Saw that the 2008 Motobecane Fantom Team is available through bikesdirect.com for $1695 (fixed the price, thanks). I'm seriously thinking about stretching my budget and purchasing the bike. Before doing so I wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the 2007 model.

Thanks.

$1695

that bike looks amazing at that price, i'm tempted to hang in there to save up for the full on team model, but considering the price will likely go up by the time i've got the cash, i'll probably go for the fantom comp. still a great bike, but dang i'd like to shave those 5lbs off by going with the team......

I've been looking at the Fantom Team is well. The Kenda Kwik's it comes with save about a pound, but they seem to get bad reviews. So substituting more useful tires would add to the weight, but still 25.5 lbs for a 5" travel bike isn't bad! Also, why does it come with a 11-27 road cassette? I wonder about those Vuelta wheels, too. Does anybody have any experience with those?

I have a Fly Pro with the Vueltas. They're not super lite, but light enough; 1900 grams or something. I've only had the bike a few months so it's hard to say about long term durability. I had never heard of Vuelta before, but my sister-in-law used to own a bicycle shop and recognized them, I think they are more familiar to roadies.

As for the cassette, the Ultegra 11-27 is only 209grams compared to most MTB cassettes that wiegh closer to 400 grams. It's for wieght savings.

And my Fly also came with the Kenda climax lites, probably going to change them out before too long. Most of the complaints I have see about these tires come from people who don't care what their bike wieghs, and seem to think that "good" tires have to weigh 700 grams or more.

Thanks for the information rallymerkur. Good to hear from someone that owns the Motobecane Fly. Overall how has your experience been with the bike and Motobecane? I was pretty much set to go with the Fantom Team (or the Ibex Atlas Pro) and then I did a bit too much reading and became gunshy about buying from the 'online' vendors. I started to think the safe bet is to buy a boutique brand locally and spend a few hundred bucks more. The specifications on the Motobecane are top notch but I'm worried about post sale support, warranty, and regular maintenance type stuff. Also bothers me a little that bikesdirect does not list a phone number on ther website. I hope folks that purchase the bikes receive a contact phone number for customer service. What to do? Still not sure, but I'm sure I will arrive at a decision soon.........

For me the experience was good. I recieved a bunch of e-mails when I ordered the bike; I don't remember if a phone number was included. I did get responces to a few questions via e-mail. I was apprehensive about the online purchase, but the bike arrived exactly as advertized.
I do remember calling once about the disk brake (J5) upgrade offer, I can't remember what happened - I don't think I spoke with anyone, but I did get an e-mail back. A little strange maybe, I went ahead and ordered the brakes; but didn't receive a confirmation e-mail that day or the day after - then the brakes arrived the day after that - so three days.

Good luck with the bike hunting.

Looks like they're gone! And now the price is $100 more. The new 2008's are now listed and shown on the site. More consistency in the components in the new models.......

It's looks like a sick bike. The only thing that bothers me is the down tube weld on the stock photo, but the bike is still a great steal. Good luck with your purchases!

I have a 2007 Fantom Team and I love it. I got mine for a wicked special I saw linked from mtbr.com last october. 1495 shipped! On the 2007 model I had to make a few changes for the East Coast (I'm in souther maine). The kenda tires were stupid light and had a really thin sidewall. I didn't trust 'em, so those are hanging in the garage now. The ultegra cassette (11-25?) wouldn't work so I swapped that and the Dura-Ace chain for a 12-32 Sram and Sram chain more suited for mtb. I run the bike on the 5" setting. I bought the 16" and I'm 5'8" 156lbs. It's been a great bike for me. Wheels needed to be tightened up a lot before riding (spokes/nipples).

I should have included some pics of my ride...from last december.

http://flickr.com/photos/twa/sets/72157594413649719/