Strengths: Great Shifters and rear deraileur. Looks killer.
Weaknesses: Cheap front deraileur, V-brakes would be a better choice than the garbage disks that are included. RST rear shock is Wal-Mart quality.
Bottom Line:
Purchased this for my wife and bought a Schwinn Rocket Comp for myself since I couldn't find a DS700 in large size at the time. I'm so glad they were out of large, I'm much happier with the Schwinn for the same price.
Submitted by
Scoop Dixon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001
Strengths: Design of the frame,overall appearance of the bike. I can't comment on anything else though.
Weaknesses: THAT FRONT FORK HAS TO GO!!! I THINK THEY FILLED THE SHOCK WITH MASHED POTATOES,MARSHMELLOWS,SPONGES,GUM DROPS,JELL-O AND ANYTHING ELSE THATS REALLY MUSHY INSTEAD OF SPRINGS.
Bottom Line:
I am kinda disappointed with this purchase. I should have physically shopped around and test rode some bikes but I just took advantage of the information superhighway and checked out bikes on the Net. If you are already into bikes then that might be cool but I havn't ridden in a while. I need to add a couple of things to make this bike keep up with the Joneses. I refuse to tell my friend that I'm unsatisfied with this purchase because he just got a Y2K Rockhopper for 6 bills and we all know that bike rocks!! I wouldn't recommend the w/s to anyone.
Similar Products Used: My old Rockhopper. I should have just upgraded that with new components instead of buying a whole new bike.
Bike Setup: Nothing special. It's still stock but I am going to add some yellow tires to the blue frame for contrast.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Boren
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000
Strengths: Well, let me see. Not many, it is a good beginger bike but I grew out of it fast. I bought the 99' 650DS model, it wasn't tops for the line but with upgrades it is a fairly decent bike, still not an advanced skill bike.
Weaknesses: Let me list my replacement list. Front shock, the high angle riser sucks, I broke the rear casset, the chain, the rear derailer, the drop out, I dont weigh too much and the stock rear shock gives no support, clipless pedals would of been nice also, and the chain rings are about to go also. It took three weeks to find a replacement dropout, a part that is replacable, like I said the guy from Cycle spectrum, at frist didnt event know what I was talking about. The last thing I can think of is the seat is really bad for my lower areas, I havent replaced it yet though. Like I said good beginer bike, once you hit some hardcore trails the bike falls apart.
Bottom Line:
Good beginer bike but will fall apart once you hit a real trail the bike dies. It is heavy and dosent like to make sharp turns. Shop around before you buy though, spend a little more and get a better bike.
Purchased At: Cycle Spectrum, Dont buy from them they are idiots
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Superlite xtr. I borrowed it from a friend for those three weeks that my bike was down, it is a dream.
Bike Setup: Marzocci Atom Bomb, 80mm fork. Cris King headset, kore 5 degree stem. Shimano XT rear casset, shimano chain, XTR rear derailer, and shimano clipless pedals. The bike is much better than the stock bike now, it even beats out the top of the line bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Burt Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000
Strengths: 2000 Motobecane Model DS 800 (MRSP $ 1,495.00) purchase for $ 800.00/ appears well made...nice welds/aluminumframe /High Polished Aluminum frame with Red trim.....Very handsome design and fairly light weight.
Weaknesses: Fairly small well padded seat but is not to comfy for me...Ordered an Air Seat....not yet installed. Also rear Shock is a bit spongy and bottoms out easilly...perhaps can be adjusted? I weigh 215 which contributes to that!
Bottom Line:
A tremendous amount of Bike for the $$ and can be upgraded into a KILLER MTB with little effort and Sheckles.
Available from bikesdirect.com on the net for 795 Clams with No Shipping or Sales Tax...I bought mine thru a local store and paid TAX but came with Lifetime FREE Adjustments!
Similar Products Used: Had a Cannondale F 500 Hard Tail w/ front shock only....much harder ride...and shifting less positive well built same price range but bike was stolen!
Bike Setup: Excellent components for price range..RockShox Jet Front/RST-22 Shimano Rear: Deore XT Front: New Deore, Shifters: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire, Excellent Tektro Linear pull brakes, Tires: Maxis Black Knobby quite aggressive, Alloy Bar Ends, DH rise Handelbar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Tishken
a Weekend Warrior
from Sanford, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2000
Strengths: i like the wheel base rides well through roots, stumps, ruts and mud, lots of chain ring clearance i have not bottomed out on any stumps as of yet.
Weaknesses: rear frame shock support, frame crack at rear shock support after 1 year and 4 mon. of riding, RST shock very mushy and bottoms out very easy, although i might be to big for it i'm 200lbs
Bottom Line:
very dissapointed in quality of bike, paid way too much for this quality craftmanship, did not expect bike to break so soon bike was only ridden maby 12 or 11 times on steet and trails, i love the spin rims they look really cool and are very light but have not put them to the extreme test yet, bottom line is you get what you pay for unfortunatly i paid too much, wish i would have found some type of review before i bought it, somebody needs to let us know about the junk in the world, i should have stayed with caloi that god i kept the bike my friends describe as a volvo, can't break it.
Bike Setup: Shimano xt derailers shimano deore rapid fire shifters tektro v brakes Rock Shox 00JET Rst-22 nitrogen charged floating piston with coil-over spring joytech hubs alex adventure rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Roettele
a Weekend Warrior
from Interlachen, FL
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Strengths: The 2000 600DS was the best buy around under $500.00 Shimano derailers alumimum frame even the paint finish is sweet. For the weekend warrior this is the best deal going.
Weaknesses: RST 280 front shock is too mushy, it has a 1" quill stem a threadless would be better
Bottom Line:
I am a beginer as far as this MTB stuff but I did alot of looking before I made my decsion. Infact I drove the bike shops nuts. For the money this was the best deal in town.
Submitted by
David Hernandez
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000
Strengths: Price, Price, Price, for the package. Quick release seat and wheels, Shimano derailers, threadless headset and more. Although I need more time for a true assessment of durability, I have beat this bike into the ground in the last six months and it keeps on going (give me another year). In addition, I love the shifters. The front derailer shifter allows you a range of positions. In other words, there are more than three positions, allowing you to tweak the chain position relative to the derailer. Full suspension gives you a smooth ride.
Weaknesses: RST 281 shocks, althhough adjustable, are soft and "mushy." This especialy creates a problem hitting bumbs while going down steep grades--feels like you might fly over the handle bars. Also a problem when landing from high jumps. They are just too soft. However, I don't remember ever bottoming them out.
Bottom Line:
Big Bang for the buck ($595.00 for the 1999 model). I don't understand why Motobecane is not in the spotlight more often (not even mentioned in Mountian Bike Buyer's Guide 2000). ALthough the 700ds is truly a beginners/ weekenders bike, it has many competitive strengths and the higher end Motobecane models (750 and 800) are loaded. I recommend taking one for a test drive and comparing it to other full suspension bikes.
Favorite Trail: Every bayou, back road, and street
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Similar Products Used: None. The closest are Trek 8000 and Cannondale. These are faster on the street but the 700ds passes them up on tough terrain, every time.
Bike Setup: Factory: Aluminum frame, RST 281 front shocks, LX back derailer and Aluvio front derailer. I am not certain how to describe the back center spring (shock), but it works well in any case (and is easily adjusted for comfort/terrain).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
lynn spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from tempe
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2000
Strengths: Very well priced bike, best deal in town!! Light "y" type full suspension frame.
Weaknesses: the 700 ds only comes in one color
Bottom Line:
You won't find a better deal on a full suspension bike. I bought mine about a year ago, and I looked at every brand I could find. I paid about $600.00 for mine. Moto is the way to go. Had one when I was a kid, have one now.
