Home | Reviews | Manufacturers | Motobecane | Full Suspension Bike

Login  |  Register
Motobecane 1999

MSRP $
# of Reviews 9
Average Rating 3.22/5
More Products from Motobecane

Submit a Review









Submitted by RMX a Weekend Warrior from SLC Utah
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2006
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $550.00
Purchased At:ebay
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.
Similar Products Used:Schwinn Rocket Comp
Bike Setup:Completely stock.
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.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Scoop Dixon a Weekend Warrior from San Jose
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:Santa Cruz to Capitola
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $600.00
Purchased At:bikesdirect.com
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.
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.
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.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Ben Boren a Cross Country Rider from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:National, South Mountain
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $500.00
Purchased At:Cycle Spectrum, Dont buy from them they are idiots
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.
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.
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.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Burt Davis a Weekend Warrior from Gold Canyon, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:Peralta in Pinal Cty, AZ
Duration Product Used:3 months
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!
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
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!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mike Tishken a Weekend Warrior from Sanford, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:seminole enviro. center
Duration Product Used:1 Year
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
Similar Products Used:none as of yet
Bike Setup:basic stock DS700 with spin rims, soon to ditch RST shocks
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.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Jas L a Weekend Warrior from Hot Springs
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:Little Blakely
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:It looks great it works great and you can't get a better product for your money
Weaknesses:I can't think of anything because there is none.
Similar Products Used:None
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
Bottom Line:This is a sweet bike and you just can't go wrong
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Dan Roettele a Weekend Warrior from Interlachen, FL
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
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.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by David Hernandez a Weekend Warrior from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:Every bayou, back road, and street
Duration Product Used:6 months
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.
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).
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.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by lynn spencer a Weekend Warrior from tempe
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:desert classic south mountain
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:Very well priced bike, best deal in town!! Light "y" type full suspension frame.
Weaknesses:the 700 ds only comes in one color
Similar Products Used:I had a k-2 beast that was to heavy
Bike Setup:good components all around. Shimano LX-mix
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.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4






What's New
» BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
» LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
» INTERBIKE - See all the latest 2010 bikes, parts, and gear in our extensive Tradeshow Coverage»
Latest Articles and Reviews:


Quick Poll
(sponsored by Moots)
Do you own a GPS?

  yes, dedicated GPS
  yes, smart phone w/GPS
  not yet, but looking to buy
  no

Photo Caption Contest

(sponsored by Maxxis)

Enter here

Contact Us  •   About Us  •   Terms of Use  •   Privacy Policy  •   Advertising
 MtbREVIEW.com  RoadbikeREVIEW.com  OutdoorREVIEW.com
 PhotographyREVIEW.com  VideogameREVIEW.com  ComputingREVIEW.com
 AudioREVIEW.com  CarREVIEW.com  GolfREVIEW.com
Copyright ©1996-2009 All Rights Reserved.ConsumerREVIEW.com, a business unit of Invenda      RSS Feed