bikesdirect_com

Hi

Since I have gotten several questions about when, what, how much after mentioning in a thread that there would be a Motobecane Ti CX bike - here is the update with pictures

Fantom Cross Team Ti is on the way and will be in about early to mid September; if as booked. Sample is being reviewed by a magazine now and will be featured in August with MSRP of $3995. I of course think this is the nicest and best CX bike under $4000 anywhere. {we will see what others say - but Moto Ti frames so far are being described as 'stunning'. There will be at least 6 Moto Ti tests by assorted mags by Dec - we will see if they all say the frame is stunning as MBA did.}

This bike will be sold by us at half off MSRP or even lower. Early booking will be at a bigger discount.

Based on requests and comments on BF and other forums:
1 - Ultegra level so parts are not too much to replace
2 - Bullet Proof wheels
3 - disc tabs on fork and frame
4 - eyelets and a rr rack braze on

based on my own ideas
Bi Oval DT for stiff responsive frame with S stays AND custom TT so that underside is totally flat for caring bike - Top of TT is a semi point with cables run alone top. This frame is comfortable and quick at the same time - and of course will not the durability of Ti. This is a true CX frame so no cables on DT like some brands do on 'cyclo cross'. {I understand that purists do not need or want eyelets or disc tabs -- but they only make the bike illegal to race if disc are mounted.}

We have 3 CX bikes now and are adding 6 more; so we are serious about cyclo cross. The Fantom Cross Team Ti is the highest level one at this time [ but we may add a ubber light version for next year]

excuse my poor photoshop skills please:

markhr

I normally don't comment on BD bikes but front and rear disc tabs and carbon forks - nice! Especially now that redline seem to have stopped making their Ti team CX bike.

Just a pity you didn't put in a seat post binder bolt facing forward similar to nicolai and kona (I hate cleaning mud out of rear facing binder bolts).

edit: clarity

sfcrossrider

Very nice. It would be nice for the "light" version to have no disc/rack mounts.

knucklesandwich

Can you elaborate on the other 5 new ones you're coming out with?

BlastRadius

It does look pretty stunning. I agree with markhr about the forward facing binder and slot and I'd add one more about binder-mounted cable stop, yuck! It makes for a weird angle for the cable to pull the straddle wire.

*edit: Maybe it's just that particular binder-cable-stop. On other models, the angle looks fine.

scattered73

Beautiful, but on my copy clerk wage $3995 is not going to happen. Though most ti is out of my price range.

dirtyphotons

any chance of a frame only option? if so i'm interested in early booking.

TimJ

Why integrated headset?

mrbubbles

With disc tabs, the rear wheel spacing should be 135mm, if not, you're making it redundant to even add the disc tabs in the first place.

Frameset only option would be nice as well.

dirtyphotons

fine print my friend. mike says it'll be at least half off msrp.

Cyclist0383

+1 on both counts.

serac

I'm want in on this one.

Stickney

I must concur, very interesting, both as full-bike and potential frameset.

bsyptak

I think Mike said something about a frameset option and $900ish with fork if I remember correctly.

I would estimate he will sell quite a few of them if an entire bike can be had for south of $2k.

bonechilling

Not that I was going to buy one, but this would be a deal-breaker for me. I don't want an "investment"-grade bike with a headset that will eventually wear out and render the frame useless.

scattered73

Don't know how I missed that?

bsyptak

Habanero (frame $889 shipped) has a similar frame but no disc tabs and standard head tube for standard headset, plus a nice canti bridge in the back instead of the one that hangs off the seatpost binder. For me, disc tabs are undesireable because it adds too much weight to the bike with the addition of all the machinery involved. Plus, unless you want to drop some serious cash for 2 disc wheelsets (road & cross), you'll have to change tires a lot when you want to ride it as a road bike. And who wants disc brakes on a road bike? Cantis work fine and they look better too.

I built up a Habanero to 19.5 lbs with cross wheels/tires and a pound less with my road wheels.

TimJ

Yeah. A titanium frame is going to last you a lifetime... unless the lack of bearing cups is too destructive on the head tube and then you're screwed.

bikesdirect_com

Yes
in general
we had 1 CX bike about a year ago
now we have
MOTOBECANE
FANTOM CX
FANTOM CROSS
FANTOM CROSS PRO
and ARE ADDING IN MOTO
FANTOM CX TRIP [LIKE CX WITH TRIPLE AND STREET TIRES]
FANTOM CROSS UNO [4130 SS]
FANTOM OUTLAW [HAS DISC BRAKES - ILLEGAL TO RACE]
FANTOM CROSS 853 [GUESS THE TUBING]
FANTOM CROSS TEAM Ti [ABOVE]
FANTOM CROSS Ti SL [SHLD BE SUB 17 RACE VERSION]
plus adding
WINDSOR CYCLO [105 20 SPD ALUMINUM]
DAWES CYCLO [LOW END AL 16 SPEED]
MERCIER MULTI VELO [4130 18-SPD CX]

we like cyclo cross
and intend to offer choices
DAWES

bikesdirect_com

We do not think this headset will ever wear out
and intergrated was picked for fork options
it is very hard today to find nice forks made in standard headset - can be done - but really limits choices

I think intergrated HS is in line with industry standards [even though as an old guy; I kinda like standard HS - but I like some other old stuff too that is questionable]

If the market results in lots of feedback on this issue
we may offer more bikes with standard headsets

bikesdirect_com

Spacing is 130 [no need to use 135]
and we will stock lots of wheels that are 700c / 130mm / with disc hubs
growing market as we see it


our new Fantom Cross Outlaw comes with 130mm and Avid BB5

dragonmg

For UCI pros you mean, not illegal to race for amateurs or age-groupers.

Raakahanu

Definately interested. Outline decals on the dt and something more minimalistic on the tt - it's Ti.
What fork is that?

bikesdirect_com

We tried the Outline look on a sample of the le Champion Team Ti
I thought it would be good - but it was way to plain
even for me and I like clean bikes

So to keep the look consistant
we are going with the straight forward simple BLACK with White Trim on all 2009 Ti bikes
we are doing 7 or 8 Ti bikes in 2009
and plan to go to a dozen or more by 2010

Fork is built for us to match the Ti Cross frame
very nice fork, I think

dirtyphotons

any word on frameset only?

thanks for the clarifications mike.