I don't know, that would be a question for the founders of BD.com, but maybe, and i'm speculating here, it had something to do with them feeling that establishing their own brand in the market place would take too much time and the easier and faster route to recognition was simply to buy a defunct entity's name.

now that BD.com has established its own reputation with the "motobecane" name for over a decade now, it seems to me like deception is probably not a big factor in the equation, but if it still raises a red flag for you, by all means, don't buy any of their bikes. i can only say to others who are curious about BD.com bikes that my experience with BD.com has thus far been wonderful. i don't feel that i have been deceived by BD.com in the slightest bit. i got a great bike at a great price and couldn't be happier with my purchase. though i do freely admit that i got a bit lucky with the sizing. that is one area where a traditional brick and mortar bike dealer will ALWAYS beat an online dealer, and with BD.com you do have to be willing to roll the dice a bit on the sizing issue.