rutabaga1973

Hi y'all,

I'm a decent (intermediate-plus) recreational rider who's been riding for a many years but for the last 8 years, I've been raising two young kids and living farther from good riding -- so I've only been riding a few times a year. Have been using a 2003 FS Rockhopper 26" which has given me a good ride but is definitely about to give up the ghost. And I'm hoping to ride more and ready to buy a new bike.

I'm not racing and speed isn't my particular focus - I love climbing, love figuring out how to get over obstacles and do technical sections up and down, love being in the woods.

I think my budget is probably $1000 max and maybe I could stretch a bit beyond that. I bought a road bike from BikesDirect and found it to be a good way to "extend" my budget beyond what I could buy locally. So I've looked there first.

I've read the other threads on Motobecane on here and hear enthusiasm for the HAL series but I'm not sure I can afford it. I would love advice on these two particular bikes:

Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 2729DS Disc brakes, Tubeless Compatible Rims
Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 2729DS Disc brakes, Tubeless Compatible Rims

[I'm 6'1" and 170# and would ride the 29er version of these]

I don't know enough about the componentry to know if there are pieces of these bikes that are truly sucky or just won't hold up to reasonably hard riding.

Would folks recommend these?

At my price range, should I really be looking at a hardtail?

Appreciate any advice folks have. Thank you!

j

Mountain Mitch

The Comp is significantly better speced and at that small bump in price is definitely the more desirable machine. However, I don't know Motobecane except from online chatter so I won't try to comment on the overall worth of the bike.

rutabaga1973

Thank you. Appreciate it!

WannaGetGood

If you haven't bought one yet, I would highly recommend getting a hardtail at that price range.

hig4s

I bought my son a motobecane HT, for $500, decently built with decent components. Worth the price in my opinion, but then so is the price of a better bike. The Motobacane FS is a very simple single pivot, so will not be near as nice as a FS Giant, Specialized, or any other major brand. Just depends on what you are looking for. You can get a 2017 Giant stance for $1300 (that's what I ride). It is still a single pivot, but better design, and of course moving up to a Giant Trance 3 for $2100 (these are both 27.5) or a Specialized Camber 29 for $1900 are also worth the price if you can afford it, IMHO.