Pics will come soon, but for now I just wanted to say how happy I am with this purchase. After shopping around all my LBS's, the deal on the Fantom Cross Pro could not be touched. $995.00 for a cross bike with aluminum frame, carbon fork, and Ultegra 10 speed components. For this price locally I was looking at tiagra\sora components. I was hesitant to order from bikesdirect being it's online and all, but for my bad weather bike I figured I'd take the chance. I got the bike in less than a week from the time I ordered it. The bike came just as described and looks beautiful. I had a problem with the chain on the bike, apparently it was too small. This was according to my LBS. I tried getting it all set up myself, but due to the chain being to small I couldn't get it too shift properly. My LBS installed a new chain and it shifted like a champ. I contacted bikesdirect this morning, and they are going to send me a new chain. I'm out the money I had to pay at the LBS, but I'll have a new chain shortly that I can use when I need to replace the existing one. I was very happy to see how quickly they responded to my email as I was concerned when I ordered the bike how any problems that may arise would be handled.

I also have a 2007 Specialized Roubaix Pro. The Fantom Cross is going to be my foul weather bike. After riding it last night, I think I'll be riding this bike more often than I anticipated.

For those that are weary of buying from BikesDirect, I for one would definately buy from them again. Then again, most of the LBS in my area have really lousy customer service so I don't feel bad giving my business to someone online. I understand some people want to be loyal to their LBS, and I would feel differently if mine had better customer service.

The shop I took the bike into to get setup was very impressed with the bike. They could not believe what I paid for the bike. And they were more than happy to work on the bike and did not make me feel awkward at all taking the bike in to get setup after ordering online. I've read on these forums in the past that some people are really against this.

I'll post pics soon, but for now, just wanted to express my satisfaction with my latest purchase...

Here is a pic...

Moderators note: please try to keep image sizes reasonable ...

Nice looking rig.

Could you resize it down about 70% though?.. jeesh.

Yeah, my bad on the size of the pic. Didn't realize it was gonna come out so big, and I was too lazy to change it....

I like it!! Sharp looking indeed. I'd love it if somebody walked into my shop with that. Any idea on total weight?

Looks like a nice bike!

Tell me, though, what the HECK kind of LBS were you looking at where $995 would buy you a Tiagra and SORA bike?

Thanks guys!

Argentius in response to your question:
Tell me, though, what the HECK kind of LBS were you looking at where $995 would buy you a Tiagra and SORA bike?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Well, here is one for example.
Specialized Tricross, was being sold for $1050.00 at my LBS. It does have a Deore RD, but there is a mix of sora\tiagra throughout the bike as seen in the specs in the following link.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22307

I guess, the biggest problem I had looking locally was that there weren't many bikes at that $1000.00 mark. It seemed that for the brands sold in my area (Kona, Jamis, Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Felt) that if you wanted something above tiagra, like 105 components, you were starting at $1200.00. So when I found this bike, with Ultegra components, I felt it was a steal.

Lord Taipan, not sure on the total weight. I wanted to get a weight on it, but my fishing scale that i use wasn't working right last night, think the battery is low. When I get around to replacing the battery I'll post the weight...

looks great. i was thinking of getting one, but they have already sold out of my size. appear to only have 61 cm left!

tells about the wheels...impressions, weight, etc.

The wheels, they look great, but are definately on the heavy side. Don't know how much they weigh. They do ride nice though. I would say as far as the ride goes I would put them in between the Bontrager Selects and Custom Velocity Aeroheads that I have.

I use it as my beater bike with a flat bar and a single ring set up. You really can't go wrong with this bike! I mean, the frame could break next week and you'd still be ahead with the components etc. Great deal for sure. My wife has a Fuji cross (same bike higher price) and you just can't beat it! I'm definately riding mine more than I intended and got fenders for it today for those crap days...

Mosovich, that was exactly my thoughts. If I feel the need to upgrade this bike next year, I can buy a frame and put the components from this bike on it and I'd still be way ahead of the game....

I've got some fenders orderd...

Does anyone know if bikesdirect.com will be getting anymore of the Fantom Cross Pro's before Cross season begins? I am in the market for a new 'cross rig and this is certainly an unreal deal for under a grand.

Thanks!

Not sure, but you should email them. They were quick responding to emails I sent them before...

Does anyone know if bikesdirect.com will be getting anymore of the Fantom Cross Pro's before Cross season begins? I am in the market for a new 'cross rig and this is certainly an unreal deal for under a grand.

Thanks!

I wonder if we are out of luck. I was debating whether to buy this and watched as larger sizes were sold out quickly, and then my size. Seeing the picture of the OPs bike makes me wish I had gone ahead and purchased the bike. It is hard to find a new cross bike this time of year. Tried to get my LBS to order a Surly cross check for my son and Surly doesn't have any. Redline's new bikes are out "late July or August".

Drats.