2006 Motobecane 700DS. What do you other cyclists think?

Bzzzzt.

No.

How come?

500 bucks for full suspension? No. No. No.

Let's see. 24 speed. That's 3 less than current bikes have been running for years now. Not that it's bad, it's just old technology. Means the bike is old news.

Front fork is pretty much a POS. Rear shock is an RST- awful. Promax brakes? Terrible. The thing about most of these components is that they mimic good components. Sure, it looks cool with disc brakes. Wait until you try to work on them, or someone at the local shop tries to. When that rear shock blows up, you'll want to put another one on there. They can cost almost as much as you're willing to spend on this bike, but they work.

This bike is one step up from Walmart bikes. You, anyone deserves better. You ride a bike like this and I guarantee you will not be riding bikes for long. You'll hate it, then it'll sit in the garage until you give it away, if you can.

If you have $500 to spend on a bike, go to a decent bike shop and have them show you a nice hardtail (no rear suspension). Ride this until you understand the basic cycling concept- it's fun when you have a bike of decent quality, with gears that work & suspension that works. It's a bike that will get you places safely and dependably. That's the idea.

Then, if you want to try full suspension, do your homework. You obviously haven't done it if you're considering this POS.

Don't believe the hype. Most of the quotes aren't referring to this bike, if you'll notice. Ultegra is not mountain bike componentry. Under 20 pounds?? I don't think so- if this bike weighs under 20 pounds, I'll cut my dick off. In fact, I'll cut it off if it weighs under 30.

This bike is a joke.

Edit: Reviews here on the front fork: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2005_front_ ... 4445.shtml

I have a crappy bike now and wanted something full suspension but don't have that much to spend. I went to a bike shop today and all the full suspension bikes were upwards of $1000. I was thinking of just getting a frame and adding parts as I can afford them. Also, your bedside manner is terrible. It's not like I just started riding a bike, I just don't know what forks, suspension and other parts are good or not.

What about this? Or this?

Ok maybe not that 2nd one. What's the deal with freeride bikes?

I'm guessing that you don't want this to ride around. Is this the future you?:

[img][333:500]http://www.larryweaver.com/entertainment/images/galleries/keithking/keithking_04a.jpg[/img]

I'm a little too old for that. I get scared going down hills.

I have terrible bedside manners? Why? I thought I was answering your questions. Plus you have a crappy bike now- why buy another one? You asked, so I'm just trying to save you some grief. If you think you're scared going downhill now, try it on a crappy full suspension bike. That'll put the fear of God in you.

The Iron Horse line is not bad. But again, the front fork is getting lousy reviews: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2006_front_ ... 6502.shtml

You should be ok w/ the SRAM shifters, but again, the rear shock is meh. If you do the frame thing, adding parts, you will be stunned at the price of aftermarket parts. For example, a good wheelset will cost you at least $200.

Why are you so bent on getting a FS bike? What kind of riding are you planning on doing?

Finch is like the R. Lee Ermey of bike gurus. "Some day you'll thank me, son. But your bike is SHIT."

Does this guy not have any feet?

Finch apparently knows a thing or 2 about bikes and should be listened too. Uomio bianco or however you spell Whiteman in itallian is also a bike guru.

Save half your cash and get a unicycle.

I'm just gonna save up and get this.

[img][650:411]http://www.khsbicycles.com/Images/Bike_Images/Full06/full-xc204-06.jpg[/img]

Hey Shiv, what are you gonna be using this bike for? Commuting? Recreation? Where are you gonna be riding it?

I'm with Finch. I would question the reason you are getting a full suspension bike to begin with, and look at spending your $500 on a solid hardtail. Trek and Giant both offer some great packages around that price: 4500 by trek...or better thought all together, if you want something beefy that can stand up to Trails (downhills) go up-hill solidly and even do a little urban riding, look at the Gary Fisher Bitter. It is sort of a Freeride/xc bike in the sence it is set-up for the trails (gearing, tires, descent frt. suspension) but is beefy enough to take lots (and lots) of abbuse.
To answer your question, the problem with a full suspension bike under 1500 bucks essentially lies in the price of goods. In order to put a rear shock onto the same hardtail bike that costs 500 dollars, one must re-design the entire shindig. First one has to add a rear shock, 75 bucks - then creat a rear swing-arm with bearings/bushing that will not only absorb shock when it moves, but also do its job of keeping the rear wheel on the ground and not allowing the movemnt to mess with the drive-train...engineering that NO company will try and put into a bike under a grand....So what you get is an archaic rear traingle that simply bounces around and knocks 200 dollars off the price of the other componets on the bike (in come the shitty front shocks and blah components...to offset the price)
It's always a tricky manouvre to explain to people that what they think is the best bike for them...can only lead to dissapointment and broken parts in the future, reputable bike company or not...if it smells like shit, tastes like shit, feels like shit...well you shouldn't have stepped in it in the first place.

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/large_ ... ike=Bitter

Agree with the others, get a good hardtail instead

With that avatar, you need to post more.

Probably mostly recreation, I guess commuting if that equals riding around the city.

That Gary Fisher bike looks pretty nice.

So what are some good front forks and disc brakes, and are they better than regular brakes?

I think I'm in love... http://www.spylaboratory.com/gallery/DJC

This one seems pretty good. I couldn't find a review of the bike (just the 2005 model) but the fork got a decent rating.

Here you go, Big Daddy :





Seriously...I've got a Gary Fisher, & nothing but great things to say about it.

I prefer these...

Shiv, how tall are you?

Maybe check Craigslist.com for a used deal? I found this: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/175175952.html ...Review of the fork here: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2005_front_ ... 4517.shtml

Seller says you must be over 5'10" to ride, I'd say more like over 6' to ride a 20.5" rig. I have a 20" singlespeed frame, and at 6'3", it's a tad too small for me.

Not saying this is the perfect bike for you, just saying there are good used deals out there.

How's that bedside manner? Didn't hurt your feelings, did I?

Then why do you need full-suspension? Disc brakes? And shit for that matter, why a mountain bike even?


New: you can get a decent (ok) hardtail for that price.. nothing short of shit if you are looking FS.