Opinions: Motobecane Fantom CX
05-14-09, 09:29 AM
#1
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Opinions: Motobecane Fantom CX
2010 Motobecane Fantom CX Cyclocross Bike
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx3.htm
Thinking about using it as a commuter.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx3.htm
Thinking about using it as a commuter.
05-14-09, 09:32 AM
#2
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A guy i know just got one for his commute.
Loves it.
CX for commuting is a great idea. And the bikesdirect fantom is great deal.
Just be prepared to go over the whole bike, checking torque and everything making sure it's road worthy before riding it.
Loves it.
CX for commuting is a great idea. And the bikesdirect fantom is great deal.
Just be prepared to go over the whole bike, checking torque and everything making sure it's road worthy before riding it.
05-14-09, 10:07 AM
#3
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While there are proponents here of BD's bikes, I'm not one of them. I own one and it's the last one I'll ever own.
-R
-R
05-14-09, 10:31 AM
#4
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The big knocks against Bikes Direct are that you have to do your own fitting by numbers (i.e. you can't ride it to see how it feels, or even sit on it), and you have to do some of the assembly and adjust the derailleurs (if you pay a bike shop to do these you lose a lot of the cost benefit). I'm also hearing lately that they cut corners giving you cheap parts where you might not think to look, like the bottom bracket.
I've never owned a BD bike, but the cost makes it tempting.
I've never owned a BD bike, but the cost makes it tempting.
05-14-09, 10:42 AM
#5
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I've bought three BD bikes, I love 'em. It is a discount house, the service is reflected in the price. I can do all my own maintainence including wheel building so I don't have any problem setting up a BD bike. If my LBS were any good, I might use them....
05-14-09, 03:04 PM
#10
actin' the foo
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05-14-09, 03:10 PM
#11
05-14-09, 03:11 PM
#12
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There are a few other folks here with the CX who like it. Before buying my Forge, I was considering a BD bike myself.
05-14-09, 03:15 PM
#13
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I too have a BD Bike and have had no problems with it. Got it in Nov 08 and have put on about 1700 miles thus far. Minor cable adjustments after few hundred miles is the only thing that needed to be done, but I would expect that on any bike bought from any retailer, be they brick and mortar or online.
05-14-09, 03:26 PM
#15
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It looks good. I'm sure you'll have to replace the pedals and perhaps some more things.
How many spokes on the wheels?
How many spokes on the wheels?
__________________
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-14-09, 04:25 PM
#16
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I'm coming up on 2500 miles on my Fantom CX. As has been said before, if you're not comfy with settling on a size from just numbers or doing your own wrenching (Or shelling out to have an LBS do it), then skip it and purchase straight from a LBS.
If you ARE comfy with the above, then it's a great value. Mine has been wonderful to me, both in cross racing and in commuting.
If you ARE comfy with the above, then it's a great value. Mine has been wonderful to me, both in cross racing and in commuting.
05-14-09, 05:37 PM
#17
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noglider - funny! :-) I'm counting 32 and hoping a CX bike would have strong wheels. Hopefully some of this gobbly-gook means double walled?:
Rims: Alex R500 w/CNC Sidewalls 6061 T6 Aluminum
BTW: In a quandry. Some have said I should get a 58 but I met a guy in a shop today who said that would be too big. As far as I can tell BD has only that measurement for sizing. Anybody make a stab at what size frame I be needing? I'm 5 11 3/4 barefoot. I like my old steel bike that is 23" with a 33 standover ...
Rims: Alex R500 w/CNC Sidewalls 6061 T6 Aluminum
BTW: In a quandry. Some have said I should get a 58 but I met a guy in a shop today who said that would be too big. As far as I can tell BD has only that measurement for sizing. Anybody make a stab at what size frame I be needing? I'm 5 11 3/4 barefoot. I like my old steel bike that is 23" with a 33 standover ...
Last edited by rumrunn6; 05-14-09 at 05:40 PM.
05-14-09, 07:55 PM
#20
it's easy if you let it.
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Yeah. 435 as of this evening. I've got three bikes, and flip between two of them frequently. But even if this were the only bike I rode, I don't see why you'd make fun of how many miles someone had ridden, unless you'd rather see that person back driving.
05-14-09, 08:48 PM
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05-14-09, 08:55 PM
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I think he was mocking that you think it's something special that the bike went 400 miles without a major repair. Anything other than a total garbage wal-mart bike ought to be able to handle 400 miles.
Now whether or not he is right to make fun of you for that... I don't think he should.
Last edited by rugerben; 05-15-09 at 05:32 AM.
05-15-09, 08:06 AM
#23
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... that chart says I should have a 58 ... hmmm?
05-15-09, 08:19 AM
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Assuming you like your position on your present bike, what's the ett length? Stem length? Seat tube angle?
05-15-09, 08:24 AM
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current bike:
top tube 23" or 58 cm
standover 33" or 83 cm
seat tube 23.5" or 59.69 cm
I've never measured my seat tube angle. Does this old picture help?
top tube 23" or 58 cm
standover 33" or 83 cm
seat tube 23.5" or 59.69 cm
I've never measured my seat tube angle. Does this old picture help?