Submitted by
mlrtyme
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2011
Strengths: Low price, low weight, well spec'd
Weaknesses: Crankshaft selection
Bottom Line:
I have heard many good and bad things about Motobecane (and bikesdirect) online, but decided that the pricetag was too good to pass up so I ordered a 21" from the sister site, bikeisland.com. I am very skeptical by nature (I guess my engineering background) so I was very nervous during and immediately after my build for the first few rides. Now with a good number of rides over varied terrain under my belt, I can say I have been nothing but completely satisfied with my purchase. The bike climbs better than my Cannondale 26" hardtail and is more than nimble enough to allow me to work intelligent lines downhill to keep similar speed to some riders on their full-suspension rigs.
My only concerns were the crankset and the wheelset (Vuelta was a name that I was unfamiliar with). The FSA crank was replaced with a M985 crank in the 40/28 configuration but I left the wheels with the intent of replacing them after two months of use. The bike is now 3 months in and the wheels have far exceeded my expectations. I am very pleased and I am confident that anyone who comes into a test ride of this model without preconceived notions will come away impressed. If you are looking for a bike to just bomb downhill with, then this is obviously not your ride. However, if need to climb the very mountains that you intend to descend down, then this bike provides a superior return on investment to any other model on the market, in my opinion.
Only giving 4 chilis 'Overall' rating for spec'ing a lesser crankset on a bike complimented with high-end components everywhere else.
Weaknesses: I don't know if it's really a weakness, but the handlebars are oddly narrow. I'll probably swap them, though I wanted carbon fiber anyway.
Bottom Line:
I sold my Fisher Rumblefish II because I wanted a change, and I wanted a climbing machine (the Fisher was not, though it was still one of the best all around bikes I've ever owned, and was a beast downhill). I've been riding mountain bikes for quite a long time, and though I'm not a racer, I can be hard on bikes. My biggest worry with ordering the Motobecane was that it wouldn't be able to tackle the more technical mountainous, rocky terrain that is generally my preference. Going from a full suspension beast like the Fisher to a dinky little hardtail definitely had me stressing a bit. But I've gotta say, with emphasis, that this bike has put those fears TO REST.
As soon as I started up the trail, the bike reawakened the realization of speed and agility that I'd been lacking (unknowingly, after riding the Fisher for a couple years). This is easily the quickest, most agile 29er I've ridden, and in fact it rivals some of the best 26ers I've ridden. Of course quite a bit of that realization comes from the fact that I've been riding full suspension bikes for a LONG time, without any consideration or thought as to why I would ever go back to a hardtail. The speed and agility of the Motobecane answer that question. I haven't smiled this much on a bike in a long, long time. The uphill is just a completely different animal on this bike, so much so that a comparison simply can't be made. It's FAST. The downhill also woke me the hell up: a)because the bike is so agile you can toss it around however you like and b)because I was on a hardtail, not a cadillac, and had to actually pay attention, which made me enjoy it more. Was the tail jumping around? Sure. Nature of the beast. But the sheer lightness and nimbleness of the bike allowed me to control it with ease, and do with it basically whatever I wanted. I realize now that the Fisher had actually taken some of the enjoyment out of my riding, simply because it smoothed everything SO much.
I really can't say enough about the bike. The component set is ridiculous at this price point. $2099 for a SRAM xO equipped titanium frame 29er? UNHEARD OF. The Trek (Fisher) Superfly Elite is carbon fiber, and similarly equipped as far as components (though the Fisher xO crank is better than the FSA for sure), except for one small, tiny discrepancy: it costs $5000. More than 2x as much. WHY in anyone's right mind, would they pay $5000 for a bike from their LBS in this economic climate when they can get a similarly equipped bike with (arguably) a better frame from Bikes Direct for less than HALF the price?! Haters are more than welcome to hate. Sorry, I'm spending MY money wisely. I love my LBS, take my bikes there regularly for repair/maintenance (though the Moto was so easy to put together and dial in that I did it myself), and feel that I do my best to support them. And believe me, I've spent PLENTY on bikes at local stores over the years. Time to save some money!
No cons per say, though the handlebars are quite narrow. I tried to give them a chance, but I think that while they're fine, I'll be putting on something wider, preferably carbon fiber. Not sure it's a con, as some people might prefer it. The grips aren't amazing either, but they're fine.
Also, I'm 6'1" and the 19" size fits me perfectly.
All said and done, this bike is worth the money and so much more. They sell out quick though, so grab one when/while you can!
Similar Products Used: Fisher Rumblefish II 29er, Specialized Stumpjumper 29er, tons of FS and HT 26ers.
Bike Setup: xO 20 speed component set w/ Avid Elixir 9's, FSA Afterburner Crank, Vuelta XRP SL wheelset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
pamn21
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2011
Strengths: VALUE for your money! Ti + XTR + Avid Elixir Carbon + FSA crank + (Decent) Vuelta XRP Superlight wheels.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
LOVE LOVE LOVE this bike. I've been watching the motobecane threads on mtbr for 2 years. I've been thinking about buying one of their bikes also for the last year or so...I don't know why I waited soooo long. I finally pulled the trigger. After almost 40 days of waiting(had it shipped from the US to the Philippines) I finally got my bike. I brought it straight to my local LBS and the same day took a day off and rode it a good 20 miles(mostly road). I love the feel of Ti and the 29er wheels. Took it to my first really muddy trail ride last weekend and had a BLAST!
Bike Setup: Stock Shimano Dynasys 3x30. And upgraded the tires to 2011 Nobby Nic 2.25. Changed the VERY NARROW bar to a longer flat bar(forgot the brand) and that's pretty much it.
I sold my Epic Marathon 26 with zero regrets. I tried the Superfly and others before buying this without testing it. I raced it to a 12-hour podium two weeks after receiving it. It's done several 100-mile races including Wilderness 101 and SM100 and I love this bike. My son and I did a multi-day self-supported road tour centered on this bike and his trail a bike.
I could afford to spend more but am SO glad I didn't.
I've raced 23+ years and this bike is the best deal I've ever seen and I watch the market closely. We have 8 bikes in our garage pick a material we've got it. Nothing beats Ti durability and ride done well. This bike is done well. I own a custom Litespeed Ultimate. The frames compare.
The naysayers ignore what the big brands spend on teams and marketing. It goes into the price of every bike. This ain't rocket science. But they're involved and when you spend more to grow the business the product costs more.
The magic is in the lack of overhead coupled with a direct sales model. Shop retail is typically 30-40 percent markup on bikes. Factory margins are higher. No shop? Instant savings.
If you're a DIY wrench this is an amazing deal. Upgrade to your liking and you've got a truly top-shelf bike.
If I could afford an S-works Epic it'd be my only other choice. But $9k- really? Get real. My kids will go to college some day and learn about finding bargains along the way.
Similar Products Used: GF Superfly, X-Caliber, Spesh Epic 26
Bike Setup: XTR build plus Easton Haven wheels, carbon bars and post, Ergon grips, Flight saddle, other details. OEM wheels are for commuting with 700x28c Gatorskins on them.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
hydrolaw
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln Ne
I have ridden many bikes. I wanted to buy one of these so I could put the debate to rest for myself. This is an outstanding frame. That's it. It's not better than any comparable titanium frame bikes, but it sure as hell isn't any worse. Frame is not noodly, regardless of what anyone says. It's light, forgiving, strong, and has that buttery ride that titanium is so well liked for. Anyone could benefit from having one of these in the stable. All the trappings of titanium in an 1100 dollar package. This is a winner
Similar Products Used: I'm a bike mechanic, so you name it.
Bike Setup: Sram XO 9 speed, SLX crank, Reba RL29, Flows on American Classic hubs, ENVE bars, BB7s. Paul Levers, Thomson Post and Stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
92gli
a Cross Country Rider
from west chester,pa
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2011
Strengths: My small frame was a little over 3 pounds out of the box. The welds and construction are fantastic for the price. Its taken my abuse for over a year with no durability problems.
Weaknesses: People on the internet who have never seen or ridden the frame think its junk. Have seen the frame described as "noodly" (again, probably by people who haven't even tried it). I don't find the frame to be noodly at all. It does just fine under power. I would call it compliant - which is what you want from a ti or steel frame.
Bottom Line:
Bought the frame with reba fork for $1100. If you conservatively value the fork at $400 you're getting the frame for $700, which is rediculous. I've been stopped on the trail several times by people who wanted to look at it up close, every time they are impressed.
Strengths: I've delayed writing on this bike to really have a chance to ride it. The bike climbs great, handles the downhills as well or better than any bike I've ridden and tames the technical (rocky) trails. The stock set up is pretty solid and create an incrediable value.
Weaknesses: Nothing major, I'm not a fan of the seatpost and will be switchin to a Thompson because of the micro adjust ability. The stock crank seemed a little strange to me so I changed it out and I've never liked Kenda tires, but all these are really personal choices not really weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
No complaints at all. The value from Bikes Direct is crazy. The welds on the frame are as good as I've seen and the bike is pure fun to ride. I would recommend this bike to anyone.
Similar Products Used: Nothing in 29 before, I've ridden pretty much all brands of 26 hard tail and full suspension over the years.
Bike Setup: Put on a SRAM X9 2x10 crank, Stan's with the tires and everything else is stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
FlyingSharks
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2011
Strengths: Nice weight: 24.4 lbs with pedals. I am a fan of titanium for weight, strength, and vibration absorption (but I still need to see how it performs on the trail.)
Weaknesses: The only initial complaint is the handgrips. I imagine the wheels/tires may be a weak point by comparison to other options, but we'll see; hopefully I will get plenty of miles out of them.
Bottom Line:
This is just my initial post for folks who are looking for buying info on bikedirect, and their titanium 29er. So far I have only taken it for a little spin down to the park. I hope to update in a month or two with a better ride report. I have been road riding exclusively for almost 6 years, and just getting back into mountain biking, so I have little current basis for comparison to other bikes.
I decided on a hardtail 29er because I expect to do a lot of long rides, with lots of climbing and fire roads. I enjoy technical riding, but I hate pedal bob. My goal was to keep expenses close to $2k, and have a bike <25 lbs. So far so good: 24.4 lbs with pedals.
I am 6'4". The XL (21") frame turned out to be the right choice. The stem on the bike is fairly long (appears to be 130mm); I feel I could bring it in some if I felt the need. The measurement from the wides part of the seat straight forward to the handlebar is about 86cm. This falls right between measurements on my road bikes from widest part of the seat to the straight bar, and from the seat to my hand position on the brake hoods - so the cockpit stretch is right in the range I am used to. With the spindle to top of seat distance at about 38 1/2" the seat is about 1-2" above the handlebars.
Putting the bike together was easy and straightforward. Everything seems in good shape and properly adjusted for the most part. I could even see a little bit of grease peeking out from the bottom bracket and headset (although i will open those up and regrease myself soon.) I spent about an hour or so getting it set up. I am still learning how to tune the suspension, but at 188 lbs I think 130-135 positive and 125ish negative is a good starting point.
My intention is to keep it stock rather than spending a bunch more on the bike right away; however, in my very brief ride to mess around in the park the other day I decided that it does need new hand grips. Other than that, we'll see how it goes, but hopefully I can simply replace parts as they wear out. It's a bike after all, and so I am just going to ride it.
After looking at my other options in this price range, I am doubtless that this is the best value I came across. I don't know if there is another HT 29er that could have made my weight goal for the price. I ride a litespeed titanium road bike, and I am psyched to have a titanium HT 29er.
Overall rating is a 4; for no other reason than surely there are finer set-ups out there. This is really subjective anyway, because I have so little to compare it to.
Similar Products Used: Last mountain bike was a 1992 Cannondale w/headshock.
Bike Setup: Size XL. 2x9 stock XTR component group w/Crank Bros Eggbeaters.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
pacit
a Racer
from Flower Mound, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2011
Strengths: Top of the line components, light weight rocket! I own a 26" Carbon Scott and now I never ride it!
I was uneasy about buying this bike but now two of my friends have purchased the same bike. I received all of the funny looks from the boys for buying a mail order bride but now they say nothing as it has held up as goos as the Moots, or Niner's they ride.
I have dished out the pain to this beast and its awesome.
Weaknesses: Wheel, Wheels, Wheels..Kenda small blocks suck..I sheared the axle clean off and there is no replacement for these.. They are light but not bulletproof..
Bottom Line:
If you want a top of the line TI bike w/o breaking the bank this is the bike you want. I was going to use the parts as a build kit but no need to tear it down! Light & Fast..
Bike Setup: Full XTR, Avid Elixer, I have upgraded the wheel set to Bontrager's Nuke Proof Comps, Stan's Tubeless Setup, New grips....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brownee84
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, PA USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2011
Strengths: This is my 3rd Motobecane from Bikes Direct and I could not be happier. It is a great bike at a fabulous price. I was very interested in a full carbon Gary Fisher because many of my friends have them, but could not justify $4000. The build is a great spec and the quality is exceptional, customer service from Bikes Direct has been excellent.
Weaknesses: Straight bars are way too race focused for me, I like the SRAM shifters much better than Shimano but these are mostly personal preferences.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, great price, hard to get cuz they sell out quickly. You will not be dissappointed.
Weaknesses: no integrated bb or headset
27.2 seatpost size
ritchey pro components
saddle
kenda small block eights (no hookup, don't seal easily)
ugly oversized decals which most people remove right away
however, they are under a clearcoat layer which makes removal very difficult. there is a whole thread elsewhere on various ways to do this. best way is to soak rags in acetone and tape them to the frame and allow them to sit for 30min.
using scotch bright will ruin the polish and leave the frame finish looking dull compared to the rest of the bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike ROLLS OUT.
Love the 2x10 setup with the 40-27 rings.
Like having the 36tooth rear cog on the 10 speed cassette (i've never used it here in florida but it could come in handy one day)
My first big ride was the Ididaride 50miles offroad. I was able to hang with riders that usually dust me.
The front end of this bike seems light compared to other 29ers I've ridden. I guess it's due to the light wheels, fork, stem and bar on my setup.
Moving to a Ti 29'er has transformed my riding and has re-inspired my riding. This bike is great for long rides. No back problems whatsoever.
I have a lot more confidence in my technical riding and can keep my momentum a lot better on this bike. This bike climbs extremely well. You don't need full suspension on a 29er with a Ti frame. Full suspension sucks up your kinetic energy and money.
Wish I could afford a nice Seven ti 29'er or even the Salsa El-Mariachi Ti 29er which has awesome aesthetics.
The fly team 29er is the next best thing. Surpassed my expectations. I'm selling all my 26ers!!
Bike Setup: fsa os99 90mm stem
answer pro-taper flat bar cut to 640mm
bontrager 29-3 tlr front, 29-2 rear
WTB silverado saddle, ti rails
FSA afterburner crankset 40-27
motobecane deals removed
xtr rear and front dereilleur
xtr shifters
avid carbon disk brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jlancer8
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellevue, WA USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2011
Strengths: Light Weight, Highest Quality, excellent combination in color and components, You WILL NOT find a better deal anywhere else. Bikesdirect.com and Motobecane products are awesome, Nothing in the 2000 range will touch what you get. There is no issues with anything on this bike, I had a friend who worked at a Trek dealer telling me they were very impressed with the bike comparing to their 5000 dollar bike.
Weaknesses: NO Weakness at all, I absolutely love all their Fly Lines, if Ti is a bit too pricy, their kinesium allumium bikes are super light weight too!!
Bottom Line:
17.5" size at 24.5 lb on a 29er is unheard of, the only thing that is near is Gary Fisher Superfly Elite, which is twice the price. I love both bikes, and I have a Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL, but I also loved the fact that I save two grand on this Motobecane, Excellent bike for the money!!
Bike Setup: XTR ALL THE WAY, XT cassette, which I will upgrade to XTR Cassette soon to shave off even more weight.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
newfydog
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2010
Strengths: Smooth and light....and affordable!Definitely smoother ride than my Fisher alu framed 29er or Mongoose ti framed 26er
Weaknesses: Ummmm not as cool as a Moots?
Bottom Line:
I got one of their prototypes, and loved the bike but broke the frame. They replaced it promptly, and the defect in the prototype design has been fixed. It cracked at a head tube gusset which was transferring the stress to the thin part of the tube. The production model has no gusset.
This bike has the Sram XX set-up w/ upgraded FSA 2x10 crankset. I didn't think shifting could get any better than XO, but the XX just takes a little pressure and your in the next gear. The gearing is much easier than I thought it would be. I'm used to riding a steel hardtail, so a titanium hardtail wasn't much of an issue. The bigger wheels do roll easy. Never heard of the wheels, Vuelta, but they are light. The overall performance on the trail is that it's quick and nimble. Some people will probably move to a wider handlebar. Climbing was not a problem and the bike never felt heavy. Stopping and going is different on a 29er as it takes a little more effort to get rolling. The only issue I have with the XX kit is that all bolts are torx! So you'll need to buy a T-25 bit to make any adjustments whether it's the brake calipers or shifters. The set-up does require you know what you are doing. The caliper on the fork did not come mounted nor the disc. I did not have any issues with the brakes. The shifting only needed a barrel adjustment to get working. I went ahead and swapped out all the Ritchey WCS aluminum stuff with matching FSA K-Force Light parts. Not sure why they would put aluminum parts on a titanium bike, but I think people would pay the extra for carbon parts. I'll also upgrade the wheels to Crank Brothers. Nothing wrong with the wheels, but it seems sacrilegious to have XX parts attached to a no name wheel set. Any how, it's the best bang for the buck and worth every penny.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dragon Team 26". Full XO set-up. American Classic wheels.
Litespeed 5" Full Suspension 26". Full XO set-up. FSA XC-300 wheels.
Bike Setup: XX set up with FSA K-Force Light crank set
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mountain Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2010
Strengths: Handling, ride comfort, light weight, low price, great equipment package (2011 XO 2x10, Reba RL), Ti frame, Small block eight tires
Weaknesses: None found as of this review
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up review after one month of riding and my opinion has not changed. This bike is awesome and I'm still grinning about the price. I am amazed with the excellent handling characistics of this bike and the light feel of the ride. Great equipment package on this bike and my only real complaint is with the Avid brakes. All the complaint forums are about the chirping from the Elixer CR's. I had the same problem and it seems to be two problems. First the ball washers supplied with the calipers to make adjustment "easy" really stink. First I don't think they do such a good job with alignment and when you do get them aligned, they don't hold the caliper in place. I replaced the ball washers with solid spacers and the problem was resolved. Overall I still give this bike five chilis on all elements.
has anyone tried single speeding their fly Ti Team 29? I read the thread about the magic gear being 32/19, but how many chain links is that?
[url]http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread Read More »
Has anyone successfully used the White Industy eccentric ENO SINGLE SPEED REAR HUB to convert a Ti Motobecane to SS ? Also using the eccentric disc brake caliper mount?
Seems l Read More »
So, who else pre-ordered this bike and received it? How'd assembly go? Impressions?
I got mine late this afternoon and took most of the evening getting it assembled and tuned up. Read More »
I have the Motobecane Fly Team 29 Ti with the 2011 XO build in size 15.5 as a 5' 7" 140 lbs rider. At the rate I'm upgrading it, it seems I'm upgrading everything except the frame, Read More »
New owner here, just got my Fly Team 29 Ti frame/fork delivered last week, cant wait to build it up. My first Ti build, cant wait for my parts to be delivered. Everything looks g Read More »
