Weaknesses: Seat is a little hard and pedals could improve. The brake pads are not the best.
Bottom Line:
This is the second bike from BD that i've purchased. I was hesitant to jump on the CF since i'm 6'2 and 225lbs, but the bike has proven to be a top performer. There is immediate power transfer, and I can press hard on the pedals without any flex. I'm actually more of a sprinter and the bike reacts perfectly to my stride. It climbs like a goat! I love the feel of the carbon frame and it really has helped with the road fatigue. The pedals are not the best, but they are not the worst.
Bikesdirect operates a set of stores accross the south. Here in Orlando they have a store called Cycle Spectrum. They charge a little more, but you get lifetime maintenance and tuning.
Anyhow, I find it amazing that BD can offer such a great bike at that price.
Strengths: Smooth ride, good climber, great quality & price.
Weaknesses: Saddle could be more comfortable.
Bottom Line:
This is an update after 18 months & 4,000 miles. I'm very satisfied with my 2010 Le Champion CF. No problems with quality or durability. I find the bike very comfortable. I'm not a sprinter/racer but haven't noticed any of the fork flex problems mentioned in Road Bike Action. I've made a couple changes. After a couple flats I changed to 25 mm Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires.No more flats. Crud Roadracer MK2 fenders. I added small alum shims between the axles & dropouts for added clearance. Probably not necessary with 23 mm's. Not much else to say. Love the bike. I paid $1,00. Nothing comes close for the new $1,600 price. Hope to change to a Sella Italia Max Gel Flite saddle.
Strengths: Just about everything, Awesome frame, looks, components etc,
Weaknesses: None so far, Road Bike Action Mag gave the bike top reviews but remarked that the fork was a bit underpar, With my climbing and steep fast descents I have not found this a issue at all.
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike for 3 weeks and have rode it about 450 miles, including a 100 and a 78 mile ride. My other 2 current bikes are a 07 Kestrel Talon Road with Ultegra(Now for sale)and a 97 Klein Quantum Race with DuraAce. In shopping for a new bike with $2000.I found nothing at the shops. The best would have been a "Name" brand with SRAM Apex and Mavic Aksium wheels. So I ordered my 4th bike from BD. I had been looking at it on the website for months like it was porn. When it arrived I was completely impressed with the looks and then with the ride.. The frame is awesome, the components about the best, and the ride is wonderful. It climbs much better than my other bikes. It seems alot lighter and responsive. The new issue of RoadBike Action Mag had a great feature review. I do alot of climbing, stuff like a 4 to 7 % grade for miles. The bike climbs very well and coming down the mountains at 40mph it is really smooth. Allround the bike has the looks, the ride the feel, what it lacks is a "Big Name" brand and a Big Pricetag. Anything similar in a shop would be about $3500.
The bike arrived well packaged and protected, took 20 minutes to set up. Everything was spot on and the only adjustmnent I had to make was the front Derailleur. Every componenbt is real quality with no skimping. The Ritchey seat destroyed my ass during the first week, but It has come to terms with the seat, now and a 100 mile ride left me unscathed. I will say I am 6 ft tall, 58 years old, 188 lbs and ride about 150 miles a week, most all on rolling or steep hills, surrounding Asheville NC. The thing about buying from Bikesdirect is that you pay no shipping and NO tax, BUT you should be, or have a friend who is a decent bike basic bike mechanic so you can check it over, assemble adjust and set it up right. Its easy but should be done correctly. Then again what you save on tax you can have a shop do this and a bike fite as well.
Favorite Ride: Blue Ridge Parkway East of Asheville NC
Price Paid:
$1899.00
Purchased At: BikesDirect.com
Similar Products Used: I have had a few Motobecanes over the decades, when they were from France, However 8 years ago I purchased from BD a Motobecane Sprint Tour, Up graded to my Kestrel Talon, and now upgraded to my Motobecane LeChampion CF
Bike Setup: Full Carbon Frame, Ritchey Seat, Carbon Post, handlebars, stem, SRAM FORCE compoments and Mavic Ksyrium Equippe Wheel Set.
Strengths: Reasonable weight at just under 19 lbs on a 58cm frame, great FSA compact crankset with an 11-28 for those pesky big hills my 200 lb butt has to climb around here. Aksiums are great trainers for sure...boat anchors for sure but solid. Cane Creek brakes stop on a dime (after I changed the pads to Kool-stop Salmon Dura ace style). Love the sexy gray/white/black color combo too.
Weaknesses: Ritchey saddle bites but everyone ass is unique. Changed it to a Specialized Toupe and my rump is happy now. Also, DON'T ride this one inch until you nix the POS brake pads. Kool stop Salmons about launch me out of the saddle when I hammer on 'em. BIG plus! Also, toss the Wellgo pedals and cleats....no bueno either.
Bottom Line:
Ok...for all of you individuals who are skeptical of purchasing a bike online....DO IT! Yes, I know...I'm scum of the Earth for having tossed aside my LBS's in favor of this bike but lets examine my choice. I've ridden several "top end" bikes including a Specialized Roubaix, Trek Madone 4.5 and a Giant Defy Advanced 1 and liked them all with this exception: Price vs. components. Great bikes but just too damn much for what I was getting. Enter in the "mail order" bike...Seeing as I know my size and bike geometry needs, the only choice was determining the bike. Ultegra 6700 group with Ritchey and FSA products plus the "trainer" Aksiums???? Done deal man. $1600 bucks later and 1000 miles of pure joy. I have nothing but kudos for this bike. No, I'm not going to be taking on any bad-asses with this bike but hey, I didn't take out a second on my house either.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Roubaix Comp Compact, Trek Madone 4.5 and Giant Defy Advanced 1
Bike Setup: 2011 model with Ultegra 6700 shifter/levers, chain and 11-28 cassette. Mavic Aksium's with Conti 4000s'. Cane Creek SCR3 brakes with Kool Stop Salmon pads. Ritchey stem, 44 handlebar and carbon seatpost. Mavic Aksiums with Conti 4000s'. FSA SLK Compact crankset, and Speedplay Chrome Moly Zero pedals and cleats
Strengths: Comfy geometry, ride quality, new Ultegra and paint finish!
Weaknesses: Brakes, note, Bikes Direct will help you on these.
Bottom Line:
This is the 2010 bike and was delivered quickly with out damage, assembled easily, I ordered a 54cm, it weighs in right under 19lbs naked. The finish is beautiful with out flaw! very nice. I like the new Ultegra, very smooth and no cables hanging off of the shifters-clean. The wheel set is tru and spokes were tight, some deraileur adjustments were needed but not bad. Conti Race tires are one of my favorites, the Richey parts are clean, the bars have a sweep and are comfy, the seat is okay but I went to my more comfy model, carbon seat post is very attractive. I thought gearing would be an issue, I am used to the standard 39/53, this bike comes with the compact set up and I have found that my knees really like this gearing, makes it a good climber even though I am not. The ride quality is fantastic for me, very smooth and suttle, coming off an aluminum wow what a difference! The geometry is very comfy, the bike is very stable and predictable, not a crit racer, a little slower turning but no twitching here. One problem was the brake pads, the frt were growing, I tried to sand the down and found metal bits in them, I replaced them with some Clarks replacement pads and all is good. If you are looking for a stable long distance bike, this one will work at half the price, if you are looking for a quicker lighter road racer, this is not it.
