REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Buying Motobecane... geometry & sizing?

18061 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Trek223, Jul 6, 2008

sheppy

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2007

I'm getting my first "performance" bike, entry-level... Mainly for short-distance city commuting & leisure riding (switch to slick tires), but will do light trails maybe once/wk, mountain trails maybe once/month (as a start!). Budget $400-600. Prefer a lightweight hardtail, with adjustable or lockable fs fork. Me: female age 30s, weight ~100 lbs, height 5'2"

I am considering buying the Fantom Comp hardtail, front suspension, because it seems to be the best value out there for a bike that's only 26 lbs. But I'm a little uncomfortable with buying online, mainly because of fit. I fit a 13.5" to 14.5" at the LBS in other bike brands (Gary Fisher, Iron Horse), but Motobecane's smallest size is quoted as a 16" (and not female either). I am 5'2" with a clearance of 28" (legs long & torso short, in relative proportions). Can anyone comment on Moto's sizing?

http://www.motobecane.com/flygeometry.html
Motobecane's listed geometries appear to measure close to my sizes, except the horizontal cockpit, which isn't specified there, but I estimate it may be an inch on the long side (per the LBS, my ideal is supposedly 15.4" from saddle-tip to handlebar, or 25" from seat-center). Is that accurate? Should this be a concern?

Bottom line, is buying online a bad idea?

FYI, here is my post from the "What Bike To Buy" board. Any thoughts are appreciated... Thanks!
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=314121

Save

1 - 14 of 14 Posts

MrKalentine

· #2 · Jun 30, 2007

No, buying online isn't a bad idea. If you know your fit, can put a bike together yourself, and can adjust small things like brakes/derailluers, then buying online will get you a better deal than buying from a shop.

However, if you fit a 13.5"-14.5" frame, I'm not sure you'd fit on the 16" frame.

Save

sheppy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 30, 2007

sheppy said:
http://www.motobecane.com/flygeometry.html
Motobecane's listed geometries appear to measure close to my sizes, except the horizontal cockpit, which isn't specified there, but I estimate it may be an inch on the long side (per the LBS, my ideal is supposedly 15.4" from saddle-tip to handlebar, or 25" from seat-center).

When I compared the listed geometries for the Gary Fisher Marlin GS small 15.5" & the Motobecane 16", the listed dimensions were pretty close... I think Moto sizes tend to run small.

While I have yet to try the MarlinGS in 13" for a potentially better fit, the 15.5" frame-size at the LBS actually fit me okay, except the horizontal (saddle-tip to stem bolt) length was 16.4", an inch longer than my supposed ideal. If anyone owns a 16" Moto Fantom or Fly hardtail, could you please let me know the length on yours?

I'm "guessing" the Moto may be a tad too long horizontally, based on the wheel base of 42", compared to the MarlinGS's 40.9" wheel base. However, the MarlinGS small (15.5") lists a longer top tube actually, at 22.3", versus 21.5" for the Moto, which is closer actually even shorter to the MarlinGS XS at 21.7". Though I know that the slant can affect the measurement (seat tube angles are 73 for Moto vs 73.5 for MarlinGS small).

In terms of the vertical dimensions, I had the MarlinGS 15.5" seat tube raised 4.5" in order to get full leg extension (though I was on tiptoe when seated), so there was still room to work with. My clearance is 28", and standover heights are 27.8" for the MarlinGS small, 26.6" for the XS, and 26.75" for the Moto.

In summary, the Moto seems like it could fit me, except maybe horizontally... I heard a bike's seatpost can be flipped to help shorten that, but it's not optimal for rear-end comfort when one shifts the weightbearing point

Any thoughts are appreciated

See less See more

Save

rallymerkur

· #4 · Jul 2, 2007

I have an 07' Fly and the measurement you asked for was just under 17" on mine. I have the saddle back a little, maybe 1/2" from normal/center. I'm 5'8", I got the 16" as I wanted a light HT for aggressive riding, I could probably ride a 18".

I wish Motobecane had smaller sizes than 16", I want to replace my wifes 14" GF that was in an accident. She's only 5".

Save

xocomaox

· #5 · Jun 9, 2008

I know this is an old thread but I am looking for a little information.

I am currently looking at buying a 2008 Fantom Pro from BD and the only sizes they have left (emailed them to confirm) is the 16inch frame. I am wondering what the stand-over hight is on this frame exactly. Are the websites specs measuring from the shortest (near seat) point? It says they are on the sizing chart at the bottom, but I would like to confirm.

Anyone got a bike like this who can let me know what the height is in the middle of that bar from the ground and possibly the height from ground to highest part of the bar (near stem)?

I currently ride a cheaper bike I got at Dicks which has held up well these past few years, just want to hand it down to my brother and get something new. It is a 18.5" frame with slightly larger measurements than the Fantom. I am 6' tall with a 31" inseam, and I would like to get a smaller frame like a 16" but afraid that the Fantom has a "too short" stand over. Everything else seems great (wheelbase, seat to stem, etc..).

Thanks for your time.

See less See more

Save

pursuiter

· #6 · Jun 9, 2008

if you look at the drawing, they show dimension J is in the middle of the tube. I just measured my Fantom 29er, it's the middle of the tube. BTW, It's a MTB, I want to have a little extra clearence for my "boys". I have a 34.5" inseam, wear 32" pants, had a choice between 33" or 34" standover frame (19" or 21"), went for the smaller 19" frame, very happy it did. If it was a road bike, I always go for the taller size, MTB, smaller size.

Save

xocomaox

· #7 · Jun 9, 2008

I am thinking of just getting the 16" and if I really don't like it then exchange it for a larger frame when they get them.

They said they update they were expecting more Fantom Pro's in 8 weeks so.. yeah.

Thanks for your input, pursuiter!

Save

kangaroo

· #8 · Jun 10, 2008

xocomaox said:
I am thinking of just getting the 16" and if I really don't like it then exchange it for a larger frame when they get them.

They said they update they were expecting more Fantom Pro's in 8 weeks so.. yeah.

Thanks for your input, pursuiter!

I went from an 18"Trek to a 16.5" 700DS and I'm quite happy. Not that my Trek was uncomfortable, but I have more options on the Moto's frame. I'm 5'9" and wear 32 or 34 pants. My seat on the Moto is set at the same height as the Trek; the only difference I noticed is that I now sit a little more upright on my Moto because of the shorter top tube (more comfy for me, but catching more wind).

Once I decide on bar ends, I'll have more options. On my Trek, I'm not sure if adding bar ends would've made it more comfortable

Save

xocomaox

· #9 · Jun 12, 2008

I got a fantom pro in 16" which should be here on Monday. I will post some pics and my findings.

Save

ljsmith

· #10 · Jun 12, 2008

Did you buy the Fantom Pro 29er or the 26 inch wheel Fantom Pro. If it is the 26 inch wheel version the chances are good that a 16" frame will be too small. Unless you have really short legs. I am 5' 10" and ride a 17" bike. My seat post is at full extension.

Save

xocomaox

· #11 · Jun 12, 2008

I got the 26" version. I think I'll see for myself if the frame is too small. I have another frame I can use with it, so I won't have to mail anything back to moto. We'll see how it plays out, but I'm hoping the 16" is just large enough. (I like aggressive riding)

Save

Trek223

· #12 · Jul 5, 2008

sizing?

I got my Fantom Comp HT a few weeks ago and its awesome! I was worried about what I'd see when I opened the box, but all went well. Here's the one thing thats bothering me: Im 5-11 and I was used to riding a 19.5 inch frame. I Had to choose between 18inch or 20 inch for the moto, so i picked 18. I think the bike is alittle on the small side but here's the issue. When I do drop off's I'm put at such an angle that im basically launched over the handle bars at times. These are things that I could handle on my old bike without any real issue, so, Im wondering if it is the frame size, or perhaps the extra travel on the fork (im used to 60mm on my older bike) or maybe it's the angle of the stem. Any ideas or input? the bike has a completely different feel than im used to, it could be just that. Does anyone know if the fly frames are short by nature?

See less See more

Save

Starkonian

· #13 · Jul 5, 2008

I had the same problem with my 700. I looked at various stems but they all raked too far forward. I knew I had to move my center of balance back. I discovered the Delta stem raiser and it solved my problem. It allows ajdustment up and down and brings my balance back so I now have confidence to bomb down steep decents without feeling like I'm going to get pitched over the bar. It comes in black so it blends in with the bike fairly well. I have about 15 rides on it on hard core single tracks and it is solid.

See less See more

Save

Trek223

· #14 · Jul 6, 2008

Thanks, that does make sense. I've been shifting my weight in different ways, and it's helped. That sounds like it might be something to try though. In an ideal world my frame would be alittle longer, but thats not happening. Oh well, it does seem to get better with every ride.

Save

1 - 14 of 14 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month