Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Bikesdirect

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
N/A

Bike Setup:
stock, shimano A530 pedals, SRAM Rival caliper brakes, tbd saddle.

Summary:
This is a review for a 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro. First all I a was hesitant at first like many of the reviewers on this site, and experience tends to be subjective, but my delivery was overall good. Processing was quick and box was undamaged minus a small tear at the bottom. Everything is strapped in pretty tight and no loose parts. Here's what I know about BikesDirect
1. yes the company that makes the frames (Kinesis) also makes them Treks, Felps, etc. Motobecane is an off brand and uses the same frames coming form Kinesis. Most people who purchase the bikes, strip the components for their own frames. Many of the high-end components used fun for at least the price of the bike. I did purchase Shimano dual-platform pedals for my type of use, and having the brakes switched out for SRAM Rival Calipers, again since this bike will be used as commuting and training. The seat will also be replaced. Set up on this bike was fairly easy for someone whose never done this. This involved removing the top bolt on the head stem, removing a cardboard liner, placing the head set on, and tightening some bolts. The video references they give you via youtube, were surprisingly easy for this task.

Strengths:
-component set up
-price vs value
-good resale on secondary markets on parts
-purchase process and delivery

Weaknesses:
None so far. Received the bike today 7/26/2010, set up. Taking it in for fine tuning and lube tomorrow.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper Uno, 2002

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Bikesdirect.com

Favorite Ride:
around town

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
Overall value is good but the customer service is seriously the worst, EVER. The box was damaged, before shipping, and they would not repair the derailuer. I also have an email chain in which one question is never answered. What was the weight supposed to be? On their website it says it is 18.5 lbs but when I took the 49cm frame straight from the box, no pedals, it weighed in at 20.1 lbs. That is over a pound and a half. Where have you ever seen that kind of blatent misrepresentation.
Motobecane USA says it is because of 'parts tolerances'. Bull hockey. Just weigh a bike and post that as your estimate. Geez.
These guys don't want to take responsiblity for shady advertising. Too bad, the bike is pretty good but the horrible service has more than out shadowed it.

Strengths:
Functions as designed

Weaknesses:
CUSTOMER SERVICE will do/say anything to not take resposibliity for their mistakes, lies.

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Price Paid:  $999.00 at Bikes Direct

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Added egg beater pedals and a specialized seat. The rest is stock. You can't buy these components and put them on any comperable frame for less.

Summary:
Actually a 2009. This is my first roadbike since I was a teenager and my first new bike in a decade. I love this bike. I can't stay off of it on my days off and sneak in short rides whenever I can. Its light, fast and stable.

Strengths:
Strong bike, i'm 250+ and it takes all Tough, my pedal mashing and rough Oklahoma roads just fine. Full Ultegra components roll smooth and fast. Lightest bike i've ever owned. Weighed in about 22.4 pounds with eggbeater pedals.

Weaknesses:
stock tires and seat are junk. Burned through the tires in less than 300 miles. I'm sure this seat is used at interrogation facilities around the world.

Similar Products Used:
nothing i've ever had compares

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Price Paid:  $999.00 at Bikes Direct

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Beach ride

Bike Setup:
Stock as on BD
Smarty pedals

Summary:
First ride today on my new Fanton Cross Pro. This is my first real road bike since I was a kid, so I don't have much to compare it to other than my '97 Trek 930 single track mountain bike, but I will say that I am very impressed. Had some hesitations about buying on the net, but after visiting my LBS's in the area, I was kind of forced in that direction due to the lack of selection in my size and price range - 64cm frame, $1000 or less. The shops were totally cool about it and told me they'd support/service me no matter where I bought (plus since we bought my wife a bike there, they were still happy).

Bike arrived from Bikes Direct within 4 days (ordered on sunday, arrived on thursday). Box was in perfect condition as were the contents. I will say that the wheels were waaaaayyy in need of truing. Also the rear deraileur was way off too, so I just ended up leaving it to the local shop for the fine tuning. $47 later, I was off and riding. I would actually say the the wheels are still not perfectly true, but not knowing what is "acceptable" in terms of trueing, I really can't say for certain.

The 64cm frame seems fine although I think I might actually need to go with a 65 or 66 based on my 6 foot 6 inch frame and 36 inch inseam. I know that unless I build custom, I probably won't find this. The ride position still seems a bit off and I feel a bit too leaned over the bars as indicated by some numbness in my hands after 30 minutes or so of riding. I plan on consulting this forum and the LBS for suggestions on perhaps bumping up the bar position a bit.Otherwise, it really wasn't all that uncomfortable - probably just need to get used to that riding position. My ride consisted of nice smooth pavement, crappy pavement and packed dirt path. Bike soaked up all of them and after the ride thought it was actually more stable and comfortable than my MTB on the same route. Heard lots of negative reviews about the stock saddle on the Cross Pro, but although this one seemed to be on the stiff side, it really wasn't too bad.

The Shimano Ultegras were awesome. Nothing but silence as I rode along. Never had something I could manually trim as well which was really nice to prevent the slight rubbing in certain gear combinations. Originally planned on just getting a bike with the 105s but the price of the Cross Pro was too good to pass up. Similarly equipped rigs at the LBS were around $1900.

Ended up with Smarty pedals due to my water ski sized feet and what I would describe as "light" MTB shoes. Nice and comfortable to walk around in and no duck walking. I did notice some mild squeeking coming from one of the pedals towards the end of the ride. Couldn't tell if it was the shoe or pedal, but probably just needs to get more broken in.

Strengths:
Ultegra Group
Light
Handling - really responsive
Value - total deal compared to LBS and it was in my size!

Weaknesses:
Wheels really out of true
Brakes are poor - squeaky
Stock saddle could have been better given the pricepoint of the bike

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Everything stock except the seat and brake pads.

Summary:
I've put about 3000 miles on the bike and its an an excellent all-purpose bike that does almost everything. I use it as my commuter, hauling the kids trailer, and charity rides.

Have had no quality issues with bike. The ultrega group has been rock solid, strong frame, and indestructible wheels.

Strengths:
Bang for the buck.
Ultrega Group for only $1K
Solid Frame

Weaknesses:
Seat is junk. I replaced it with Terry Fly.
Brake pads are junk. Replaced with some Kool-Stops

Similar Products Used:
2004 Giant TCR 2