Cyclocross - Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro

I know what Motobecane is, I know what I'm getting into, this thread isnt about that.

What do you think of the bike? I am a bit concerned about the frame - I am mainly looking for a rain bike with full fenders (this is the northwest and i will ride it nearly half the year, mostly base miles). Here is the link:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro.htm
Clearly a good deal on parts alone, just skeptical on the frame, looking for someone to egg me on before I order it :)

I didn't get very many answers when I posted about it. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=264927 I still think it's a good bike and might buy one. Good luck

Tim

I don't own one so I can't speak to their reliability, but at that price I say go for it. That's an awesome component package for the price and if the frame goes to crap you can just pickup another on ebay (kona,cannondale, giant, etc.),throw the old components on it. I've got a Kona Jake with tiagra/sora that cost $200 less than that motobecane. FYI, I've seen red motobecanes fantoms on ebay with 105 components for around $550.

I know what Motobecane is, I know what I'm getting into, this thread isnt about that.

What do you think of the bike? I am a bit concerned about the frame - I am mainly looking for a rain bike with full fenders (this is the northwest and i will ride it nearly half the year, mostly base miles). Here is the link:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro.htm
Clearly a good deal on parts alone, just skeptical on the frame, looking for someone to egg me on before I order it :)
I have the fantom cross, not the pro and love it. I am 6ft and have the 58cm don't know if that helps. I think that the pro has rack eyelets on the rear end as where mine only has it on the front:( . Yesterday I was hit with a pretty good down pour on my 40 mile ride and it took it great, hell I took a detour through a dirt(mud at that point) trail just for the fun of it, was already soaked might as well play.

I have the fantom cross, not the pro and love it. I am 6ft and have the 58cm don't know if that helps. I think that the pro has rack eyelets on the rear end as where mine only has it on the front:( . Yesterday I was hit with a pretty good down pour on my 40 mile ride and it took it great, hell I took a detour through a dirt(mud at that point) trail just for the fun of it, was already soaked might as well play.


I can help you out on this

This frame is the exact same quality as you find on a cross bike from Fuji, Felt, Kona, Redline, Giant, Specialized. There is exactlt zero difference in quality between Motobecane and these; this is a known fact in the cycling industry. No one in the know would debate that there is a quality difference in this frames.

Specs I think speak for themselves and we are selling this bike faster than we forecast [same with Fantom Cross].

mike

Well I busted out the credit card and ordered, we'll see how it goes!

Well I busted out the credit card and ordered, we'll see how it goes!
Have fun with it, just took mine for 70 miles today on road/off road today. It truly fits me well I hardly if ever get sore. Over 2300 miles to date on it.

Mike, somewhat off topic here, but I am still looking forward to some commuter bikes from you. I participated in the thread last year in which you were soliciting input. Do you have anything you are able to report on this?

Mike, somewhat off topic here, but I am still looking forward to some commuter bikes from you. I participated in the thread last year in which you were soliciting input. Do you have anything you are able to report on this?

commuter bikes are a special interest of mine
but it seems all commuters like something different

so I am having rack brazeons and eyelets put on most bikes that could be good for commuting

WINDSOR - TOURIST, THE HOUR, LEEDS, DOVER

MERCIER - GALAXY, CORVUS

MOTOBECANE - OUTCASTs, FANTOM CROSS, MIRAGE SPORT, RECORD, 300HT

DAWES - LIGHTINGS SPORT [TONS OF PEOPLE COMMUTE ON THIS $200 BIKE WITH STEM SHIFTERS]
LIGHTING 1000 & 1200

I can not get a good handle on one design that most commuters like -- but the Single speed bikes are popular for that and of course the Galaxy -- Cross bikes also getting popular for commters

Actually, I have thought that the Motobecane Cafe Noir, and Cafe Latte, with a good fender, rack and lighting setup, would make excellent commuter bikes.