2018 Motobecane HAL29 NX Eagle
After renting a very expensive full suspension bike on a week long trip to Bentonville, I finally understood what full squish was all about. Toward the end of my trip I was already wanting something newer and better when I got back home.
I ended up doing one last final upgrade to my Specialized Pitch 27.5 hardtail by adding an air fork to it. This gave it the feel of a much more expensive bike, and closer to the feel what I had rented on my trip, but this still wasn't enough for me . I got a taste for full suspension and larger wheels, and now I wanted it!
It was difficult shopping as I needed something with a shorter wheelbase and steeper head tube angle for the majority of the flat Florida trails I would be riding. Most bikes all changed their geometry for longer wheel base and slacker head tubes for downhill trails.
After a lot of research, I narrowed my choices down to a few direct to consumer brands, a few big brand lower end models as well as scouring the local online marketplaces for good used deals. Many older bikes had what I was looking for, but were very worn out or the sellers were asking too much. Newer bikes mostly had the wrong geometry requirements for my needs as well as being over budget.
One day I came across this Motobecane. The seller wasn't sure what model it was, but it had a great selection of parts and looked to be in mint condition with low miles on it.
After doing some research on it, I found out it had a shorter wheel base and the steeper head tube angle I was looking for. The suspension and brakes alone were worth more than the cost of the entire bike. I had found my bargain!
So, late October 2023 I met up with the seller and took home my new ride.
I ended up doing one last final upgrade to my Specialized Pitch 27.5 hardtail by adding an air fork to it. This gave it the feel of a much more expensive bike, and closer to the feel what I had rented on my trip, but this still wasn't enough for me . I got a taste for full suspension and larger wheels, and now I wanted it!
It was difficult shopping as I needed something with a shorter wheelbase and steeper head tube angle for the majority of the flat Florida trails I would be riding. Most bikes all changed their geometry for longer wheel base and slacker head tubes for downhill trails.
After a lot of research, I narrowed my choices down to a few direct to consumer brands, a few big brand lower end models as well as scouring the local online marketplaces for good used deals. Many older bikes had what I was looking for, but were very worn out or the sellers were asking too much. Newer bikes mostly had the wrong geometry requirements for my needs as well as being over budget.
One day I came across this Motobecane. The seller wasn't sure what model it was, but it had a great selection of parts and looked to be in mint condition with low miles on it.
After doing some research on it, I found out it had a shorter wheel base and the steeper head tube angle I was looking for. The suspension and brakes alone were worth more than the cost of the entire bike. I had found my bargain!
So, late October 2023 I met up with the seller and took home my new ride.
What is this thing?
After wondering exactly what I had, I contacted a Motobecane sales rep and sent them some pictures and info. They took a rough guess on what it was close to, but the way they sell bikes, even he couldn't tell me exactly what it was. The seller had it listed as a 2018, so what I can figure is that it's a 2018 HAL29 NX Eagle since it has the same frame and all the listed parts on it. It looks like it originally cost $1700. I picked it up for $1000.
The frame is manufactured by Kinesis, who make frames for many top brands. This frame is just one of their OEM models.
The frame is manufactured by Kinesis, who make frames for many top brands. This frame is just one of their OEM models.
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From what I can gather from old Kinesis catalogs, this is similar to a Y806-2016 frame from their 2016 OEM catalog, but the lower rear suspension mount is in the wrong place. I can't seem to find anything else that looks close, with the exception of one of their eBike frames. The top tube has a very specific swoop midway down before it connects to the seat post. I have no idea what model this actually is on my bike. |
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I figured that if they are good enough for other brands to put their names on them and sell for thousands of dollars, then their OEM models should be just fine.
My experience so far
I took this bike on a long ride the day I bought it and have been completely happy with it. It's been pretty issue free. My only issues so far have been just due to not cleaning it as deeply as I should, or perhaps cleaning it too much. Since this has many more moving parts than a hardtail, there are more points for dirt to get trapped and grease to wash out. I did get a front axle stuck to the point I had to use an extractor bit to remove it, but again, that was my own fault for torquing it down too hard with no grease on it. A torque wrench is your friend.
I've replaced the rear derailleur cable and have had to adjust the dropper post cable and thumb paddle as well. That's the only trouble it's given me so far.
While I ride mostly flat twisty trails, it does ride very nice on gravel and dirt roads, as well as pavement. I've taken it to a few mountain trails already and it's a fantastic climber and handles fast downhill good enough for me. I understand why a longer wheelbase bike is better for this, but I have had no issues personally and just adjust accordingly while still having a fast fun ride downhill.
I've replaced the rear derailleur cable and have had to adjust the dropper post cable and thumb paddle as well. That's the only trouble it's given me so far.
While I ride mostly flat twisty trails, it does ride very nice on gravel and dirt roads, as well as pavement. I've taken it to a few mountain trails already and it's a fantastic climber and handles fast downhill good enough for me. I understand why a longer wheelbase bike is better for this, but I have had no issues personally and just adjust accordingly while still having a fast fun ride downhill.
Modifications
I'm happy with the suspension and wheels/hubs, so I've mainly just replaced all the cheaper easy stuff.
My overall theme is black/green like the Monster Energy colors.
I will probably be getting a bike fit soon, so most of this won't matter...
My overall theme is black/green like the Monster Energy colors.
- Stem
- Swapped the Ritchey stem for a shorter slammed stem, but it was too short so I got one that was midway between the stock and short one. It's getting better, but I still need some more adjustment, which leads to the next thing...
- Handlebar
- Swapped the Ritchey handlebar with a Wake one that I had laying around with a slightly higher rise to it. My wrists still get somewhat numb on rides, so I am still working on finding the right rise, sweep and stem length and height.
I will probably be getting a bike fit soon, so most of this won't matter...
- Pedals
- While there was nothing wrong with the spikey plastic platforms that were on it, I wanted something color matching, so I got green ones. I swap between these bright green large plastic platforms and some smaller black and green metal frame platforms. Both ride well.
- Saddle
- I was not a huge fan of the WBT saddle that it came with, so I swapped it out with a Specialized AliExpress clone. While I prefer the feel and size of this clone saddle, I start to feel it's cheapness past 14miles, so I will be looking for something more expensive soon.
- Rear Derailleur Cable Housing
- Swapped out for a lime green one when I replaced the cable.
- Carbon Fiber Headtube Spacers
- I needed to adjust the stem height, so I just swapped all the spacers out with the bulk CF spacers I already had on hand.
- 180mm Brake Rotors
- I had some larger centerlock rotors on another set of wheels, so I swapped out the stock 160MM rotors for these.
- Added 20mm brake caliper spacers/risers (in green!) to fit the larger rotors.
- Ergon GA2 Grips
- I think the red Ergon G1 grips were aftermarket. I don't believe they were on the stock bike and that the previous owner installed them. They are pretty nice, so I have left them. I only wish they were green.
- Eagle X01 Chain
- The stock Eagle NX chain snapped on a pretty gnarly trail one day, but thankfully half the link still held for another couple miles back to my car. I did some research on 12 speed chains, and since I have a SRAM Eagle drivetrain, it was recommended I stick with that for smoother shifting. Of the SRAM chains, I read that the X01 was one of the best in terms of strength and longevity when properly maintained.
- Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II Tires
- Swapped out the worn Continental Mountain Kings with something beefier for the terrain I ride.
- Tubeless Tires
- When swapping the tires, I went tubeless.
- Added in tubeless presta valves w/green caps
- Used Stans tubeless sealant
- Used blue 3M Strapping Tape for rim tape
- Bolt on seat post clamp
- Green to match! AliExpress item. I got this to not only match color, but I have no need for a quick release clamp with a dropper post.
- This also helps deter thieves from stealing my seat if I leave it on the back of my car in a parking lot, since you will need tools to remove it.
- Wish List
- New higher end saddle, interested in some of the AliExpress 3D printed clones (the more expensive ones)
- Replace rear quick release axle with a non quick release. I have tools to remove this on the trail if needed, and this will help deter theft while on the bike rack in a parking lot.
About Motobecane
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A little about Motobécane. They were a French company founded in 1923 as a bicycle, moped and motorcycle manufacturer. Motobecane USA is a different company and uses the trademark under license from Motobécane to sell bikes manufactured with frames manufactured by Kinesis. Other than the shared name and similar logos, they have nothing in common with the original Motobécane brand. In 1981 Motobécane filed for bankruptcy. Yamaha purchased the renamed it MBK, which still produces scooters in France. It appears that Motobecane USA is all that is left of the original name.
Motobecane's current business model appears to take Kinesis OEM frames, combine with them whatever deals they can get on other parts for that year (ie: SRAM, Shimano, WTB, Ritchey, Maxxis, etc), give them a model name and stick their logo on them. Motobecane also uses a direct to consumer sales model, does no marketing or advertising and is able to sell pretty nice bikes for 2/3 or half the cost of the big name brands. |
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