Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Road Test/Bike Review (1977) MOTOBECANE Grand Touring

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Road Test/Bike Review (1977) MOTOBECANE Grand Touring

Old 08-12-19, 12:11 PM
  #1  
SpeedofLite 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
SpeedofLite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 2,011

Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 3,397 Times in 983 Posts
Road Test/Bike Review (1977) MOTOBECANE Grand Touring



__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.














SpeedofLite is offline  
Old 08-12-19, 07:45 PM
  #2  
BigChief 
Senior Member
 
BigChief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times in 85 Posts
That review is spot on when they talk about the budget factor. Even more so today because these bikes get lumped into the beginners class and can be had dirt cheap. The GT was always a hi-ten frame except for a few years in the late 70s. These are Vitus 172 frames with forged SunTour dropouts, the excellent Suntour GTV Luxe derailleurs and a respectable weight of 25 pounds. They feel like a much more expensive bike. It is a quick handling bike and the review is rather kind in saying it's best suited for smooth roads. These are one of the best deals on the vintage market today. I've had on since new in 1976, love it. Never bothered removing the turkey levers.
__________________
Inflate Hard
BigChief is offline  
Likes For BigChief:
Old 08-12-19, 08:50 PM
  #3  
SpeedofLite 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
SpeedofLite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 2,011

Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 3,397 Times in 983 Posts
Originally Posted by BigChief
That review is spot on when they talk about the budget factor. Even more so today because these bikes get lumped into the beginners class and can be had dirt cheap. The GT was always a hi-ten frame except for a few years in the late 70s. These are Vitus 172 frames with forged SunTour dropouts, the excellent Suntour GTV Luxe derailleurs and a respectable weight of 25 pounds. They feel like a much more expensive bike. It is a quick handling bike and the review is rather kind in saying it's best suited for smooth roads. These are one of the best deals on the vintage market today. I've had on since new in 1976, love it. Never bothered removing the turkey levers.
Thanks Chief. I always enjoying reading about BF members' experiences with these Road Test bikes.
Do you think it is a better performer during fast club/recreational rides than it is for touring as the author suggests?
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.














SpeedofLite is offline  
Likes For SpeedofLite:
Old 08-12-19, 10:15 PM
  #4  
Salamandrine 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,287

Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr

Mentioned: 120 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2317 Post(s)
Liked 597 Times in 430 Posts
Touring at that time could mean two things: a camping bike, or else simply a recreational bike used for a pleasant Sunday ride to see the sights.

My up the street neighbor when I was a kid actually had this exact same bike. '77 grand touring. I remember oohing and aahing when he got it. The neighborhood wars to see who could ride the furthest and the fastest soon intensified... Before then we were all on huffys, royce unions, all pros, and other junk of that ilk.
Salamandrine is offline  
Old 08-12-19, 10:23 PM
  #5  
ryansu
Senior Member
 
ryansu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,870

Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times in 367 Posts
Enjoyed this review OP, I have a 78 Vitus tubed Moto_GT and like it very much. Took it the market the other day...it really deserves a longer more spirited ride. Its my most bone stock vintage ride, when I over hauled last year I only changed a few things like the brake levers as I had no love for the combo safety levers it came with but the levers are period correct and were a bit of a challenge since they mount right onto the bars and not via a band. And I went with a Brooks saddle and also swapped to a 38t inner ring to get a slightly easier hill gear than the stock 40t ring. I happened to rehab and sell a 23" frame Super mirage and found it fit me like a glove so I looked on and off for about 3 years for a nicer 23" model and finally found the Moto_GT.



Last edited by ryansu; 08-12-19 at 11:46 PM.
ryansu is offline  
Likes For ryansu:
Old 08-12-19, 10:41 PM
  #6  
SpeedofLite 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
SpeedofLite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 2,011

Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 3,397 Times in 983 Posts
Originally Posted by ryansu
Enjoyed this review OP, I have a 78 Vitus tubed Moto_GT and like it very much. Took it the market the other day...it really deserves a longer more spirited ride. Its my most bone stock vintage ride, when I over hauled last year I only changed the brake levers as I had no love for the combo safety levers it came with but the levers are period correct and were a bit of a challenge since they mount right onto the bars and not via a band. I happened to rehab and sell a 23" super mirage and found it fit me like a glove so I looked on and off for about 3 years for a nicer 23" model and finally found the Moto_GT.


Yours is a very classy looking bike. Now that I think about it, I've felt that way about most Motobecane bikes I've seen over the years. Thanks for posting!
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.














SpeedofLite is offline  
Likes For SpeedofLite:
Old 08-13-19, 03:46 AM
  #7  
BigChief 
Senior Member
 
BigChief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times in 85 Posts
Originally Posted by SpeedofLite
Thanks Chief. I always enjoying reading about BF members' experiences with these Road Test bikes.
Do you think it is a better performer during fast club/recreational rides than it is for touring as the author suggests?
The steering is quick. Great for dodging potholes. I do think the ride is a bit more harsh than other touring bikes. @ryansu has the right idea with the sprung Brooks saddle. Very pretty bike. The big feature though is the price/value aspect. You really do get a nice, mid range 10 speed for the price of a hi-ten clunker.
__________________
Inflate Hard
BigChief is offline  
Likes For BigChief:
Old 08-13-19, 04:52 AM
  #8  
3Roch
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: far western MD
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 24 Posts
Two winters ago I was looking for a bike to use on my trainer and found one that fit (60) me in a thrift store for $18. It was a 90% mint GT ; pretty sure it's an 1980, had a triple. Label on fork sez Vitus 888 and label on frame Vitus 888 1.0-.8. It was not going to be a trainer bike but where I ride it (WV) is major hills so made a few changes. I SAVED ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS !

I built new 700 wheels, using a Campy hub in the back. Courtesy of my 40 yrs of part accumulation now has 6sp Sun Tour index bar end shifters, Biopace triple crank, a Winner Pro freewheel, a Terry Liberator seat, and new brakes. It weighs 23 .8 oz lbs ready to ride per my Park scale and feels OK at 35 mph. The "ride" is better than my alum frame/carbon fork "modern" bike.

Please note : I SAVED ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS

Last edited by 3Roch; 08-13-19 at 05:09 AM. Reason: more
3Roch is offline  
Likes For 3Roch:
Old 08-13-19, 05:34 AM
  #9  
cycleheimer
Senior Member
 
cycleheimer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York Metro Area
Posts: 4,249

Bikes: '02 Litespeed, '99 Bianchi Alfana. '91 Fuji Saratoga, '84 Peugeot Canyon Express, '82 Moto GR, '81 Fuji America, '81 Fuji Royale; '78 Bridgestone Diamond Touring, '76 Fuji America, plus many more!

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 222 Times in 126 Posts
I was never a big fan of French road bikes. The Moto GT changed that for me. Like Ryansu's, mine is a '78. Great riding bike, and it doesn't wear me out me out on 40 to 50 mile rides. It is also incredibly reliable, and very low maintenance. I would compare it to a Fuji in that regard. It is also a beautifully made bike with many nice details (lugs, paint, hand-painted pinstriping, etc.). I recently put the comfy leather Sella Italia Grand Prix saddle back on it. I actually prefer it on this bike. The brake lever extensions work for me. I like them on this bike (and only this bike). I ride the hoods, and often grab upwards on the section closest to the brake levers. They are hidden behind my 40 YO C'Dale bag anyway. I don't ride with toe clips, and I switched to a nice pair of alloy MKS pedals (circa 1983)

The original pedals were probably the only weak point on this bike, but that is from a 2019 perspective.
cycleheimer is offline  
Likes For cycleheimer:
Old 08-13-19, 08:21 AM
  #10  
camjr
Senior Member
 
camjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Lewisville, TX
Posts: 660

Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring, 2013 Fuji Absolute 2.1 hybrid, 2000 Mongoose S2000 MTB, 2009 Schwinn Jaguar beach cruiser

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 193 Times in 99 Posts
My 1976 GT is a great ride. My father bought it new, and I resurrected it about a little over a year ago after it had been hanging from ceiling hooks since 1982. I appreciate the bike for both the ride quality and sentimental value.

camjr is offline  
Likes For camjr:
Old 08-13-19, 10:01 AM
  #11  
BigChief 
Senior Member
 
BigChief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,240
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 103 Times in 85 Posts
Here's mine. Tall frame. This is a very old picture. I really should get around to taking a new one since the camera built in to my phone is 10 times better than my first digital camera that I used here.

__________________
Inflate Hard
BigChief is offline  
Likes For BigChief:
Old 08-13-19, 10:27 AM
  #12  
SpeedofLite 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
SpeedofLite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 2,011

Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)

Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 3,397 Times in 983 Posts
Originally Posted by BigChief
Here's mine. Tall frame. This is a very old picture. I really should get around to taking a new one since the camera built in to my phone is 10 times better than my first digital camera that I used here.

You guys are going to get me to buy one of these elegant looking bikes, I swear!
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.














SpeedofLite is offline  
Old 08-13-19, 07:23 PM
  #13  
Vintage_Cyclist
Senior Member
 
Vintage_Cyclist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Big Apple
Posts: 1,632

Bikes: yes

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 510 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 401 Times in 172 Posts
My 1983 GT. Vitus 888 frame. Great riding bike.

Vintage_Cyclist is offline  
Likes For Vintage_Cyclist:
Old 08-13-19, 08:05 PM
  #14  
veloz
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times in 48 Posts
During the spring of 1975 I saved enough money to buy a Motobecane Grand Touring. It was the most beautiful deep candy red I’d ever seen. I was friends with the shop owner who gave me parts to remove the safety levers. Before summers end I added Suntour Bar End shifters, bought 2 Cannondale bags to tour with and rode my first century. A couple years later I sold it to a neighbor and regretted it ever since.
veloz is offline  
Likes For veloz:
Old 08-14-19, 01:16 PM
  #15  
Kabuki12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,404
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 863 Post(s)
Liked 2,225 Times in 1,248 Posts
My daughter has one in very nice condition. She bought it in R.I. when she was living there as she left her Gran Jubile' here in So Cal. She didn't want to part with it when she moved to San Diego so she still has it. It survived a New England winter as she didn't have a car! Joe
Kabuki12 is online now  
Old 12-12-19, 08:15 PM
  #16  
OutnBack
Full Member
 
OutnBack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Metro Atlanta
Posts: 343

Bikes: 83 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 85 Rockhopper, 85 Schwinn Cimarron, 89 Stumpjumper Comp, 91 Bridgestone RBT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times in 61 Posts
Great Review...Here's a 21" Mixte I found recently.

OutnBack is offline  
Likes For OutnBack:
Old 12-13-19, 04:40 AM
  #17  
cycleheimer
Senior Member
 
cycleheimer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York Metro Area
Posts: 4,249

Bikes: '02 Litespeed, '99 Bianchi Alfana. '91 Fuji Saratoga, '84 Peugeot Canyon Express, '82 Moto GR, '81 Fuji America, '81 Fuji Royale; '78 Bridgestone Diamond Touring, '76 Fuji America, plus many more!

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 222 Times in 126 Posts
The permanent simulated stitched leather handlebar covers with brake hoods is just another great feature on my '78s. These bikes have the reliability of Fujis and Schwinns. Plus, they are a pleasure to work on. The paint, handpainted details, and head badge are also works of art. These guys knew how to build a bike! They are fantastic! My other '78 in gun metal gray....

Last edited by cycleheimer; 12-13-19 at 04:45 AM.
cycleheimer is offline  
Likes For cycleheimer:
Old 06-08-20, 02:49 PM
  #18  
camjr
Senior Member
 
camjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Lewisville, TX
Posts: 660

Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Touring, 2013 Fuji Absolute 2.1 hybrid, 2000 Mongoose S2000 MTB, 2009 Schwinn Jaguar beach cruiser

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 193 Times in 99 Posts
It's a bit of an older thread, but here is my 1976 Grand Touring as it currently sits (yeah, it's not drive side, but it's a nice shot). It's a fantastic ride and gets between 50-75 miles a week.

Thanks all,


Last edited by camjr; 06-09-20 at 05:24 AM.
camjr is offline  
Likes For camjr:
Old 06-08-20, 03:06 PM
  #19  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,633 Times in 1,670 Posts

Excellent bike
52telecaster is offline  
Likes For 52telecaster:
Old 03-30-23, 12:35 PM
  #20  
Trinidor
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 96

Bikes: 2006 Specilaized Roubaix Pro, 2010 Ridley XBow, 2002 Surly Crosscheck, 2011 Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Got a Beauty!

Found this older thread, and just had to post pics of this 10 speed beauty I got off Craigslist for cheap, that had been sitting up in a garage for who knows how long. Noticed there weren't any of the candy apple red variety, so I thought I'd post one. The paint job is still brilliant as ever! Has mostly original parts. Front derailleur was shot, and I put a Suntour Cyclone on it. Has the original V-GT on the rear, Suntour shifters, Weinmann brakes and rims, Normandy hubs, Nervar Sport cranks, Pivo handlebars. SR stem. Anybody want to take a shot at the exact year. Frame is humongous, 64cm. I'm 5'9". and with the seat cranked totally down, the bike is actually quite comfy to ride.Cheers

Trinidor is offline  
Likes For Trinidor:
Old 03-30-23, 02:12 PM
  #21  
Sedgemop 
Senior Member
 
Sedgemop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,667

Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX-10 '78 Motobecane Le Champion '83 Motobecane Grand Jubile '85 Trek 830 '88 Merckx Team ADR Corsa Extra

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 471 Post(s)
Liked 1,213 Times in 651 Posts
Originally Posted by Trinidor
Found this older thread, and just had to post pics of this 10 speed beauty I got off Craigslist for cheap, that had been sitting up in a garage for who knows how long. Noticed there weren't any of the candy apple red variety, so I thought I'd post one. The paint job is still brilliant as ever! Has mostly original parts. Front derailleur was shot, and I put a Suntour Cyclone on it. Has the original V-GT on the rear, Suntour shifters, Weinmann brakes and rims, Normandy hubs, Nervar Sport cranks, Pivo handlebars. SR stem. Anybody want to take a shot at the exact year. Frame is humongous, 64cm. I'm 5'9". and with the seat cranked totally down, the bike is actually quite comfy to ride.Cheers

Thanks for reviving this thread. Somebody described these bikes as elegant and I can't argue with that. Pretty nicely turned out for so-called mid range bikes too. Becoming a bigger fan of Motobecanes all the time.
__________________
Sedgemop is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
9
10-02-23 02:10 PM
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
3
05-24-20 02:01 PM
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
10
07-13-19 01:20 AM
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
0
05-17-19 12:27 AM
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
0
04-12-19 11:50 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.