[Mike1jw]

Thanks, great reply!

I have my eye on pretty much the same bike as yours in the photo. Ti frame with Ultegra 6700 group. All for about $2,000. Its hard to resist, yet hard to buy without riding it.

Just a few more questions, if you dont mind,

Did it come with good instructions. I am handy with a lot of things, but I would like instructions. Also How do you like the ti frame? This is what bike shops like to tear down. They say it's not a qaulity frame, (ti is good but welds are bad, and so on they say.) Also I never road a ti frame bike before, how do you like it? Right now I have an aluminum frame hard tail mountain bike.

Mike

[jeepster93]

I talked to MotobecaneUSA and Bikes direct before I purchased the bike and will tell you what I was told...

1- the frame is made in one of the 3 bike factories in Taiwan(NOT CHINA), the same factory that makes name brand frames,(the Giant frame factory, which makes several "name brand" bikes).
2- the ti material is the EXACT SAME titanium used on the other bikes( You just wont know what alloy as Motobecane buys what is there, so if the factory was using 305, you get 305, if the factory was using 310(making another name brand) you get 310)
3- the welds are welded by the EXACT SAME people that welded the name brand bike.
4- the frame is THE SAME FRAME the name brands use, it just has MOTOBECANE stickers on it instead of TREK or??? stickers on it.
Kind of like an overstock/overrun frame.
5- the carbon fiber is the same as used in the name brand bikes, blah, blah.
6- the groupo...Shimano Ultegra 6700 is Shimano Ultegra 6700.
7- Specialized was NOT gonna let me test ride their ti $2500 bike either.
8- the frame has a lifetime warranty

However...the instructions blew! They were kind of a generic bike book, not even really made for my particular bike and was close to useless. Bikes Direct sell a DVD for $30 that explains how to assemble their high end bikes, if you are not going to take it to an lbs...buy the dvd. You DO get all the instructions that comes with the groupo though.


How do I like my bike?

I LOVE MY BIKE!!!

It weighs almost nothing- 16 pounds out of box, after pedals and a more padded/comfortable seat, bottle cages, a speed computer it weight less than 18 pounds, like 17 pounds 6 ounces on the street for a 58 cm bike...not bad!
It has a nice set of hand made wheels on it
It is so fast, it is almost scary
It is stiff, but the carbon fiber is a great shock absorber. Not as stiff as an aluminum frame, but I was never a fan of the ride aluminum gives anyway. Reminds me of the way CROMO steel bikes rides(but without the weight)

I will go take a pic of a weld and post it so you can at least see how it put together...

[jeepster93]

Ok...

Took a few pics.

Remember as you look at these pic, this bike has 2000 miles on it and I spend a good amount of time on the Highline canal trail, which is dirt, so there is a lot of dust on my bike.

This is the front fork, you can see the flat bladed spokes too.


Here is the rear cluster.(with a replaceable hanger)


Here is the bottom bracket, notice the outboarded bearings, don't know the why of outboarding them but it is what it is.


The head tubes...

[Mike1jw]

I am almost there! This bike gives me goose bumps every time I look at the specs and pics! There's only one more thing (a BIG thing) that's holding me back from ordering one of these babies right now- FIT.

I followed the instuctions on the BD site, and using the spine of a book, pressed up into my crouch, with my (walkable) riding shoes on, is 35 3/4" . I am 6' 1" tall (no shoes)
According to the BD sizing chart, the 59 cm frame has a 33" stand over hieght. I emailed (another thing I'm not crazy about with dealing with BD, I wish you could call someone) and gave them my measurments and told them I would like to ride with a more upright position and they recomended the 59 cm frame, but saying that I'm responsible for the the final choice. I read one post (I cant remember where) from someone who said they were 6' tall, and felt a 56 cm frame was too big for them I read in your post that you have a 58 cm frame. Can I ask, how tall are you?

I find it hard to believe that I would need the largest frame size that the bike comes in. I'm tall, but I know that bike frames are made for much taller people then me.

The bike shop that I just found stesses fit, and spends a lot of time fitting you and letting you test ride different bikes making sure you are comfortable. They say it's the most important thing to riding. As a matter of fact, I was very interested in a Giant TCR bike with 105 components, asking how much it would cost me. When then found out what type of riding I would be doing, they suggested the DEFY model which is cheaper then the TCR. I told them about the Motobecane Ti frame bike I was look at online, and the salesman said it sounded like a good bike, and if I wanted, they could do the assembly for $70. They really do want you to be happy with the bike you buy. It seems like these poeple love cycling more than making money! And they want to get more people into riding.

As much as I love this Motobecane, the fit issue may be the one thing that holds me back from buying this bike.

Thanks,
Mike

[jeepster93]

Mike,

I'm 5-10. I ride a 58 cm bike. It is a touch big for me. A 58cm bike is truly for someone 6 feet tall. 57cm for a 5-10'er, 56cm for a 5-8 and so on...(rule of thumb starting point).

My understanding on the fit issue is as you stand over the bike flat footed, the top tube should be like an inch or 2 from touching the jewels. For a road bike.
The Moto will come with a 10 degree x 130mm handlebar stem(mine did anyhow). This stem is reversible. The object of the reversible 10 degree stem is that the handlebars should be even with or even below the seat. So when you get the stand-over height adjusted, you get your pedaling height set(your knees should be slightly bent at full extension, this is achieved by raising or lowering the seat)you set the stem to this height. This will result in the best aerodynamic position.

Now, don't forget you are looking at a fairly high end racing bike. This assumes that you will want the aero position.

You CAN mount the handle bar stem in the plus position and it will give the handlebars a 10 degree rise instead of a drop like I have mine. You can also buy a stem with a shorter tube length and this will also allow a more upright position by bringing the handlebars closer to you. Stems are cheap when considering a multi thousand dollar bike, like $25-100. Don't let that break the deal...a$50 stem on a $1500 bike...no biggie.

Also, if you do not want the aero position that much, then buy yourself a larger frame than normal. This will in essence, lower the seat and raise the handlebars. But put the top tube closer to your...boys. Do not get such a large bike that every time you stop you rack yourself.
This is basically what I did. I fit the 56 cm frame better, but got the larger frame so I am not "laying down" as much while riding.
I totally respect those triathlon riders in the way they lay flat while biking. I CAN"T DO THAT and breath.

The Motobecane website(MBUSA Road Bicycles) has the dimensions of their bikes on it. Go to The "Lemond System" Frame Sizing Formulas and the FitStik and get a good ballpark on your needs then go to Moto's site and select the bike that best meets those needs.

This should help a bit.

I am no expert by the way, just a joe that rides. But wanted a good cycle that was affordable and sweet.
My Moto is sweet.

[Mike1jw]

I think I'm back to buying the Giant I know I'd be getting a lot more for the money, but I feel I need to focus on comfort first. I have a bad back, and I cant afford to buy a bike that's going to result in me not riding at all (it has happened in the past and I dont want it to happen again) I'm sure that although the Giant is less bike for the money, it still will be an ausome bike. Plus, the shop said that they give 20% off any other purchase at the point of purchase of the bike, and I still need a lot clothing and gear. So that wont be too bad.

I REALLY appreciate all the help though! ! !

Thanks
Mike

[jeepster93]

Mike,

The single most important thing in purchasing a bike is to want to ride your new bike. The fanciest bike in the world ...not ridden... is useless. A Wally World special ridden every day is a special bike.

I look forward, every day to my ride. I actually get excited about bikes and riding bikes, as you could probably tell by my posts.


I hope your new bike lights that same fire in you...

Tom

[Mike1jw]

I know your going to think I'm crazy, but the more I think about it the more I just cant walk away from this bike! (Motobecane) I think I'm going to do it. What's $2,000 anyway!

When I got home from work today, about 4:30, I was dying to ride, it was a beautiful day! I did 19mi. in about an hour and 15 minutes and loved every minute of it. I figure, If I can do that with a mountain bike with 26" wheels, how much harder can it by on a road bike, ANY road bike. I'm sure the Giant would be a great bike, but knowing me, everytime I shifted, i'd be looking down and saying to myself "I could have had Ultegra 6700"

I think I'm going to go with the 56cm frame though. At first I was thinking about the 59cm, but after standing over my mountain bike and seeing how much clearance I had with it, I dont know if I want only 2" between the top tube and my jewels. The 56cm should give me about 3.5" clearance. I'm 6'1", and from the best I can measure (with a book spine in my crouch) I have 35 inches to the floor with no shoes on.

I'll probably order the assembly video and I'm also thinking of getting a bike repair stand. You think it's worth having one, or should I do with out. I am mechanicly inclined so I'm sure it wouldn't hurt, It's just the bucks, or rather, lack of bucks.


Thanks again for all your help!
Mike

[rawhite1969]

I know I'm late to the party here... i purchased a Motobecane Fantom CX from bikesdirect last October. I'm 5'10" 31" inseam. Got a 54 and it fits me fine. Swaped out the stem to get a bit more upright on the front (not ready for that horizontal position) and a good seat. Just put SPD pedals on this week. Logged 750 miles Oct - Feb even with the cold and snow here in IN. Had an issue with the quick release on the back hub (but it was one from a trainer). Otherwise has been a good bike. Assembly was a breeze, and I say that with this being my first bike that used components not found on a bike from Target. Hope you are enjoying riding yours Mike!

[fleeter]

While we're resurrecting old threads, I might as well add my .02 on BD bikes...
I paid my lbs $16 to true up my wheels, I upgraded my saddle, and I had to adjust my handle bars.. after that, I couldn't be happier with the product that I got. Some people are ok with spending three times the money on a name-brand bike, and I would've liked to, but I couldn't justify it because i'm too po oh well.