crazy MSRP claims, constant boasting about the value of their tubeless-ready wheels). Next, Bikes Direct does themselves no favors with their 2003-era website, coupled with some of their over-the-top marketing claims (e.g. But the entire global economy has shifted away from that paradigm and moved towards online purchases.
![motobecane bike reviews mountain motobecane bike reviews mountain](https://images.singletracks.com/2012/05/Motobecane-700DS-u-0.jpg)
They're extremely biased towards local brick & mortar bikes. First-people who have been riding for years are (by necessity) coming from a paradigm where their LBS was their only link to the sport. I think the reason Motobecane/Bikes Direct gets so much hate (online) stems from a few factors. If I needed a new bike, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Motobecane if it met all my needs. I'm really interested in Motobecane bikes, and have been actively searching for a good deal on a used one. I don't own a Motobecane (yet), although I do own a Windsor from bikesdirect. Meanwhile personally I've found that I'm a happier person whenever I don't care so much about what others think of what I buy or what I do.Ĭlick to expand.That happens all over the mtbr forums (and elsewhere)-especially when someone is asking for advice about whether to buy a motobecane. If they don't, then they're being maligned.īuy whatever bike you want. But if they do, then that's the reputation they're creating for themselves. Does BD unload crap on an unsuspecting public? I don't know, I've never bought a bike from BD. Quality is in the eye of the beholder, it's for each of us to decide. In fact, usually when I try to go the cheap route, I end up getting frustrated because the product doesn't work right or it breaks or it wears out quicker than I want.ĭecades ago I heard something that's stuck with me, here it is: "Quality is the only true economy."Īre Motobecanes quality bikes? I don't know, I don't own one. I don't find the latter type of products loveable. Whatever the product - bikes, apparel, furniture, guns, electronics, lawnmowers, any product - can be built with quality or it can be built as cheaply as possible. I certainly respect some brands more than others. I've got nothing against Bikes Direct or Motobecane or Cannondale or DiamondBack or Santa Cruz or Yeti or any other brand. But a good bike - a really good bike- is damn near loveable. I can appreciate them emotionally and still utilize them as the amazing recreational machines they are. And doing so doesn't mean I can't have fun with them and recreate with them. You see, I most certainly do identify emotionally with my bikes. May have had something to do with running into trees and such.Click to expand.Well now, that's an interesting comment. Original cheap Gravity hubs - the front one wore out after about 500 miles of heavy duty trail riding. I didn't have to take to the LBS for tuning - it was perfect. Ready to ride after some simple assembly. Rugged, good components, excellent value for the money.
![motobecane bike reviews mountain motobecane bike reviews mountain](https://images.singletracks.com/2013/12/4ds900-0.jpg)
Recommendation - buy a Moto and then spend your money on good upgrades as the components wear out.
#Motobecane bike reviews mountain full#
SRAM GX), and has a full inch of better ground clearance between the ground and the bottom of the crank (less rock/root smashing). It is more plush, more nimble, faster (with better/lighter wheelset), shifts crisper (Deore XT vs.
![motobecane bike reviews mountain motobecane bike reviews mountain](https://images.singletracks.com/2014/10/sturgis-bullet-red-21-orig.jpg)
I've ridden it 5-6 times trying to get used to it, but the Moto is BY FAR, the bike I prefer to ride. Six months ago, I wanted to try a different "better" bike, so bought a Specialized Carbon Camber 29". The Rockshox have been excellent - no rebuilds required so far, and the bike rides plush. So I ungraded from the Deore XT 2x10 drive train to a new Deore XT 1x11 drive train. I finally had to replace the crank set because I stripped it out bashing my pedals on rocks and roots hundreds of times. I love my Moto - I replaced the wheel set with a good set of wheels and hubs and rode it another 600 or so miles.