Bike Setup: Stock Ultegra gruppo, Fulcrum Racing 5 and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, Easton EC70 130mm stem, Specialized Avatar 143mm saddle. Ultegra 6600 pedals, Carbon cages, Specialized Turbo Comp computer
Summary: This bike has lived up to all my expectations. After 4200 miles I can say it is the real deal. Light, responsive and a decent ride for aluminum. I bought it after seeing a reference to Bicycling magazine giving the frame 4 out of 5 chainrings in 2003 and the price for the spec.. I am 6'3" and 225lbs. and ride the 60cm. I like to think I can put the power down and this frame with the full Ultegra build definitely gets it down with little flex. The only weakness was the Ritchey Protocol wheelset. I noticed some wispiness during hard cornering and some windup on these wheels. Couldn't ride no handed without wobble. I thought it was the frame at first but when I had bearing trouble (from too much degreaser,my fault) and put on a set of Fulcrum racing 5's the bike really came alive. No hands stable. Almost no flex and good power (the Ritchy's did climb better).
When I got the bike there were some minor issue. The cables were too long and one of the shifters was bent in a little from shipping. Both easy fixes. Assembly was a snap. The headset is a bit creaky and cheap and there is a clicking noise from the bottom bracket that has always been there under hard acceleration but never affected anything? Maybe a Shimano quirk. The bike rides very smooth with the carbon fork and stays. You do know you are on aluminum but it is still all day comfortable. I rode an MS 150 on it with no complaints. I swapped the stem out for an Easton EC70 as I needed a little more length and it took any buzz right out of the bars. I also swapped the saddle for a Specialized Avatar. All in all this was a great deal. I have since bought a Specialized Tarmac Expert all carbon which I love but I still ride the Motobecane as a winter and training bike and still love it. they don't have this model anymore with ultegra but the Grand Sprint is the same bike and a few hundred cheaper to boot. I would but it again. If you are a fast recreational rider with an occaisional roll up to a start line at the Wednesday night crit, don't hesitate to get this bike. If you have to have a carbon bike and the extra bling of a name brand and have a few extra K..... well I did and I still ride this one a lot.
Strengths: Light, Pretty stiff, fast and comfortable for aluminum. I don't think there is a better bike anywhere for the money. Price! Free shipping , no sales tax.
Weaknesses: Wispy with the flexy Ritchey wheels. weight weenies probably won't notice but us Clydesdales will. Cheap tires. Saddle too soft for me. The poorly sized cables. You have to put it together yourself or pay the LBS to do it. If you are the type that needs to run to the LBS to get your seat adjusted, look elsewhere.
Similar Products Used: Peugoet PX10 Super Competition (still have it), Specialized Allez, Specialized Tarmac Expert.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Changed wheels Easton Circuit, Look pedals, Easton Carbon Bars and stem. The remainder stock, still have the Ritchey seat post. Will get a carbon seat post this winter.
Summary: I have had many bikes, TI, steel and aluminum. In 2005 I wasn't ready to try a carbon bike yet.(I think carbon is ready for me now) So, in 2005 a Motobecane Le Champion with Dura-Ace groupset from Bikesdirect.com was my chose. Overall this bike is great! Change out the wheels and bars(see below), u r ready to race. Oh and get some pedals.
Strengths: Price, the ride, lite, Dura-Ace and I'm happy riding a bike again.
Weaknesses: I'm 205 - 215 lbs, I was told to change out the wheels, but I called Ritchey and they said the wheels would hold me. The Ritchey WSC Protocol Wheels failed in less than 200 miles. After talking with Ritchey I had order a cheaper heavier Ritchey wheelset as a backup. The second set just failed this weekend(11/2007). Ritchey bars also corroded and failed while riding after 4 months.
Similar Products Used: Custom Steel(local Builder Hoyt)-Great Bike
LiteSpeed Ultimate - Just never developed a love for this bike. Nice but ....
Cannondale - Love this bike when I was racing.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: This bike has full ulegra components and a light weight frame. The geometry is very much like a trek. I mostly ride on hilly, curvy country roads in Kentucky. This bike has held up to everything I dish out and i haven't had to so much as true the wheels.
Strengths: Great price for what you get. I has a comfortable and responsive ride with quality components.
Weaknesses: None so far
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Out of box w/racing pedals included. Added two carbon bottle cages, Vetta V-100HR wireless speed, cadence, HR computer and Cannondale micro-pod under seat. Also replaced 12-25 cassette w/12-27 and changed out 39/53 tooth crankset with FSA Carbon Pro Elite Compact 34/50 crankset to improve low-end performance on all of the hills around Seattle.
Summary: I bought my 2007 Le Champion in January. Was shipped promptly, arrived in good shape and setup was as easy as bikesdirect said it would be. Weighed in at 19lbs w/pedals & computer. Came with box of goodies including reflectors, two sets of pedals (casual and racing), cleats, spare derailler hanger, spare handlebar tape, etc. Very nice Taiwan frame w/carbon fork & seat stays (I've heard the same factory many Treks and Fuji's come from). Neat welds, strong downtube, multi-dimentional tubing. Full Ultegra, including brakes, shifters, deraillers. Ritchey Protocol WCS wheelset, Ritchey seatpost, stem, bars. Had "factory upgrade" FSA Carbon crankset and ISIS bottom bracket pre-installed. On this item, CAVEAT EMPTOR! (Buyer beware) Contrary to installation instructions by FSA, bottom bracket was installed by Motobecane dry (no grease), causing it to seize and nearly ruining frame when being removed by professional shop for inspection (bottom bracket cups were destroyed). Also, spindle splines were not greased, cranks were 1/8 inch short of being bottomed out/torqued and aluminum crank bolts were partially stripped. Make sure it has been correctly installed (per FSA specs) before shipping.
Strengths: Responsive, light, solid frame, great component gruppo, minimal harmonic vibration from road due to carbon stays, fork, cranks. Nice fade-out paint job.
Weaknesses: No weaknesses so far on bike or components. Inferior customer service from Motobecane USA, refusing to admit mistake installing crankset and then using warranty limitations to avoid doing the right thing and making good on mistake. Had to file BBB complaint.
Similar Products Used: None. My first road bike. Commuter is a K2 Arcadia comfort bike modified w/rack, fenders, panniers, aerobar, lights...coworker calls it my "Lincoln Navigator"...60lbs loaded w/computer & clothes.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: full ultegra 9 speed ritchey bars, ROl sl28 wheel set
Summary: I have a 2001-2002 Motobecane Le Champion full Ultegra. I have 8000 miles on this bike and Love it, but buyer beware: if you purchase one of these bikes be sure and buy a couple of extra rear derailleur hangers from whom ever you purchase it. The replacements that you will be sent later are junk!!!Mine just broke in half on the Ms 150 ride in North and South Carolina and bikes direct says "we can only send what the motobecane rep sends us" I might have to replace my frame since I can't seem to find a good factory replacement.
Strengths: after five years and 8000 miles it's still going strong
Weaknesses: poor customer service from bikes direct and motobecane usa. Shouldn'b be this hard to get a replacement derailleur hanger
4 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
View Comments (1)
