What do we know about Motobecane Bikes?

Michael A. Canonica wants more information on Motobecane bikes; give him a history lesson and our thoughts on the carbon range of Motobecane bikes and the ride quality that will give

Question: Have you road tested any of the Motobecane all carbon bikes? If so, what were your opinions on them? The specs seem great!

Hi Michael,
Motobecane have been making bikes since 1923 and was names after the French word Moto for motorcycle and Becane for bike, things went well for the company till in 1981 when they were bankrupt and bought by Yamaha and became MBK. Now Motobecane USA are not related to the French company as they import bikes from Taiwan and China, these are the bikes you are interested in.

Motobecane use carbon on two of there ranges of bikes, the Race Carbon/AL and the Full Carbon ranges. From the Race Carbon they produce the Century Comp, Elite, Pro and Team and from the Full Carbon they have the Immortal Pro, Force and Spirit.

Immortal Force

Race Carbon/AL.

The Race Carbon /AL frames are a mixture of Alloy main frame tubes and carbon rear seat stays, the frames use different Alloy for the tubes on each of the frames and different equipment to assemble the bikes.

The Century Comp has Columbus Airplane tubes and Shimano 105 Triple group set.

The Century Elite has Shimano Ultegra Triple kit and the frame is made from 7005 double butted and carbon stays.

Shimano Ultegra 30 speed and Kinesium SL and Carbon are used for the Century Pro.

Top class Shimano Dura-Ace and carbon FSA Cranks are used for the Century Team with Kineses 7005 AL main tubes and carbon stays, all have carbon forks.

The Full Carbon

Shimano Utegra mixed with 105 and FSA is fitted to the Immortal Pro high modulus carbon fiber monocoque frameset along with carbon forks American Classic wheels.

The Immortal Force is very similar to the Pro except it is all Shimano Ultegra all the other equipment and the frame is the same.

For the Immortal Spirit Dura-Ace, FSA, American Classic wheels and Ritchey are all fitted to a monocoque carbon frame keeping the weight down to 16 pounds.

Immortal Pro

What do we Think?

All the equipment is top class and you cant fault any choice there, the only thing I would question would be the frames, many frames are made in Taiwan and China for many different bike companies and many are very good quality and I’m sure if there was any problem they would be covered by Motobecane USA. Looking at the Geometries of the frames there is nothing odd and they should handle well. You could do a lot worse than to spend your money on a Motobecane. I suggest that you ask for a test ride before parting with your hard earned cash, but I’d say that about any bike.

Immortal Spirit