Motobecane from bikedirect.com
 

Hi,
I'm in a market for comfort bike. I used to ride Mt bike when I was in early 20s. since then, I got married, got lazy and gain some weight.:( I'm 36 now and trying to get back in sport again. but nothing aggresive. just to enjoy riding park trails and around neighborhood. I saw the ad from bikedirect.com for Motobecane Jubilee Deluxe for $399 shipped. is this a good deal? they claim that this is $800 that is on sale for $399 and this bike supposed to be compared to $800 Trek & Specialized MTB bikes...
What do you guys think of this deal? I'm open to any suggestions so feel free to chime in.

With any mail order bike, you will probably need to true the wheels and properly tension the spokes at minimum. The rest of the adjustments you can probably do on your own OR you can pay the LBS to assemble the bike for you. It looks like a nice bike for the price, but hard to tell without test riding it or looking at the bike close up.

At that site and in the same price range, the Windsor Stratford Hybrid is a nice alternative if you don't really need the front suspension and want more speed or the Motobecane Elite FS if you want the front suspension. You didn't say if the "park trails" were paved/hard pack or gravel/loose dirt. Hybrids are generally a good compromise between a mtn and road bike but ride on 700c tires. Comfort Bikes are like hybrids but ride on 26" tires and a bit more comfy because of the tires...to me, that's the only difference and it comes down to personal preference. The Motobecane Jubilee Deluxe could use a bigger chainwheel set, say 52/42/30T for more top end on the streets instead of the 44/32/22T without giving up on climbing power/ratios...but it depends on your local riding conditions.

You're better off going to a local shop and spending your hard earned money (I assume it was hard to earn it) on a bike that fits and service.

It's common on here for people who have bikedirect bikes to actually not save any money and then problems they have with service in dealing with bikedirect are numerous.

They claim it's $800, and that's probably not true. If it's $400, it's $400; plain and simple.

I have a Motobecane and I really like it. But it's been a great experience for me.

If you'll need a local shop to finish assembling the bike for you, then don't get a mail order bike. If you won't be maintaining the drive train yourself, it would be best to get a bike from a local shop. The mail order bikes are a great deal if you're able to do some of the "finish work" yourself. Truthfully, I'd suggest visiting a local shop to see what that same $400 will buy you. Don't bother comparing spec sheets since $400 still buys you a lot of bike. Just take the bike out for a ride and see what you think. A good LBS will take care of you and a good sales person will sort you out better than any advertisement will.

Thanks for the reply guys.

I'll be riding on 60-70%paved road, 30-40%loose dirt. the other reason I want to buy comfort style/semi mt. bike is because I want to ride when I go fishing. thats when I will need front suspension and thicker tire for local pond hopping. (ofcourse my wife doesnt know about the fishing part:D;))
I think the chainwheel set on the Motobecane is little small too. I visited LBS today and they have Trek 06' models for 20-30% off. I liked 06' Navigator 200 & its about $350.00. I think original price was $439.99. its brand new bike just a last year's model which I dont really mind. They also had free service for 2years, return policy was great. (within 30days I can return for full price or I can upgrade for other bike) So, I might just spend my hard earned money and support the LBS!

Support your LBS. ;)

I'm 5.5 years now into my '02 Trek Navigator 200, and still happy with the purchase. I considered a hybrid, but do enough light duty off-pavement riding to make the wider tires a wise choice. And if you have any hills to climb (like my own 12% driveway) or the almost 15% road in front of my house, you will appreciate the deeper gearing. The more upright position suits my back just fine, but I often lean over when doing speedy sections or to beat the wind.

On Saturday we did a new (to us) rail trail with some nice downhill runs, and my daughter and I hit the upper 20's. Slow for a road bike, but plenty fast for me!

I disagree. I have plenty of trouble holding low twenties for any amount of time.

ive been searching for a bike some time after i got rid of my dept store pacific bike i decided to get back in to riding again to stay in shape and get a good quality bike....i had my eye on the motorbecane jubilee deluxe for some time...very pleasing to the eye...has everything i wanted in a bike and price wise,,,but after reading and learning more about features....and came across this post i was shocked to hear the numbers on the chainwheel set compairing it to the common wheel set that most bikes of this type has...the 48/38/28 set up....
now i dont understand why they made this great bike with a lower 44/32/22 that type of chainwheel set.. made me wonder if i should get it one or not...it may seem just a little low...but i wanted it like everyone else has the 48/38/28...

i needed this bike to get around the streets or sidewalks....the price is just right plus i like the warranty it has...i been to LBS and seems they dont have what im looking for color wise/ price range / etc.... ...now the only other bike i was interested in was a trek 7200e which is a UK version of it....awesome, with the looks i want but i cant get it here...too costly to ship if they would anyway....my last or second choice would be a motobecane Elite FS...nice bike with features and the chainwheel set i want...but i really wanted the jubilee delux looks.... not sure which to get...both are similar to my budget...but i would be happier with the jub...:( anybody else has a jub delux...and can tell me how it rides?