Submitted by
Boludo Bolano
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Forest, CA Date Reviewed: June 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything with singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Discovery Bicycles
Strengths:
Strong frame, great shocks front and rear, frame made by KHS, XT drivetrain with XTR, avid disk brakes which are easy to maintian & no need to bother with hydralics, seat post QR, its easy to cuddle with in bed
Weaknesses:
Cheap ass rim tape which in reality is just a big rubber band, didn't come with shock air pump, handlebar a bit narrow, not set up to accept barends right out of the shop
Similar Products Used:
FSR, Fuel 90, Devinci Chilipepper
Bike Setup:
All stock, but will be changing the stem, too tall
Bottom Line:
I was lucky in that I didn't have to buy online. I found a local dealer (Costa Mesa & San Diego) that carries this line of bikes. Knowing how nice the bike is I would now buy it online. Its a great ride, and with a full XT drivetrain for the price that most bikes have only LX/Deore, I couldn't pass. The frame is the same as KHS FXT, built in the same factory. Its a bit heavy, but I wanted a strong frame to last some time. When you buy it, do not ride with the stock rim tape. The tape is a big rubberband that isnt wide enough and slides/bunches to the side. I got a flat in less than five minutes of riding due to the tape. Also, the rims are slightly bigger than 26" which will make the tire change a pain in yo ass. The inner tubes are pretty cheap too. The Avid disk brakes are great and easy to use/maintain. The tires are sweet, but buy a true rear tire. I plan on replacing the stem since the stock is too tall. Already put in new tubes. One great thing is the rim stickers are easy to take off, so the rims are just red and look sweet. For the price, it cant be beat. It is a great frame with awesome drive train and good enough components to last for a while. I suspect the rims/hubs and bar will be the first things to wear out. No big deal. It was a big decision to replace my old hardtail, but after the first ride I knew it was the right decision. Buy it if you want full suspension with very little bob and great drivetrain at a price that is a bit easier to swallow. If you buy online, take it to the LBS to tune it. Five flaming stools.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
frank
a Weekend Warrior
from long beach, ca, usa Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1495.00
Purchased At:
bicycle discovery
Strengths:
great components and frame for the money
Weaknesses:
I have not found any weakness; that I can see- my local dealer had to order for me since he was sold out
Similar Products Used:
i had an old Fuji & a GT
Bike Setup:
XTR
Bottom Line:
I purchsed my X4B from Bicycle Discover in Fountain Valley, Ca - they had sold out and I had to wait about a month to get it. IT IS WORTH THE WAIT! This bike is the best riding and equipped bike I have ever seen in the price range. I paid the list of $1495 and think the bike is better equipped than other bikes I looked at up to $2300. Anyway it's ride and handling are great and I do not plan to change anything on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC Date Reviewed: March 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
rocks
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
decided not to
Strengths:
Looked like good components
Weaknesses:
Researched the bike on the net. When I tried contacting Motobecane only got a recording couldn't talk to anyone. Sent email and finally received a message back saying I could only buy the bike on line at bikes direct, Bikes direct did not have anyway to contact them by phone email and on line orders only. I really wanted to see the bike before purchasing so I asked where (I would have been happy to travel) I could find a dealer. They would not give me a name of a dealer and said one was not within 100 miles of my house so I would have to buy it online and bikesdirect.com. Now I was getting suspicious and really pretty irritated so I did a little more reseach and discovered that the bikes are made in China and not the original old Motobecane company bikes from France. Motobecane has now become MBK.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose G3
Bottom Line:
So my recommendation is DON'T BUY IT. Save your money and buy a real bike at a bike shop from someone with a telephone and customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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