new Motobecane Gravel bike

[old head]

Ordered on Tues so pretty fast delivery.  Why it went from Garland, TX then to Memphis before coming to Baton Rouge, who knows.

Arrived today from FedEX.  On the porch, box soaked from rain.  Delivered while at church.
Opened it up, and assembled.  Packaged and wrapped well enough, no scratches or dings.

Will have to wait till tomorrow for the rain to stop, so I can air up the tires, make a few adjustments and take it for a ride.

Made in Taiwan, or so it says on the box and frame. 

It is much lighter than the 30 year old Huffy steel 10 speed that is in the shed. 

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gravel-bikes/gravel-v-vbrake-gravel-bikes.htm

[PJPR01]

   Used to have a Motobecane in the 70’s…looks like a nice bike!

[steven c]

 Cool i have been looking at their roads bikes to replace my 24 year old Bianchi. They do get good reviews.

[wrbix]

Rode in the 70’s with a fraternity brother who rode a Motobecane when they were high end bikes made in France. Nice bike back then.

[usedtobefast]

So do you plan to ride a lot of gravel roads with it?   I kind of don't understand the gravel bike craze and those handlebars on a gravel road. 

[old head]

my driveway is about a ¼ mile of gravel to the asphalt.  then its about a mile of asphalt to a a path that runs around a large pond and follows a bayou that connects two huge subdivisions.
so a good mix of asphalt, gravel and dirt.

but mostly, I wanted the wider tires,  name brand crank and derailleurs, and I don't need all the gears on a road bike, never use them.  I came really close to getting a fat tire bike.  I would have been happy with one cog on the the front, but I couldn't find one.  Being old and slow, just wanted a bike that rode well, lighter, and simple.  I wanted a few gears rather than a single speed, but didn't want the hydraulic disc brakes or suspension and other do dads.

Handle bars I don't know if they will work or not, but time will tell.  I suspect they will be fine for me, not competing or racing, just riding around.  The seat seems kinda cheap, so that may be the first thing I change.

[n3303j]

So do you plan to ride a lot of gravel roads with it?   I kind of don't understand the gravel bike craze and those handlebars on a gravel road. 

Gravel bike just means you don't get into trouble the minute you leave hard, clean & smooth pavement.
As far as bars go the ones shown can be ridden in 5 different positions (flat top, bend, brake hoods, hook and drop). This let's you switch and use different torso and arm muscles.
Flat bars leave you stick in one position only. It's often more fatiguing on longer jaunts.

[adaven]

One of the features of gravel bikes is that there is enough clearance for wide tires if you want to use them. I just rearranged an old Surly Crosscheck with tubeless 42mm tires and ride them at about 40-45 psi. You don't lose any speed and the ride is more cushy.

I went back to drop bars too. My bars are level with the nose of my saddle and I ride almost exclusively on the flats and hoods. This kind of setup can be comfortable for almost anybody.

I get passed by the young fast lycra kids when I am on the road, but they disappear when I get to gravel since they are on 23 or 25mm tires. When I am on gravel I don't mind that I am old and slow.

[old head]

took it out for a short spin today between the showers.  Been awhile since I rode a bike, took me a little bit to get my balance back, but didn't fall down, so that's good.
after adjusting the brakes and derailleur, everything works fine, need to adjust the seat to handlebar height, bars seem a little too low. 
the bike is much taller than the old 10 speed I have, kinda strange.  I ordered the size they recommended, and seems a good fit when riding, just taller than I am used to.
so much lighter than the old steel Huffy, very noticeable difference.

the seat has to go, absolutely a literal PIA...
ordered a new one tonight, supposed to be in by Friday.  That's okay as it is supposed to rain through Friday around here.  I will adjust the handlebar height after the new seat come in.

Old Head

[twowheeladdict]

Ordered on Tues so pretty fast delivery.  Why it went from Garland, TX then to Memphis before coming to Baton Rouge, who knows.

Arrived today from FedEX.  On the porch, box soaked from rain.  Delivered while at church.
Opened it up, and assembled.  Packaged and wrapped well enough, no scratches or dings.

Will have to wait till tomorrow for the rain to stop, so I can air up the tires, make a few adjustments and take it for a ride.

Made in Taiwan, or so it says on the box and frame. 

It is much lighter than the 30 year old Huffy steel 10 speed that is in the shed. 

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gravel-bikes/gravel-v-vbrake-gravel-bikes.htm

Congrats.

Memphis is the FedEx main hub.

https://gravelmap.com/#9/30.3059/-90.9724. to find all the dirt roads and bike paths in your area.