Ordered a Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro Ti
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Ordered a Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro Ti
Yesterday I finally decided on a bike and after looking at what limited supply local shops had in terms of cyclocross and touring bikes (and what they cost), I decided on the bikes direct Fantom Cross Pro titanium.
I doubt many people on the forums have this exact bike but if you do, feel free to post how you like it. It has actually been difficult to sort through reviews online because of how many results turn out to be reviews of the fantom pro ti mountain bike.
I already pretty much know I won't be throwing disc brakes on this bike but I love that it has the option, in case I start riding it in bad weather (which I don't plan to do with such an expensive bike). I can't wait to throw this thing together, although even if it shows up this week I probably won't be able to even begin building until Saturday night because of work. But it gives me something to look forward to. Anyways, feel free to post any reviews. I already know it's the right bike for me because I've spent countless hours researching but I'm still interested to see reviews straight from owners of this bike (or the aluminum version if that's what you have) rather than opinions about bikesdirect in general.
Mine has the Vuelta XRP Pro wheels with the option of running disc brakes, SRAM Rival shifters/derailleurs, a lot of assorted Ritchey parts (stem, bars, seatpost), FSA Gossamer Cross MegaEXO cranks. I can't wait.
I doubt many people on the forums have this exact bike but if you do, feel free to post how you like it. It has actually been difficult to sort through reviews online because of how many results turn out to be reviews of the fantom pro ti mountain bike.
I already pretty much know I won't be throwing disc brakes on this bike but I love that it has the option, in case I start riding it in bad weather (which I don't plan to do with such an expensive bike). I can't wait to throw this thing together, although even if it shows up this week I probably won't be able to even begin building until Saturday night because of work. But it gives me something to look forward to. Anyways, feel free to post any reviews. I already know it's the right bike for me because I've spent countless hours researching but I'm still interested to see reviews straight from owners of this bike (or the aluminum version if that's what you have) rather than opinions about bikesdirect in general.
Mine has the Vuelta XRP Pro wheels with the option of running disc brakes, SRAM Rival shifters/derailleurs, a lot of assorted Ritchey parts (stem, bars, seatpost), FSA Gossamer Cross MegaEXO cranks. I can't wait.
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Chieftain
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Make sure to post a full review - I'm thinking of picking up that build in their aluminum frame for a second/rain bike and all-around masher. Congrats!
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I'm actually picking up a Fantom Cross (the $800 one) this weekend.
Looking at the local LBS, I'd have to spend well over double that to get anywhere near the level of components.
I looked at a local Norco - this bike would cost me about $400 more than the BD bike, but came with Sora shifters and an aluminum fork (this one has 105 and a carbon fork).
edit - forgot to mention this one comes with the top mounted brakes too - an option which would add $60 to the overpriced Sora equipped bike.
I'll try to post here how the assembly goes - should be done on Sunday hoping for no snow....
Looking at the local LBS, I'd have to spend well over double that to get anywhere near the level of components.
I looked at a local Norco - this bike would cost me about $400 more than the BD bike, but came with Sora shifters and an aluminum fork (this one has 105 and a carbon fork).
edit - forgot to mention this one comes with the top mounted brakes too - an option which would add $60 to the overpriced Sora equipped bike.
I'll try to post here how the assembly goes - should be done on Sunday hoping for no snow....
Last edited by 1ply; 03-23-11 at 08:18 AM. Reason: add brake info
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I should have been more specific. I'm not afraid to get it dirty, so much as I'm afraid to ride it in the plentiful bad weather here when the roads have to be salted. Mud is no big deal. Salt scares me though.
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48 more hours until I'm building the new ride. I was really hoping it would magically show up today but no such luck. I'm not good at being patient with big purchases like this.
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It shouldn't. This is one of the great things about Ti. Salt isn't going to affect it.
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The bike is amazing. I would have updated this thread sooner but the first delivery attempt was Monday and no one was home. 2nd attempt on Tuesday - same. No one home. I partially assembled the bike last night, but because of snow I didn't get to ride it at all until last night. The wait was killing me all week.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...m-Cross-Pro-ti
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...m-Cross-Pro-ti
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Thought I'd update with some pics for those that don't stray into the racing forum. I'm disappointed that I burned out my legs on my trainer this winter and have basically taken the last 2 months off (and my quads still hurt when I try to exert much energy on the bike so I'm seeing a doctor this week), so I can't really see what this bike feels like on hills yet but I can pedal around on flat ground at least. I'll post a better review of how it rides once I've been able to really put some miles on it.
#17
TXHC
I got the same bike; it is great. A little heavy, but I will be fixing that this week. Definitely keep the cantis. I put discs on mine and hate them. I am replacing them with some TRP Eurox's. Cheers!
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I haven't weighed the bike but I think it's pretty light. I was told by bikesdirect that it was around 18 lbs and I'd say that seems pretty close. For having such a burly fork I think the weight is pretty light for how durable the bike is. Could your brakes be adding that much weight?
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Why do you hate the disc brakes? I'm thinking of ordering this bike when they get stock again, or replace it with the next model and part of the appeal of the bike was the ability to put a disc brake on the front, though I'd likely leave the canti on the back so I could swap in road bike wheels (and different gearing) if I wanted to.
#22
Longing for a Tail Wind
I purchased this bike last fall with Rival. I haven't raced it. I have some info here: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...d.php?t=228358
My bike is a 61 cm. I haven't weighed it. I imagine putting on some lighter tires/wheels would drop the weight considerably.
My bike is a 61 cm. I haven't weighed it. I imagine putting on some lighter tires/wheels would drop the weight considerably.
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54 cm geometry measurements.
wheelbase: stated 979mm, i measure hub to hub as 1015mm, and i think that should exactly correspond to wheelbase
standover, it is 768 from floor to top of top tube where it meets the seat tube, but who can stand there? at the tip of the saddle, i measure 78. The way it is measured may be the industry standard method, I don't know.
I don't have a good way to measure angles, but have no reason to question them.
I am currently considering whether i got the right size. If I find its too big for me, I'll sell it for what I paid, (it was professionally finished at the shop, so I'll eat that.) Today it has less than 70 miles on it. You're welcome to see it if you're in the dc area. Contact me.
I'm sure I've observed some local bike shop grumpiness, or a grudge, or a chip on the shoulder, about this bike. Everyone knows it is available on the web, and what I likely paid for it, and the shops know they lost a sale. But in my own experience the bike is everything that they claim. There are no secret gotchas, and no corners cut. I, (and I'm sure everyone that has bought one) have been over every centimeter of the bike. The shops acknowledge--despite their grumpiness--that its an excellent bike. The frame is as solid as expected, and the fit and finish on the frame are as good as anything they're selling. The components are exactly as advertised, and adjusted well, but like any bike from the factory, need some final tweaking, as do the more expensive bikes that the shops sell. People far more experienced than I have examined this bike and agree, the bike rocks.