2020 Motobecane Fantom Cross UNO PRO DISC
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
2020 Motobecane Fantom Cross UNO PRO DISC
Has anyone bought one from bikes direct yet? Really curious how much it weighs and how the rear caliper mounts.
fantom disc
fantom disc
#2
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,538
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4359 Post(s)
Liked 3,999 Times
in
2,668 Posts
No but they look like either IS or Post mount calipers. It probably weighs quite a bit and is certainly full of cheap parts. The price they list is a fake price they made up to make it feel like you are getting some sort of great deal. Also good to keep in mind if you are expecting this to be a Motobecane it is not, they bought the name to give the bike some prestige that doesn't exist.
#3
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 942 Times
in
504 Posts
Looks like a decent bike and deal to me. You're not gonna find anything better (new) at that price. If I were looking for that type of bike I certainly wouldn't hesitate to get it. Go for it and give us a review!
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,380
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2487 Post(s)
Liked 2,956 Times
in
1,679 Posts
veganbikes being a current bike shop guy, his campaign against Bikes Direct is understandable. That said, I worked in bike shops for 15 years (including a shop where I sold Motobecanes in the 1970s), and I miss bike employee discount pricing, so I've bought two $1,000+ Bikes Direct Motobecanes. Both are great bikes. Buying from Bikes Direct is as close as you can get to buying at bike store employee pricing.
#6
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,538
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4359 Post(s)
Liked 3,999 Times
in
2,668 Posts
veganbikes being a current bike shop guy, his campaign against Bikes Direct is understandable. That said, I worked in bike shops for 15 years (including a shop where I sold Motobecanes in the 1970s), and I miss bike employee discount pricing, so I've bought two $1,000+ Bikes Direct Motobecanes. Both are great bikes. Buying from Bikes Direct is as close as you can get to buying at bike store employee pricing.
Sometimes yes a bikes direct bike might have a few nice parts on it and they can certainly undercut people but you don't get to test ride anything and you either have to know how to build it yourself or pay someone to do it and I don't know if they have any warranty but you can be damn sure you will have no support through it and will have to go at them alone which ain't a lot of fun (I am a warranty manager, I know). Plus you won't really get support from the shop when you have issues. They will likely be willing to fix it but it won't be a free tune up or warrantied work because you chose to support the internet instead of the bike shop.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,173
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 641 Times
in
398 Posts
It has a butted chromoly frame AND fork, so for $399 it's not a bad deal. Obviously it's not going to be light but most of the pigness will be in the cheap wheels. Some of those BD models are the exact same bike as one from a major brand, just rebranded. The Windsor Tourist is a rebranded older model Fuji Touring. Take that Fantom Cross at that price and call it a Fuji then everyone would say what a great deal it is.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
It would be good to find someone that has actually purchased one to speak authoritatively about it. Most of us are very familiar with the "typical" 4130 chromoly frame and can form an opinion but nothing substitutes for having one and riding it.
Having said that, I tend to agree with Veganbikes and would recommend shying away from online dealers if you can. I am not singling anyone out. Buying local keeps the shops open, employs local people and gives you a place to go for support.
You cannot underestimate the value in that. Some things are worth paying a little more for.
I also agree that inflated MSRPs and "sales" tend to get old. How about just listing the bike and the price and letting the consumer decide if it is a deal or not?
There are some that don't have a local shop they can depend on, or don't see a value in supporting one. I guess in that case, let the buyer beware. Do your research and roll the dice.
Having said that, I tend to agree with Veganbikes and would recommend shying away from online dealers if you can. I am not singling anyone out. Buying local keeps the shops open, employs local people and gives you a place to go for support.
You cannot underestimate the value in that. Some things are worth paying a little more for.
I also agree that inflated MSRPs and "sales" tend to get old. How about just listing the bike and the price and letting the consumer decide if it is a deal or not?
There are some that don't have a local shop they can depend on, or don't see a value in supporting one. I guess in that case, let the buyer beware. Do your research and roll the dice.
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What is your opinion of the 4130 chrmo frames? I bought the Dawes SS bike with chromo frame/fork from BD for $209...The bike weighs 24lbs takes a 32C tire. Once I dialed it in, it rolls real nice, turns easy and rides lighter than it's 24 pounds. I'm considering the Fantom beacuse it's chromo, SS, disc brake and takes a wide tire....I'm guessing it has a 120mm rear drop out, I'd like to see how the caliper mounts. I'm down with supporting local bike shops. I can only imagine what a though business model that must be, but truth be told I work on my own bikes and I'm not to concerned with warranties on one of these low end bikes especially the parts on it.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
What is your opinion of the 4130 chrmo frames? I bought the Dawes SS bike with chromo frame/fork from BD for $209...The bike weighs 24lbs takes a 32C tire. Once I dialed it in, it rolls real nice, turns easy and rides lighter than it's 24 pounds. I'm considering the Fantom beacuse it's chromo, SS, disc brake and takes a wide tire....I'm guessing it has a 120mm rear drop out, I'd like to see how the caliper mounts. I'm down with supporting local bike shops. I can only imagine what a though business model that must be, but truth be told I work on my own bikes and I'm not to concerned with warranties on one of these low end bikes especially the parts on it.
Regarding the wheel spacing, it is anybody's guess. You could reach out to them and ask.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 9,948
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1332 Post(s)
Liked 398 Times
in
194 Posts
Yes but Motobecane in the 70s was an actual real company making some really solid bikes that are worth something. Bikes Direct is a name they took to put on cheap stuff and sell it at what you think are good prices because they say everything in on sale compared to finding this elsewhere unfortunately they are the ones who sell the name Motobecane and nobody else so they are not really on sale. It is a trick to get you to buy something. If I have an item that is permanently on sale and I show it as 28% off all the time, it isn't really on sale I am just basically scamming you into thinking it is on sale rather than just being honest. At least with employee pricing I am getting a true discount mainly because I sell their product and in some cases sell a lot of their product.
Sometimes yes a bikes direct bike might have a few nice parts on it and they can certainly undercut people but you don't get to test ride anything and you either have to know how to build it yourself or pay someone to do it and I don't know if they have any warranty but you can be damn sure you will have no support through it and will have to go at them alone which ain't a lot of fun (I am a warranty manager, I know). Plus you won't really get support from the shop when you have issues. They will likely be willing to fix it but it won't be a free tune up or warrantied work because you chose to support the internet instead of the bike shop.
Sometimes yes a bikes direct bike might have a few nice parts on it and they can certainly undercut people but you don't get to test ride anything and you either have to know how to build it yourself or pay someone to do it and I don't know if they have any warranty but you can be damn sure you will have no support through it and will have to go at them alone which ain't a lot of fun (I am a warranty manager, I know). Plus you won't really get support from the shop when you have issues. They will likely be willing to fix it but it won't be a free tune up or warrantied work because you chose to support the internet instead of the bike shop.
Likes For seau grateau:
Likes For AlmostTrick:
#13
Full Member
If the Kilo TT is a Steamroller copy, this is just a Nature Boy copy but with fork zits to make it an easy target for bicyclepubes.
#14
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: PNW
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I picked one of these up to replace a stolen commuter (hard to find replacement bikes right now), so figured I'd answer a few of the questions for future shoppers. Feel free to add more Qs if you have them.
Sizing: I'm 6' 33" inseam and bought the 58cm bike. The TT / reach feels good, stand-over is fine but I wouldn't want any shorter an inseam. I probably would have been good on a 56cm bike as well.
Weight: ~27.5 lbs (with the cheapo pedals provided)
Brakes: 51mm IS mount
Front rotor was severely warped when the bike arrived, but the only pain when "building" it was getting the brakes to run cleanly. Haven't had a chance to do a real test yet but will post back when I do.
Sizing: I'm 6' 33" inseam and bought the 58cm bike. The TT / reach feels good, stand-over is fine but I wouldn't want any shorter an inseam. I probably would have been good on a 56cm bike as well.
Weight: ~27.5 lbs (with the cheapo pedals provided)
Brakes: 51mm IS mount
Front rotor was severely warped when the bike arrived, but the only pain when "building" it was getting the brakes to run cleanly. Haven't had a chance to do a real test yet but will post back when I do.
#15
Senior Member
No but they look like either IS or Post mount calipers. It probably weighs quite a bit and is certainly full of cheap parts. The price they list is a fake price they made up to make it feel like you are getting some sort of great deal. Also good to keep in mind if you are expecting this to be a Motobecane it is not, they bought the name to give the bike some prestige that doesn't exist.
I love how people who have no idea what they are talking about make statements that only make them look like imbeciles. The prices are real. I know, I bought one about 20 years ago and I'm still riding it.
#16
Senior Member
I haven't bought this particular bike but I bought a road bike from Bikesdirect. They are real bikes. They list the components included on each bike and they aren't fke components. Yes, Motobecane no longer exists as a French bike company. Bikesdirect bought the name. The bikes are made in Taiwan in the same factory that many if not most bikes are made. I bought a Motobecane Sprintour road bike with full Ultegra drivetrain, breaks and shifters. The components alone were worth the price I paid for the bike. If you are a label ***** then don't buy from them. If you know what you want in terms of size, geometry and component mix, then you can find what you want as they seem to have lots of different options.
I love how people who have no idea what they are talking about make statements that only make them look like imbeciles. The prices are real. I know, I bought one about 20 years ago and I'm still riding it.
I love how people who have no idea what they are talking about make statements that only make them look like imbeciles. The prices are real. I know, I bought one about 20 years ago and I'm still riding it.
"2021 Motobecane
Fantom Cross UNO PRO
SALE $399.95 (List $995)"
Last edited by Philasteve; 09-28-20 at 12:14 PM.
Likes For Philasteve:
#17
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: PNW
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
PSA: don't even do a shakedown ride on the pedals provided. I got a full two blocks before one splintered into my shin...it cracked at the spindle.
#18
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,538
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4359 Post(s)
Liked 3,999 Times
in
2,668 Posts
I haven't bought this particular bike but I bought a road bike from Bikesdirect. They are real bikes. They list the components included on each bike and they aren't fke components. Yes, Motobecane no longer exists as a French bike company. Bikesdirect bought the name. The bikes are made in Taiwan in the same factory that many if not most bikes are made. I bought a Motobecane Sprintour road bike with full Ultegra drivetrain, breaks and shifters. The components alone were worth the price I paid for the bike. If you are a label ***** then don't buy from them. If you know what you want in terms of size, geometry and component mix, then you can find what you want as they seem to have lots of different options.
I love how people who have no idea what they are talking about make statements that only make them look like imbeciles. The prices are real. I know, I bought one about 20 years ago and I'm still riding it.
I love how people who have no idea what they are talking about make statements that only make them look like imbeciles. The prices are real. I know, I bought one about 20 years ago and I'm still riding it.
Philasteve got it correct their prices are a big joke. No sales no nothing just a bunch of B.S. You aren't going to sell a bike saying generic open mold frame at bargain bin prices but Motobecane on SALE it is more attractive.
The components being hung on them may be good components that is fine but just be honest about it. Honesty is always the best policy.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,800
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,026 Times
in
723 Posts
I've seen plenty of old Motobecanes and plenty of these new ones and from my experience bikesdirect as done a fine job of keeping the quality of the brand as poor as it ever was; new or old I've never seen one that inspired me to want to run out and buy one but if I couldn't afford better they're not a bad bike, they're just a motobecane.
#20
Senior Member
Ok. I understand what he's saying now. I never really pay any attention to list prices anyway for anything. If I've done my research I know what all the sale prices everyone else is selling the same product for which makes any list prices completely meaningless anyway.
#21
Senior Member
I didn't say the components are fake or the bikes are fake but the name is a bunch of B.S. designed to give their bikes fake prestige. The bikes are not at all the same as the other bikes being made in Taiwan. Making it in the same place doesn't mean the same quality at all. It is not like BikesDirect is paying anyone to do a bunch of real R&D and testing and all the stuff that say Specialized or Kona or Trek or whoever does.
Philasteve got it correct their prices are a big joke. No sales no nothing just a bunch of B.S. You aren't going to sell a bike saying generic open mold frame at bargain bin prices but Motobecane on SALE it is more attractive.
The components being hung on them may be good components that is fine but just be honest about it. Honesty is always the best policy.
Philasteve got it correct their prices are a big joke. No sales no nothing just a bunch of B.S. You aren't going to sell a bike saying generic open mold frame at bargain bin prices but Motobecane on SALE it is more attractive.
The components being hung on them may be good components that is fine but just be honest about it. Honesty is always the best policy.
Likes For MntnMan62:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,610
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
136 Posts
It is indeed sad that Planet X is no longer pursuing this market. Outside of a few city-ish bikes, they obviously have decided to go modern. And let us not forget One On & their Il Pompino & other Pompino-ish bikes. Not to mention that not all that long ago Planet X/On One was actually getting into it pretty strongly via some old brand names they bought but handled in a different manner than Bikesdirect does theirs. I have a "Holdsworth Laquelda" bike I built from a frame I got from them that they were selling sooo cheap and it nobly serves its purpose for me. Maybe modern production neo-retro-kinda vintage is not so big anymore?
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 407
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just put mine together. Went with the charcoal. Not too bad as a semi beater ride for the city. Rides super smooth. The rear caliper mount bothers me a little, but I've heard using chain tensioners on the drop outs will help. The only thing that actually kinda bothers me is that it's HEAVY. Might replace the crankset with something like an SRAM Courier 300, but I'm not sure what to do with the wheelset. Anyone know if a good replacement that'll shed some lbs without being too expensive? Bought it for cheap and I'd like to keep it that way lol
#24
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just put mine together. Went with the charcoal. Not too bad as a semi beater ride for the city. Rides super smooth. The rear caliper mount bothers me a little, but I've heard using chain tensioners on the drop outs will help. The only thing that actually kinda bothers me is that it's HEAVY. Might replace the crankset with something like an SRAM Courier 300, but I'm not sure what to do with the wheelset. Anyone know if a good replacement that'll shed some lbs without being too expensive? Bought it for cheap and I'd like to keep it that way lol
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 919
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Liked 1,045 Times
in
442 Posts
If I were to do it again, I'd probably opt for the Kilo WT (the wide tire version of the Kilo TT) which is also a gravel capable bike with rim brakes and decent components. Unfortunately it's out of stock. The Fantom Cross is okay, but BD cut corners to hit their price point. You only realize the shortcomings after tinkering with the bike.
Last edited by jonathanf2; 02-01-21 at 06:50 PM.