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Average Rating
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4.38/5
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# of Reviews
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8
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MSRP
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$ 1995.00
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Weight
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More Products from Motobecane
Submit a Review
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Description:
- SuperLite 4bar Double-butted 7005SL Aluminum frame
- RockShox SID Race Fork 80mm
- SID XC 4" Travel RR
- Avid SD7 Brakes/Levers
- M-Wings Team Issue Wheelset
- Stainless Double Butted Spokes 32fr/32r
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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern Wake County, NC
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Luv'em all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesdirect.com | | Strengths: | High end components, Very light weight (26.3 with pedals, bottle cage and better seat), nice Chrome color for 2008 and the low price. | | Weaknesses: | Must partially assemble this product yourself. Minimal mechanical skill required, only takes 30 min. (+/-). Kendra 1.95 tires are light but 2.1's better for most trail riding (IMHO). | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F400 (a very solid hardtail). | | Bike Setup: | All XTR drivetrain, Rock Shox Reba, Juicy Carbon hydraulic brakes, FSA carbon cranks, the list goes on. | | Bottom Line: | I have only had this bike for just over a week and so far I am very pleased. I have taken it on three good rides and worked it very hard. I have done drop-offs, jumps, fallen off skinnys, hit hard roots, cranked over logs etc. and so far, so good. The response from everyone who has seen it has been very positive (people can't believe the price). The bike is very light and very fast. I have much more confidence on advanced trails/skills than before (placebo effect maybe?) and am now a thorough fan of dual suspension.
I had no problems getting the bike together (I did have my bike shop go over it and they adjusted the brakes which were rubbing against the front rotor). A bit of moaning from the rear hydraulic brake about an 45 min. into my first ride, but another owner told me that was normal with these stock pads (performance was not affected). Though I weigh 175lbs I pumped the rear Monarch 4.2 up to 200 lbs and that seems to work well for me and my riding style. I plan on returning here every so often for the first year or so to give updates so if anything does go wrong, perspective buyers will hear about it, but again, I am so far very impressed. If you are in the market for a new bike, want to save some cash, do not feel the need to have a major name brand, and have a bit of mechanical skill, then this bike or the Comp or the Elite (same frame, different components, cheaper price) would be a great bike. Again, I have owned this for just over a week, but I will give updates to keep this review honest. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monty Maughan
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bluff Hill - Oklahoma City | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.bikesdirect.com/ | | Strengths: | Great specification, top of the line compontents, light weight, superb workmanship and finish. Great value for money and excellent customer support. | | Weaknesses: | None evident todate. I will probably upgrade the wheel set later. | | Similar Products Used: | All $3000 plus, top four, brand-name, aluminum frame, full suspension cross-country bikes compared favourably to the 2008 Motobecane Fantom Team bike. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XTR double-action pod shifters, F&R XTR derailleurs, Avid Juicy Carbon Hydraulic brakes, bar-mounted F&R lockout controls for the Reba Team (Adjustable Travel) fork and the Rockshox (Motion Control) rear shock. I changed the factory supplied saddle, grips, tires and bar & stem to suite my set up preferences. | | Bottom Line: | The retail bicycle market is steadily changing and the sky won't fall if you buy this bike online. Moutain bikes are like helicopters they are a collection of highly technical compontents all working in unison and traveling in close formation. That's why some folks buy a frame set and build their own bike. Some local bikes shops "get it" and some don't. I was quoted $40 by my favorite bike shop to check the assembly of my factory supplied Motobecane Fantom Team bikebut I went on to spend $400 with them to reconfigure it to my liking. I have since spent a further $400 on better shoes, lights etc from other outlets. That's how it's going to be in the future. The brand name suppliers and retail outlets will no doubt find innovative ways to deal with these changes.
Buy this bike if you are a realist and understand that:"The U.S. bicycle market is dominated by imported bicycles. In 2006, it is estimated that 99.3% of all bicycles sold in the U.S. were imported. China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and accounted for 99.55% of the total annual bicycle imports.” (Reference 2006 Industry Overview in the U.S. National Bicycle Dealers Association report “Imports and Domestic” at http://nbda.com/page.cfm?PageID=34).
Don't buy it if you need a "high profile brand name" bike at all costs (that's important to some folks) or if you are willing to pay nearly twice as much for the a bike with the same specification but comes with the more "visible, touch and feel" local dealer support offered by the brand name suppliers.
I dealt with Mike Spratt at http://www.bikesdirect.com/ and he “under promised and over performed”. The company also responded promptly to my all my quiries sent a spare rear derailier hangar promply. When it comes time to replace my Cannondale 6-13 Road Bike I will be inclined to buy it online and I certainly won’t overlook a Motobecane.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Ackerson
a
from Wells, Maine
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Aggementicus | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1495.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesdirect.com | | Strengths: | Lightweight, stiff, XTR in the right spots and just right suspension for myself (160 lbs). Avid brakes are v-brakes for lightweight, but the levers are compatible with their BB Disc brake. | | Weaknesses: | House brand wheels and goodies (stem, seatpost, handlebar, pedals) Sid Team fork might be too light/flexy/weak for heavier riders. Cable housing was setup far too long! Suspension lockouts were not setup correctly. Only room for one water bottle cage. Stem has rear pinch bolts and I've bounced my knee off of it twice (ouch). | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full suspension ride. Previous mountain bikes are: 2001 Gary Fisher Kai Tai, 1996 Rocky Mountain Hammer Race. | | Bike Setup: | 16" Alumninm frame. Adjustable rear suspension @ 3", 4" & 5". I swapped the ultegra road cassette to some sram gearing that'll work better in Maine. I also swapped the tires from the racing tires to IRC mythos. Those have been the only customizations. Rear Rock Shox Ario is a low pressure unit so setup requires less PSI than other shocks. FSA carbon cranks (durability to be scene). | | Bottom Line: | I bought mine at a special two month sale rate in the fall. It was $300 less than the normal price. The normal retail is $1795. (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/10dayfantom_team07.htm)
Functional suspension, lightweight, Shimano, Rock Shox, Avid and FSA carbon cranks, what more do you want for $1500?
With the long travel setup this bike is far easier to descend drop offs and log crossings than a hardtail!
Everyone already knows the climbing benefits being lightweight and fully suspended.
I wish the wheels were slightly better made, but there isn't very much about this bike I don't like. The CNC work around the bottom bracket is nice and tight. Plenty of mud clearance in the stays and according to the dirtrag review the pivots will take a beating.
BTW, the blue paint job is very pleasing to the eye.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1495.00 BikesDirect.com | | Strengths: | Weight, lateral stiffness, Sid Team/Ario suspension, climbing geometry. | | Weaknesses: | None found, but I've only had the thing for 3 weeks. Can hopefully take a good beatin' over time. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Big Sur. GT Pantera. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR. Rock Shox Sid Team fork. Rock Shox Ario in back. FSA carbon cranks. Avid single digit brakes. Bar mount PopLoc front/rear. Alex XT 16 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Researched a ton of other bikes online, then rolled the dice on the Motobecane. Nothing else could touch this deal. A little risky as there are no dealers in the Denver area, hence no test ride or support, but I enjoy working on bikes anyway. The Fantom Team's specs were so far and away above anything else, I just couldn't turn down the deal. No regrets! I've already taken the bike on a number of rides in varying conditions, on technical climbs, and really rough downhills. Tight handling, especially when the suspension is set correctly. Doubts about thin Kenda tires and traction quickly evaporated. Traction is fine. Made me regret all these years of holding out/doubting the value of full suspension. Bonus; this thing's six pounds lighter than my old Big Sur. Hopefully withstands the test of time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian dines
a Weekend Warrior
from Ramstein, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Boar hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | bought used frame on ebay | | Strengths: | The frame's very little and the rear shocks is quite smooth and solid | | Weaknesses: | The more upright head tube angle makes this bike a little more squirrely than the Kona frame (Cinder Cone) from which the components were harvested | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Fx3, Kona bikes | | Bike Setup: | Transferred parts from my Kona Cinder Cone - XT deore derailers, marzochi front shock. | | Bottom Line: | Wanted to move to a full-suspension frame to take the strain off my lower back. Bought the Fantom Team frame on ebay (20 inch) for about $300, the move the parts over from my Kona Cinder Cone (which I loved) to the new frame without much difficulty.
Climbing I found slightly more difficult with the new frame (2 or 3 percent), though not due to bobbing in the frame. But when descending and riding fast over rougher terrain, I found I had much more confidence in my ability to control the bike. The descents that had put a lump in my throat were less scary and more fun.
It's a great frame ... I wasn't sure I'd like this change, but I'm glad I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Altop
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | South mountain, Fantasy island | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1930.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Spectrum | | Strengths: | Light weight, Great component set | | Weaknesses: | The wheels are lacking | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, Nail Trail | | Bike Setup: | XTR drive train, FSA Carbon cranks, Avid SD7 Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I have had the bike for 9 months now and had two major crashes due to mechanical failure. First time the rear shock collapsed for no reason. I played with the damper and it popped back out and worked. It still occasionally collapses for no apparent reason. The second time the Dura Ace chain broke while I was standing in full acceleration. I have switched over to the SRAM Power link chain. We will see how this goes. The rear wheel goes out of true at the drop of a hat. When the chain broke it took three spokes with it. All this is covered under warranty but none of the mechanics at Cycle Spectrum know enough to fix a wheel properly. I spent 20 bucks at performance and the whole wheel came back tighter and truer than it has ever been. Shortly after getting the bike the rear sealed hub loosened up and I got a new wheel out of the deal, but it took 8 weeks for them to do it. That would have been 2 months with no riding for me. The Shop said it would try to hook me up with a temporary replacement but that never happened. Luckily one of the guys at the shop loaned me one of his personal wheels. If you buy this bike, spend the extra cash and get the rear wheel relaced with some quality spokes and nipples. It will cost you about 100 bucks but in the end you will be much more pleased with the performance and durability. The XTR rear derailer has been anything but crisp. Just by getting the new chain it seems to have cleaned up the shifting. Buy it if you’re on a budget yet you still want a super light well equipped bike. This is for you. If you plan on racing this it is going to take some extra cash to get it there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Salins
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Green Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | www.BikesDirect.com | | Strengths: | Super light weight bike for the price with top of the line components. | | Weaknesses: | No service support if there is something wrong when it is shipped to you. If anything is wrong with the bike, you are pretty much on your own. I would suggest having it put together by someone top notch. I had the bottom braket installed incorrectly on mine. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the price. It is my first dual suspension bike and I will never go back to a hardtail again. If you buy this bike you must bring it to a bike shop unless you know what you are doing in as far as the assembly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WishIRodeBetR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Molino Basin/Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Spectrum | | Strengths: | For The money you can't but a better bike. I looked at EVERY brand before I bought this, and nothing came close. The rest of the market was $750-$2000 more for an equivilant set-up! The bike is extreemly well made and put together. | | Weaknesses: | You can only buy them in person in AZ, TX, and FL which is where Motobecane's distributor (Cycle Spectrum) has shops, otherwise you have to buy it online (i.e. you have to finish and tune it your self) | | Similar Products Used: | Cake, Epic (wish the brain were on other brands), KHS Rage, Oryx Gemsbok, Giant NRS. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR '03 except for shifters and brake levers (STI doesn't feel comfortable), Kore Elite stem, post, and bar. Mike Garcia's wheels: King hubs w/dt 4.1 rims. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is probably the best FS value out there. I purchased the frame option as I wanted to build the bike with different parts. The full bike came with some nice stuff like FSA carbon cranks, Avid 7 V-brakes, but I wanted to do a full XTR bike so I got just the frame (which comes with SID Race fork, SID rear shock, post, collar, stem, and FSA head set all for $799).
It's such a good deal you could probably buy the full bike($1695 at Cycle Spectrum), sell all the parts you don't want, and buy the new parts, and have money left over.
The warranty on this thing is crazy! Everything on it is warrantied for life. I thought I heard the sales person wrong when I heard that, but it's true. I can't even think of another company that comes close. And if you get it through CS, you get free labor for life, no matter what it needs (tune up, parts replaced, wheel trued)
The bike works and rides extremely well. The frame is stiff. A lot stiffer than you would expect for it's weight. It's way more comfortable than a Cake, and is much lighter too. 23.25 lbs for the full bike. I wish it came with an anti-bob rear shock, as the SID rear is a little bouncy, but for the price you could eaisly afford to buy a different one if it bothers you too much.
Even if the price was more, I would have still bought this bike. Warranty, Service, and feel of then bike is out standing! Five all the way... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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