Motobecane / MBK Vintage Road Bikes

Motobécane is one of the most historic names in French cycling history. Over several decades, the brand developed an exceptionally diverse range – from affordable sports bikes for everyday use to lighter, high-performance racing models.

Many classic Motobécane racing bikes combine an elegant French frame design with a comfortable and well-balanced ride. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, they differ significantly in terms of tubing, geometry and specifications. It is precisely this variety that makes the brand so appealing to enthusiasts of vintage bicycles.

Typical features include delicate steel frames, decorative details and colour combinations that reflect the style of their respective eras. Some bicycles are fitted predominantly with French components, whilst others already feature parts from Japanese manufacturers.

A well-preserved vintage Motobécane racing bike is ideal not only for classic rides and historic cycling events, but also as a characterful bike for regular rides.

The name Motobécane was used for the brand’s historic French bicycles. In the 1980s, the name was changed to MBK. This is why both the name Motobécane and the later abbreviation MBK are found on classic racing bikes.

However, the name change does not mean that all models are technically identical. Depending on the year of manufacture, the frames, finishes, components and production standards can vary significantly. Some MBK road bikes continue the sporty design of earlier Motobécane models, whilst others already display features typical of the late 1980s and 1990s.

When assessing a bicycle, it is therefore not just the brand name that is important, but above all the following features:

• the approximate year of manufacture
• the frame material and workmanship
• the model name
• the components used
• the state of preservation
• possible future alterations

We provide this information as accurately as possible on our product pages.

No, Motobécane road bikes are not necessarily of lower quality than Peugeot road bikes. For many years, both manufacturers produced bikes across a wide range of price and quality categories – from simple sports or everyday bikes right through to high-quality road models.

What matters, therefore, is not just the name on the down tube, but the specific components fitted to each bike. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, frame tubes of varying quality were used, for example from Vitus or Reynolds. There were also significant differences between the individual model ranges in terms of the derailleur, front derailleur, crankset, brakes and wheels.

A well-equipped Motobécane can therefore be of a higher technical standard and lighter than a simpler Peugeot model – and vice versa. In addition, the condition of the bike, how well it has been maintained and any subsequent modifications play an important role.

To ensure a fair assessment, you should therefore always consider the bike as a whole: frame material, components, build quality, geometry and technical condition. On our product pages, we describe these features as transparently as possible so that you can compare the individual models effectively.

Every vintage bicycle is first inspected individually. During this process, we check the condition of the frame, the fork and the fitted components. We then decide what work is required to ensure the bicycle is safe and reliable to ride.

Depending on the bike, these may include, amongst other things:

• Adjustment of the gearbox and brakes
• Checking the headset, bottom bracket and hubs
• Checking the wheels and spoke tension
• Replacement of trains, linings, tyres or inner tubes
• Cleaning and reconditioning of components worth retaining
• Replacement of damaged or heavily worn parts

We try to preserve the bike’s individual character. An authentic patina or original parts that are still in good working order are not replaced simply for aesthetic reasons.

As the size and condition vary for each individual item, you will always find details of the specific work carried out in the relevant product description.

Motobécane and MBK vintage racing bikes are one-off pieces. Certain models, colours and frame sizes are therefore not always available.

If there isn’t a suitable bike available at the moment, you can take a look at our upcoming projects or let us know your desired frame size, bike type and preferred specifications. We may already have a bike in stock that hasn’t been prepared yet.

Alternatively, classic road bikes from other French brands may also be worth considering. Depending on the desired geometry and specifications, models from Peugeot, Mercier or Gitane, for example, could be suitable.

We cannot guarantee that a particular model will be available again. However, new one-off items are added to the shop on a regular basis once they have been technically prepared.