It is ok, I have a flip-flop hub so I can convert it to a freewheel at any time.

Let the pics begin...(sorry about the quality, used my iPhone)






I like it so far. VERY light. I almost got the trek version of this bike. The straight bars felt weird. On a side note, I can convert the bars at any time (joy of no shifters!).

Right now, this feels pretty good. I must say, I like how it looks too. Polished aluminum frame with a clear coat. I'm debating on keeping the stickers on there or not. I guess I will for now.

I'm going to run outside and set it up. I need to adjust my seat height, bar position, etc...

[Flashmonkey]

Hrmm...that's not black....that's not black at all!!

Looks great, though!

[Racer x]

nice

[petiteninja]

now all you have to do is learn how to trackstand and skip stop...have fun! btw, what gear ratio did you end up with?

[Apex]

It came with a 42/16.

I definitely do need to learn a trackstand. It would help a lot. I tried it a few times. Was doing rather well until I picked up 30lbs of cat food/litter and cycled home. Yeah, the trackstand wouldn't happen. lol

[Apex]

Here are the specs...

FRAME
Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, integrated headset
REAR SHOCK
N/A
FORK
Specialized FACT carbon, carbon fiber legs, aluminum crown and steerer
HEADSET
Specialized Mindset, 1-1/8" integrated threadless, steel cage bearings, 20mm alloy cone w/ 10mm alloy spacer
STEM
Specialized Sport, 3D forged alloy, 6 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS
Specialized Comp, 6061 alloy, short drop, ergonomic shaping, 31.8mm
TAPE
Body Geometry cork ribbon
FRONT BRAKE
Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE
Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS
Tektro short reach for drop bars
FRONT DERAILLEUR
N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR
N/A
SHIFT LEVERS
N/A
CASSETTE
Shimano Freewheel, 16t
CHAIN
KMC Z-510HX 1 Speed
CRANKSET
Sugino Zen Messenger
CHAINRINGS
42t
BOTTOM BRACKET
Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm x 103mm
PEDALS
Silver cage, black body, w/ toe clip and strap
RIMS
Alex Race 32, sleeve joint, CNC sidewall 32h
FRONT HUB
Track, bolt-on w/ track axle nuts, 32h
REAR HUB
Track bolt-on w/ track axle nuts, 32h
SPOKES
Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE
Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE
Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, Flak Jacket
INNER TUBES
Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE
Body Geometry Toupé, super light foam, carbon reinforced base, Cr-Mo rails
SEATPOST
Specialized carbon wrapped, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER
Specialized alloy 31.8mm
NOTES
Chain stay protector, clear coat, owners manual

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Hrmm...that's not black....that's not black at all!!

Looks great, though!

No it is not.

I would have liked a matte black bike, but this just seemed so much more solid of a ride. I'm quite happy with it. I just got done pulling off several of those pesky stickers. So it looks cleaner than it did originally. I still have the "Langster" and the "Specialized" stickers on it, but that is pretty much it. I also pulled the wheel reflectors.

It was making a clicking sound after riding around. Found out it was a loose pedal. Put some torque on it and the sound went away. I love the whole single speed thing.

[cnichols79us]

Very Nice!!! Weird seeing a single speed hardtail being built with that frame type these days! Simplicity is the BEST though! Congrats Mark. Don't get pulled over for Wheelies now.

[Davidb1986]

two thumbs up!!! Very cool!!!

[CC Cowboy]

I'm not sure if you realise, there is no motor!

[Apex]

Originally Posted by cnichols79us

Very Nice!!! Weird seeing a single speed hardtail being built with that frame type these days! Simplicity is the BEST though! Congrats Mark. Don't get pulled over for Wheelies now.

I've seen several made out of older bikes. I wouldn't mind to build one, but this will do nicely for a long time.

I plan on learning quite a bit on this bike.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by cc cowboy

i'm not sure if you realise, there is no motor!

hang on a minute!! Where did it go??????

Dang goblins have been stealing my motors again!!!!!

[Sailariel]

Nice ride, Mark. Would love to get a single speed, but the terrain here is so hilly that I would have to be built like some power lifter to even get the thing to move. Around here, all you see are Triples and Compacts. I have a classic Univega in my stable with a double and I am exhausted after riding the bike for 20 mi.My Merckx has a triple and I can go 100 mi a day easy and still have energy to have a couple of beers and schmooze with friends after the ride. I guess what you ride depends on where you live.

[Apex]

Why not get a fixed crank (like a 38T or something) and Shimano Nexus hub? That way you have the simplicity of a single speed, but you have 8 gears to choose from?

Just a suggestion.

[ScraitT]

It's beautiful that's for sure.

Since I know nothing about bikes, what is the advantage of this being a single speed?

[Apex]

Well the main advantage is low maintenance. I got this to goof around on and commute with. I don't have the ability to change gears to minimize effort. I must grind out whatever I have to deal with, a hill or head wind, in one gear. Not to mention not having the full cassette or triple up front, along with the lack of shifters and derailleurs reduces weight.

Single speeds are reliable and extremely low maintenance. All you need to do on a bike like this is:

• make sure the chain is tight
• make sure the chain is lubricated
• make sure there is air in the tires
• check the brakes every now and again

and that is it.

A bike like my Trek and Cannondale requires cleaning the cassettes (which takes time), adjusting cables, adjusting the front and rear derailleurs (which if they get damaged can get expensive), verifying chain alignment, etc. It just takes longer to clean, longer to keep in working order.

[ScraitT]

Thanks for the info

All my bikes are single speed, but that's purely because more of the shifter cables have rusted closed They are all just cheap $50 bikes from Kmart. I've always wondered if I might actually enjoy riding a bike if it was a real road bike with proper tires and lightweight, not one of my 80 lb mountain bike style bikes with bent rims that feels like your pedaling a car...

Congratz on the new bike!

[Apex]

Upgrade. You will be floored if you have never been on anything over $500. It is like night and day...especially the shifter quality and the weight.

[Apex]

Oh and I just kicked my own butt by riding the fixie 35 miles today. WOW. I have never had my legs burn like that before. lol

That was one nasty headwind I had for over 1/2 my ride.

[petiteninja]

now hop on your trek...it'll feel sloppy with a freewheel, like you have no control. but guess what? your cadence will be more consistent and you'll blast past everyone on the hills...wait your in texas, the winds are probably worse than the hills out here!

[Apex]

Well we get some good hills when we get to the "hill country". Some nasty ones too. That is true, the winds can be terrible. I'll keep training on the Langster (in FG mode), so when the MS150 comes up next month, I'll be like "wow, this is nothing".

I know what you mean about it being "sloppy". I was floored how tight the drivetrain felt on the FG. You really do feel like you are connected. My foot slipped off a pedal while I was in full sprint and I was laughing because I couldn't get it back on. hahaha


Maybe I'll post up a video of the bike path I like to cruise on so people can get an idea of what a path around me looks like (very hilly, but short hills. So short they yell at you "sprint up me!" Next thing you know your legs are jello. lol