The Fly and Fantom are considered excellent value for a complete Titanium bike that rivals the cost of many Titanium frame-only offers from other brands.
Shimano XTR shifters and derailleurs were rated highly for their operation.
Ride quality of this steed was highly regarded, being reported as smooth and compliant.
Geometry was slack and relaxed, contributing to climbing ability.
These bikes delivered race-level agility and stability in high-speed cornering situations.
Vuelta wheelsets were deemed strong and light, with particular praise given to the' XRP Teams' on the XX.
Due to high-quality frame material and short chainstays, the Fly was responsive and accelerated efficiently.
The brushed Titanium frame awed with smooth, high-quality welds and a beautiful and simple aesthetic. It was described as flexible, strong, compliant – and both vertically and laterally stiff.
Assembly was regarded as easy, with little to no derailleur adjustment needed out of the box. Complete setup took about two hours and required only a few tools.
Ritchey WCS components were the brand’s highest spec. SRAM XX componentry on the XX model was outstanding. In general, the Fly’s kit is considered race-ready and in need of no upgrades.
Forks impressed; Rock Shox Reba RL were seen as a ‘solid’ choice. The SID Race was stiff. The Reba XX featured a PopLoc button to control compression damping and all models were thru-axles.
XTR ICE brakes with 160mm rotors performed amazingly. Avid Juicy Sevens were decisive and instant. Avid XX brakes on the XX received especially high praise.
The clearcoat finish showed off Titanium framework and saved on weight.
These bikes came across as 'performance-oriented' to experts. They were considered to be real competition race bikes as equipped from the factory.
The Fly and Fantom are exceptionally lightweight, coming in at 20-23 lbs complete.
Componentry, frame material and geometry all contributed to a fast ride.
Kenda Small Block Eights suited extreme conditions; either hardpack / pavement or very loose sand.
The Fly universally impressed with its climbing ability, which was described as ‘explosive’. Direct power-transfer and slack angles contributed.
A wide gear-range on 2x11 drivetrains was able to tackle any terrain. The Shimano XTR M9000 drivetrain delivered both in regard to function and looks.

7 reasons not to buy

On tighter turns and downhill cornering, some riders found the Fly and Fantom a little hairy.
Some reviewers saw handlebars as too short at 580mm. Another expert said it seemed a little wide but that it was up with current trends.
Clearance in the rear is limited to a 2.35 rear tire, at the widest.
Kenda Small Block Eight tires received criticism for not being the best all-rounders, for spitting up stones and for lacking grip.
Some riders found the foam Ritchey Hexagonal grips uncomfortable.
Descents required concentration on the Fly. Some reports painted it as 'very active' on trails at speed.
A few owners felt that the Ritchey Streem V3 saddle was uncomfortable.

Bottom line

The Motobecane Fly and Fantom in Titanium are cyclists’ bicycles. They are not pretentious or flashy and come equipped with the highest quality kit possible for the price. Made in Taiwan with aerospace-quality Titanium tubing, these bikes are offered at a price that is cheaper than that charged by other brands, for Titanium frames on their own. At heart, these are cross-country bikes but they performed at a high level on trails and as tourers or bikepacking rigs. Many experts said that they feature an excellent build at a lower price than would be possible for them to assemble by themselves.