Motobecane Fantom CX Cross

Price Paid:  $500.00 at BD

Favorite Ride:
Commuting

Bike Setup:
sock except for a new seat

Summary:
This bike is definatly worth every penny. I'm not sure you could ask for more in a bike at this price and if your in need of a decent bike to get around town or have a little fun this bike is it.

Strengths:
Light, Durable, Comfortable, good components

Weaknesses:
It doesn't stop that quickly, the seat was hard as hell

Similar Products Used:
old school miata road bike

Price Paid:  $400.00 at sprtymama @ eBay

Bike Setup:
Shimano Tiagra, Sora STI, Ritchey stem, no-name bars and post, 7005 alum frame, CrMo fork, Kenda Kwick tires (nice), Alex rims, TruVativ Touro cranks, tektro Onyx brakes, SRAM cassette

Summary:
If you can over the fact that Motobecane is a dead brand and this a basic Taiwanese frame (in fact nearly all bikes are these days), this is a smoking bargain. You could strip the components and buy another frame and still come out way ahead. A Redline, Surly or Fuji with the same specs would be $1200.

I'm a veteran road rider and was looking for my first CX bike. This Motobecane is all I need for off road and commuting use and is rock solid and stable. I've put 100 miles on it over single track, dirt, paths, railroad ties, roads, and a CX race and I'm impressed with the handling.

The bike weighs 22 lbs., which is amazing for the price. I replaced the crappy cage pedals with Crank Brothers eggbeaters and the brake pads with Kool-Stops.

If you want something to thrash around this off-season or a bullet-proof commuter bike, this is it.

Strengths:
Price, stability, free shipping

Weaknesses:
Cheap pedals

Similar Products Used:
My first CX bike