mijome07

$700 shipped.

sonatageek

The lack of front fork eyelets is strange.

Blues Frog

In the photo I think I see a threaded hole in the fork almost 1/2 of the way up to the brakes? Wing Nut

mijome07

I agree.

Those are braze-ons.

BengeBoy 

I clicked through to BD's website and they have a whole gallery of photos there -- I couldn't see front fork eyelets on those photos, either. Seems odd. If they're out to copy the Surly LHT they should have paid closer attention.

Also, the geometry chart says the chainstays are 440mm (17.3 inches). Seems short to me for a fully loaded touring bike.

Otherwise, nice effort, great price if the wheels are any good.

kayakdiver

Wouldn't want to depend on that rack for any long tour... but that's just me.

BengeBoy 

Good point.

mijome07

Yeah, that rear rack would be replaced quick-style.

Standalone 

no front fender eyelets isn't just strange, it's bizarre. the windsor has 'em...

robow

Other than the front fork snafu, that's a lot of bike for the buck. Both Axiom and Old Man Mountain make front racks that would easily work.

helmut

It's not much different from the Tourist. Replaced the STIs with bar ends and a fork with no eyelets. Same threaded headset, same chainstay length. Looks like they've added an XT RD. I'd buy the tourist, sell the STIs for bar ends, and XT and still be ahead a little.

robow

The crankset is different than the Tourist, geared lower and a nicer Sugino.

dokydoky

Lugged fork is a nice touch too, and the paint color and silver decals remind me of my Miyata 1000!

DukeArcher 

Why would you think they are copying the Surly?

BengeBoy 

Everything they do is a copy of something. I just figured they were trying to copy Surly. Maybe I was wrong.

Jason88

Bikesdirect confirmed that the bike shipped does not have fender eyelets. This has to be a design/oversight screw-up. The only front rack I am aware of that might fit is the overpriced Nitto front platform rack, which apparently won't hold panniers. So now BD has the Windsor, which really isn't geared low enough for touring, and the Motobecane, which has is geared lower but doesn't have fender eyelets to properly mount a front rack. They need to hire someone who can spec a bike correctly the first time. I won't hold my breath.

cs1

Those Sugino cranks are over $100 new. That's a lot of crank for a $700 bike. Seems like it's more of an all around road bike than a true touring bike. Still, it's a heck of a deal.

Jason88

Bikesdirect informed me via email on 06-24-10 that "Apparently the fork was speced incorrectly and this will be changed for the next production run this winter." This might be a good time to offer suggestions as to other spec changes. For instance, I'd like to see it geared even lower. A slightly longer chain stay would be nice. An option for a non-drop bar would be ok with me with me. Cut out the seat and the pedals and either drop the price accordingly or add an upgrade in lieu thereof.

You think they'd take an offer of $400 each for the remaining bikes? At that price you could customize the bike to suit your purpose.

NoGaBiker

They probably would take that, but are you prepared to buy the 500 bikes they probably have remaining?

indyfabz

So my guess that, from the photo posted on a similar thread, the chainstays looked short was correct. Be warry if you have large feet and racks that do not allow for a lot of fore-aft pannier adjustment.

cs1

After looking at the Moto real close the lack of front eyelets are a mistake. But, the bike looks great for us ludites who still want a do everything steel frame bike. Component choice is a little eclectic but still nice. If it was my bike all I'd change is the saddle to a Brooks and just ride it. I don't tour so the lack of eyelets only impedes adding fenders.

jeffpoulin

Looks like it would make an okay rando bike, or a good credit card touring bike, or a commuter, or a bike for fun day rides. Not a real touring bike, but it doesn't look too bad to me for other uses.

MitchL

I had read on a post somewhere else in the forums that bikesdirect purchased the rights to use the name Motobecane (and the others brands they sell) but the bikes don't actually have anything to do with the real company. You may want to look into if furthere before purchasing from that site.

staehpj1

It looks like a Windsor Tourist with some upgrades. Better crank (and therefore more suitable gearing) and apparently better wheels are nice touches. I'd rather have the Windsor Tourist's STI brifters though.

As far as whether it is a "real touring bike"... I used my Windsor Tourist for loaded touring on the Trans America (4200+ miles) and a couple other longish tours including a month in the Sierras and found it completely adequate.

jeffpoulin

Fair enough, but at least the windsor tourist has fork eyelets. Without them, you're looking at a handlebar bag and all the other weight in the back. It's doable, but not ideal. Certainly not something you'd expect from a bike designed for touring.