Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 2006 Motobecane Messenger

2006 Motobecane Messenger

What are your thoughts about the bicycle listed below?

Here is some additional specifications from the vendor as I asked about 52cm and 54cm sizes.

52cm has 90mm stem and 540mm top tube

54cm has 100mm stem and 550mm top tube


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7168221768&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1

looks great for the money!
+ lifetime warranty its hard to beat.
go for it!

it is most definetly not a track bike if thats what you want. Its probably nicer for around town then one though and the price is right. It would be nice if they where specific about the componentry.

looks great for the money!
+ lifetime warranty its hard to beat.
go for it!

I purchased a Motobecane Fantom Cross bicycle from this vendor earlier this year and it was delivered fast and in perfect order. Also this bicycle performs perfectly and appears to be the same as the Fuji Cross Comp for better or worse.

I am considering another Bianchi Pista but the Motobecane Messenger seems as nice and less expensive; maybe a better deal. My concern is to get the proper size.

check out the Mercier fixed gears she sells, my friend just bought one without realizing i have the exact same one. we also have matching chromes (another accident)

Here is some additional specifications from the vendor as I asked about 52cm and 54cm sizes.

52cm has 90mm stem and 540mm top tube

54cm has 100mm stem and 550mm top tube

Conventional style frame with track frame geometry.

Conventional style frame with track frame geometry.

what does that mean ?

This is the same ebay seller that was/is selling the Mercier Kilo TT. This appears to be a simliar deal except for $40 more than the Mercier you get brakes, levers and a free wheel. Geometry maybe a little more roadish as opposed to trackish but its hard to tell and there are no specs listed. I'm sure the components are all noname as is the one on the Mercier so component wise there's not much the seller can say.
Craig

what does that mean ?

My concept of track geometry is that it's a bit tighter than a road bicycle and that is what I was trying to indicate for sizing purposes.

right so i dont get why it is 'conventional style' and also 'track frame'. it looks more like road geometry to me, but with no actual geometry chart it is hard to confirm. looks like a good deal, though i imagine some components will need replacing/upgrading before too long, as it is with economy bike packages. ;)

it really doesn't look like track geometry but it may be a bad picture. The seat tube looks too relaxed and the top tube too long. Is that top tube length actual or virtual. Can you get the full specs on the geometry I'm curious now.

right so i dont get why it is 'conventional style' and also 'track frame'. it looks more like road geometry to me, but with no actual geometry chart it is hard to confirm. looks like a good deal, though i imagine some components will need replacing/upgrading before too long, as it is with economy bike packages. ;)

I could say that it is not a compact "sloping" frame style yet "may" have a tighter track frame geometry; which is what I tried to indicate. . .

thx for clarifying, i get your point.

it really doesn't look like track geometry but it may be a bad picture. The seat tube looks too relaxed and the top tube too long. Is that top tube length actual or virtual. Can you get the full specs on the geometry I'm curious now.

It is actual with the additional stem length.

The full specifications are not available on the Motobecane website yet.

It is an interesting alternative to the Bianchi Pista that I was considering.

It is an interesting alternative to the Bianchi Pista that I was considering.

definitely better deal than the Pista, right? components are probably comparable, plus you get a lot of extras (brakes, freewheel) if you need/want them. in any event, its cheaper. ive always had a soft spot for motobecane, id probably pick this one up if i wasnt building something up right now. though i would need more geometry specifics, as my limited experience with fixed gear has taught me that frame fit is even more important for a comfortable ride when you are so connected to the bike as you are with a fixed.

definitely better deal than the Pista, right? components are probably comparable, plus you get a lot of extras (brakes, freewheel) if you need/want them. in any event, its cheaper. ive always had a soft spot for motobecane, id probably pick this one up if i wasnt building something up right now. though i would need more geometry specifics, as my limited experience with fixed gear has taught me that frame fit is even more important for a comfortable ride when you are so connected to the bike as you are with a fixed.

With the included brake setup and dual cogs it seems to be a great singlespeed bicycle for city cycling.

For that price, it looks like a pretty decent bike. Even with shipping, its less that the Fuji track my friend just bought. And the geometry looks pretty similar. Tracklike or roadlike or whatever....

Besides, Motobecanes are awesome...

Besides, Motobecanes are awesome...

motobecane decals on taiwanese frames are awesome, you mean.

motobecane decals on taiwanese frames are awesome, you mean.

Come on, this is America. The brand name is all that matters. Ignorance is bliss...

motobecane decals on taiwanese frames are awesome, you mean.

What exactly does motobecane mean these days? The brand isn't even a shadow of its former self- that is NOT to say this isn't an incredible deal.

from the Harris page on French bike mfrs.

Motobécane
One of the largest manufacturers of bicycles and motorcycles.
"Moto" is French for motorcycle; "bécane" is French for "bike".
After bankruptcy, the company was reconstituted as MBK (pronounced "em-bay-kah.")
The Motobécane trademark has been revived, but the current production "Motos" from the far east have no connection with France aside from the name.

==

I admit to a soft spot for Motobécanes as well. they could have hired a better typographer for the reviving, though. Jeez. Bad type on supposedly French bikes seems self-defeating.

p.s. that said it does seem like a good off-the-shelf entry level bike. I like the fact that it includes a freewheel as well as 2 brakes. one without the other is just silly.

it is most definetly not a track bike if thats what you want. Its probably nicer for around town then one though and the price is right. It would be nice if they where specific about the componentry.

It could very well have track geometry (steep seat tube angle and long top tube, high BB).

A lot frames being sold as track bikes (IRO frames for example ) are in fact more "road" like in the rider positioning than track.

I'd consider this bike (mainly because I want something with 120mm drop-outs so I can use genuine track parts with it)

They hype up the Motobecane name, but we all know this is a different company that just bought the rights to use the name.

So there is a mercier version too?

I like the orange one.

I did a search and the mercier is supposed to be a rebadged KHS 100. Someone claims this Motobecane is a Fuji Track rebadged.

Motobecane sold a bike called the "Le Champion" that was a rebadged 05 Fuji Team Super light so this might be true.

Notice bikestirect sells Fuji as well.

If you are someone who doesn't care about the branding this could be a great deal.

For the money, if you want to ride NOW, then this is a cheap, ridable bike.

If you want a TRACK bike, then this is not your bike. These are definitely road geometry. I have talked extensively with the manufacturer, who makes many of the $61 frames on the market today.

The parts are completely entry level, there is nothing on this bike that will last with any amount of serious riding. By serious I mean every day riding. The Truvativ crankset is actually a converted entry level double road crank (with only one ring on it).

The price is ok, but factor in the "disposable" components, and you're left with a $300+ no name frame. If you can live with that...Go for it.

Personally I would save a few bucks and get something that you can get attached to. An old road frame bought on the cheap, with Horizontal track ends welded on by your local builder and repainted...For the same $300-ish...That would be a frame you could be proud of...

Just my 2cents

Wow, that's the gayest mass production bike yet. Who wants "messenger" plastered all over their bike. http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/smilie/greddy.gif

mercierrrrr!

just cover the kilo tt logo and get a fresh wheelset and you're set

Wow, that's the gayest mass production bike yet. Who wants "messenger" plastered all over their bike. http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/smilie/greddy.gif

It would look okay with the decals removed.

Bikeophile as far as I know all the $500+ entry level factory bikes use that truvativ double with the smll ring removed.

As far as road geometry goes even my road bike has a 73.5 seat tube angle so anything more slack than this would not be ideal.

does the world really need the mercier, the windsor, and the motobecane? couldn't they just be condensed into the werserbecane?

when did motebecane start making bikes again? it sounds like someone bought the name and is putting it on a piece of crap bike made in a sweatshop in cambodia. and also the fact that it is called the "messenger" is funny and just shows this bike is all about marketing. sorry to talk smack on the bikes but they really do look like glorified huffies

Wow, that's the gayest mass production bike yet. Who wants "messenger" plastered all over their bike. http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/smilie/greddy.gif

f.u.c.k you, homophobe.

The company that owns the US rights to the Motobecane name also operates "BikesDirect", "Cycle Spectrum" stores, and sells under three or four names on E-Bay. Often, their bikes are a mismash, combining frames from one year, and components from another. "Name brand" components are often mixed with generic components of lesser quality.

The "list" price stated is imaginary. This bike has never been sold at that price. And, the "life time" warranty is essentially imaginary. You are gonna pay to ship this bike back to the seller when something breaks? Naw. So, factor in the "cost" of assembling and tuning the bike, and subtract the value of an actual REAL warranty such as one from the Bianchi dealer in your neighborhood.

There is no such thing as a "free lunch". A $300 bike is a $300 bike. A $900 bike is a $900 bike. If you pay less, you get less. If a buyer understands that, often "less" is plenty good enough for the job.

The company that owns the US rights to the Motobecane name also operates "BikesDirect", "Cycle Spectrum" stores, and sells under three or four names on E-Bay. Often, their bikes are a mismash, combining frames from one year, and components from another. "Name brand" components are often mixed with generic components of lesser quality.

The "list" price stated is imaginary. This bike has never been sold at that price. And, the "life time" warranty is essentially imaginary. You are gonna pay to ship this bike back to the seller when something breaks? Naw. So, factor in the "cost" of assembling and tuning the bike, and subtract the value of an actual REAL warranty such as one from the Bianchi dealer in your neighborhood.

There is no such thing as a "free lunch". A $300 bike is a $300 bike. A $900 bike is a $900 bike. If you pay less, you get less. If a buyer understands that, often "less" is plenty good enough for the job.

Just for comparison.

I purchased a Motobecane Fantom Cross bicycle; which exceeds my expectations. It appears nearly identical to the Fuji Cross Comp for better or worse. It uses these components:
Main frame A-6 Quaternary Phase 7005 aluminum with Power Diamond down tube - FSA Aheadset - Formula Hubs Alexrims X2100 wheellset(very strong) - Rear Derailleur is Shimano 105, 9 Speed Shifters and Front Derailleur are Shimano Tiagra, Tektro Oryx Brakes - Additional levers are Tektro 2.0 - Truvative Elita Crankset - Ritchey Comp Stem and Handlebar - SRAM 9 Speed 12-26 Cassette - Shimano Chain - JAGWIRE SLICK 5.0 cables - It is setup pretty nice for $647 !

It functions flawlessly and is priced about $200 less than the Fuji - The catch is that you need to do some minor assemby to attach the handlebar to the stem and then install and adjust the brake cables.

The assemby should be much simpler for the singlespeed model.

I agree that you mostly get what you pay for; but there are some better deals if you comparison shop.

This level of bicycles seem to be manufactured by the same factory in Asia, so really it's just the choice of what label you wish to display. I prefer the Motobecane label for some reason. I knew well in advance that it was not a French Motobecane of yesteryear.

Ironically on my first ride I saw a old original French Motobecane chained to a bicycle rack - Deja Vu?

Doesn't Surly and IRO market an image and buy Asian manufactured frames?

I know the Bianchi Pista is built in Asia.

It would look okay with the decals removed.

Bikeophile as far as I know all the $500+ entry level factory bikes use that truvativ double with the smll ring removed.

As far as road geometry goes even my road bike has a 73.5 seat tube angle so anything more slack than this would not be ideal.

Yep you are correct on the Truvativ cranks. My whole point is that this isn't as good a deal as some folks think. None of the entry level bikes are built to last (component-wise). I just want to make sure that anyone considering an entry level from these guys (or KHS, FUJI,etc) realized the replacement factor. You really have to factor that into the cheap price. You really do get what you pay for.

For the money, if you want to ride NOW, then this is a cheap, ridable bike.

If you want a TRACK bike, then this is not your bike. These are definitely road geometry. I have talked extensively with the manufacturer, who makes many of the $61 frames on the market today.

The parts are completely entry level, there is nothing on this bike that will last with any amount of serious riding. By serious I mean every day riding. The Truvativ crankset is actually a converted entry level double road crank (with only one ring on it).

The price is ok, but factor in the "disposable" components, and you're left with a $300+ no name frame. If
Just my 2cents

So, what?

Let's say that the cog strips the thread off the rear hub. You just buy another $50 wheel and watch it happen again.

And let's say that you only get a couple hundred miles on those pedals before you give up and spend $30 for a good set.

Now you're at $450 and you're still ahead of the game.

What else could go wrong?

So, what?

Let's say that the cog strips the thread off the rear hub. You just buy another $50 wheel and watch it happen again.

And let's say that you only get a couple hundred miles on those pedals before you give up and spend $30 for a good set.

Now you're at $450 and you're still ahead of the game.

What else could go wrong?


I suppose you're right. You could buy low end bikes for cheap and just replace the parts as they break. It's just my opinion, but I would rather invest in something that will roll smoother, last longer and require less replacing.
Heck, you could buy all your bikes from Walmart if you wanted. As soon as the bike breaks, you could just buy an entire new bike.

I am sure you know the difference between a smooth rolling hub and a cheap one (that makes a $50wheel), or a $5headset vs.a $30 sealed Bearing Headset.

Remember as well, that the Buy it Now Price of $375 isn't the final cost. Shipping is extra. Repairs are extra at the shop (most people who could do the repairs themselves would not be buying an entry level bike). Price-wise, maybe you're still ahead of the game.

Its all a matter of choice. Like I said, its just my opinion but I would rather spend a little more and have some piece of mind in that my pedals won't need to be replaced after a couple hundred miles, and that my Hub will last as long as my bike will (with service of course).

SS and Fixies do have less to go wong (even on entry levels), but as to what CAN go wrong...

Besides stripping hubs, and pedals, I have seen cheap cogs fail, chain rings bend, chains break, headsets seize, hubs seize, wheels warp, spokes break.

Some of these can happen to anyone, they just happen on lower end parts more often and more likely.

Do you actually ride an entry level bike and replace the parts as needed?

check out the Mercier fixed gears she sells, my friend just bought one without realizing i have the exact same one. we also have matching chromes (another accident)

What do you think of your Mercier ?
Is it / could it be a track bike or is it more a road oriented S.S. ??

Thanks !

All this talk of parts failure is speculation.

It may just be possible for lesser known parts to last longer.

As I've purchased so many high end products I am less impressed with many of them. Sure they function; but no better than the less expensive parts within my application.

Where are the facts?

I own Campagnolo Record to Campagnolo Veloce, Shimano Dura Ace to Shimano Sora and nothing has failed during normal recreational riding. Expensive and over priced does not define quality or durability.

I suppose you're right. You could buy low end bikes for cheap and just replace the parts as they break. It's just my opinion, but I would rather invest in something that will roll smoother, last longer and require less replacing.
Heck, you could buy all your bikes from Walmart if you wanted. As soon as the bike breaks, you could just buy an entire new bike.

I am sure you know the difference between a smooth rolling hub and a cheap one (that makes a $50wheel), or a $5headset vs.a $30 sealed Bearing Headset.

Remember as well, that the Buy it Now Price of $375 isn't the final cost. Shipping is extra. Repairs are extra at the shop (most people who could do the repairs themselves would not be buying an entry level bike). Price-wise, maybe you're still ahead of the game.

Its all a matter of choice. Like I said, its just my opinion but I would rather spend a little more and have some piece of mind in that my pedals won't need to be replaced after a couple hundred miles, and that my Hub will last as long as my bike will (with service of course).

SS and Fixies do have less to go wong (even on entry levels), but as to what CAN go wrong...

Besides stripping hubs, and pedals, I have seen cheap cogs fail, chain rings bend, chains break, headsets seize, hubs seize, wheels warp, spokes break.

Some of these can happen to anyone, they just happen on lower end parts more often and more likely.

Do you actually ride an entry level bike and replace the parts as needed?

Nope.

I was just playing the Devil's advocate.

I think about this stuff way too much and most of you shouldn't bother to read what follows.

My orientation is quality and value.

Wheels, for example, are supermely important. Because a hub that goes bad (or a cog that goes bad and takes the hubs with it) will cost you more than the price of the hub. It will cost you the price of a new hub, a new wheel build and a walk home. So saving money one a rear wheel is DUMB. So we sell rear hubs that are very high quality. They cost about $20 more than than a cheap hub.

Next is tires. There are some really good tires on the market. The IRC Kevlar tires cost a few dollars more than a low-cost tire. But they're as tough as nails. If you like to fix flats, that's kool.

Which leads me what really bugs me about entry-level bikes. A neighbor came over with her $100 cruiser bike and asked me to fix her tire. I took off the tire and examined the rim near the hole in the tube. There was a burr in the rim that caused the flat.

I HATE THAT.

The cost of providing customers with decent rims is marginal. And the result of saving a couple of dollars is the people get turned off to bicycles. They see them as cheap toys. And the put them in their garage and use their car instead.

If you add $5 each to the cost of two rims, two tires, two pedals, a headset and bottom bracket, you have a bike that costs $40 more and spends far less time in the shop and out of action.

Oh, well.

Onward.

All this talk of parts failure is speculation.

It may just be possible for lesser known parts to last longer.

As I've purchased so many high end products I am less impressed with many of them. Sure they function; but no better than the less expensive parts within my application.

Where are the facts?

I own Campagnolo Record to Campagnolo Veloce, Shimano Dura Ace to Shimano Sora and nothing has failed during normal recreational riding. Expensive and over priced does not define quality or durability.

It certainly is not speculation. It doesn't happen every day, but I have seen every example I mentioned.

I Agree 100% with you as well. Lesser known parts could very well last longer. Lesser known doesn't mean low end though. LEVEL COMPONENTS, KOGSWELL, IRO are all Lesser known, but I would dare to say all of them are easily good to excellent.

I also agree that OVERPRICED is not the answer. I never said it was. But there is a balance between price and quality that I believe is more beneficial than buying a completely entry level/low end bike.

In my opinion, the people who should buy the Motobecane, are people who don't own a SS or Fixie and want to see if they like it. Without spending a fortune on something they are not sure they will like they can get a bike.

All this talk of parts failure is speculation.

Where are the facts?



There are many stories of bad cogs doing bad things to hubs.

And when the cog goes bad, the whole wheel goes with it.

That Motobecane has no Shimano or Campagnolo parts.

Buy one, ride it, and get back to us about the quality.

There are many stories of bad cogs doing bad things to hubs.

And when the cog goes bad, the whole wheel goes with it.

That Motobecane has no Shimano or Campagnolo parts.

Buy one, ride it, and get back to us about the quality.

Yikes! "Bad" Cogs! That comment about cogs being "bad" seems silly to me.

There are no "bad" cogs rather only bad people using them.

Do you believe that the "bad" of the cog spreads thoughout the entire wheel? Maybe into the frame, up the seatpost and into the rider.

Or that the "bad" rider person spreads down the setpost through the frame and wheel into the cog.

It's a great deal for the price and parts.

For the money, if you want to ride NOW, then this is a cheap, ridable bike.

If you want a TRACK bike, then this is not your bike. These are definitely road geometry. I have talked extensively with the manufacturer, who makes many of the $61 frames on the market today.

The parts are completely entry level, there is nothing on this bike that will last with any amount of serious riding. By serious I mean every day riding. The Truvativ crankset is actually a converted entry level double road crank (with only one ring on it).

The price is ok, but factor in the "disposable" components, and you're left with a $300+ no name frame. If you can live with that...Go for it.

Personally I would save a few bucks and get something that you can get attached to. An old road frame bought on the cheap, with Horizontal track ends welded on by your local builder and repainted...For the same $300-ish...That would be a frame you could be proud of...

Just my 2cents

A $300 no name frame would be an IRO, SURLY or Fetish Cycles - ok I get it

Yikes! "Bad" Cogs! That comment about cogs being "bad" seems silly to me.

There are no "bad" cogs rather only bad people using them.

Do you believe that the "bad" of the cog spreads thoughout the entire wheel? Maybe into the frame, up the seatpost and into the rider.

Or that the "bad" rider person spreads down the setpost through the frame and wheel into the cog.

There are indeed bad cogs! The threads on the cog are the only thing coupling the drivetrain to the 'go' of the bike, and if it isn't in good shape, it will cause trouble. If the threaded region isn't deep enough, lockrings won't get enough purchase, and you could slip a cog under rapid decelleration, the force of which can strip threads off your hub. A hub with stripped threads is a useless hub. To replace it, you need to rebuild the wheel, which, unless you do it yourself, probably means new spokes and a new rim as well, basically a whole wheel.

Poorly tapped threads can also chew up your hubs soft aluminum threads, which will make stripping more likely later on.

Lots of people run into these problems here, its not fantasy. Its the reason places like Harris don't sell cheap cogs anymore, they are a false economy. A cog is a simple, but absolutely critical component.

peace,
sam

A $300 no name frame would be an IRO, SURLY or Fetish Cycles - ok I get it

And don't forget the $300 Kogswell Model G

Hey, I must be back in middle school! Apparently it's cool to call things "gay" again.

I don't think I'd want a bike that says "messenger." Seems kind of dumb to me. I don't think it has anything to do with sexuality, though.

And don't forget the $300 Kogswell Model G

Nice frame. I was impressed with the photos you posted of the silver one. I kind of wish you made one that was a cross of the mode G and F. Steeper seat tube and higher BB with 120mm drop-outs.

I think the model G would make a nice single speed, but I'm a little worried about the low BB.