Road Cycling - comparing 3 bikes

Hello,

I was wondering if you could look at these three bikes and give me your opinion. I will be riding this on what I call "rugged tours" - tours (65mi +) on crappy roads in Long Island, NY. I intend to switch the handle bar to a trial-type bar that will give me more grip variety (I don't like drop bars).

I have looked at the Motobecane Cafe Noir (http://www.motobecane.com/MBUSAcfn.html) which looks like a pretty good deal since in my area there isn't a local dealer and thus I would need to buy from their website which reduces the price from $1299 to $799 with free shipping and no tax. I'm just not sure because I can't ride it before I buy it. Plus, I would be kinda on my own for support...

I was also looking at the Bianchi Strada (http://www.bianchiusa.com/strada.html) and I really like it because it has the widest gear range with a 11-32 SRAM cassette. However, other than the few generic components (Sugino crank, Kalloy handlebars and stem, VP headset), I can't figure out how they can sell it for such a low price ($750 retail, $680 at my LBS). I like the steel frame with the carbon fork, the gears (SRAM cassette and rear deraillieur). Is there something I'm missing or is this a really good deal? I have heard a few very positive reviews on this bike, but I still don't know much about Bianchi.

I also really like the Lemond Wayzata. (http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/wayzata.shtml) Except for the Tiagra derailleurs which I would probably upgrade to Ultegra. Also, this bike can accommodate up to a 36c tire (I would probably want a 28 or 32c instead of the 25's that come on the bike). This bike is about $1000, so it would be the most expensive of these three bikes.

The main thing all three of these bikes have in common is the steel frame and a carbon or steel fork which I think will be good for me. The only problem now is: which do I get?

If you could, can you help me understand the pros and cons of each?

Thanks a lot,

Warren

to me the Motobecane Cafe Noir is a no-brainer... Best bang for the buck..
the LeMond is fitted with Tiagra which I wouldnt buy, and the Strada is really a hybrid with a flat bar...

Hi,
Work with your dealer. It will pay off in the long run. I would also consider getting one of these with drop bars. The Strada and Volpe are almost identical except for the handlebars. The Strada is a nice, light hybrid. It's fun and you can replace parts as they wear out. I'd upgrade the wheels,tires and seat at time of sale if you wind up it. The Wayzata is a rugged (and when I tried one a couple years ago, heavy) hybrid. It's built like a brick ****house.
Except for the weight, it's a great bike. Not sure why it weighed so much. Are they still as heavy? The most important thing is fit.
Test ride a few bikes; buy the one you really like. Don't sweat the details. You can change the little stuff.

This is the classic case of comparing 2 name brands vs. one "off" brand. Take the names off the frames and what do you have? 1 bike with 853 steel, an aluminum fork and a fairly good component mix. Another with 520 steel, a carbon fork and a fairly good component mix. And the third is also a 520 with a carbon fork and a great (for it's level) component mix.

If I couldn't tell the difference between 853 and 520, I'd go with the Motobecane based on specs alone. Best bang for the buck. That said, I don't like the looks of the Motobecane. So I might go with the Lemond based on that. And I'm not sure about the stability of the name "Motobecane", so I might go with the Bianchi based on that.

Or I might ride them and see how they feel but I can't find the Motobecane anywhere. Now I'm mixed up....

55/Rad

I'm planning to put some Zoom handlebars (http://206.75.155.18/kmr/bikes/zoombars.jpg - the curved ones in the back) that will give me a lot of hand positions but won't force me down as much. I really don't like drops.

The Wayzata I saw wasn't all that heavy (it was lot lighter than my 10 yr old Giant Iguana that I have rigged to ride on the road). I think the Strada is pretty nice, I just can't figure out why it's so inexpensive. Not that I'm complaining...I'm just a little aprehensive that I've missed something....

Warren

Apprarently, Motobecane has been around for a while, but I think it has been a little shaky business-wise lately. I think it's a French company that also makes mopeds... But you're right... It's not a name like Lemond or Bianchi... That's probably why it's so inexpensive...

So you're saying that the Bianchi because of it's component mix?

Too bad that the Lemond has Tiagra...

Sorebutt,

Do you know much about Motobecane? I'm looking for some references...

I think the Bianchi is inexpensive because the component mix isn't that great. Mostly comparable to the Lemond I would think plus some no-name stuff like Kalloy(?). The Motobecane definitely has the other 2 beat there.

On the other hand, I have 2 Lemonds - you can't go wrong.

Shokhead had a Felt like this one: http://www.feltusa.com/2004_bikes/sr71.html and may be able to offer some insight. They're really nice.

55/Rad

Are they comparable in price (say, $1000 or less)?

Do you think the Motobecane's components are better than the Bianchi's? I like the SRAM cassette and rear derailleur combo on the Strada... You're right about the rest of the comps...

W

Hi,
I feel you ought to upgrade the wheels on the Strada. My wife's Strada has Mavic Open Pro rims and Ultegra hubs. Which will put the Strada close to the Wayzata in price. You can replace components when they wear out. Not that big a deal. If you're a light guy, or ride with finesse...I'd lean towards the Strada. If you're a typical American, I'd lean towards the Wayzata. Both are nice bikes. Which one did you like best when you were riding it?

I plan on testing them this weekend.

I'm not a light fellow - about 215lbs, so I'm not sure how much finess I have. I plan to take this on long (65+) tours, so I need something that won't rattle my bones (that's why I like the chromoloy), and will be light enough to keep me from suffering through the last 20 miles... I just want to keep up with everyone...

I'm planning to put some Zoom handlebars (http://206.75.155.18/kmr/bikes/zoombars.jpg - the curved ones in the back) that will give me a lot of hand positions but won't force me down as much. I really don't like drops.

The Wayzata I saw wasn't all that heavy (it was lot lighter than my 10 yr old Giant Iguana that I have rigged to ride on the road). I think the Strada is pretty nice, I just can't figure out why it's so inexpensive. Not that I'm complaining...I'm just a little aprehensive that I've missed something....

Warren

Moustache bars! http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=HB1011

They're like drop bars except with the drops bent up and wide. Lots of hand positions, upright posture, still can get "aero" and very cool.

As for Motobecane, there was a French company by that name in the '70's that exported reasonably good bikes (and mopeds) to the US. Today, it's just a name owned by a company that slaps a "Motobecane" sticker on generic Taiwanese frames. I don't think there is any relationship.

Hi,
The Selle Italia Trans Am XLP saddle has some suspension built into it. It helps. Brooks makes leather saddles with springs, and they help. Up front you could try a Ti or carbon handlebar for some shock absorbtion.

Moustache bars! http://www.stanford.edu/~dru/moustache.html
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=HB1011

As for Motobecane, there was a French company by that name in the '70's that exported reasonably good bikes (and mopeds) to the US. Today, it's just a name owned by a company that slaps a "Motobecane" sticker on generic Taiwanese frames. I don't think there is any relationship.

Does this mean that the Motobecane frames are poorer quality than the Lemond or Bianchi? I assume those frames are made in the states... or are they?

Sorebutt,

Do you know much about Motobecane? I'm looking for some references...

Dont have experiance with this bike.. I was lookign at the specs on the site..

Does this mean that the Motobecane frames are poorer quality than the Lemond or Bianchi? I assume those frames are made in the states... or are they?

I would expect the welds to be of better quality on the Lemond. Another nice feature of a Lemond that most miss is that they depreciate slower than just about anything else.

An opinion on these bikes,i would get any of them.
An opinion on these bikes as which is the best,the LeMond.
An opinion on which is best for you,i have no idea.