Hybrid Bicycles - anyone have a Motobecane ?

I see these on ebay with carbon fork for 500.00....are they anygood ??

The lowest end models are junk,the high end ones are nice. Had one of the ti cross bikes,was my favorite until it was stolen.

Note that bikesdirect is descriptive;you get the bike straight from the manufacturer just like a shop would. Everything needs final adjustment,including the wheels which will need to be tensioned and trued. If you know how to work on bikes,they're a good buy. If not,make sure a decent shop puts it together for you. Also note that unlike a bike shop bike,you must deal with shipment issues. If the bike arrives damaged,you'll have to suss out the issues with the carrier. Also BD won't cover a derailleur hanger damaged in shipment,you'll need to buy a new one.

Basically,they're like anything else on eBay.

I have a Motobecane, but it was made in France circa 1975, and is a fine touring frame made of double butted Reynolds 531, with 531 forks and stays, and Campy mechanical bits. Probably not what you were asking about.

There are a few people in Commuting who have them (mostly the CX variants) for that purpose and the SSFG forum is chock full.

Basically, it boils down to that the frame is probably built in the same factory/factories as the established LBS brands, but with different paint and decals. Components are easily changed out.

I have a Motobecane Road Bike I purchased from Bikes Direct 2 years ago, Great Bike, paid $1600. B.D. said the bike is equal to a Trek 5,2, Could not afford the Trek, $3200. Very happy with the Motobecane!

My brother-in-law has the Motobecane Elite Adventure and has had good luck with it. He had to adjust a few things but seems to ride just fine now. For the $399 shipped he paid he received a bike with pretty good components(Deore/Disc Brakes/Lock-out fork). It's kind of a dual sport bike. It actually had geometry close to the Specialized Crosstrail. Here are the two links to each of the bikes. I posted the Specialized that matches the components the closest and it shows an MSRP of $990. I think the price makes it a great deal for someone wanting to get into cycling but doesn't want to drop that much money. Only down side is that resale may not be as great as it would be with a brand name bike. Name brand hybrids in the $400-$1000 price range seem to really hold their value according to what I see people posting on Craigslist.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/elite_adventure.htm

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/crosstrail/crosstrailelitedisc#specs

a lot of CL sellers have a rather unrealistic idea of what their precious something is worth.

a lot of CL sellers have a rather unrealistic idea of what their precious something is worth.

That's true and I guess the prices posted aren't necessarily what they end up getting for them.

yeah,i agree it, a lot of CL sellers have a rather unrealistic idea of what their precious something is worth.thankshttp://www.okhealthy.com/youjie/images/6.gif

I see these on ebay with carbon fork for 500.00....are they anygood ??

Can't tell if they are any good from your description. What is the quality of all the remaining components. Are the bikes you are looking at new or used?