monty93

I'm currently in the market for a new bike that has the frame of a road bike but has more durable tires (the roads in my town are not so desirable), and I've been looking at the Motobecane Fantom CX. If anybody has one of these, can you tell me about it. I'm upgrading from my mountain bike because I want something with thinner tires that I can do more milage and get more speed on. The tires look kind of knobby, so I want to know if I'll have to upgrade to smoother tires.

Any opinions?

Oh and by the way, does this look like a good deal?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_cx.htm

Barrettscv 

Your on the right path, just add a set of 700cX28 puncture resistant road tires. You should pick up the pace over your knobby tired MTB by 4 mph, YMMV.

Also, consider the Windsor from bikes direct: much, much better!

Unagidon

I would pay $200 for this bike... https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/cyclo.htm

CICLISMO_URBANO

I WAS ALSO LOOKING AT THIS BIKE BUT WITH A MORE AERO FORK ( CHROME MOLY)
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170274949583
I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD DEAL... ANY OPINIONS?

Ronsonic 

Honest, a more "aero" fork will mean nothing unless you are a very serious time trialer, in which case this is the wrong bike.

monty93

Thanks guys. So I think it would be safe to say that getting a cyclo and putting on puncture proof road tires would be a good option. That being said, another option would be to get a hybrid (of course, for the same purpose). Would a cyclo be better than a hybrid?

Tobias Greenich

I've recently bought one of these, I'm pleased with it.

Even with the stock knobbies still on it, the ride is a huge step up from the mountain bikes I'd ridden before. For commuting, those tires are fine, though if you intend on taking longer road trips you might want to try slicker tires. These work fine for my commuting and single track on the weekends, and we'll see how they hold up to cross racing this weekend. I've only had one flat so far, from rolling through a bunch of goat heads that was pretty much unavoidable.

You should be comfy doing your own measurements and wrenching if you order from BD, but the bikes themselves are fine.

Barrettscv 

YES,YES,YES!

I have a Hybrid and a Cyclocross. The Hybrid was a good bike to help return to biking, but within 3 months I wanted something that would be more efficient and fun to ride. After using my CX bike I wish that I would have started with this type. Unless you are a speed-a-phobe and/or just completely uncomfortable with drop style handlebars, go directly to the Cyclocross bike and start up right!

Big M

The Cyclo's a good deal. If you can spare the extra $250, it's a better value.

That's a pretty good description of either cyclocross or touring bikes. I went with a Windsor Cyclo because it was such an awesome deal, but there are also some great touring bikes out there that may be more comfortable. Have you test ridden anything from friends or your local shop? It's important to have some sense of what geometry you're comfortable with.

Cyclocross bikes tend to be more aggressive (saddle to bar drop). Touring bikes are a bit more relaxed, generally have higher handlebars so you lean less, and might be a better option for a first-time dropbar bike.

monty93

Good to know. I'm anything but a speedophobe and I'm in love with drop bars, so those aren't really a factor. I don't really mind leaning forward that much because my MTB is so old that the saddle is MUCH higher than the bar.

I'll probably go to the local bike shop this weekend to try out some bikes. How much difference is there going to be between bikes? Is the geometry mostly the same, or are there significant differences?

Also, I dont think this shop carries Motobecane, so if they don't have them, is there another bike of equal quality I should get, or is there a bike with similar geometry to a MB that I could try and then just order at home?

Big M

You won't find Motobecane in stores. BikesDirect.com only.
Do you mean the difference between touring and cx bikes, or just in general? All are pretty different from brand to brand and model to model, but the Fuji cross geometry is similar to the Fantom. You'd do best to find someone with a Fantom locally and ask for a ride. What part of the country do you live in?

darksiderising

I believe the crankset/bb alone retails for $200. I don't like BD either, but let's at least be reasonably sarcastic.

jonestr

I think bikesdirect has some shops in Texas (Plano) and possibly Florida

Unagidon

I meant $200 more, not $200 for the entire bike.

darksiderising

Ah, my bad. Well, then it's $250 more.

Unagidon

Obviously, I have issues with simple math

AndrewP

The Fantom CX will be fine, and you you can put on Panaracer Pasela TGs when the original tires wear. If you have hills you might need a triple chainring at the front for general purpose riding - some of the Specialized Tricross models or the Kona Jake.

Unagidon

OP - seems like you're just looking for a bike that allows for wider tires to ride around town. I think another good option would be this one...

Gives you all the low gears you'll ever need, steel - so a pretty comfy ride, clearance for wide tires, and strong 36 spoked wheels. Won't be the lightest bike around, but definitely much more efficient than hybrid or mountain bike. And if you change the brake on this bike, it's basically a cross bike anyway.

https://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm

monty93

Well, I bought the Fantom, and it's on its way. I got a great deal. It retails for $1500, I got it for $550, free shipping, and no sales tax.

AndrewP

Many people on these forums dont like the Sora shifters, since you cant upshift from the drops. However I think they are great for riding around town. When you stop at lights you will have your hands on the hoods. As you accelerate away from the lights the thumb buttons are in just the right place for going up through the gears. Then you can move down onto the drops when you are back up to speed.

MONGO!

CX bikes make great road bikes, I did a 35 mile ride on mine today on cross tires.

I'd get some Richey Speedmax cx tires and run 50-60 psi. makes for a fast but comfy ride.