Flat Bar Road Bikes

Component-wise, the Motobecane has a slight value edge, but as you've already observed, there's really not a whole lot of difference here. It should come down to preference, hopefully informed by fit. Good luck deciding -- you've got it down to similar choices and now you've got to pull as educated a trigger as you can.

Have fun, dude.

Just wondering why you want a flatbar?

Austin

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by levs
After exhaustive searching, I have narrowed my choices for a good flat bar road bike to those listed below. Please review the prices and specs and offer any and all suggestions or advice. They are all pretty close, but do any stand out as obvious choices (assume they all passed the test ride).

Thanks in advance.

1) Raleigh C700 LBS $685 tax included
Sizes 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm, 62cm
Colors Satin Black
Frame Atomic 13 R 7005 Aluminum
Fork Carbon Cross w/fender eyelets
Headset OS Alloy Threadless
Crankset Truvativ Elita Triple
Bottom Bracket Truvativ ISIS GigaPipe SL sealed cartridge
F. Derailleur Shimano R443
R. Derailleur Shimano 105
Shift Lever Shimano R440
Cog Set Shimano Cassette 12/25t 9spd
Chain SRAM PC-49
Hubset Alloy 28h w/sealed mechanism
Spokes 14g Stainless Steel
Rims Alex R-450 Machined Sidewall 28h
Tires Vittoria Randoneur 700x35
Brakes Shimano M420 V-Brake
Brake Levers Tektro Tenera w/TPE insert
Pedals Shimano M505 Clipless
Handlebar Ritchey Alloy Riser
Grips Avenir 2-Density
Stem Ritchey Comp 6°
Seatpost Alloy w/Micro-Adjuster
Saddle Selle Italia Onda
Extras Rack and Fender Mounts, Watter bottle Mounts, CatEye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owner's Manual

2) Motobecane Cafe Noir--Online Sale only $650 delivered, no tax + assembly cost of about $50
Frame Handmade Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly with Rear Rack Mounts, double water bottle mounts
Fork MWings Kinesis Comp Carbon Fiber
Crankset Shimano 105 HollowTech Octalink Triple 30x42x52
Bottom Bracket Shimano 105 Splined Octalink Low Maintenance Sealed Cartridge Unit
Pedals Alloy road with toe clips and straps
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 Special Black Finish
Shifters Shimano ST-R660 Precision Shifting (Top-of-the-Line/Multi-Ball Bearing Action)
Cassette/Freewheel Shimano Hyperglide 12-25 9 Speed
Hubs Ritchey Comp 28H/28H with Quick Release
Spokes Stainless Steel
Rims Ritchey Aero Comp, 700c Black anodized with Machined brake track
Tires Kenda Racing 700x28
Brakes Dual Pivot Aluminum Alloy Polished Black Finish
Brake Levers Tektro PowerV Aluminum Black Polish Finish
Handlebar Kalloy Black Finish Aluminum with Comfort bend
Stem Kalloy Adjustable Black Polish Aluminum threadless
Tape/Grip Velo Dual Comfort Density
Saddle Velo Comp Comfort Shaped
Seat Post Black Polished Aluminum Alloy Micro-Adjustable
Seat Clamp Ultralite Aluminum Alloy Black Finish
Sizes 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm, 64cm
Colors Black Silk

3) Jamis Coda Comp from LBS $763 including tax
FRAME Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly main tubes, double tapered cromo stays, forged
dropouts w/ eyelets.
FORK Kinesis Crosslight, aluminum unicrown, low rider braze-ons, double eyelets.
HEADSET Dia Compe SAS Aheadset, 1 1/8”.
WHEELSET Ritchey-built Aero wheelset, 700c, 32/32H, w/ Ritchey Aero Comp rims & hubs, 3x front & rear.
TIRES Hutchinson Excel, 700 x 28C, black skinwall.
DERAILLEURS Shimano Deore XT rear, Shimano R443-A bottom pull front.
SHIFTERS Shimano SL-R660 for flat-bar, 27-speed.
CHAIN KMC CN-HG72.
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide II 7.0, 9-speed, 11-32.
CRANKSET TruVativ Elita, 52/42/30, 170mm (16-17.5”), 175mm (19.5-23”).
BOTTOM BRACKET TruVativ BB-03-SPL-SL, 68 x 118mm.
PEDALS Wellgo full alloy platform type w/ single sided clipless body.
BRAKESET Avid Single Digit 5 direct pull brakes w/ Speed Dial 5 levers.
HANDLEBAR Ritchey Comp, 6061 T-6, 0mm rise x 580mm
STEM Ritchey Comp threadless, 105mm x 10°(16-17.5”), 120mm x 17° (19.5-21.5”), 140mm x 17° (23”).
GRIPS WTB Dual Compound.
SEATPOST 1X Road suspension, 300mm x 27.2, alloy clamp w/ QR seatpin.
SADDLE Selle Royale Look-In, #2007 w/ gel, Xsenium top and cromo rails.
SIZES 16”, 17.5”, 19.5”, 21.5”, 23”

COLORS Polished
WEIGHT 24.75 lbs

4)REI/Novara Express From REI $783 including tax
Specification Description

Frame AN6 aluminum

Fork EVO carbon fibery

Head set FSA cartridge zero stack

Rear derailleur Shimano 105

Front derailleur Shimano FD

Shifters Shimano SL-R440

Brake levers Shimano R440

Brakes Shimano A-550

Crankset TruVativ Elita 52/42/30

Freewheel Shimano 12/25 x9

Bottom bracket/axle TruVativ ISIS

Hubs Shimano 105

Rims Mavic CPX 22

Spokes Stainless steel

Tires Vittoria Randonneur 700 x 28

Stem Ritchey Angle Adj

Handlebar Ritchey Pro Mountain

Saddle Fizik CP Pave

Seat post Ritchey Comp

Pedals Platform w/ toe clips

Weight 22.7 (47 cm) pounds

You are aware of online buying and issues with dealer support,not to mention knowing if it even fits?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by camshaft
Just wondering why you want a flatbar?

Austin

I ride one now and wouldn't ride anything else. Back issues mostly, more control feels sturdier.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
You are aware of online buying and issues with dealer support,not to mention knowing if it even fits?

With the Motobecane, the seller is the dealer is the company (I believe they bought the brand name). yes, I am aware of the risks, but these guys have an excellent reputation. Pain to deal with problems though given they are not local. Fit is another big issue because I can't figure out for sure which size is best.

If you eliminate the Motobecane as the only bad choice because its online, any opinion on the others?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by levs

If you eliminate the Motobecane as the only bad choice because its online, any opinion on the others?

Could never get my head around Raleigh.Jamis and REI are both good bang for the buck.Maybe dealer and support would swing it?