Submitted by
joelness
a Weekend Warrior
from Randle, WA Date Reviewed: November 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect
Strengths:
overall value, especially WTB saddle and grips which always seem to impress me
Weaknesses:
generic components
Bike Setup:
bone stock
Bottom Line:
I've kept this bike stock, because I think that's what a review should be. The aluminum frame is exactly what you would expect, light and unforgiving. Without help from the 29" wheels this would be a deal breaker. The fork is heavy, but does provide just enough give. The hoops are good for commuting and light trails, your weight and riding style may dictate otherwise. The hubs are way too light to be considered for any serious trail use, but having the option of riding fixie is a lot of fun for those of us using this bike for it's intended purpose of commuting. The brakes are very nice once they're set up properly; mine came with no toe and thus screamed like a banshee. The WTB saddle and grips are the usual WTB awesomeness. The generic seatpost, stem, and bars follow suit with the hubs and really aren't cut out for anything even resembling aggressive riding. The gearing poses much the same problem as it is perfect commuting and flatland fare but leaves much to be desired once the trail turns steep and/or technical. This will be very familiar to anyone with prior Motobecane experience. It's needed a tune up after every serious trail ride, but it's overall value as a first SS as well as fixie and 29er make it a homerun for me. I can't think of a better value in a versatile HD commuter and light trailbike if you keep in mind that any parts not listed with a brand name on the description are going to need some attention before serious trail use is made a viable option.
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Submitted by
Ranger Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
multiple
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Good Entry Level Bike
Low Price allows for upgrades
Solid Crank
Weaknesses:
Awkward Stock Components
Not disc brake compatible
Low-end hubs
Similar Products Used:
Redline Monocog
Bike Setup:
On-One Superlight Chromoly Fork, Race Face Deus XC Stem OS, Sette XLR O/S Low Rise Handlebar, Sette APX Alloy Seatpost, Crank Brothers Acid 1's, 32T Race Face Bash guard.
Bottom Line:
The Outcast 29er is a catch 22 in the 29er world, it offers a great price for the entry level rider, but can leave much to be desired for the more serious enthusiasts. The truth is you get what you pay for, if your interested in the idea of 29 inch wheels, you can't find anything cheaper, price or components-wise (unfortunately). The only "name brand" components installed on this mail-order bike include the crank, brake system, seat, and rims, all base components within the manufacturing companies that provide them. The frame is aluminum, which lightens the overall weight and still provides a comfortable ride, but lacks the muster for more technical trails that Steel frames generally provide. The downfall of this frame though is the inability to upgrade to disc brakes, not a must, but a nice thing to have if you ever decide to upgrade,
Out of the box, the Outcast works great for commuting and light trails. If that's the general purpose of this bike, then it's more than worth its value and provides a reliable ride if well taken care of. If you plan on using this bike on anything above beginner trails and sidewalks I suggest upgrading a few components in order is fulfill your needs. I strongly suggest purchasing a different bike if you see yourself on advanced trails over the course of the lifetime of this bike. Of course you upgrade components to your needs and I highly suggest doing so, after a little bargain shopping you can tailor this bike to your body style for as little as 150-200 dollars and feel very comfortable with its performance.
I purchased this bike because I needed a light trails bike and was interested in the world of 29ers. After much use, I begin noticing how uncomfortable and flimsy the stock components were, this includes the fork (even though constructed from a chromoly blend). I agree with most of the reviewers here with the complaints about the component size and how it's the same for a 16in frame up to a 21in frame, but once again I remind you that this bike is available for under 360 dollars (the price of a decent suspension fork). I upgraded the whole steering system to O/S and a higher quality rigid fork (suspension forks throw off the geometry of the bike, another downfall).
The gear ratio intended for this bike was 42x18, which stated by previous reviewers is wonderful for flatland, but extremely undesirable for technical uphills or off-roads for that matter. It does come with a lighter geared chainring, but when you switch them out, you're still left with a giant bashguard meant for the 42t chainring. Before switching to a more appropriate size, I was catching the bashguard on almost anything, which is great, it was fulfilling it's purpose, but there was at least an inch to inch and a half distance between the outer portion of the bashguard and the chainring, which is just overkill.
Thus far it seems that I have nothing but animosity for the overall performance of the Outcast, but this isn't true. After the upgrades, I built up a quality rigid 29er for under $500 dollars. With a little know how, you can create a very reliable and comfortable ride able to handle a majority of trails out there. Though the bike has its disadvantages, as does any bike, I had just as much fun rebuilding it as I now do riding it. Out of the few bikes that I have, I consider this one to be the most entertaining.
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Submitted by
cander49
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD Date Reviewed: October 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Loch Raven, Baltimore, MD
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Price is cheap, frame is well built and pretty light, 29 inch wheels are pretty fun
Weaknesses:
Ugh... 2 MAJOR issues with this bike that should ABSOLUTELY keep you from purchasing it. Motobecane used to be a reputable business, but a shady company called bikesdirect.com bought them out and drastically lowered the quality. First off, the alloy on the pedal crank arms is absolute junk. I've had this thing for 10 days and the crank arms are completely trashed. I set it up properly (didn't cross-thread the pedals or something stupid like that, not to mention the fact that I had professional help with the setup...) and the threading was apparently so poorly done that one of my pedals already tore the threading straight out and my pedal just fell off while I was riding today, causing a particularly nasty slam. I guess it's my fault for crashing since I knew it was going to pop off at some point, but I rely on my bike for transportation and didn't think it'd fall off this fast. Second, and perhaps, even worst, I've emailed bikesdirect.com about the problem literally 3 times now (before the pedal even fell off because I could see that it was getting pretty bad) and faxed them and they have literally completely ignored my 4 messages despite having ample time to get back to me. They don't even have a phone, which should've been a tip-off I guess. Other than these problems, the bike seems overall shoddily put together. The breaks seem pretty cheap and the bolts don't seem to want to stay tight despite a professional setup. Also, the front hub makes lots of clicking noises. I'm not sure what the problem is, but miscellaneous noises never seem to be a good sign.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Trek, bought this on recommendation from my Dad, who apparently has only used "real" Motobecane bikes from before they were bought out.
Bottom Line:
I highly recommend buying something else from a local reputable dealer. I haven't seen anyone else having problem with threading, so maybe it's just a glitch in quality control, but it looks like it's going to turn into a major headache to deal with this as I really don't want to drop 25% of the bike's cost to fix it when it's almost brand new.
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Submitted by
chuckjoga
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sedalia, Indian Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Cheap. Quick handling. Good tires. Nice looking in white. Decent rim brakes. Really works. Fun to ride. Came with an extra 33t front sprocket and flat pedals. Comfortable WTB seat.
Weaknesses:
Cheap hubs will need to be upgraded. 170mm short cranks probably to avoid wheel/toe overlap. Frame & stock fork are not suspension corrected and the geometry will change if suspension fork is added. Brake pads go away fast. Nutted axles. No disc tabs on frame or fork. 2-bolt stem and thin looking bars.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F29 1FG
Bike Setup:
ENO 22t freewheel, SRAM 870 chain, Time ATAC Alium pedals, DMR Revolver rear hub, Quick-release front axle w/Sette skewer, Bell brake pads, Sette clamp on grips.
Bottom Line:
If you want to try a 29er for cheap, this is a good deal. If you think that you may actually ride it off-road, spend $600-$800 at your LBS for a Redline or something used. The hubs and loose bearings are no name and will need to be replaced. The Truvativ cranks turn very smoothly, but are square taper and the bottom bracket shell is prone to rusting. Remove and generously regrease the bottom bracket and head bearings before riding in anything resembling moisture. I had a low-side crash and lost an endcap on the WTB grips and replaced them with clamp-ons. Bars and stem seem OK, but I'm a bit wary of the 2-bolt stem. If one of the bolts snaps, you're going down hard. The short cranks worked fine and actually lets you spin a bit faster on the flats when you're geared down for real mountain biking.
I started riding this bike to the park and mostly flat terrain. I got hooked on the 29er and started taking it to the mountains. If you hammer and ride aggressively, don't buy this bike. After about 500 miles you will end up spending a bit more on hubs, freewheels, chains, and brakes. The non-dished rear wheel with the sturdy Alex rim was a snap to rebuild with a nice hub. This is my park bike again and I'm now hammering the Cannondale 1FG. The Outcast 29er is still a nice looking bike, though.
The bottom line is that if you come across a used, lightly ridden Outcast 29er for $200, buy it. Hardcode XC riders stay away or ride it box-stock and plan to sell it within a couple months after you're hooked on the 29er thing.
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Submitted by
jmfrankl
a Weekend Warrior
from Seoul, Korea Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Low price, functional frame and parts.
Weaknesses:
Some clicking in the freewheel hub.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Began stock. Now running Schwalbe Big Apples and Crank Brothers Mallet pedals and an ENO freewheel hub. Am about to put on a Thomson stem and seat post, a better chain, etc.
Bottom Line:
The upgrades I have made are largely vanity. I just want a higher end bike. That said, this thing performed fine from day one. I read all the negative feedback and was ready to suffer a bit. Almost none of it was true. For the price this thing is fine.
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Submitted by
Chain smoker
a Weekend Warrior
from malden ma usa Date Reviewed: July 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
fells
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
bikes direct
Strengths:
price
Weaknesses:
stem, bars
Similar Products Used:
single speed specialized custom
Bike Setup:
basically stock - Switched to big apple tires. Really like em'
Bottom Line:
Great deal for the money. Fairly light and seems to be holding up fine.
Hard to wheelie, but once I get it up it balances just fine. Almost impossible for me to manual on this...
Switched to big apple tires
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Submitted by
rsbuell
a Cross Country Rider
from Maianga, Luanda, Angola Date Reviewed: July 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dave's Valley of Death
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bike shop on southsi
Strengths:
Superior handling at speed in loose and sandy terrain. Light weight and very simple to maintain.
Weaknesses:
21" frame and the bike came stock with 170mm cranks - these cranks are too short for a large person - I had to change out the cranks for 180mm.
Similar Products Used:
Surly 1X1
Bike Setup:
180mm TruVativ crank set. Geared 17-42. Upgraded wheels to Chris King Hubs with DT Swiss 1.1 rims. Upgraded seat post & handle bar to carbon fiber. Run 2.5 tires for cyclocross riding in sandy terrain.
Bottom Line:
I have put about 2000 miles on my Outcast in the sandy rolling hills of West Africa. Bike is very light and simple to maintain. Excellent handling at speed and float in sandy conditions.
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Submitted by
123honus
a Weekend Warrior
from Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect
Strengths:
Price, its a 29er, good looking, it is available quickly,
upgrade as you see fit and not spend a lot.
Great way to see if you like 29er and or single speed.
Weaknesses:
If you do not have a little mechanical ability it could be a problem. If you do it is great.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
I have been experimenting with gearing. It came with 42-18.
Good for the street and marginal hills. You will need Lower gearing for more serious trails. For the street or fairly level trails it is fine.
It comes with a fixed gear and a freewheel. Both 18 teeth.
It needs a 32 or 36 primary for the trail.
Bottom Line:
Now that I know a little about bikes I still think it is a good value.
I removed the cranks, the BB and the freewheel.
You will need the special tools to do this if you are not going to use a local dealer.
I believe the parts are fine. You can upgrade as you see fit.
V brakes work fine for me, 210 LBS.
I will probably change the bars and grips.
The gearing will have to change for more serious trails.
After changing the freewheel to a 21 teeth, I feel it is going to be easier to change the primary sprocket than the freewheel. It takes longer to change than I expected.
I am still on the fence for the single speed, but the bike has been great fun so far.
I think lack of suspension is fine if you have 29" wheels.
If you have a good local dealer that stocks 29ers and you do not want to work on your bike, I would consider spending the extra few hundred and buy from him.
For me this was a great purchase and got me into the 29er and the single speed at a very reasonable price.
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Submitted by
Ramon Hernandez
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellport,NY,USA Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Stillwell
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
Bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
They include an extra chainring (33T) for OFF ROAD ride and the price.
Got the bike from bikesdirect.com..They sent the bike via UPS Ground. As soon received and evaluated the bike start doing some upgrades on components not good for me. The stem and handlebar are garbage.If you plan to do a OFF ROAD rides you need to replace the chainring to 33T. The stock chainring is 44T. I upgrade the bike with a good components that were on my garage from a long time. Install a new XT Lever,Easton Stem. The tires are good (KENDA Nevegal) but too heavy and soon will upgrade to KENDA Small Block 8.TEKTRO V-brakes are acceptable. The wheels are not the best ones but you can ride. Fork is a little heavy but is acceptable.On general recommend the bike to try a 29er Single Speed,Full rigid.
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Submitted by
calboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Point Pleasant WV Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
bob evans farm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
PRICE. Comes a wtb seat,kenda nevegals and truvativ cranks. I love the matte copper paint and oh yeah.......ITS A 29ER!!!!
Weaknesses:
The wheels are track hubs. But I knew that when I bought the bike.
Similar Products Used:
2006 salsa dos niner and a 2003 supergo access. Both are setup as xc racers.
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock with the exception of carbon bars and a 32 front chainring.
Bottom Line:
Some say that the bike isn't a serious mountain bike but I think they are wrong. I have ridden this bike on some of the best singletrack that West Virginia has to offer and the bike is still here and so am I. I bought the bike because I wanted to get stronger. It sure was the right bike for me because I still have some money left over for upgrades and training was never more fun. The bike tracks very well on twisty sections and just blows through rocks and roots. And just like a typical 29er I find myself having to coast alot when I'm behind someone on a 26 inch! My overall rating of 4 chillis is because of the track hubs.
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Submitted by
Douglas Vlad
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte,NC USA Date Reviewed: March 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Itusi trail at Lake Norman State park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bikes Direct
Strengths:
Nice Color
Weaknesses:
Heavy Frame, dropouts uneven, Bike uses same size components for all sizes i.e.170mm crank & 110mm stem is standard on 16" and the same on 21". No QR. Touring Saddle, 42x18 gear. Narrow Handlebars, 300mm seatpost
Similar Products Used:
numourous mountain ,road,track,cyclocross bikes since 1987
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I would say if you could get this bike at under $150,it may be a good deal if you plan on adding a basket and riding to the corner store. I don't think it could be used for any serious trail use
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Submitted by
Kim
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL Date Reviewed: February 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
sprtymama on ebay
Strengths:
decent quality bike at a rock bottom price
Weaknesses:
budget components
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX760
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
t it comes with a smaller chainring that is perfect for general use. I have ridden it on the pavement and on the trails and it is a blast. In my opinion, 29 inches rules. The simplicity and lack of maintenance of the single speed is pretty sweet as well. I liked the 29er size and the overall bike so much I just ordered a Motobecane Fantom29 Pro.
$
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