[SG78]

I'm thinking about getting a Motobecane Cafe Latte hybrid bike, which comes with 700x28 tires. Most of my riding will be on-road or on paved trails. However, I would like to do some lightweight touring lasting 2-5 days. Also I will be riding some hard-packed dirt roads from time to time.

Do you all think this bike would work given the type of riding I'm looking to do? I really like the geometry of this bike and it's gotten good reviews.

[cderalow]

my only concern would be tread pattern of the tires.

I run 700x25 up front and 700x28 out back smooth road tires, and find that they're a little narrow for some of the crushed gravel type of trails. 700x32 with some substantial tread might be better

[kneedrachen]

I think you'll be okay with hard packed dirt, but start going into to muddy stuff and for me, I like 32c and up. I run 700x38c on my hybrid and I'll ride it in the sand; keeping the pedals spinning fast helps, but sometimes I wonder if going to a 40c would help.

I think the 28c will do you just fine.....

[davereo]

From your ride description the Cafe Latte would serve you well.

[SG78]

I'd like to thank you all for the advice you gave. Much appreciated. I have ordered the Cafe Latte and it should be getting here on the 12th. The tires were my biggest concern as well, and if it gets too tough to ride on non-paved roads (which will be minimal), I'll look into an tire upgrade of some sort. Looking forward to getting it on the road and getting my lights and a rack on it. Eventually I'll get some aerobars too.

Thanks again.


--Steve

[davereo]

Good Luck Steve. We like pictures around here. Maybe you can post some once your bike is fully dressed.

[SG78]

Originally Posted by davereo

Good Luck Steve. We like pictures around here. Maybe you can post some once your bike is fully dressed.

Thanks. I will definitely post some pics.

[bonesindustries]

Im very interested in seeing pictures and a small review of the bike

[SG78]

I have the bike and it's all put together. I was supposed to get it Tuesday, but there was nobody home by the time the UPS driver got here, so I didn't receive the bike until Wednesday.

The bike and its parts were all very well packed by the people at BD. Plenty of foam and plastic protecting everything, and even a piece of plasic protecting the front fork. Spent 15 minutes just removing all the stuff.

The pedals, the seat, the front wheel, the handlebars, and the brake cables all came unattached. The pedals went on with no problem once I realized the left one had to be screwed on counter-clockwise! The seat was difficult to install and get just right with only two hands. The instruction manual that came with it was very vague, and I had difficulty interpreting how the handlebars were to be installed, but I figured it out. Also, the handlebars were twisted in the wrong direction in that the brake levers were facing towards me instead of away from me and down at an angle, so I had to loosen the top bracket and adjust the handlebars that way. Note: If you need to do that, be damn sure none of the housings are in the way and are getting pulled too tightly.

I was learning on the fly, so the total installation took an hour and a half. Also, the wheels were not trued, so I took them by the LBS to have them done professionally and picked them up yesterday. The guy at the LBS told me when I picked them up that a few of the spokes were as tight as a drum from the factory. Keep that in mind as far as BD goes, the wheel-builders could pay more attention to detail.

I finally have it all put together. The only thing missing are my lights for right now. Over the nest few weeks, I may also install a rear rack, a camera mount, and possibly a bike computer if I can find a bargain on one somewhere. I consider that a luxury, so until then, I will just continue to track my rides on my MapMyRide app.

In summary: Was it worth going the BD route? So far, I can say yes. I'd recommend brushing up on the mechanical skills and watching YouTube videos beforehand on the installation of the parts I listed above.

Costs so far: Bike (with tax, since it was an intrastate transaction): $423. Truing of both wheels: $32. Water bottle/cage/two Presta adaptors: $18. Total: $473

I'll post another review once I get a few miles on the bike. I snapped a few pics as well.

[davereo]

I suggest you go over every bolt on your bike thats was assembled by BD. You want to make sure everything is tight before you venture out. Like the wheels you never know what was going on in the factory while your bike was being assembled.

Enjoy your new bike. That was 473 well spent dollars.