Originally Posted by
RTDub
How does this qualify as a scam? You knew the story, and you closed the case on it. You paid more for another 'sticker on the downtube' rather than save yourself a lot of money on what I can only assume is at least an equivalent set of components. The difference are wheels and frame, with a few parts like stem and bars. If the frame and wheels bothered you, of course you had every reason to go another direction, but am I reading this right that you spent more money because of principle? If this were a bike sold on eBay from an unknown vendor in Hong Kong, I could see your point, however BD has a reputation (whichever side you choose), which is more than any other no-name reseller can say.
I think I would take issue with Schwinn if I weren't more savvy - sold in both big box stores as well as local bike shops. Same name, two different levels of quality. Most folks don't know the difference. Motobecane is merely an old name which no one had the foresight to retain the rights to.
Again, not shilling, just approaching it from a logical vantage. To get back on track here, the OP liked his bike and was sharing. Another guy on a bike, cool. Fussing about the name on the downtube being of an extinct original and feeling let down by that is no reason to spend more money just because.
iJen recently admitted that she loved her Mercier Elle before acquiring her Cervelo. Of course that's an upgrade. Pcad loves his Fly Ti MTB. Numerous others on this board have posted pics of their new re-branded steeds. Seems to me that we all understand, as you have pointed out, the storyline, it's a matter of getting past what other people think. Using the Schwinn analogy, I don't think 99.9% of people care. The other .1% are in this forum.
Hi,
First let me say sorry about the sharp worded post. You make some good points. For me it was as I said...irked by the marketing tactics used by BD. I know Cannondale doesn't make their entire bikes anymore (hardly any do these days). But at least they are up front in how they sell their wares.
My old Grand Record was not immune to the component aspects either. It had Weinmann rims, hubs, brakes, handlebar...Brooks saddle...Campy Nuovo Record deraileurs and shifters...can't remember the crankset. It was a good bike and I took it that Motobecane had carefully selected the components for it. Maybe not but I doubt they just priced out items to market a particular model. The world was a different place in 1975.
I knew nothing about BD when I found the Motobecane website and was very excited. It brought back memories. After being redirected to BD and browsing their offerings, I was at first thinking "Wow!" but experience caught up with me and the old, "If it looks too good to be true..." set in. Plus, I did some searching on Motobecane's story and finally realized the truth. In short, it didn't set well with me. Still doesn't.
I guess I'm old school. I go with my gut. BD didn't make a good first impression on me. Perhaps if I was buying my first bike today and knew as little as I did back in 1975 it may have been different.