Motobecane Record?

[ChrisJ]

What do you guys and gals think of that bike? I am in need of a need road bike. Price is right, decent componets and a carbon fork. Anyone have any experience with this bike?


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_record09.htm

[halfinch]

to answer your questions directly - no.

That said, i think it should work fine to get you out riding on the road and cross-training. the frame is mostlikely made in asia and should be on par with other brands out there.

Besure to check the bottom bracket, stem... the vitual areas to make sure it was assembled correctly from the factory.

wear it out for a couple of years, swap parts onto another frame, or upgrade as desired.

note that it looks like it has a "downward" sloping top tube which will provide a more aerodynamic riding position - that it's built for speed whereas a compact frame will have an "upward" sloping top tube designed to raise your shoulders and provide more comfortable riding position (think riser handle bar on mtb's). you could flip the stem or switch if necessary.

[Spiff]

Also, no experience with that particular bike either, but...

I bought a Motobecane Outcast 29er from Bikesdirect/BikeIsland/SprtyMama (ebay seller). The bike itself was fine, considering what I paid for it. Paying for it was smooth and easy, just what you'd expect from an online retailer. The parts themselves were fine, but whoever (or whatever) put them together could have paid a bit more attention. If you're not familiar with tensioning wheels and servicing bottom brackets, hubs, and headsets, you'll probably want to take it to a shop to have it checked out.

[ChrisJ]

Thanks for the headsup guys.:thumbsup:

[Auger N]

to answer your questions directly - no.

That said, i think it should work fine to get you out riding on the road and cross-training. the frame is mostlikely made in asia and should be on par with other brands out there.

Besure to check the bottom bracket, stem... the vitual areas to make sure it was assembled correctly from the factory.

wear it out for a couple of years, swap parts onto another frame, or upgrade as desired.

note that it looks like it has a "downward" sloping top tube which will provide a more aerodynamic riding position - that it's built for speed whereas a compact frame will have an "upward" sloping top tube designed to raise your shoulders and provide more comfortable riding position (think riser handle bar on mtb's). you could flip the stem or switch if necessary.

Don't plan on swapping Sora/Tiagra parts in a couple of years. I had Tiagra on a commuter bike and the shifters did not last for a full year. Too many plastic internals. No doubt Sora will be even worse. If you can swing it, I would go for 105-level components. They will be on your bike sooner or later....

[sourceofdenial]

Sora/Tiagra have gotten better, but it is worth the upgrade to get 105 level components. You'll pay another 150, but you'll be able to reliably use those parts for a lot longer. I've been using a set of first generation Ultegra 10 shifters for years on the cross bike and road bike before that, and besides scratches, its fine functionally.

If you do decide to upgrade away from Sora/Tiagra in the future, you'll have to buy used or NOS 9spd parts, or replace your entire drivetrain with 10spd stuff.


Then again, if you havent ridden a modern road bike before, the Sora/Tiagra grouppo will be just fine.

[kdweb]

I still have my Grand Touring circa 1975 that was really made by Motobecane but from what I have heard, these are now just made by some company that bought the Motobecane name. For the same money, here's a decent Jamis entry roady

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/ventura/09_venturasport.html

Like this Moto....Jamis sez their frame is made in Asia....hmmmm...big place but you could at least support your LBS, and have somewhere to take it back to by going the Jamis route...don't know nothing 'bout Sora vs Tiagra shifty bits :confused2: so I'll take source's word on it!