sebran

I am considering my first road bike. I will mostly commute 30 miles round trip via rural highways. Southwestern Michigan (Kalamazoo) generally has flat terrain with some rolling hills. I have been looking at the Trek 1500, Specialized Allez Elite, and Felt F70 road bikes, but I like the cyclocross' ability to do everything reasonably well. Tonight I saw a Motobecane Fantom Cross on Ebay for $650. It looks like a decent bike and has an MSRP of $1,400. I want to support my LBS, but this seems like a great deal. Does anyone have any experience with this bike or Motobecane in general? Is a CX the right bike for my needs?

Here are the links:
https://www.motobecane.com/MBUSAftc.html
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...136157339&rd=1

Thanks in advance!

darylw

I recently purchased the Fantom Cross. I've written about it on my blog at https://stp2005.blogspot.com/ (look under the I need a new bike)

I've only got about 50 miles or so on the bike but here are some of my first impressions:

The build quality seems very good. I haven't had any problems with anything at all.

The instructions that come with the bike are useless. Being my first 'real' bike I ended up taking it to my LBS to have the brakes and cables setup.

There are only two front sprockets. I live in an area with a lot of hills. Not having the tiny front gear is being felt. So far I haven't had to get off the bike but came close on my last ride.

The bike looks really sharp in person. The 'flaming red' color is very nice. The bike feels super comfortable when riding.

I think for a commuter it is a good bike. The 32cm wheels run well on the road, but have some tread in case you need to cross a few trails.

I think for the price (I bought off of ebay too for $647) its a very good deal.

My only wishes: that it had come with 3 gears up front. That the shifter and front had 105 level equipment to match the rear derailer.

dlbcx

Swap out the crank for a compact crank then get LBS to put either a 32 or 34 for the small ring and a 48 for the big ring. But, you won't be able to use the 48 ring from the previous crankset since the spacing is 130mm on it and compact cranks usually are 110mm.

docbluedevil

Darylw,

Does it really weigh around 18.9 lbs?
How is the ride quality so far?
How much of the bike came assembled? Headset, fork, and bottom bracket assembled?

darylw

I didn't put the bike on a scale, but I was surprised at how light the bike was after assembled. I'd say 18.9lbs without pedals seems about right.

I've gone out on some longer rides (>25 miles each) and have been really enjoying the bike.

Out of the box, if I remember correctly you need to install: handlebars and stem, seat and seatpost, brakes and cables, cables to the derailers.

I was too uncomfortable doing the cabling myself and took it to my LBS.

docbluedevil

You mean you took your MAILORDER bike to your LBS???? Ouch! Have they banished you from the shop for life?!

MrEWorm

It looks sweet,

darylw

They didn't banish me at all. The LBS (Performance Bike) was very cool about it and they were actually really excited about the bike. The manager mentioned they've been trying to negotiate with Motobecane to carry their line in the store and after seeing my bike he was feeling really good that they'd be a good line to carry.

In the end they got a few dollars out of me for the install, and I buy most of my accessories and stuff from them so it works out.

docbluedevil

I wouldn't consider Performance a "LBS" even though they are a bike shop local to you. In fact, they're the mailorder kings out there. It seems though that a significant amount of people who do buy mailorder frames/bikes/components do take their stuff to Performance or an REI; it's less "shameful" and more anonymous (at least that's how I'd feel) to take it to Performance than the mom/pop LBS where they know one is just using them for labor only.

But I'm not trying to stir up trouble. I still have an internal debate about buying from Performance and buying from my LBS (read not local Performance, Supergo, etc shop). Even if I save $50 on a crankset from Performance, I still have to show up to my LBS to install it. I paid about $70 more for my compact crankset via my LBS, but they installed it for free. There's a point at which it may not be worth the small amount of savings for me to go with mailorder.

But most importantly...I think the Fantom Cross is a decent deal. Enjoy your new ride...

skootamota

I just bought one, and it wasn't 18.9lbs. With a digital scale (for bikes), it came in at a little over 22lbs (without pedals). It looks like an okay bike, haven't ridden it yet though.

skootamota

The bike seems fairly decent (albeit 22lbs). The Kenda Kwick tires that come with it are 220g heavier than spec'd (540g when they should be 320g). Apparently, according to Kenda, the tires are bought in bulk and motobecane gets them cheap because they aren't to spec.

I'm just going to replace them with Ritchey speedMax Pro's, that'll bring the total weight down to about 21lbs, without pedals.

wildjim

I just did an impulsive purchase and bought the Motobecane Fantom Cross on Ebay for $647

The frame and component description seems exactly like the Fuji Cross Comp?

What can I expect to assemble upon delivery?

Is everyone still happy with their Motobecane Fantom Cross purchase?

wildjim

The Motobecane Fantom Cross arrived today. I think it's a good deal for $647

The stem and handlebar needed to be installed (re-attached) and the brake cables needed to be attached and adjusted(levers were mounted and adjusted it was only necessary route the cable ends). The shifters and deraileurs were preset and required no adjustments.

I went to Performance Bike and compared to the Fuji Cross Comp and the Motobecane Fantom Cross is nearly identical for better or worse.

Anyway it rides well. . .

wildjim

I got about 50 (City-Trail)miles on the Motobecane Fantom Cross to date. It feels very solid, ridgid, durable and quick handling. I hopped a few curbs and the Alex X2100 wheels are still straight as an arrow.

mtb_man_14

110 miles on mine. Its awsome. my front brake is dicey though. I replaced it with a pro pulsion series 8 and they are better but still stink so am just gonna get shorty 6's and be done.

barturtle

Really? Reviving a 5yo thread? Let it die, man, let it die.

cs1

It is the the Fuji. He gets it made at the same place. For whatever that's worth. I'm thinking about getting one for my wife.