Road Cycling - Motobecane bikes

Does anyone have info on the 2003 Motobecanes?

I and a few others thinking of getting these to race this year from a LBS that sponsors our team.

I've broken three Giant TCR frames in the past three years and they have been good about the warranty and replacing the frames.

I keep hearing that these frames from Motobecane are really cheap, but with my history of frame breakage and the Motobecane warranty offering to replace the entire bike if I crack the frame I can't help but to think I can't go wrong with these bikes.

I would really like to hear some opinions out there, and yes I know the name was bought by a Canadian company and the frames are made in China by Giant or one of the other frame makers.

Motobecane will be available in the USA. However they are more into pushing stock with the buying in programs.

Bikes look to me same as every body elses. Nothing special at all.

Warranties and such is always up to the manufacturer and that tends to go in hand with how sales are going.

However they seem much more durable than the Giant frames.

Which Motobecanes?

a) http://www.motobecane.com (usa models)
b) http://www.arwidson.fi/mbk - this link is now dead, but this was were the info was. The MBK is what Team Cofidis rides.

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 (these are the "USA" models listed at motobecane.com - made in Taiwan and China). If you want a quality Motobecane, get the MBK - if you can find it ;)

Ah, yes...MBK...my first "real" road bike. A great steel bike! But that was many years ago. I don't know the quality of the NA Motobecane bikes, but the French ones were great.

Well, I just ordered a LeChampion team from my LBS. I saw a couple of demo models in the store. For the $$, they look really well built and are a really good value. A full Dura Ace bike for under $1900!!

I will update when I get a few rides on it.

Please explain your reasoning and why they are so bad?

You sound like a disgruntled employee that is trying to lash out against your former employer.

I am buying this bike from an authorized dealer that has been in the business for over 30 years. He started carrying this brand this year and he will stand behind this product if I have any problems. He is a really good guy and I trust him. I race out of his shop and he always takes care of the racers.

The warranty is if the frame breaks, I get a new bike. It is on the website and I expect them to honor it.

I have broken three Giant TCR frames and thay have waranteed it every time. However, I cannot keep on going on year after year waiting 30 days for a replacement frame from Giant. This is why I bought the Motobecane.

I really don't know how you can trash this bike. The frame is made by Kinesis and it has a carbon fork, full Dura Ace and weighs in around 18 pounds.

I buy my bikes to do one thing...race and ride hard. I am not going to spend $4-5k on some Trek or custom bike to race crits with. That's just stupid.

All you do is trash your former employer's sales tactics and how they ripped off customers. It has nothing to do with the quality of this bike or the other dealers that sell them. I asked you to elaborate and all you can do is reference nonsense posts of how crappy you thought your employer was.

If you have somethig to say about the quality of this bike, then state the facts. Dont bull $hit me.

Please show me on their website where they imply that?

Any explain to me why you think these bikes are junk?

Why did bicycling magazine and people on www.roadbikereview.com give the bike such a good rating when it is such a peice of crap as you imply?

I am getting this bike from my LBS. I have nothing to do with bikes direct, which I heard is not doing mail order of the new models and making all their dealers (100 total) sign non- internet sales agreements.

Please answer me. Inquiring minds want to know.

What do you mean not true? If I break the frame (and it is not crash related or misuse) I get a new bike. It is stated on their website. You can't get around that.

You seem to be backpedaling your former stance. What's up with that?

You have made a lot of derogatory claims about bikesdirect.com and Motobecane on this site. I hope you can verify each one of your statements, otherwise it is defined as slander. If I was the owner of bikesbirect.com and saw what you were posting, I would take legal action against you if it wasn't true.

I would never buy a bike online. You can never be sure of fit and don't have a physical contact to talk to if warranty issues arise. IMO that is the price you pay when you buy online, and sometimes you pay dearly for it.

Tou still haven't answered my question yet. How are they implying that they are the original Motobecane? Show me. I don't see it.

Kinesium Area51 Tubing? That's interesting.

I have a 2002 Motobecane le champion purchased from bikesdirect.com that now has about 2000 miles on it. I've had no problems with the frame or ultegra groupo at all and my weight ranges from 175 to 190. Right now I'm looking at replacing the stock wheels only because the spokes keep breakin, six in the last year. I'm just a recreational rider, who puts in about 100-150 miles a week on some pretty rough country roads in North Carolina. You can't expect to get a $3000 dollar bike for $1095. Set the bike up with the components you like, ie wheels, seat, tires and pedals, and you have a decent bike without breaking the bank.

Biffster: How did you managed to break 3 frames?! Did they all break in the same place? I hope you didn't get hurt when you did break them.

Zack

Something you may want to check, but many bike manufaturers VOID warrenties if the bike is raced.

Hmmmmm....Biffster, did someone else delete all their posts, or are you arguing with voices in your head? :D

EDIT: Oh, hang on, I see this argument was made in December....guess I won't hold my breath for an answer from Biffster.....

How is motobecane's geometry when you really sit on the bike- is it like a lemond, or cannoncale or anything else?