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Discussion: Motobecane bikes?
Subject: Motobecane bikes?
By: Rob Turner
Written on: 2005-05-18 10:28:47
Message: So I've done my first triathlon but I used my cheap walmart moutain bike (129 next) that I put 1000 miles on in training. I used to mountain bike in california on actual mountains and I'm a pretty strong rider. I averaged 27 mph in the triathlon despite fairly gusty headwinds.

My issue with the mountain bike is I simply run out of gears in good conditions, aka I can't peddle any faster. I think the gear ratio is 14/26 on the cassette. I am a poor college student in orlando so I can't afford much at all for a road bike, but I ran across the following two bikes-

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

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

The first one is 325 but it is only a steel frame and the gearing is only one step up (ie road bike gearing) whereas the second one has an AL frame and carbon fork and has the largest gearing that I have found. I know I like the sport and I know I need a road bike, the question is which one should I get.

I was passing thousand dollar tri bikes in the triathlon so I know that more expensive isn't neccessarily better but should I spring the extra 200 bucks for the Al frame, carbon fork, and better gearing? The gearing is more important to me than the frame since we have no hills and I hated the fact that I am limited in speed by my current gearing. Would appreciate any advice.
Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes?
By: Rob Turner
Written on: 2005-05-18 10:31:16
Message: Oh and forgot to mention that mountain bikes suck! as far as effeciency. I was used to 50-60 miles bike rides in training but when I did the triathlon I pushed myself hard to get that speed and I made a huge improvement in position. But in the transition I literally face planted because I had spent so much energy my legs just wouldn't cooperate. But I'm assuming any roadbike would fix this. I'm 6'0" and 150 lbs with a 32" pant length. Does a 59 or a 62cm frame seem right?
Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes?
By: Brian C.
Written on: 2006-06-08 23:16:55
Message: Rob,
What did you decide to do about your bike. I currently have a Motobecane and can say that I am not that happy with it at all. Did you purchase the bike and if so what has your response been?

Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes?
By: Paula O.
Written on: 2006-06-09 02:07:40
Message: Rob,
There are lots of options as far as finding an inexpensive bike. Visit your local bike shop and try out some of the road bikes to see what size is the most comfortable for you. Sometimes they do consignment sales, or sell trade ins. I bought my first bike from a guy that wanted a new bike and had to sell one of his old ones first. It was a steel chromoly frame (not such a bad thing because frame is very strong and will survive a wreck). Look for good quality components. Educate yourself as much as possible before committing. If you spend 350.00 for a bike and are not happy with it you have wasted your money. Check our Ebay and get a general idea of the resale value of bikes in case you want to upgrade later.
Good luck and have fun looking around. Let us know what you decide on.
PS The websites on the Motos don't give the weight of the bike... a factor you will want to consider.
P.

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Reigster now for free to join this or any of the thousands of ongoing discussions - Connect with thousands of athletes, post questions, share thoughts, find a training buddy,access triathlon training programs, marathon training programs and more!
Discussion: Motobecane bikes?
Subject: Motobecane bikes? By: Rob Turner Written on: 2005-05-18 10:28:47 Message: So I've done my first triathlon but I used my cheap walmart moutain bike (129 next) that I put 1000 miles on in training. I used to mountain bike in california on actual mountains and I'm a pretty strong rider. I averaged 27 mph in the triathlon despite fairly gusty headwinds. My issue with the mountain bike is I simply run out of gears in good conditions, aka I can't peddle any faster. I think the gear ratio is 14/26 on the cassette. I am a poor college student in orlando so I can't afford much at all for a road bike, but I ran across the following two bikes- http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/mirage.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_record.htm The first one is 325 but it is only a steel frame and the gearing is only one step up (ie road bike gearing) whereas the second one has an AL frame and carbon fork and has the largest gearing that I have found. I know I like the sport and I know I need a road bike, the question is which one should I get. I was passing thousand dollar tri bikes in the triathlon so I know that more expensive isn't neccessarily better but should I spring the extra 200 bucks for the Al frame, carbon fork, and better gearing? The gearing is more important to me than the frame since we have no hills and I hated the fact that I am limited in speed by my current gearing. Would appreciate any advice.
Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes? By: Rob Turner Written on: 2005-05-18 10:31:16 Message: Oh and forgot to mention that mountain bikes suck! as far as effeciency. I was used to 50-60 miles bike rides in training but when I did the triathlon I pushed myself hard to get that speed and I made a huge improvement in position. But in the transition I literally face planted because I had spent so much energy my legs just wouldn't cooperate. But I'm assuming any roadbike would fix this. I'm 6'0" and 150 lbs with a 32" pant length. Does a 59 or a 62cm frame seem right?
Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes? By: Brian C. Written on: 2006-06-08 23:16:55 Message: Rob, What did you decide to do about your bike. I currently have a Motobecane and can say that I am not that happy with it at all. Did you purchase the bike and if so what has your response been?
Subject: RE: Motobecane bikes? By: Paula O. Written on: 2006-06-09 02:07:40 Message: Rob, There are lots of options as far as finding an inexpensive bike. Visit your local bike shop and try out some of the road bikes to see what size is the most comfortable for you. Sometimes they do consignment sales, or sell trade ins. I bought my first bike from a guy that wanted a new bike and had to sell one of his old ones first. It was a steel chromoly frame (not such a bad thing because frame is very strong and will survive a wreck). Look for good quality components. Educate yourself as much as possible before committing. If you spend 350.00 for a bike and are not happy with it you have wasted your money. Check our Ebay and get a general idea of the resale value of bikes in case you want to upgrade later. Good luck and have fun looking around. Let us know what you decide on. PS The websites on the Motos don't give the weight of the bike... a factor you will want to consider. P.
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