Price Paid:  $1095.00 at Sprtymama on EBay

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock Set up with exception of pedals:
Kinesium double-butted frame with carbon seat stays.
Kinenis Carbon Fork
Ritchey WSC Protocol Wheelset
FSA Carbon Pro Team Issue 53/39T Crank w/ BB
Shimano Ulterga 10 Shifters
Shimano Ultegra Brake Calipers
Shimano Ultegra Cassette
Shimano Ultegra Chain
Shimano Ultegra RR Der.
Ritchey Pro Ero Handlebars
Ritchey Pro Stem
Ritchey Pro Seatpost
Kenda Kaliente Tires

Summary:
I purchased this Motobecane Le Champion, 62cm. on August 20, 2006 as a 2007 model from Sprtymama on EBay. Before this I was riding a mountain bike, so this is my first road bike. I worried, as others have, about buying over the internet, but the bike was recieved promply and as advertised. I had a local bike shop, that sells the Specialized brand, set it up for $60, and they thought that it was a quality bike with excellent components.

Before buying I did a lot of research at several local bike shops that sell some of the usual big names, such as, Specialized, Giant,Cannondale,Jamis, Schwinn and also read many articles on the internet. From what I learned, it seemed that buying a "name" brand equipped similarly to the Mobobecane would cost about $2,500. In the end it was an easy decision and I throughly enjoy this bike. Shifts smoothly, accelerates well. Some of the other buyers seem to not like the brakes, but my Ultegra brakes seem strong to me. The light to dark shaded blue color is very attractive and has proved chip resistant.

I added Speedplay Zero Stainless Steel Blue pedels which I love. I bought Sette carbon fiber shoes (for only $107)and clothing from www.PricePoint.com

Strengths:
Price, value, quality.

Weaknesses:
None that I can think of unless you just must have a "name" bike for more than double the price.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at bikesdirect.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Left-Hand Canyon

Bike Setup:
I added Dura Ace pedals, a Fizik Arione saddle, a Profile Design Fast Forward Carbon seat post (I ride a "hybrid" geometry--about a 77-degree effective post angle--using this post), and Profile Design Carbon Stryke aero bars. I changed out the cassette for an Ultegra 12-27, because I ride lots of steep hills. When I stretched out the Ultegra chain that came with the bike, I replaced it with a Dura-Ace chain (supposedly they last longer).

Summary:
I bought this bike from bikesdirect.com in a pinch, after "garaging" my previous bike, an '00 Specialized Allez Comp with Ultegra components. The frame and component group looked similar to the Allez Comp, and the price was great. The bike arrived on time and without defect; bikesdirect swapped out the stem for a shorter one at no charge. I've put several thousand miles on it, doing everything from long (> 100 mile) flat rides to long climbs (10k feet total ascent in 60 miles) and very fast (> 50 mph) descents. The frame is terrific, very efficient and compliant generally, a strong hill climber, and very steady on fast descents that terrify my triathlete friends on their tri bikes. Today I did a 40 mph flat (1,400' total ascent) ride averaging 20 mph in strong winds, riding the '00 Mavic wheels (which are heavy and slow by today's standards) off the ruined Specialized. Using the same wheels I averaged 19.4 mph over 90 miles on a recent flat (3,000' total ascent) ride. The American Classic 420s that came with the bike just make it faster. A few people ask me what I think about the bike, but nobody makes fun of what they can't outrun.

I saw a $4k Fuji Team in a shop today ("on sale" for $3k), sporting the very carbon fork on my bike and basically the same Ultegra component group (but with Ritchey Pro instead of my WCS stuff). The Fuji even had the same sizing sticker on its seat tube. Fuji SLs in the same shop have looked even more like my bike, and they're typically priced around $2,500. Who's laughing now? If you don't need carbon bling, and you want traditional road geometry with some money left over for pedals and a saddle, this is a heck of a deal.

I encourage you to visit the Motobecane web site and study the sizing charts carefully. The seat-tube measurements are center-to-top (of the seat tube, which runs a bit above the top of the top tube). So my 56cm center-to-top frame would be a 53-54cm center-to-center frame. If sizing questions are new to you, read something like http://www.coloradocyclist.com/BikeFit/index.cfm before you order.

Strengths:
fantastic components (except the saddle), great all-around road frame, surprisingly comfortable on long rides, very strong in the hills

Weaknesses:
The saddle is a throwaway; expect to replace it.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez Comp ('00 aluminum with carbon fork, also a Kinesis product)

Price Paid:  $225.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Iorn Horse Classic Colorado

Bike Setup:
Sram Red - Zipp rims.

Summary:
I purchased this frameset after crashing my Cinelli as a cheap fix until I could purchase a better frame. I did my research and found that the Le Champion SL was the same as the Team Fuji SL (used to win the tour de france) and for $225.00 it was a no brainer (cheap fix). I transfered all of my components (SRAM Red - Mavic) and rode it for the first time. My first thought was WOW this excellerates better than my Cinelli and feels better to, I could not believe it. I thought there would have to be a catch for this price so I waited before I wrote this review. I put well over 2000 miles on this frame (training and racing) and this frame is flawless and super light. The frame handles everything well and is very snappy. I will never buy a main stream bike again (they are a waist of money) after riding this. I have done so much research after this and I found that all frames (for material or whole) come from the same places, the only and I say only thing you are paying for is a name and paint job. Save your money, get this frameset and better components. You will not be disappointed.

Strengths:
Well built and light. Hehehe my friend races an Orbea and this is lighter and rides better. Hehehehe he paid $2200.00 for his frame and I paid $225.00. I give him a hard time for buying into the name and being stupid.

Weaknesses:
None. Do not hesitate to get this frameset.

Similar Products Used:
Cinelli Extsrada, Orbea Arin, Bianchi San Lorenzo.

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Price Paid:  $1300.00 at bikesdirect.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Appalacian Gap and Middlebury Gap

Summary:
during collegiate easterns last year, my FSA crank snapped off at the beginning of the crit. it was a weak bottom bracket, a piece of crap they threw on there, no idea what the brand was. not the best tires either. but, everything else has been awesome. great response, american classic 420 wheels are amazing.

Strengths:
components, frame isn't bad at all

Weaknesses:
bottom bracket, headset needs to be readjusted occasionally

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
20sp Ultegra

Summary:
The Motobecane self-proclaimed best in the business warranty is a load of crap. You CANNOT actually get to speak to a real person when you try to contact them. I had to contact bikes direct for each of the problems that I had and each time I was directed to the part manufacturer. First problem was a recall on the rear hub that I read about on-line 1 month after I received the bike. I did not get a notice from bikes direct or Motobecane. The seat post would not keep adjustment at all. I was directed to contact Richey who sent me an RMA but I had to eat the freight. The FSA compact crank would not shift correctly, which was a defective ring. FSA eventually changed the crank. The seatpost kept the adjustment angle but continued to slip into the seat tube. My local bike shop determined that the seat tube was over-reamed by about .2mm. this is a manufacturing defect and should go against the wonderful warranty that Motobecane claims. Motobecane NEVER RETURNED ANY PHONE CALLS OR ADDRESSED THIS DEFECT. I trimmed a full throttle can into shim material and solved the problem.

Strengths:
Price, handling.

Weaknesses:
warranty