I found a Motobecane for sale 1970's Grand Touring. Any thoughts anyone? I know the caveats of French mechanical design (swiss/french threading etc.) I am more curious about experiences with these? Anyone?

I was given a motobecane frame of unknown year [I'm thinking late 70s to mid 80s] and it had an English thread bottom bracket. I also have a Peugeot that was given to me. There's not much to be said about these bikes. They're sturdy and cheap. The Grand Touring I believe is another "bike boom" bike made of mild steel. So, it's a tank, but if it works, use it.

I saw a 1975 Grand Touring on the Cyclofiend site recently. Looks like that guy made it a single-speed, which is probably a good use for this frame. Good luck with it, I've been vexed by a similar vintage Peugeot sitting under my work bench for a while now.

https://cyclofiend.com/ssg/2006/ssg03...napel0606.html

I specifically went hunting a Motobecane because there are a couple "haters" on this site...I figured anyone having that much animosity had to be wrong... :-)

I have been on an old motobecane mirage (I believe its an early '80's bike???) all summer, it needed shifters moved from downtube to bar ends, a taller quill for my old back, a complete brake job including aerobrake levers and of course tires.

I still ride it 3-5 days a week to work and the occasional ride on the weekend, and will until the snow flies.

Tom

Yes, I have a Grand Touring with made-in-Japan French threading (if you can believe that) that I rode for a while. It's my back-up to my recumbent for commuting, but I haven't used it since I put it in the garage. I thought it was a good bike, I really enjoyed riding it.

According to Sheldon Brown, you can get parts for them, but you have to be willing to pay a little more.

Yeah I was in touch with Sheldon Brown and well, I didn't get the feeling that it was a superb bike but then again not a bad one. The one was looking at was in nice shape but I contacted the seller and have not heard back.
I think I will still stick with my original plan and get a new bike with all the bells and whistles I want for my commute in one price. Get it all out of the way at once.

Thanks all for your opinions.

There's nothing wrong with the old Motobecane bikes. The new ones however.... well, imagine a bike with the componentry of a 2500 dollar bike but the frame of an 800 dollar bike and you have an expensive motobecane. I think the jist is that they've gone with cheaper frames and their higher end bikes just don't meet up with what other companies offer.

I've got an early 80's Moto Mirage. The frame is made of the much maligned Hi tensile steel. I have it set up as a SS/Fixed with 700c wheels. Yeah it's a tank - made less so (way less so) without the gears and with the addition of a cheap but solid carbon fork. Does it compare to my Custom Ti? Please! However it serves me well as a utilitarian/bad weather ride.

Just a general warning: Grease your aluminum seatpost! The saddle on the Moto is set lower than I want it to be, but there's not a thing I can do to about it as the seatpost seems to have permanently bonded with the frame.

Anyway, post your questions about your Moto in C&V - those guys will tell you more than you want to know about old Moto's.