Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Hachi
07-16-08, 04:01 AM
So I've been looking for a bike for a few weeks now (though with no car and no bike it feels like it's been MONTHS) and finally I found what I consider to be a good deal on CL.
I found a 2008 Motobecane Fantom Cross for a little over 400 with an upgraded rear derailleur to 105 (from tiagra I assume)
Now, this seems like a good deal to me and I can bypass all the misgivings about buying from BD by riding the bike in person. (aside from the fact that I dont REALLY know what to look for in a used bike, I have some ideas).
[1]First off, I'm probably between 5'10'' and 5'11'' and I'm worried if it will fit me. I'm a LITTLE worried about the size because the guy posted that it's a 57cm (though I thought they only made them in 56 or 58) and I think a 56 would fit because my reach seems to be most comfortable on a bike with a top tube around 56 to 57 CM and looking at it that is exactly the 56 and 58 top tube length. I just don't know that much about bike geometry so I was kind of wondering if the fantom frames ran big or small or compact or whatever.
[2]The other thing I'm concerned about is weight and tire / size. How much did the '08 fantom cross weigh? and how much does that really matter to me as a beginner. And will I have the option of putting on say, 700x28 road tires on it for slightly more speed?
[3] This isn't a CX oriented question but one of my worries about buying used is that it might be stolen, so does anyone have any ideas for good ways to detect the integrity of a bike, (other than look for the Serial number that's usually stamped on the crankcase?) and the structural integrity of the bike?
The bike will be used as a commuter to school and for recreational riding. I was initially looking for CX bikes but I gave up due to their price being so high normally but if I can be the first to check out this used one I may just have to pick it up. (as long as it feels good riding it, doesn't looked like it's been wrecked and doesn't seem to be stolen.).
I found a 2008 Motobecane Fantom Cross for a little over 400 with an upgraded rear derailleur to 105 (from tiagra I assume)
Now, this seems like a good deal to me and I can bypass all the misgivings about buying from BD by riding the bike in person. (aside from the fact that I dont REALLY know what to look for in a used bike, I have some ideas).
[1]First off, I'm probably between 5'10'' and 5'11'' and I'm worried if it will fit me. I'm a LITTLE worried about the size because the guy posted that it's a 57cm (though I thought they only made them in 56 or 58) and I think a 56 would fit because my reach seems to be most comfortable on a bike with a top tube around 56 to 57 CM and looking at it that is exactly the 56 and 58 top tube length. I just don't know that much about bike geometry so I was kind of wondering if the fantom frames ran big or small or compact or whatever.
[2]The other thing I'm concerned about is weight and tire / size. How much did the '08 fantom cross weigh? and how much does that really matter to me as a beginner. And will I have the option of putting on say, 700x28 road tires on it for slightly more speed?
[3] This isn't a CX oriented question but one of my worries about buying used is that it might be stolen, so does anyone have any ideas for good ways to detect the integrity of a bike, (other than look for the Serial number that's usually stamped on the crankcase?) and the structural integrity of the bike?
The bike will be used as a commuter to school and for recreational riding. I was initially looking for CX bikes but I gave up due to their price being so high normally but if I can be the first to check out this used one I may just have to pick it up. (as long as it feels good riding it, doesn't looked like it's been wrecked and doesn't seem to be stolen.).