Motobecane Fantom CX
12-20-11, 11:55 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Motobecane Fantom CX
Hi there I am looking into a Motobecane Fantom CX
and I was wondering if anyone has experience with this bike...
any like or dislikes any quirks etc..
Thanks
and I was wondering if anyone has experience with this bike...
any like or dislikes any quirks etc..
Thanks
12-20-11, 02:03 PM
#2
Longing for a Tail Wind
Search is your friend.
There is also a bunch of information here: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/motobecane-mercier/
BD bikes are a bit of a lightning rod in terms of opinion. They are nothing special in terms of frame technology/innovation (read: they use other manufacturers R&D), but they have generally a good component price in comparison to store bought.
But, that discount comes at the price of being able to do your own set-up/install or paying $$ to an LBS to do it for you.
With that said, I have a Moto CX TI Rival bike. I love it. I am planning on buying an AL or Steel CX bike soon for my wife.
Do a search and read others posts, you will get an idea of the pros and cons.
There is also a bunch of information here: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/motobecane-mercier/
BD bikes are a bit of a lightning rod in terms of opinion. They are nothing special in terms of frame technology/innovation (read: they use other manufacturers R&D), but they have generally a good component price in comparison to store bought.
But, that discount comes at the price of being able to do your own set-up/install or paying $$ to an LBS to do it for you.
With that said, I have a Moto CX TI Rival bike. I love it. I am planning on buying an AL or Steel CX bike soon for my wife.
Do a search and read others posts, you will get an idea of the pros and cons.
12-21-11, 07:47 AM
#3
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...for the price, can't be beat.
If you look around, there are some other mail order bikes popping up with a similar price/spec to those offered at bikesdirect. (Nashbar had a 105 equipped steel cross bike for under $600 earlier this month... price went up).
I have a Moto Fantom Cross, which I purchased for $800 and I love it. Be OK with putting the bike together or paying someone else to do it for you.
If you look around, there are some other mail order bikes popping up with a similar price/spec to those offered at bikesdirect. (Nashbar had a 105 equipped steel cross bike for under $600 earlier this month... price went up).
I have a Moto Fantom Cross, which I purchased for $800 and I love it. Be OK with putting the bike together or paying someone else to do it for you.
12-21-11, 09:40 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I was going to put it together myself I have a couple donor mountain bikes with some Shimano Deore lx xt stuff and a nice triple My total cost on the bike will be about $200 and 8 hours of time
12-21-11, 09:43 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Indeed it is I only found a couple posts about "show me your bike" and the titanium one not a lot of technical stuff thats why I asked here. And since I am building the frame I can put whatever I like on it...
12-22-11, 02:57 PM
#6
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Good thread for me too,I was looking at the Moto Fantom Cross UNO (singlespeed CX) as a second roadie\gravel grinder...I was thinking as much as I like SS mtn biking,and since I ride road\gravel much more than trail (logistics,not choice),an SS CX'er would be nice.
On the BD thing,never bought from em (yet),but I did own a second hand BD sold Dawes Deadeye SS 29'er mtn bike earlier this year,and had some corespondance with Mike (big KAHUNA at BD) about some things,he was very helpful,and went out of his way to make sure I was happy with the bike (again,that I did not purchase from him)...yeah,a ilghtning rod for opnions,but I won't hesitate to buy from em in the future. My 2 cents,though a bit off subject
On the BD thing,never bought from em (yet),but I did own a second hand BD sold Dawes Deadeye SS 29'er mtn bike earlier this year,and had some corespondance with Mike (big KAHUNA at BD) about some things,he was very helpful,and went out of his way to make sure I was happy with the bike (again,that I did not purchase from him)...yeah,a ilghtning rod for opnions,but I won't hesitate to buy from em in the future. My 2 cents,though a bit off subject
12-23-11, 08:47 AM
#7
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i have a 54cm moto fantom cx pro and really like it. its strong like a mtb and good for towing loads.
incidentally, mine is available to anyone interested and i think they can be had for cheap on ebay
i weighed it at work yesterday, the frame/fork/headset/seatpost clamp/front cable hanger/outboard BB cups/bearings weight 5.5lbs
incidentally, mine is available to anyone interested and i think they can be had for cheap on ebay
i weighed it at work yesterday, the frame/fork/headset/seatpost clamp/front cable hanger/outboard BB cups/bearings weight 5.5lbs
12-27-11, 11:24 PM
#8
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I own the Fantom CX Pro 49cm w/ SRAM Rival. Parts looks good. I used it to commute 8 miles, 4 at night and 4 in the morning all summer long. Weekends I would do chores like groceries or go visit people I know in the city. Twice I took it for a 30 mile ride to the beach.
Now I ride on my trainer for about an hour a couple times a week.
What I've learned if you are serious on buying a bike, riding for a 15 minute commute in the city is totally different than riding 15 miles. In the city you stop and go an blood circulates your body. And if you feel uncomfortable you can get home or work shortly. On a 15+ mile ride all the small parts make a difference. First thing I did was buy a new seat. Handlebars might be uncomfortable depending on you shoulder width. On the long rides the Rival shifters dig into my palm in a weird place, it cuts blood circulation.
If you could try to ride on a trainer for 20+ minutes at the LBS Go in the morning when no ones around
The thing I hate the most on my bike I cannot get the front derailleur to shift the chain on the crank. I learned to live with it. I took it to the LBS and a day later same problem. I only use it to commute and ride around. If your looking for a well built bike, this might not be for you. The fancy expensive groupset, don't mean much if they don't work well.
My two cents.
Now I ride on my trainer for about an hour a couple times a week.
What I've learned if you are serious on buying a bike, riding for a 15 minute commute in the city is totally different than riding 15 miles. In the city you stop and go an blood circulates your body. And if you feel uncomfortable you can get home or work shortly. On a 15+ mile ride all the small parts make a difference. First thing I did was buy a new seat. Handlebars might be uncomfortable depending on you shoulder width. On the long rides the Rival shifters dig into my palm in a weird place, it cuts blood circulation.
If you could try to ride on a trainer for 20+ minutes at the LBS Go in the morning when no ones around
The thing I hate the most on my bike I cannot get the front derailleur to shift the chain on the crank. I learned to live with it. I took it to the LBS and a day later same problem. I only use it to commute and ride around. If your looking for a well built bike, this might not be for you. The fancy expensive groupset, don't mean much if they don't work well.
My two cents.
12-30-11, 04:42 PM
#9
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not to sound like a jerk but somethings wrong with you AND your rig.
my fantom CX= 10 miles (one way) commuter, performs fine, even hauling 40lbs in a trailer up and down hill. zero shifting issues with rival. just as comfortable (or maybe slightly more) than my lugged steel w/shimano 600. motobecane weighs 2-3lbs less too and handles heavy loads better(more stable like my MTB).
my fantom CX= 10 miles (one way) commuter, performs fine, even hauling 40lbs in a trailer up and down hill. zero shifting issues with rival. just as comfortable (or maybe slightly more) than my lugged steel w/shimano 600. motobecane weighs 2-3lbs less too and handles heavy loads better(more stable like my MTB).
I own the Fantom CX Pro 49cm w/ SRAM Rival. Parts looks good. I used it to commute 8 miles, 4 at night and 4 in the morning all summer long. Weekends I would do chores like groceries or go visit people I know in the city. Twice I took it for a 30 mile ride to the beach.
Now I ride on my trainer for about an hour a couple times a week.
What I've learned if you are serious on buying a bike, riding for a 15 minute commute in the city is totally different than riding 15 miles. In the city you stop and go an blood circulates your body. And if you feel uncomfortable you can get home or work shortly. On a 15+ mile ride all the small parts make a difference. First thing I did was buy a new seat. Handlebars might be uncomfortable depending on you shoulder width. On the long rides the Rival shifters dig into my palm in a weird place, it cuts blood circulation.
If you could try to ride on a trainer for 20+ minutes at the LBS Go in the morning when no ones around
The thing I hate the most on my bike I cannot get the front derailleur to shift the chain on the crank. I learned to live with it. I took it to the LBS and a day later same problem. I only use it to commute and ride around. If your looking for a well built bike, this might not be for you. The fancy expensive groupset, don't mean much if they don't work well.
My two cents.
Now I ride on my trainer for about an hour a couple times a week.
What I've learned if you are serious on buying a bike, riding for a 15 minute commute in the city is totally different than riding 15 miles. In the city you stop and go an blood circulates your body. And if you feel uncomfortable you can get home or work shortly. On a 15+ mile ride all the small parts make a difference. First thing I did was buy a new seat. Handlebars might be uncomfortable depending on you shoulder width. On the long rides the Rival shifters dig into my palm in a weird place, it cuts blood circulation.
If you could try to ride on a trainer for 20+ minutes at the LBS Go in the morning when no ones around
The thing I hate the most on my bike I cannot get the front derailleur to shift the chain on the crank. I learned to live with it. I took it to the LBS and a day later same problem. I only use it to commute and ride around. If your looking for a well built bike, this might not be for you. The fancy expensive groupset, don't mean much if they don't work well.
My two cents.
01-03-12, 03:09 AM
#10
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I know something is wrong with my bike but everyone is still trying to find out what wrong with me.
I like my bike. I don't know wtf is wrong with you.
I like my bike. I don't know wtf is wrong with you.
01-13-12, 07:28 AM
#11
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I have a Fantom Titanium CX and it's awesome. I assembled it myself and had my LBS fit it for about $50. It's worked great so far for rides up to 1000K. I set it up for long-distance riding, not CX, but it rides like a dream.
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