Should I be embarrassed...
 

...to ride my Motobecane Legacy Elite? I got into road cycling a couple of summers ago (was doing a lot of mountainbiking but liked the traveling aspect of road riding) and, at the recommendation of a friend, looked on Ebay and found the Motobecane. I knew the name from the past and another friend had bought one in the mid 1990s. Anyway, I've been riding it for a couple of years, along with a Specialized Sequoia Sport, and think it's a decent bike. It's full 105 (requires a lot less adjusting than the Sora equipped Sequoia), the Reynolds 520 Chromoly frame seems well made (alanbikehouston, the sticker reads "Taiwan," so it's made by FREE men toiling in a metal fabrication plant for low wages), and other components (wheels, fork) are highly regarded makes. Not that I was ripped off since the bike is well worth what I paid for it, but now that I know about the sleazy marketing/sales plan employed by the sellers of these bikes, I'm a little embarrassed by it. Should I be?

no. next question.

Agreed

no regrets. you have the bike already so go ahead and ride it. if it really bothers you though then just have the frame painted.

Depends, do you ride to impress other people with your choice of bike?

55/Rad

Why? There's almost always going to be someone who spent more on their bike. Conversely, there's almost always going to be someone who spent less on their bike. If you're enjoying riding your bike, does any of that matter? Don't think so...

We have a new-ish younger guy (27) who has been riding with us on the Wednesday night ride. He has an aluminum Motobecan, maybe 2-4 years old. He bummed a CF fork off of me.

Last year we (older, seasoned racers and ex-racers) owned this kid. Now, he is kicking our asses every Wednesday! He is a cat 5 & also races for University of MD and this week kicked a Cat 2's butt up the last climb...

I know nothing about any 'sleazy marketing' but I do know that Motobecan's are just like of any number of Taiwan-manufacture frames...

And there is nothing wrong with them...

I embarrassed to ride my new bike, so figure that one out.

No, not out to impress anyone and it certainly won't keep me from riding, but if I had it to do over again I'd go the LBS route. Just curious what the actual disdain factor is. Thanks for the feedback.

The bottom line is it doesn't matter. F anyone that sneers at you for your choice of bike - what matters is that YOU are happy.

This comes to you courtesy of one cyclist who spends way too much time thinking about gear. But, there is a huge difference between thinking about gear and making judgements about other people's choices.

Go ride and enjoy.

55/Rad

I work with a lot of attorneys (I am a lawyer but work at a trust company). Anyway, one of the top attorneys in the entire US in his specialty (trusts & estates) has a few clients in common with us. This guy is amazing. Nationally known. Publishes in national trade journals. Speaks all across the country. Senior partner in prestigous firm, makes tons of cash. He's about 57 or so.

About a year ago we met at a clients house. I pulled up in my 5 series BMW and he pulled up in his Saturn. I am 35 and a nobody and he is 57 and the man. So, you tell me, who was embarrased of whose car? I felt a bit stupid. This guy has nothing to prove and doesn't care about cars.

Morale of the story: If you can talk the talk and walk the walk who cares what you ride. If you can't talk the talk or walk the walk you can look like a complete poseur by riding a bike that is above what you need.

I understand the spirit of your post but I have to ask - why were you embarrassed? Do you think for a moment that this prestigious gentlemen gave a moments thought about your car? And what if he did? Do you not "walk the walk and talk the talk" enough to warrant owning and driving this vehicle?

BTW - please tell me it was an M5. ;)

55/Rad

Think of your bike as a Cycling Jerk Detector. If anyone gives you any lip/attitude about your bike, congratulations! You've just discovered a jerk that's not worth giving the time of day to. Ignore them and keep riding. There's plenty of folks out there that are nice n freindly.

Be embarrased if you can't ride your bike well. That is all.

The embarrsament factor works for you too, if you drop anyone on a better bike than yours.

Go get 'em tiger.

Cycling Jerk Detector, heh.
There's a guy the manager of my favorite lbs just told me about, he came in a bought a Felt. I think it was a F15 or F1C but it was definitely a top of the line model, but the guy was unsure about purchasing it at first because he had never heard of Felt before and was worried he might get made fun of at group rides.
Sometimes image plays too big of a role in cycling, but it does in everything really. It does feel good to own something nice, but someone will always own something nicer. You definitely have a nice bike which has nothing wrong with it but some people like the company. Don't worry though cause some people sneer at Treks because they are overly popular, so don't give it too much thought unless you are into cycling to get popular.

What sleazy marketing/sales plan is that?

Ever been to one of those stores in the mall that sell little homegoods and ceramic **** and have huge signs everywhere that sale things like "Huge Sale" and "50% Everything" but when you look at the prices the original price is knocked up about 200% and the "sale" price is actually what it would cost anywhere else? Well that's what this company does. They purchased the Motobecane name, as well as others, and list MSRP's well above what an equivalent bike would cost but list a sale price that is closer to home so people think they are getting a much better deal than they really are.

Yes you should be. Shame on you. I am suprised that you had the nerve to post on this forum :( - (kidding).

Do you own Nike sneakers or other simiar consume goods. Part are made all over the world by child labors who earn sub-standard wages. We have no control over that. We have no control over marketing and advertising either. If you own an computer with Microsoft software on it, Bill Gates uses the same Marketing ploys.

Don't worry. Lighten up.

Well I don't really agree with you because you have control over what you purchase. Don't want to support a clothing company that uses child labor, buy from American Apparel. Don't want to buy a frame from Taiwan, buy a frame made in the United States like Litespeed.
Not caring and not having control are two very different things.
Sorry, I don't want to derail this thread, I just thought I'd point out that everyone has a choice.

What if foreign products are superior and more energy efficient, like automobiles for example. Honda an Toyota have had hybrids on the market for years. Ford is finally jumping on the bandwagon with its SUV. (only because SUV's are gas guzzlers and Ford wants "economic" consumers to buy their SUV's. If they reallyl cared they would make their passenger cars hybrid as well.)

I can't afford Litespeed anyway! Not really relevant, but a reality for me). Who said I didn't care (other than you suggesting it just now). I'ts not that we don't care, rather that we have to choose our battles. If we cared as much as your response suggests, we would move to some commune in the mountains and live off organic foods. (some exaggeration, for effect and fun here).

I was just saying that we live in a global economy. It brings all types of business practices into the same basket. I agree with you in principle. You can take measures to be as pristine as practical (which is the spirit of this topic), but I think it's a bit difficult to do. I was merely saying, "You seem to have made a reasonable effort, don't sweat the details.

Have you called customer service for a computer problem lately. Chances are, you were talking to someone in Pakisan. Did you know common consumer items are pre-assembled in places like Ireland, shipped to the USA where final assembly takes place. Then they slap a label on that says "Assembled in USA." There are elements of the process that are out of our control and it does not mean that we don't care.

Well the assumption I had came from how I viewed the tone of your post. I read it as meaning "well Nike uses child labor, but I like Nikes so what can you do?" Sorry if I misread you.
I find nothing wrong with foreign products, that is part of competition. I buy foreign goods all the time.
Point I was trying to make was that if I don't like someone's policies or marketing, I don't buy from them.

Back onto topic, do you have any pics of this Motobecane?

Alot of guys buy those kit cars you build over a VW chassis. They look like little 1950's roadsters.

Are they the real thing? No.
Are they as Expensive? No.

Do they look neat? Yes.
Do they work? Yes.
Do their owners feel embarrassed driving them? NO!!!

Happy riding. :)

sfuchs400: don't be embarressed... people laugh at me and my bike all the time when i ride.. but as long as you enjoy the bike.. it's all good.

Not just no, hell no. ;)

Unfortunately its not an M5. I wish.
No, this lawyer didn't care about my car. He doesn't even notice things like that.
My car is appropriate for what I do for a living and the $ I make.
There is a certain pecking order to things, though, if you know what I mean.