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Motobecane Le Champion Team Titanium?

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Motobecane Le Champion Team Titanium?

Old 09-03-10, 04:45 PM
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Motobecane Le Champion Team Titanium?

Anyone ride the Motobecane Le Champion Team Titanium from Bikesdirect? I'm thinking of buying the frame set but am wondering what the build quality is like or how the frame rides. I'm mostly concerned of the build quality and wondering if anyone has had any problems.

I've been on carbon since 07 but had to send the frame back to Kestrel for warranty, cracked BB, not sure how that is going to pan out. I've "heard" that kestrel may offer a replacement frame at a reduced cost. If this happens, and the amount I have to pay is a lot, I may just say forget it and go Titanium.
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Old 09-03-10, 04:59 PM
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A couple of folks here have the fly Ti mountain bikes and reportedly really like them. Don't know who builds them, but if I had an extra grand sittin' round, I'd pick up one of the frames.....probably.
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Old 09-03-10, 06:21 PM
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I was wondering how the ride of Titanium is compared to Aluminium.

I've read that it's more "compliant", the problem I have right now is that I have an ultra-cheap aluminium frame with all-aluminium fork and it's incredibly painful to go over anything other than airport tarmac

I wanted to save up for a Specialized Allez but I could build a BD Titanium bike with much better specs for the same price, plus I've heard titanium is even more durable and will last a lifetime.

I want the most comfortable ride but I'm not ready to go carbon yet, I'll probably save that for a TT bike a few years from now (drool!).

What do you guys think? Another benefit is that the BD Titanium bike is very "low-profile" and less likely to get stolen at gunpoint here in Mexico, compared to the Spesh.
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Old 09-06-10, 12:34 AM
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Litespeed!
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Old 09-06-10, 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by buttfish77
Litespeed!
Not in the same price ballpark. I think the Motobecane Ti is probably the best bike BD sells. And the logo stickers are removable, at least on mine they were. If you're upgrading from a crappy aluminum bike it will be very, very nice.
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Old 09-06-10, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Nikephoros
Not in the same price ballpark. I think the Motobecane Ti is probably the best bike BD sells. And the logo stickers are removable, at least on mine they were. If you're upgrading from a crappy aluminum bike it will be very, very nice.
As I recall the Habanero Ti frames were always in the same ballpark as BD, so that would probably be a viable alternative for the OP.
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Old 09-06-10, 09:57 AM
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I ride one and like it, I know a number of other members here ride them as well. Personally, I think it is a great bike and the did a very nice job on the welds which is not easy for Ti. I haven't riden the other Ti frames so I can't compare to them. but it is a definite upgrade over my aluminum/carbon frame.

Personally, I don't understand why everyone continues to bag on BD bikes. they are decent bikes for the money, and I know I'm not a shill. Are they one of the top frame designers or manufacturers? no. I've seen the markup for specialized bike for an LBS and there is quite a bit of margin.

How did you remove the stickers? I like the idea of a unmarked Ti frame.
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Old 09-06-10, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Mash Master

How did you remove the stickers? I like the idea of a unmarked Ti frame.
One of the stickers started peeling by itself so I pulled it off all the way and then same thing for the other side so it would match. Then I used goo gone and scotch bright clean it up.
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Old 09-06-10, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Nachoman
As I recall the Habanero Ti frames were always in the same ballpark as BD, so that would probably be a viable alternative for the OP.
+1

Somebody here posted once that Habanero and BikesDirect get their frames made by the same place. I don't know if anyone knows, or cares.

In any case, I'd compare BD closely against Habanero. I did this once and they were very close -- I think the Habanero was a couple of hundred dollars more, but the build kit I was comparing was a bit nicer on the Habanero. Another advantage of Habanero is that you can specify the components you want, if you care to do that.
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Old 09-06-10, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Nikephoros
Not in the same price ballpark. I think the Motobecane Ti is probably the best bike BD sells. And the logo stickers are removable, at least on mine they were. If you're upgrading from a crappy aluminum bike it will be very, very nice.
A Litespeed Xicon or Lyndsky Cooper frame can be had for about $1400 if you look around. There's an LBS in Orange County that'll sell you a complete bike for $1999 (using some bare bones, but functional components).

https://www.adrenalinebikes.com/
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Old 09-06-10, 02:41 PM
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What size do you need? I was about to buy one but then I looked at the geometry. Most of them are fine but the largest size has an unexplained INCREASE in seat tube angle, when it should be a decrease. Looks like it would be hard to get knee over pedal spindle with that geometry. I hear they're coming out with a "Century" titanium bike, which is their relaxed geometry line (like Specialized Roubaix).
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Old 09-06-10, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by buttfish77
A Litespeed Xicon or Lyndsky Cooper frame can be had for about $1400 if you look around. There's an LBS in Orange County that'll sell you a complete bike for $1999 (using some bare bones, but functional components).

https://www.adrenalinebikes.com/
Both of these frames could be in my price point, I favor the Litespeed, mainly due to the finish. The Lynskey would be 150.00 more for the finish I prefer.

A bit of an update on my Kestrel frame. The local Kestrel rep indicated that since the Evoke is not made anymore, the replacement frame would be a Talon, which I'm not to thrilled about. He also indicated that Kestrel may charge me an undetermined amount for said frame. So, as I said before, if I'm asked to pay for a new frame, I may as well look elsewhere such as Titanium, which would probably out-last me.

Also, I noticed in the pictures of the BD Ti, the frame lacks a "cross-member" piece that runs right behind the bottom bracket from chain stay to chain stay. The Litespeed and Lynskey frames have this peice, it appears to be chainstay reinforcement. A concern for me with the BD frame.

Last edited by c_bake; 09-06-10 at 04:06 PM. Reason: more info
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Old 09-12-10, 08:48 PM
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You'll find lots of info on the BD bikes here: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

I've been riding the Motobecane LeChampion for about 9 months / 3600 miles now and I like it. Mine is the full-Ultegra model They have several different models, with different component groups, and they're coming out with the whole range of SRAM-grouped models, too.

Get one.
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Old 09-12-10, 09:08 PM
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I bought one of these recently and I've been pretty satisfied. A lotta folks on the forums here bash BD, or anyone who posts a positive experience with a BD bike, but from what I have read, very few of them seem to actually own one and can say "I had this problem" or "they screwed me" or whatever.

A friend of mine was a professional bike mechanic, and he was pretty impressed with the bike when he looked it over. He thought the frame really looked good, and in particular he said the welds looked comparable to what he's seen on other (more expensive) titanium frames. This guy has ridden many different frame materials over the years and currently rides high-end Italian stuff (De Rosa, et al.) with Campy Record, so I believe he knows a good bike when he encounters one.

Judge for yourself. I wanted the SRAM Rival-equipped version, but I got a very good buy on this one with Ultegra/FSA. So far I have only about 100 miles on it, but I don't think I'll be liking it any less around this time next year.









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Old 09-12-10, 09:36 PM
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Yeah, my Motobecane Fly Ti MTB is outstanding, and for $2K, compares with other Ti hardtails that are more than double the cost.
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Old 09-12-10, 09:54 PM
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I've had the Rival-equipped version for about 1.5 months now - no complaints here.

The frame's a bit flexy, if you really stand on it, but there's worse ways to spend ~ $1600 IMO. I use the bike as my commuter and don't have any complaints.
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Old 09-12-10, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by mellum76

The frame's a bit flexy, if you really stand on it,
Yeah, the Fly Ti MTB is that way, but that's desirable in an MTB. Not so much in a road frame. The Ibis isn't flexy, quite stiff for a Ti frame. Just an amazing bicycle, always has been. That would be my one fear about buying one of those BD Ti road frames. I can race my Ibis Ti. I might not be able to race the BD Ti frame so well. But I use the Ti bike as a rain/snow/long distance ride bicycle, not for racing or competitive rides. It's just that I had my Ibis Ti Road out on the Nyack Ride today, and it really did rock in a race situation (Nyack is ridden like a race).
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Old 09-12-10, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ZippyThePinhead
and in particular he said the welds looked comparable to what he's seen on other (more expensive) titanium frames.
I looked at one last October and thought the welds were as nice as my Litespeed.
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Old 09-13-10, 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by mellum76
I've had the Rival-equipped version for about 1.5 months now - no complaints here.

The frame's a bit flexy, if you really stand on it, but there's worse ways to spend ~ $1600 IMO. I use the bike as my commuter and don't have any complaints.
Enjoying my Ultegra version as well. I'm a clyde at 225lb and frankly don't detect the slightest flexing in this frame.
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Old 09-13-10, 01:38 PM
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I have my eye on the Ti rival cross for the upcoming race season.
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Old 09-14-10, 01:44 PM
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Are the decals under the clear coat on these? Ive heard yes and ive heard no.
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Old 09-14-10, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve90068
Are the decals under the clear coat on these? Ive heard yes and ive heard no.
Ummm...am I missing something? I was under the impression this isn't painted, it's Titanium. There is no clearcoat, right?
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Old 09-14-10, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve90068
Are the decals under the clear coat on these? Ive heard yes and ive heard no.
There's no clearcoat on this bike, so it's possible to remove the decals if you wanted to. I've read, in other threads, that decal removal will void the BD warranty however. (!).

I've removed some of the decals by simply peeling them off but have still yet to remove the "Motobecane" and "LeChampion" ones - those'll take some steel wool and some Goo Gone.
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Old 09-14-10, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mellum76
There's no clearcoat on this bike, so it's possible to remove the decals if you wanted to. I've read, in other threads, that decal removal will void the BD warranty however. (!).

I've removed some of the decals by simply peeling them off but have still yet to remove the "Motobecane" and "LeChampion" ones - those'll take some steel wool and some Goo Gone.
Even removing the "made in..." sticker on a BD bike will void the warranty.
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Old 09-14-10, 05:48 PM
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Well, no experience with those frames here. Many believe that the frame material is not any more important than the design/engineering of the frame itself. Her is an excerpt from the late Sheldon Brown:
"Did you know that:

* Aluminum frames have a harsh ride?

* Titanium frames are soft and whippy?

* Steel frames go soft with age, but they have a nicer ride quality?

* England's Queen Elizabeth is a kingpin of the international drug trade?

All of the above statements are equally false.

There is an amazing amount of folkloric "conventional wisdom" about bicycle frames and materials that is widely disseminated, but has no basis in fact.

The reality is that you can make a good bike frame out of any of these metals, with any desired riding qualities, by selecting appropriate tubing diameters, wall thicknesses and frame geometry. "

more at: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html

So, you can get a titanium frame at a good price, but are you getting a good titanium frame? Is it engineered to be stiff where needed and have the compliance where you want it? Sorry, no answers, just some questions.
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