Motobecane Madness...........

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

I had to leave my car near Harvard Square for servicing and pick my bike up in the Square in the People's Republic of Cambridge (PROC).

It's an old French racer that I had in my mid-20s and my sweetie had it restored -overhauled as an early birthday gift. It looks so wonderful, but I wasn't sure if I could ride in back home (11 city-------> suburbish miles) as it's a racer and I've been riding my old repro retro bike these last years. The Motobecane has languished in the garage over the years.

Got on, put my helmet on, fixed my handlebar streamers (kidding) and took off across the cobblestones of Harvard Square. Rode through the Harvard Yard and got on Mass Ave. Past M.I.T. and stopped where I work. They were amazed at the old girl here ! Back on. Down Mass Ave. to Fresh Pond, around the rotary. Left the PROC, headed into Watertown-Belmont, into Waltham, by Bentley College and into Lincoln/Concord. Stopped at Walden Pond for some water, flew by the Mass Audubon Society and home.

That bike can haul ! Too bad I forgot how to use my gears properly. That's next !

Similar to this, but in silver and has a straw basket. http://louisville.craigslist.org/bik/1644203110.html

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Looks like a heavy bike. I miss the days when I had a couple biking partners and would do some good trails, mostly paved, but a few muddy.

I changed the old knobby tires to more of a street friendly version, but I am not as close to trails, and have no partner to ride with. The the bike and I are getting older and only I am putting on the miles.

Forgot to ask, Click and Clack working on the car?

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Yes, good memory. Click & Clack have Beaglemobile II for the weekend.

It's actually a light bike, but the photo makes it look clunky or maybe it seems light compared to my repro-retro bike ?

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

I hadn't heard about motobecanes in years!

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

We used to sell Motobecanes (among others) in my dad's bike shop, where I worked my way thru college. The name "Motobecane" was sold off, and now it appears on bikes imported by bikesdirect.com, (probably imported from Taiwan or mainland China).

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

We used to sell Motobecanes (among others) in my dad's bike shop, where I worked my way thru college. The name "Motobecane" was sold off, and now it appears on bikes imported by bikesdirect.com, (probably imported from Taiwan or mainland China).

You are so right.
When I bought my new bike last year (Trek) , I think only one brand was being mostly made in the U.S. That's such a change since my kid day when Schwinn and Columbia were made here .

[gravityrules Member Find all posts View Profile Close gravityrules]

Bought a Motobecane in 1978 for $220, I think it was a Super Mirage. It was a step down from the Grand Touring model pictured. It had a lifetime warranty on the French made frame ... those frames outlasted the company!

It's sad to see a brand name picked up and put on a totally un-related lower quality product, but I suppose that has happened to other bicycle brands as well. I had a Raleigh in the early 80's that was decent.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

We used to sell Motobecanes (among others) in my dad's bike shop, where I worked my way thru college. The name "Motobecane" was sold off, and now it appears on bikes imported by bikesdirect.com, (probably imported from Taiwan or mainland China).

I took it out yesterday as it was 90 degrees here. When I stopped for a water break, the bicyclists behind me (teams like to ride through my area and there were many out due to the good weather) told me that my bike had a mixte frame. It makes it lighter in weight. I didn't see these when I bought my new Trek Allant (retro) bike last year.

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

I took it out yesterday as it was 90 degrees here. When I stopped for a water break, the bicyclists behind me (teams like to ride through my area and there were many out due to the good weather) told me that my bike had a mixte frame. It makes it lighter in weight. I didn't see these when I bought my new Trek Allant (retro) bike last year.

Yes, yours is a mixte, basically meaning that it's a step thru frame with two smaller top tubes running directly from the head tube to the rear dropouts via the seat tube, rather than a single top tube that terminates at the seat tube (as on your Allant). I don't think anyone makes a mixte frame anymore -- at least I haven't seen them when I drop into our local shops.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Trek Allant: http://www.ultimatebicyclenc.com/archives/683 I have the 2nd one/lower one) green women's with a rear tire carrier and a Nantucket basket in front. I like them as they're sturdy and have the front & rear fenders. It's a good "Boomer Bike".

Moto mixte: Almost identical to mine, but mine is a pewter-silver color and I only have the lower, curved racing handlebars. Not the upper ones. http://ciclismodesign.files.wordpres...8/11/moto1.jpg

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

Moto mixte: Almost identical to mine, but mine is a pewter-silver color and I only have the lower, curved racing handlebars. Not the upper ones. http://ciclismodesign.files.wordpres...8/11/moto1.jpg

Still good bikes. A little heavy by today's standards, but as long as you're not planning on entering the TDF, no worries.


My current ride (of which I'm not worthy, but WTF, it's only $$):

BikePedia - 2005 Giant TCR Composite 2 Complete Bicycle

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Still good bikes. A little heavy by today's standards, but as long as you're not planning on entering the TDF, no worries.


My current ride (of which I'm not worthy, but WTF, it's only $$):

BikePedia - 2005 Giant TCR Composite 2 Complete Bicycle

Whoaa ! Sleek and beautiful. I bet that hauls and is a joy to ride for a serious biker.
Worth every penny - I read all the gizmos that it has.