Ronald Sealana is worried that Motobecane is a low quality brand of bikes. He is considering the Motobecane Vent Noir 2009 or the Specialized Allez. Lets have a look at them both and tell him what we think and which we would buy if it was up to us?

Question:
I am currently looking into a Motobecane Vent Noir 2009, and the Specialized Allez. This will be my first road bike, and I don’t really want to spend more than a $1000.00. Is Motobecane a low quality brand, or does that really matter?

Hi Ronald,

Motobecane bikes were originally made in Northern France and then they had a few owner changes and became MBK, which was in Europe. In America Motobecane are made in Asia and imported, but then so are so many other brands of bikes, so don’t worry about it, it all comes down to the equipment, the dimensions and the material of the frame.

Motobecane Vent Noir 2009

The Motobecane frame is made with Alloy 7005 double butted tubes and carbon forks, the equipment is a mixture of Shimano 105 and the lower spec Tiagra with Tektro brakes, FSA crank set, Ritchey stem, handlebars and seat post. The equipment is what you would expect for a bike that is priced at around 800 USD. The wheels are from Vuelta and are probably the best piece of equipment on the bike. The price includes delivery, which is a consideration.

Motobecane Vent Noir

Specialized Allez

Aluminum frame with carbon forks and a mix of Shimano Tiagra and Sora, SRAM cassette and a Sugino crank set, the wheels are nothing special and all the other parts are Specialized branded and are well made, including the carbon seat post.

Specialized Allez

Our Conclusion

On looks the Specialized wins, it’s a classy looking bike with sloping top tube and very nice graphics. On equipment the Motobecane gets the vote as the gears and especially the wheels are of a higher quality than on the Specialized Allez. Looks are important, but then the better and lighter equipment makes riding easier and it should last longer and work better. We very much like the Specialized and know it will handle well, but you may want to replace the gears etc for a higher quality bits and pieces. Style is important and it’s very difficult to choose between to two bikes, style versus better equipment, so if style is more important then it’s the Specialized, but if you want a good pair of wheels go for the Motobecane.