Bike Setup: Dura Ace 9-speed, Rolfe Vector Comp Wheels (which are still going strong at 16,000 miles), Look PP396 pedals, Selle Italia saddle, Cane Creek headset, Continental gatorskin tires.
Summary: I bought this bike (frame and fork only) as a "rainy day / training bike." My other road bike is a recently purchased Litespeed Palmares with Campy Record. I had recently broken the frame on an Trek 2300 after about 20,000 miles, which I had recently upgraded from Ultegra to Dura Ace. After doing some research, including reading a very favorable review in Bicycling Magazine, I bought the Motobecane frame and fork and put all the components from the Trek on the Motobecane. After well over a thousand miles, I have nothing but praise for the bike. The frame is stiff without killing you on the less than perfect roads I ride on, and it handles tight turns nicely. I bought the Motobecane at about the same time as the Litespeed, because two weeks without a road bike (even in the winter) about killed me. I have put almost an equal number of miles on each bike during the last six months. Some days, I just would rather take out this bike than the Litespeed (although the Litespeed is probably of better quality). Sometimes I'm feeling strong and onery and do it because I know it will annoy the trekkies when a "no name" drops them on my favorite climb. Plus, I think I prefer Dura Ace to Campy. Dura Ace is more forgiving of bad shifts, and I've found them to be crisper and more precise. It just goes without complaining, like a Japanese car (gotta love 'em!!) Campy seems to take more finesse. Although I bought just the frame, the full bike with Dura-Ace components can be found for less than $2000. If you enjoy riding one lap of the favorite local drag and then standing around with the "elite cyclists" and bragging about your bike, look elsewhere (or buy a brag bike). If you like heading out for 50 miles on a Saturday morning with people who just like to ride, but don't want to spend a fortune on a bike, you should seriously consider this one.
Strengths: You won't have to take a second mortgage on your house to ride a Dura Ace bike. Responsive, high quality, lightweight frame.
Weaknesses: The paint on the frame had a couple of blemishes (runs). These aren't noticeable unless you really look for them. Some of the decaling (which can be easily removed) looks cheap. Nothing unexpected for a frame mass produced in Taiwan. Nobody really notices either when you're descending a hill at 40+ MPH.
Similar Products Used: Trek 2300
Litespeed Palmares
Regan-era Cannondale Criterium bike (which is still road worthy)
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Summary: I bought this bike to replace an 6 year old Cannondale. I have a policy of only racing cheap production frames with no exotic after market parts. The Motobecane fit the bill nicely. This is a 2004 model with Dura Ace 10 speed, Ritchey Pro wheels, bar stem and seatpost. After training and racing on it for 3 months I can say it has exceeded my expectations. I had to change some of the secondary parts. The stock seat was just painful to use, the Biomax bars were not to my liking and the free pedals were sold on Ebay and replaced with a pair of CX6's. It needed better handlebar tape too. Other than that, I have been using it as shipped
Strengths: The price is way too good. A nice cheap replaceable frame, DA 7800
Weaknesses: It is after all, a Taiwan mass produced frame that some people look down on. They cut corners on the seat, pedals and tape. The Ritchey wheels have a bad reputation, but I have had no problems after 3 months of 190 lb rider on them
Similar Products Used: Cad 3 Cannondale, DA 7700 parts
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Bike Setup: Ultegra Group, American Classic hubs/skewers, Velocity Aerohead rims (24 front, 32 rear)Primal saddel w/Titanium rails, Hutchison Carbon Comp tires, Ultra lite tubes, Egg Beater pedals, Sevette bars
Summary: Wow! I ordered a 56CM frame that came with a carbon fork, integrated headset, stem & seatpost. It only comes in one color but it is a really good looking frame and fork. I built it up with an Ultegra group and a set of American Classic wheels. All together it weighs 16.5 pounds and has a great ride. the first time I stomped on the pedals and I just surged forward I knew this was a rocket and a great bike for the money. I am sure you could spend 3 or 4 thousand dollars and get more bike but for 99% of us why? For the under $1300 I invested this bike is a real bargin!
Strengths: Light, responsive, silent (no creaks), great ride, climbs like a scalded goat. Everyone who has seen it comments on it's great looks and how light it is. Great value for the money if you don't have to have a big name (high dollar) frame. Get one!
Weaknesses: The paint has a few small blems but what do you expect for a built in Tiawan mass produced frame. The Kenisum carbon fork is a little heavy (610 grams) but it looks great and has a smooth ride and zero flex.
Similar Products Used: Giant TCR1, Canondale road, Bianchi Pista fixed gear, Lotus tri
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Summary: Motobecane lived up to its name from years ago, although this is a new company. This bike is a superlight, durable performer. Handling is very responsive. Dura Ace, included, What more could you want?
Strengths: Dura Ace. Great lightweight frame.
Weaknesses: Alex rims (busted spokes)
Similar Products Used: Trek
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Bike Setup: Sigma Computer. Everything else is stock for now. Somebikes come spec'd so badly that you almost rush out and upgrade things immediately. This hasn't been the case so far. I am however looking at the ITM Millinium Carbon series stem, bar and post.
Summary: I'm 6'3" 220lbs. After looking at many of the other brands out there I decided to go with Le Champion simply because it offered the most bang for my buck. I'm not a professional racer. I'm riding in the MS150 in Sept. and needed a road bike to do this on. Look at some Treks, Kleins, Specialized and a few others mostly in the $1000 and up price range. Le Champ was the only bike in which I could get Dura Ace. Different bike shops told me to stay away from the Motobecane becasue their frames suck. Well Le Champ's frame is Kenesis' top of the line Kenesium frame (Kenesus, by the way, welds for many other bike manufatures out there). Motobecane's Fly Team mountain bike just so happens to have the same frame material as Le Champ and it was Mountain Bike Magazine's XC Race Bike of the year. Nuff said about the frame!
The 2003 Champ sees upgrades over the 2002. Mine came spec'd with Velomax Circut Comp wheels. They are some of the best but that's my opion. Read the reviews on them however and you'll find that many others feel the same about them. 2003 brought a new saddle to Le Champ as well. It's a Velco unit...much sexier than 2002's model and a lot more confortable too.
Bottom line, if you want to buy a bike and you're looking to kick out a nice chunk of change on one of these other bikes with Ultegra and 105 mix...check out Le Champ. You could use all the money you saved on a pump, gear or upgrades to the components like I'm doing. I wouldn't have been able to do that if I had went with one of those $2000 or $3000 jobs. You're an adult, do your research and compare. The writings on the wall. I'll be on your left!
Strengths: Looks...Even though it doens't have flames sprouting out...that bluish purple is one of the sweetest colors I've seen on a bike. Price (this bike is a steal at $1500)! But if you would rather pay for Lance's advertising that's fine too. Velomax wheels just won't stop spinning making peddaling effortless. Solid! After a week I have registered 100 miles on the odometer and the bike is still air tight. Very light as well.
Weaknesses: I haven't found any yet. O.K. maybe one. The rim strips seem to not function very well. My wrench at the LBS flattened two tubes before I he changed the strips. It's been fine since. Also, I would say that Motobecane USA should offer Le Champ in other colors. I thought about having mine painted but once mine arrived and I saw it in person I quickly changed my mind. Options would be nice though.
Similar Products Used: Friends Litespeed Tuscany - Sweet Bike!
Test rode the LeMond Zurich and Trek 5200 & 5900
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