anyone heard of motobecane?

ASHLEYF

I am looking for a new road bike I have several thoughts but a friend of mine has told me about a website in america selling an ultegra equipped titanium road bike for $1699 or 1999. There is a dura ace option to for $2799 these seem good value there are some good carbon options too. Does anyone have anyexperience of motobecane?? Check the website www.bikesdirect.com

ascurrell

I may be wrong but they are on old french manufacturer or they were and they also made an awful lot of mopeds. Whether they just got taken over or it's a totally new maker I don't know,
Cheers, Alan

System_1

Yep. They were a French manufacturer. Made some nice steel bikes back in the 60's and 70's. But it's not the same company. I don't know if they were bought over or if that site is just using the name under license (much like they are doing with the Dawes name) but most of the Motobecane frames on there look a lot like the generic Taiwanese frames that are sold under many other names the world over.

That's not to say they aren't any good. The prices are fantastic and there are some really nice bikes on there. In fact I would have bought one of the Team Track bikes this time last year if it wasn't for the fact they don't deliver outside the USA. Dura Ace equipped with the same frame as the old Fuji Track Pro for under £600! The track crank arms alone, without a chainring, would cost nearly £300 over here. For another £300 you get a full bike. Bargain. I keep checking that site every now and then to see if they've reinstated the international delivery. I wish I knew someone in the states.

crankycrank

There have been many people who have purchased from BikesDirect that post in some US forums I've seen and all were very satisfied with whatever bike they bought including the Ti version. The bikes are really inexpensive for what you get. Seem to be about mid-quality on the framesets and possibly only a few cheapy parts such as stem or calipers but mostly full groupsets. I saw a pair of CF Motebecanes' from BD on the road a few months ago and they looked very impressive as far as construction and finish quality and as mentioned probably built by some generic Taiwanese builder that builds bikes for other big names as well. Over here the kit alone usually cost about the same as an entire BD bike so worth looking into IMO.

stratcat

When anyone says motobecane this is what I think of




My brother had one ..........truly dreadful.

Hope the bike you are looking at is better

Sorry couldn't resist :roll:

ascurrell

I'll tell you what stratcat your brother had a fine example compared to some of the ones I remember. I notice yo still have a photo like some long lost cherished girlfriend, nice one, cheers, alan

Splottboy

Look at this months Mtb Action, May.

They do a review of a Ti Hardtail....$5,000.

Expensive, but VERY Nice.

Monty Dog

Motobecane also sold as MBK in the UK. FWIW the MBK team bikes used by the like of Cofidis a few years ago were all built by Cyfac. Like a lot of 'brands' these are just marketing companies, sourcing products from various suppliers, putting their stickers on them to suit various local markets - I doubt you'd be able to find a titanium MBK for sale in the UK - expect the frame comes from Hi Lite titanium in China. Don't forget to add 25% for your consignment cost for landed UK price.

stratcat

ascurrell wrote:

I'll tell you what stratcat your brother had a fine example compared to some of the ones I remember. I notice yo still have a photo like some long lost cherished girlfriend, nice one, cheers, alan

It was a photo from the web honestly.

But nah, it was nowhere as good as my trusty NSU quickly 8)

Sorry to go so off topic :oops:

richardabulmer

is there a way of importing a Motobecane Fantom Cross Outlaw to the UK?