Motobecane Bikes?
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
Motobecane is a French company that has been making bikes since the beginning of the last century. My first road bike was a Moto...I loved it.
I can't speak to the quality of their current frames I would imagine they are probably mid-grade. The components you mentioned are the low end of Shimano...serviceable,but heavy.
As an entry level bike, and if that is your price point...it will probably be fine. Shop around and you would also be surprised what you can find used...
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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watrbg2 posted 1 year ago.
My first road bike was a Motobecane, too. Unfortunately, mine was a piece of crap. I don't remember what the gear group was but it never stayed adjusted - it always shifted by itself, not a good thing going up a sreep hill. But I had the bike years ago (the mid-80s) so maybe the quality is better now.
'In a world that tries its hardest to separate us from what matters, the Ironman helps us to reconnect with the pulse of our lives." - Scott Tinley
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jmruns430 posted 1 year ago.
I looked into them, as they are relatively good prices, but was told since they switched to mainly aluminum frames and their manufacturing was outsourced to sweatshop-type locations, that their frames have gone down hill. I was told that the main problem is their forks are not long term mechanically stable and will give for a really wobbly ride up front.
I never tried one out, so this was only what I was told second hand.
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JohnieTri posted 1 year ago.
I got one off E-bay about 3 years ago-when I started tri's- and Ihad no problems with it. It had all SORA components, so it was low grade, but I had no problems out of mine. Still use it on the trainer at home often. It was a "Pro ? something-only real problem I had was that online it said the color was blue but it was actually almost a deep purple color. Not too cool! Should be a good starter for her. I had no problem staying with our groups on rides and managed to average 20mph in all of my races on it that first year. Good luck.
-Johnie
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jmcglos posted 1 year ago.
If you're willing to look at used bikes, have her check out the Women's Cycling Discussion Forum
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/index.php
People sell bikes there all the time, and usually at good prices. There's a Trek 1000 48cm (not sure your wife's size, but....) that's going to be going up for sale soon (check out the thread titled "FS- 61 CM, Motobecane Road Bike, 10 miles on it." in the For Sale/Wanted section - she mentions the Trek further down in the thread)
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
Off topic....jmcglos...Nice Pints!
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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jmcglos posted 1 year ago.
Thanks! The picture got a little distorted when I shrunk it....but you get the idea. We stopped in Munich on our way to Innsbruck, Austria last winter. Had to stop at Haufbrau House (and drank way too much)!
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
Hof Brau Haus is gut...Spaten Hof is besser!
anyway...back on topic...from Winkepedia(sp)
In 1981, Motobécane filed for bankruptcy, and was subsequently purchased by Yamaha and reformed in 1984 as MBK; the French company continues to make motorscooters, and has no relation to Motobécane USA, which imports bicycles from Taiwan and China, manufactured to their specification under the Motobécane trademark.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://anton.trifuel.net
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Ultrarunner posted 1 year ago.
Thanks everyone. I can always count on my trifuel bretheren (sp?) for some good information.
The race is just the finale to all of your training. Enjoy the celebration.
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qb ant posted 1 year ago.
I bought an entry level road bike about 4 years ago for around $500. It was a Fuji Finest and I loved it. I bought it at the end of the year when the lbs was looking to get rid of the "old" models to make room for that year's bikes. Anyway, I loved that bike, did a bunch of races with it. Finally upgraded this year and now my son rides the Fuji.
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
Hello all. My wife is about to sign up for her first sprint tri. She wants an entry level bike and we are on a very strict budget. After doing some searching I came across a compnay I haven't heard of before, Motobecane. I found a Motobecane road bike: aluminum frame, carbon fork, Tiagra/Sora groupo and STI shifters. The wheelset is low to mid grade. All for about $500. Do any of you have any experience with these bikes? Or know anyone who does?
I don't want to purchase something cheaply made but I don't want to break the bank either. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you all in advance.
The race is just the finale to all of your training. Enjoy the celebration.