will this make a difference?
 

I have a motobecane fantom cx with a cromo fork. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm I am looking to upgrade stuff on the bike. I was looking at this carbon fiber fork http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ross+Fork.aspx but if I wont notice a big difference then I wont get it. What do you guys think?

I went from steel fork on my cross bike to a full cf fork and the weight difference was shocking and also seems to have a much smoother ride. On the bad side the new fork seems flexier and more troublesome with brake setup also was informed that I shouldn't use it on a bike rack. I am playing with the idea of putting my steel one back on.

oh. thats good to know. i have brake issues now. effin cantis

I just upgraded to this fork on my drop bar conversion and love the change. Went from stock Fuji cromo fork to this and can tell the difference in the road buzz. A worthy upgrade. Only difference is that my bike employs the use of mini V brakes, not cantis.

oh. i have an extra set of v brakes im thinking about trying on the front because the cantis suck for me. I replaced the oynx with pro pulsion series 8 or something and the difference was night and day but they still suck. but back to the fork... i think im gonna go for it but I like to do everything myself and have never taken off or installed a fork so idk ig I could do it

If you're going to fit V's then either order mini-V's or get a set of Travel Agents. Otherwise - SPLAT!

Im playing with the idea of buying a Motobecane or a used 1990 cross bike.... cant really tell all the parts on it, cuz its ebay and ya know, dude just dont know himself.

Thoughts? The motobecane is a bit more, but not 18 years old.. and still half the price of other CX bikes....

i have 3 motos. I have had no issues but I heard the frames are garbage. I weigh 120 lbs so I dont put enough stress on them for it to matter. but still do 4ft drops on the 2 mtbs I own from them and they hold up. I use the cross bike as a road bike right now.

I think the fuji cromo and moto chromo may be very similar. My old newest 3 was identical to some motobecanes on the website

I think frame quality will vary a lot with the model - they occupy a wide price range. It isn't an area I've heard complaints about. The usually cited weak spots are poor quality control and wheel building and nasty cranks. Which makes sense as cranks are some of the hardest components to make.

if that's the case then how can it be a complaint about the frame? The frame looks as good as many other offerings and is a very nice solid platform on which to build. If the frame cracks or bends or is crooked I'll let you know but it's as good as most offerings in the lower price range. Pay more and you'll get dressed welds, nicer paint jobs and a few proprietary geometry tweaks.
I wouldn't mark this frame off anyone's list who is not looking for a race machine.

Ive head the quality control isnt good on them allowing bad welds to pass so the frames can crack there. I havent heard about nasty cranks though. Maybe I'm hearing everything wrong. Still hasent stopped from buying them and I still will in the future.