Motobecane Sprint

Price Paid:  $999.00 at bikesdirect

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
southern parks

Bike Setup:
Triple crankset, BB, brakes, STI shifters, derailers, chain - all Ultegra 6700. Look Keo Classic pedals, Selle San Marco Aspid Arrowhead saddle.

Summary:
An orange 2010 "New Sprint" from bikesdirect.com. Arrived well packed, no damage. Easy to assemble (my first road bike ever!). 2 LBSs yield very poor results on fine adjustment. I spent several hours researching the internet for "road bikes how to", and then adjusted the derailers and the brakes myself. Everything works great. After riding it for a month I started Ultegra 6700 upgrade campaign - first put in the brakes (the stock Tektro R530's felt weak and flimsy), then BB and the crank-set (the stock Truvativ cranks and BB were fine, I just wanted to complete the group). Then I replaced the stock saddle with Selle San Marco Aspid Arrowhead (this was a lottery but I've got lucky) and Look Keo Classic pedals. I ordered 52cm frame for which the site says it gets 40cm handlebars. I am 5'6", 200lbs and have broad shoulders, so I was surprised the handlebars felt comfortable. Later I discovered they were actually 42cm. I ride about 120 miles a week (usually 30 miles per ride) - the bike handles very well, easy to control, fairly good road vibration isolation. Good quality so far. An excellent bike, well worth every penny and more - highly recommend! I would certainly praise bikesdirect.com for pricing and purchasing experience.

Strengths:
Ultegra 6700 components, frame with carbon triangle and carbon fork, stellar looks, rides very nice - responsive and light.

Weaknesses:
Stock seat is too hard and does not break in very well (although this may be a personal preference). Even after 6 months of use, I could not survive longer than 1 hour on it. Replaced with Selle San Marco Aspid Arrowhead and now I am riding 2.5-3 hours 4-5 times a week. Stock pedals are difficult to clip in (I am new to this, so this may be just me). Look Keo Classic work much better and have better contact with my feet. After a couple of fine adjustments for cleat position, this is a perfect setup for me.

Similar Products Used:
None - I am a newbie, this is my first road bike. Now building my custom road bike with DuraAce group and carbon frame.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
very easy

Summary:
2010 MOTOBECANE SPRINT

Just received my beautiful new 2010 orange Sprint. Spent about 45 to put it together & adjust everything. Took it out for a quick spin and it seemed to be very responsive and quite comfortable. this seems to have been an excellent purchase considering an entry level Specialized or Giant or Trek were all about the same price BUT with much cheaper components & wheels. May change out pedals but other than that it's good to go right out of the box.

Strengths:
Price, components & weight

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez

Price Paid:  $995.00 at bikesdirect

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Old Montauk Highway, NY

Bike Setup:
Stock, LBS tune up, usual add ons such as saddle bag, water bottle cages, and a small bike pump

Summary:
I purchased the 2010 Sprint on a Monday and received it that Friday. The box was destroyed when I got it, but luckily the bike was ok. The assembly instructions were worthless, but I researched on my own and figured it out. Both wheels were out of true, I trued them myself, but decided to have a LBS double check my work. Both deraillieurs were out of alignment, again I adjusted them and and then had the LBS fine tune them for me. Personally I feel that the pedals and saddle are fine, but those are really personal preference issues. The ride is amazing, shifting is smooth, the tires seem quite comfortable and durable to me. I only have a few rides on the bike, and very limited road bike experience, but I am pleased so far with my purchase. I will post follow up reviews in the forum section as I get more miles on the bike.

Strengths:
Ultegra components, Vuelta wheels / hub, carbon fork / seat stays, Ritchey stem / handlebars are very nice, fast and comfortable ride, looks great!!!

Weaknesses:
Assembly instructions awful, almost damaged due to poor packaging, wheels and derailieurs all need to be trued & adjusted. Some don't like the pedals and saddle, but I find them to be acceptable, for now at least.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $895.00 at bikesdirect.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Motobecane Sprint 60cm

Bike Setup:
Just as you see it on dikesdirect.com's web site

Summary:
I bought the bike in spring of 2008. This site will not let me use 2008. I wonder if this site is up and running anymore. The bike is more than what I expected. Locals wanted around $1800 for about the same bike. Yes I do understand they have to make a living. So do I. Need and want the biggest bang for my bucks. The bike is what everyone else has said it is and as well as the set up. I have over 2800 miles on it and all I had done was have someone work on the shifting. As time went on the thing never wanted to get into the correct gear with out trimming on the levers. A lot of chain clicking. YES I ALSO want a range of about 12-28. Am going to buy Koolstop pads for brakes asap. Will at some point change out for a 12-28 cass. I am saving up for a Kestrel RT800 and would like to hear from anyone who has one!!! Please comment or write!! I live and ride in Wisc. just north of Milwaukee and store the bike in the house in a back room. Still looks new.

Strengths:
I think I got more than what I paid for in the spring of 2008.

Hey does anyone have or know of someone who bought The Kestrel RT800??

Weaknesses:
Its $900 bucks not $9000 and I would do it again!! I am 6feet 2inches and weigh arund 230/225. Bought a 60cm frame.

Similar Products Used:
Old Schwinn Old Trek Old Diamondback

Price Paid:  $600.00 at used

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Sprint

Summary:
I had been looking for a bike, and was highly debating the bikes direct purchase. I saw this bike come up for sale on craigslist and figured it was worth it to check it out. The bike fit me nicely so I got it. I usually do 120 miles a week or more, and this thing has worked excellent. It was tuned/trued by the previous owner, so I cannot claim the out-of-box quality. I do know that the Ultegra set up is bulletproof, and cannot imagine a better deal for a great bike. I invested $70 for some new Ultegra pedals, and couldnt be more pleased with the bike. I have had others on my bike team with $1500+ bikes be impressed by mine. As others have claimed, the wheels are a cheap version with a good name on them. However I have no complaints with them. I plan on doing a 150 mi/2 day MS race soon, so I will update this after the long weekend

Strengths:
Ultegra gear, stiff/light frame, excellent gearing, great build quality

Weaknesses:
pedals (stock ones are garbage, spend $50 for some decent ones), the bars feel a little wide. Stock seat was a bit firm, but you may get used to it