Motobecane Nemesis

cornerof

I am just getting into triathlons and was looking for a bike to buy. I came acrossed the Motobecane Nemesis. I was wondering if anyone has owned one of these or heard anything positive or negative about them. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

sfactual

Yes, I own one. I like the colors, red/black/white. I assume you are looking at Bikes Direct. They are as advertised. Quick shipping, easy transaction. The bike required about 90 mins assembly - the handle bars/brakes required some thought.

As for the bike - it is very stiff, but really fast. The componenets, obviously, are top shelf. Shifts and brakes perfectly. I find 35 miles the farthest I can cover comfortably. Most time trial bikes are very much more extreme - the nemesis is more like a road bike with aero bars and a different seat post angle. But for $1000, it is a shit-hot ride. I will be hammering mine tomorrow evening with 10 or so other time trial/triathletes and it will be fine.

hornmono

I would really like to hear some feedback on this bike. I have been looking hard at this bike and I have heard really good things about it and some bad. It seemed like the bad were just people saying "it sucks" without any imput. I can't put much behind an opinion without a reason.

I am looking at bikes up to $1250 like the Giant TCR2 and Cannondale R700. I am also looking at the Felt F80, Specialized Allez Elite (t), Giant OCR1 and Trek 1500 and Trek Pilot 1.2.

I don't think that any of these bikes can match the components of the Moto "Nemesis". However, I called two local shops and they bashed the bike. Can somone please tell me why these other bikes with lesser components are so much better?

Thanks

Skoorb

[q]I don't think that any of these bikes can match the components of the Moto "Nemesis". However, I called two local shops and they bashed the bike.[/q]Of course they did, because they know that anybody seriously considering the Nemesis will not spend $500 more on an inferior bike in their store, so it threatens their ability to sell bikes. They will probably insult things like frame (which appears the same as in the fuji aloha line) and construction (whatever that means; it's almost entirely good brand parts).

I just ordered mine this week. It'll show up tomorrow and I'll give it a go.

doctortalk121

come back three months from now and tell us how it holds up. something tells me it's another shill post. we'll see.

Skoorb

Shill post...?

Mine came last night. I can confirm it really appears to be the same frame as the Fuji 2.0, at least from pics comparison

I plan on putting up a lengthier post with pics and experiences (such as it not acutally being 90% constructed, unless it takes 20+ hours to put a bike together! Nothing a few hours and beer hasn't solved, though ).

doctortalk121

i'd buy one of their mtb's if they could tell me how much one weighs accembled, guess that's a secret.

Skoorb

Yeah it would be nice if they did that for more than just a few bikes.

BTW, my nemesis is now totally assembled. It's 19.8 lbs in the 54 cm size.

jonathandanger

I have ridden a Motobecane Record for the past few months, and I have an opinion on the company. You get exactly what you pay for: a sturdy frame that won't turn any heads equipped with a good group and dirt cheap everything else. I am not too disappointed in my purchase, after all my bike was only 550 dollars after shipping, but I have since matched the initial cost in borderline necessary upgrades (among my biggest beefs would be the handlebars which slip out of place no matter how hard you tighten the screws on the stem, or the ugly, and just generally bad quality wheelset.) Honestly, Motobecane is great if you're just looking for an inexpensive and humble bike for exercise, mine serves me well, but if you want something flashy, or a solid performer for racing, either go name brand or upgrade the hell out of your Motobecane.

Skoorb

I think the problem you had, though, is a result more of the cost than the brand. A $650 bike in a bike store will be the same way: reasonably good, but heavy wheel set, sora or tiagra if lucky.

Certainly if the peak of performance is desired, nothing by Motobecane will suffice. They have no competitor to the Madone or a cervelo time trial bike.

jonathandanger

Agreed. Their job is to sell discount bikes. They do that by importing frames from Taiwan and China (Thank you, Wikipedia), and cutting corners with things like wheelsets that puncture my innertubes 3 times in one week, or handlebars that rotate to an uncomfortable position after 30 miles on the saddle. I can say one thing, now that I replaced all that jazz with good parts, I am seriously considering buying the Immortal Spirit Frame. It looks pretty much dead on exactly like the old Trek 5000/5200 frame and for a fraction of the price. I guess buying a frame assembled in America by overpaid mechanics with benifits (the whole reason Trek bikes are so expensive in the first place) isn't all that important to me.

Skoorb

I really think that's a result of the price-point of the bike you have, though. The nemesis, for instance, has all quality brand parts. You'll find a Ritchey Stem and handlebar on plenty of other bikes, and the Xero XR1 wheels are the same as on the $1800 Fujia Aloha 1.0.

Motobecane may not be that much of a price savings on low end bikes vs low-end local store, and they are not competitor to a local store's $7k offering, but I think the $1-3k price range, their bikes will consistently offer better value.

I finally got the Nemesis out last night for its first ride after all the adjustments and am happy with it. It feels pretty quick, though I was on a slow bike before

jonathandanger

Yeah, you're probably right, I'm just a little bitter about my Motobecane...

Skoorb

Hopefully I'm right Good luck on whatever bike you get next!