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Hi there,

I was looking on BD and found the Motobecane Cafe Noir bike for $699.

Are their bikes any good? I've had no experience with them, and I'm just looking for a simple hybrid bike. Would anyone recommend them? Is the $699 worth what it comes with?

Thanks in advance.

Garilia

I bought a 2010 Motobecane Fantom 29 (29 inch hardtail mountain bike) from Bikes Direct 7 years ago and that bike is still going strong. In fact, I have been using it as my daily commuting bike. So, BD bikes are good. They are a great value. I do not have that Cafe Noir, but I have my eye on it as a +1.

Let's look at it...a Reynolds 520 steel frame with fender and rack mounts, a steel fork, hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano Deore gruppo (30 speeds), and tubeless compatible wheels for $700. Great value there. I wouldn't compare it to $1600 bikes like they advertise, but easily $900-1,000 bikes.

if you are comfortable assembling a factory direct bike, it's a great deal.

tyrion

Bikes Direct bikes are good values. You have to assemble them yourself (it's pretty easy but you have to have a little mechanical inclination) and if something is wrong, like something broke in shipping, it's a pain to have to send things back, etc. You get a lower price but give up the convenience of a local bike shop. And of course you can't test ride them.

I've had a couple Bikes Direct bikes and haven't had any problems, wouldn't hesitate to get another from them.

tyrion

+1. It's good value but not as good as they claim on the website.

Garilia

For instance, compare it to this Jamis Coda Elite for $869

The Coda has the same quality frame, but with a carbon fork for $170 more.

AlexCyclistRoch

Yes, Motobecane is now a 'captive' brand at Bikes direct, and has absolutely zero connection to the old French builder Cycles Moto Becane. These bikes are good value for the money, Chinese built, and useful, but not 'special'.

Myosmith

I have a Motobecane Gran Premio from BD and have nothing but good to say about it. As others have mentioned, they offer a good value for someone who can perform basic assembly and adjustment on their own.

Choctaw

I purchased one in January. I'm not sure which model you are looking at because mine was only about $300 or so not $699. !maybe you are looking at the carbon fiber version? Anyway, I think for $699 I would pass even if it has a carbon fork. I use mine as my rain, beater commuter bike only.

Kma335

I believe he is talking about this one, I'm looking into purchasing one as well.

Save Up to 60% Off Disc Brake Road Bikes -NEW Disc Brake Steel Road Bikes On Sale + FREE SHIP 48 Super Road, Disc Brake, High Grade Steel Bikes with CrMo Forks Motobecane Strada CM SPORT Plus WTB TCS Tubeless Compatible Wheels

Mihail C.

Here in the Bay Area, 2017 Jamis Coda Elite can be found on sale price now for $799; maybe similar in your zip code. Essentially, you get an assembled one, and 20% off on accesories, and all that jazz stores throw in the mix with a new bike.

Tough decision :-) Regardless, post some photos with what you'll get, when ready.

wipekitty

I have a BD Motobecane Track from 2011. Overall, it was a very good deal, worked for my purposes, and the frame is still going strong (after about 10K miles).

The one downside of my bike - and from what I've looked at on their website, many of their bikes - is that they cut costs a bit on some of the components. On mine in particular, the pedals and saddle were awful. That said, it's usually expected that you'll change out the saddle and pedals anyhow. You could certainly do worse than BD.