Hi all,

I just stumbled upon the forum so if I violate some rules of etiquette, please let me know and I'll try not to repeat it.

I just got a new bike (Cannondale R1000) and so I now need to clean out some stuff from the garage. I have a seldom ridden Motobecane that I think dates from the 70s or 80s. It is all totally original. Never been crashed, has original paint (no scratches) and decals. On the post, the decals read "Motobecane 2040 INEXTERNAL CADRE ALLEGE". It has dual hand brakes, side pull brakes, 12 speed Sachs-Huret front and rear derailleurs, original rat trap pedals, Rigida (sp?) chrome wheels (32-630), original saddle, etc. Very clean, ridden last spring in a 60 miler with no problems.

My question is, "Is there a market for this type of bike?" I could advertise it in the local throw away and get rid of it that way but it would probably be bought by some illegal alien who wouldn't appreciate it for what it is and just ride it into the ground.

Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Guy P.

A few more details would be helpful...is there a model name? It should be on the top tube near the area of the handlebars. It sounds like it has steel wheels from your description. If it's 12 speeds, this definetely
would put in late 70's, early 80's. I'll hazard a guess the model name is Nomade, but let me know...

I know it has some of the parts my '74 mirage had. The derailleurs are "hurets" and the rigida wheels. Do the wheels have the dimpled sidewalls?


Olds

You guys are right. The model name is "Nomade" and it was right on the top bar where you said it was. No, the wheels do not have dimpled sidewalls. They are chrome steel wheels with the markings "RIGIDA SUPERCHROMIX". It is blue in color and still has the wheel reflectors and the front and rear reflectors. It seems to be as it was off the show room floor (more or less). Any value here? Thanks.

Guy P.

If you live in the bay area, I might be interested. Just let me know what you have in mind. I really have no clue what it's worth, I'm a roadbike newb

All I know, is I like the looks of those Moto frames

Entry level bike with steel wheels but still a bit better finish than many competitors. You won't get much selling but at least it will be ridden by someone.

Catatonic,

I have no idea what it is worth. I would be willing to entertain any offer to get it out of my garage. If I could figure out how to post a few pics you could get a sense of the bike's condx. I don't live in the bay area but I will be up in Alameda and then up into the Napa Valley the weekend of 28-29 August for the Napa 60 miler and could bring it along if you are interested. If you would prefer to conduct this discussion in private my email is (home) guy_prichard@thevine.net, or (work) Guy.D.Prichard@jpl.nasa.gov.

Thanks for the interest.
Guy P.

I bought a blue Nomade in 1977. Beautiful bike though it was the entry level model. I paid somewhere between $180-220 for it back then, a major expense for a young teenager spending his own money. Your parts description sounds like mine when it was OEM. I changed out deraileurs and shifters for SunTour and some inexpensive Japanese alloy wheels and it took me thru college until I got into a club and built an early Cannondale. Post pics if you can, as it will be a huge nostalgia rush for me.

$ value probably won't be high. Mirages, the next step up usually sell for $50-75 on eBay. I picked up a really clean 1978 Gran Jubile (a few more steps up the line with a cromoly frame for ~$80 a few months back.

Sure I'd be interested, hopefully it's a 51-53cm frame, since I am of the stubby leg variety Just PM me with the info and we can make a deal.

Pics would be cool as well.. If you need I can PM you with my email. I won't post it since it's my only spam free one...makes me sad that you cant use your good email addy in message board anymore without geting bombed with viagra ads...