cooleric1234

I asked this in the Clydes forum (I'm 6'5", 190 lbs), but I thought I'd get a commuter's perspective (I might have to post in the SS/FG forum later). For my commute, I'm torn between getting a Redline 925 or a Motobecane Fantom Cross UNO. If you don't want to read the whole post here's my question, with skinnier tires will the Motobecane be much slower than the 925?

I have a Moto road bike that was a great value, it's just heavy compared to other bikes in the class.

I'm pretty keen on the 925, that's one slick looking bike (although I much prefer last year's red to this year's green).


Here's my list of pro's for this one:
1. Probably faster and lighter, more fun to ride
2. I get shop support (less important with the simplicity of a single speed?)
3. Easier to change gear ratio
4. Includes fenders
5. Probably easier to maintain (dual pivot brakes and chain tensioner)
6. Other components better (hubs, saddle, stem, etc.)?
7. Appearance is nicer for the most part (fork, wheels, bullhorn bars...although I like the paint of the Moto better)
8. Less immediate costs (with the Moto I'd need new tires, probably brake levers, fenders)

The other option is the Motobecane Fanotm Cross UNO:


Here are the pros:
1. Price
2. Price
3. Price
4. I think I'll like drop bars more, for my 10 mile commute
5. Easier to get up hills
6. Strong cantilever brakes
7. Fits my current studded tires (not sure I'll be using them in the future though)
8. Longer crank-arms for a tall guy such as myself?

I should say I won't want a lower gear ratio than the Moto provides, to increase I'd need a new chainring, chain guard, or crankset. I'll eventually be getting an ENO freewheel anyway so it would be easy to lower the Redline, if desired by then. I don't think I'd want to increase the ratio on the Redline.

mijome07

I'd get the Moto'.

vegipowrd

Why change the chainring rather than the cog? The cog would be way cheaper.

You've probably done this, but have you called/interwebed all over your area to see if anyone is selling last year's redline? That would fix the price and the paint.

Last, most of the stuff you are talking about changing out is all stuff that is cheap. Bars and cogs are easy to find and not expensive. Since you may also be looking at a wheel or fenders, I would base your decision on those much pricier changes.
Getting stuff at your LBS could be nice if you don't like doing your own work. The only time I end up in mine is when I'm messing around with stuff rather than getting it fixed. That's SS/FG do have less to maintain, but you'll still get wheels trued, brakes tightened and the occasional head set work.

svtmike

Between the two, I'd get the Motobecane for the drop bars and the more flexible tire size options. But I would have to change to brake levers that would allow me to brake from the drops and give me a hood hand position instead of bartop.

cooleric1234

I can't find a freewheel lower than 16T. Maybe I just don't know where to look, but the usually places I shop don't seem to have them. White Industries doesn't sell one either, which is what I'd want.

It's a specialty item, I did that last fall and I couldn't find any of that year's model in the biggest size, much less now. I'm having a hard time finding THIS year's model in my size in a nearby shop.

Good point. The only thing I've been able to find is that supposedly the hubs are really good on the 925, I can't say there's anything different that I know of in the spokes, rims, or even the frame.

I like doing my own bike work. I don't like HAVING to do my own work, which is why I'm going SS. But I rarely take my bikes in to a shop.

mihlbach

I like the cantilevers and the drops on the moto, but its geared too low for the road, needs different tires, fenders, and to get full use of the drops you'll need a pair of hood/levers that can either replace the in-line brake levers or be used in addition to.

The 925 is set up better for commuting. Personally, I'd swap the horns for a pair of drops, but otherwise ride it as is.

midschool22

What about the white 925?

Metricoclock

i had issues with toe over lap with the 925 i test rode, and it was with the stock pedals and clips. I instead decided to go with a Cross Check for the extra room for my big feet.

I have talked with people that have loved their 925's and it's a great commuter setup BUT I would still have to say the Moto , larger clearances and a little beefier frame.

cooleric1234

I absolutely despise it. I'm a guy, I don't want floral patterns on my bike.

cooleric1234

That's exactly what I was worried about. Plus, like I mentioned, it's not a simple matter of swapping out the freewheel to raise the gearing. Thanks for the feedback.

cooleric1234

How big, I wear sizes between 11 and 12 myself.

crhilton

I'm a guy. I hate white bikes. I think it's beautiful. I'd be tempted but I'm buying one of these right now: https://www.northamericanflyers.com/u...s/DSC04130.jpg

I'd go with the redline. It has fenders and it sounds like it's the one you really want. It's cheaper to buy the right bike first than the wrong bike, then the right bike.

kwrides

Here's a 13. https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3960

There's a 15T ACS at Ben's too. https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=1063

Here's a 12 at Jenson https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...e+Bmx+Cog.aspx

There are several 13s at Jenson too.

I can't attest to the quality of these, or if they're all 1/8" (I was moving fast) but they're possibilities.

x136 

I switched out the cog on my Uno for a 14t, which works out well (71 gear inches up from the stock 62). AEBike carries a few 14 and 15t freewheels if you're not into fixed riding.

PickledFetus

Did you have to shorten the chain for that, or was there still room in the dropouts to tension the stock chain?

Metricoclock

Depending on the brand anything between 13-15 US Mens

When i was on the 925 it had the stock clips and pedals and they were hitting the fenders.
With my cross-check, i can run full fenders and clipless,etc. setup and not have a problem.

Dustintendo

how did you fit a 14 tooth freewheel on there when the smallest that you can get in english threading is 16 tooth?

Otter 718

I have never ridden singlespeed, and I don't know your route, but 800 ft. is a pretty significant gain. You're sure you don't need more gears?

cooleric1234

I was worried about that too. But on Friday I did my commute sticking in one gear (I think it was 38/16, like the Moto) and it wasn't a problem. I did have a tailwind, but my commuting bike is also very heavy (like 35 pounds), so I think I'll be okay. The big thing that helped was realizing that I don't have to keep my cadence at 90 with a single speed. I was mashing going up the hills, but it was easier than pushing myself to keep up my cadence. Maybe it's bad form, but it was a lot easier.

I also have a road bike for days when I feel really tired

silver_ghost

[QUOTE=x136;8400888] AEBike carries a few 14 and 15t freewheels if you're not into fixed riding.

I'm not a BMXer or anything, but I'm pretty sure that those sub-16 tooth freewheels won't fit a standard single speed hub. They're meant for the smaller diameter threading that some BMX hubs use.

baldsue

When I wanted a smaller freewheel my LBS was ready and willing to sell me one. But they couldn't install it. They said the smallest I could go was 16t. So I went to a 41t chain ring, instead. Incidentallly, the LBS said the largest chain ring that would fit is probably a 42t.

cyclefreaksix

Funny, I'm looking at the very same two bikes. I went and rode the 925 at Richardson Bike Mart a couple of weeks ago. It's a very nice bike, very smooth. However it would appear that you can't run anything larger than a 28mm tire. My route is pretty rough and I occasionally have to jump a curb or two. The Moto will allow me to run up to a 42mm (1.6inch) tire and probably fenders as well.

BD is out of the white Uno in my size, which I had my mind set on. So, I'll end up getting a black Uno. Pics will be posted once I have the bike and it's set up to my satisfaction.

cooleric1234

I'll be interested in your review. If you could weight it that would be great too.

dr_bovine

I love my 925. My only serious complaint is the tire clearance (and to a lesser extent the handlebars). I wanted to put studded tires on this winter, but the Nokain A10 32s were all out of stock by the time I got around to it. But ultimately, I only skipped two days this winter because of the road conditions, so I guess it didn't turn out to be that big of a deal after all. I also changed out the stock tires because I was getting way too many flats (almost once a week) and have only had one since (~9 mo).

I also sounds like you might need to put more than $100 (approx. difference in price) into the Moto to get it up to where you want it.

x136 

I didn't shorten the chain. If I wanted, I could put the 16t freewheel that came with the bike on the other side, and switch back and forth with no problem.

Whoops, you're right. I didn't notice that. Sorry for the mixup, folks.