Bike Setup: stock le champion, ultegra 6500 9 spd. Mavic cosmos wheels, upgrading to ROL
Summary: Just wanted to drop an updated review. I now have almost 7k miles on this bike and have had very few problems. the Ultegra groupo has worked great, Will surely look at bikesdirect.com for a possible new ultegra 20 speed in the future. For the Money you can't go wrong!!!
Strengths: durability, speed, handling
Weaknesses: on the new le champion I can't say
Similar Products Used: none
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Bike Setup: 26 cm Kinesuim Aluminum frame, Shimano Ultegra triple with remaining Shimano Ultegra equipment. As sent to me but with new chain, rim tape and adjustments.
Summary: I bought a "2003" Motobecane LeChampion from Bikesdirect.com. The bike appears to be a 2002 with a 2003 triple chain ring and updated rims. The sticker on the frame says "18 speed" and the frame has 7005al painted on the reat seat stay. This is confusing as the Kinesium Aluminum is not supposed to be 7005 aluminum. The frame is stamped with "Kinesuim Aluminum". The 2002 model was an 18 speed while the 2003 is supposed to be a 27 speed. The factory advised that it was factory finishing errors but declined further comment when asked if bikesdirect.com was buying factory blimished bikes (factory seconds) and if that was the only type of bikes they purchased from motobecane. Bikes direct would not provide straight answers either. They told me they would take the bike back and pay for shipping or give me a water bottle,water bottle cage, cheap bike computer and touch up paint (since it had a small spot that had paint scuffing as a result of shipping) . This was after many e mail messages and wasted time. They told me they could not get a 2003 bike as displayed on their ads and described in their ads (ones without the errors but with updated 2003 eqpt.) It appears that they only sell factory blemised motobecane bikes. I decided to take their offer for the cheap stuff as I really liked the bike and didn't want to delay riding what I thought to be a good bike at a good price, even though flawed. The bike itself is light and stiff. It came with the all black seat with titanium rails. The seat could definately be improved on. From what I understand the ones that Velo made for the motobecane lechampion with red and black seat are much more comfortable. Bikesdirect told me that they were out of the 2003's with the red/black seat and could not get one. The tires are fine. The rim tape definately requires immediate replacing or you will have flats. The deraileurs needed adjusting and the cane creek aheadset was not installed correctly. The cables were cut too long. The chain caused added rubbing and seemed to be too wide for the triple chain ring to work quietly and smoothly. I replaced the chain and rim tape immediately. After these adjustments/corrections/added purchases the bike has worked great. I ride 18-25 miles twice a week with it. I have not gripes with the Shimano Ultegra equipment it works great! The frame is fine as far as I am concerned. The paint is very thin and I put clear protective strips where the cables rub to keep it from rubbing the paint off. The bright blue frame with white and red lettering looks very nice. The extras sent are cool too. Despite the leap of faith to buy a bike via internet and from bikesdirect which has some poor Better Business Bureau reviews and the ordeal with bikesdirect that ensued I am happy with the bike. It is poor business and deceitful advertising in my opinion however on their part! Most of the other reviews are pretty accurate, listen to them and it will save you time and money to get yours in riding condition. Overall worth it but if there was a local store selling the same bike I would purchase it from them to avoid the hassle of getting it set up correctly and dealing with less than helpful and forthcoming people. I couldnt find it anywhere except at bikesdirect sister stores owned by the same person. They were selling the same bike for $1095 but shipping would have cost me some of the difference and by that time they appeared to be alerted to my search for a bike without errors and were not helpful either. Most of them didn't know what the frame was supposed to be or what aluminum it was supposed to be made of. Or at least thats what they told me. I think his store front locations were in Texas and Arizona.
Strengths: Shimano Ultegra equipment works great. Light frame with good headset (Cane Creek aheadset), (Velomax) wheels and ok (Kinesus) carbon fork and (Maxis)tires. Low price!
Weaknesses: Poor customer service and deceitful advertising by bikesdirect. Poor customer service by Motobecane. Poor rim strips, poor chain, thin paint, poor seat, poor factory adjustments/installations (derailleurs,headset, cables). Bike still has the painted 7005al on the seat stay. It would make for a difficult and confusing resale someday along with a likely lower resale value. The Kalloy stuff is dull in appearance and heavier than the eqpt. it could have come with.
Similar Products Used: GT, Schwinn and huffy
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Bike Setup: Stock except San Marco Barracuda saddle and SRAM chain. I also added a Specialized computer.
Summary: This is not your father's Motobecane, but it's still a great road bike and the best full Ultegra value out there -- period. Having said that, before you buy you should be aware that these bikes are not the legendary French made Motobecanes of the 1970s. Motobecane sold the rights to its name some time ago and these bikes are now manufactured in Taiwan by a company calling itself Motobecane USA which has a very limited distribution network in the United States.
The websites for Motobecane USA and BikesDirect.com (one of Motobecane's principal dealers, it seems) don't give you much useful information about the bike so here's the lowdown: The frame is a Kinesis built unit (Kinesis welds for a number of big name manufacturers) using a 6061 series aluminum alloy. The welds are of the "beaded" variety, not dual pass, but the frame is solidly crafted and painted a vivid transparent blue accented with white decals - all in all, very sharp. The fork is all carbon (including the steerer), black with yellow decals, chrome dropouts, and is also manufactured by Kinesis. The wheelset and hubs are superbly built Velomax Circuit Comps. Note that prior to the 2003 model, Motobecane was using an Alex built wheelset with M-Wings (Motobecane's house brand) hubs -- this combination seems to be prone to spoke breakage, so I suggest you avoid the 2002 model. BikesDirect.com is still advertising and selling the 2002 model on their website, but they have the 2003 model (with the Velomax wheelset) in stock and will send you a 2003 Le Champion if you ask for it. The tires are Maxxis Xephyr, size 700 x 23c. The seatpost, stem, bar (comes with both red and black cork tape) and SPD compatible clipless pedals (pedals with toeclips are also supplied) are all Motobecane's house brand, but they are of good quality and work well. The headset is a Cane Creek S-2 Aheadset (threadless). The drivetrain is full Ultegra (triple crank) as is the brakeset. The saddle (made by Velo) and the chain (KMC) are not worthy of this bike and should be replaced -- I switched immediately to a San Marco Barracuda saddle and a SRAM chain.
After riding the 2003 Le Champion for a few months, I must say that I am very pleased. The frame is stiff, with very little flex, and the carbon fork dampens road vibrations quite well. The bike is fast, responsive, tracks beautifully, and is rock solid at speed. It is also suprisingly light (my 60 cm weighs in at 19 pounds complete with dual water bottle cages, pump and computer).
In short, the bike is a terrific value -- $1,095 buys you a ride with a quality aluminum frame, fully integrated carbon fork, Velomax wheelset and a full Ultegra group. Ask that of Trek or Cannondale, and you'll get it for about $2,000. This bike lacks the bragging rights, the fancy paint schemes and the dealer support that comes with those nameplates, but it performs every bit as well for $1,000 less. Figure that you'll spend about another $200 to replace the seat, chain and have the bike assembled and tuned by a local shop and you'll still come out $700 to $800 ahead.
Strengths: Great frame, fork and component package --an incredible value for the price.
Weaknesses: No dealer support and you'll have to buy by mail order. Go to a local shop and get fitted before you order so that you get the correct frame size. Motobecane offers no dealer support. Velo seat and KMC chain are junk -- replace them immediately.
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Bike Setup: I bought frame only and built it up with Dura Ace components and Profile bar and stem, Thompson seat post and Selle Italia Era saddle
Summary: I'm a category 1 racer. Was in a pinch and needed a frame quick. Built up with Shimano Dura Ace components from previous bike. Figured at this price, I could afford a mistake if the frame was no good.
I have to say I'm honestly impressed. I put aero bars on this frame and did a sub 27 minute 20K time trial on it's second ride. It's stiff, responsive and light! Comfortable ride too.
The Kinesis fork is great. The stem is good but the seat post will need to be replaced if you want something light. Otherwise it's fine.
I'd highly recommend this frame. I average over 400 watts in a 20k TT and this bike responds well to the thrashing. For the price, it's a great value
Strengths: Light, Stiff, Excellent value
Weaknesses: none if you're looking for a great frame rather than a recognizable brand name
Similar Products Used: Waterford 2200, Bianchi XL, Basso Zero.9
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