Demet

Hy guys, long story short: last summer I bought at early 80's 25" Motobecane Nomade II, and felt like it fit OK, versus many classic bikes where, due to my long torso, I feel way out in front of the bike. Some people here mentioned "French fit' and I guess I like it. I also like the Motobecane style/color schemes. So I have been wanting to upgrade to a nice Motobecane and recently tried a 24" '74-'76 Grand Jubilee, and while I loved the frame it was just to small, and I feel like a bear on a tricycle lol.

So my search is for a 25" Motobecane and I'm wondering if I should be looking at certain models more then others, given that I want as long a top tube as I can get. Is the geometry between say a Grand Jubilee and Grand Record different? Or the Le Champion etc. I want the most stable, 'long' frame, with 531 or equiv tubing, ideally with Nervex lugs. Any advice much appreciated.

Andy_K 

I think the 70’s Grand Record and Grand Jubilé had the same geometry and in some cases maybe even the same frame. I have a ‘72 GR and a ‘75 GJ. They’re nearly identical except for the forks. Both have a 55.5 cm top tubes and 57 cm seat tubes, so basically the opposite of what you’re looking for. I don’t know if the larger frames had the same proportions. I have heard that the geometry changed in later years.

big chainring 

Theres a '77 Grand Touring on ebay 63cm frame. In the description the seller states a 60cm top tube. I would imagine that was consistant for the Jubilee and Record too. The Le Champion was a legit racing bike. That might have a shorter top tube but not sure. I think in your case finding any of the top tier Motobecanes in 63cm will be hard enough. Then just measure the top tube.

BFisher

I've got a '78 Grand Jubile, and a '79 Grand Sprint. Both are catalog 23" frames. Center to center, as best as I can measure, they are 57cm on the seat tubes and the top tubes. You may not find a Moto in the larger sizes with as long a top tube as you seek, but I could certainly be wrong.

repechage

I have a ‘77ish Team Champion and it is oversquare, top tube longer than the seat tube. Was a bit of a surprise.

PilotFishBob 

I have a '74 Grand Record, 63cm CT seat tube and 58cm CC top. Also have a '75 Le Champion frameset, 61cm CT ST, 59cm CC top. As measured by me so possible perception issues per usual - but close...

Kabuki12

The only way that would make any kind of sense is if it were a really short frame. Generally the racing versions are shorter top tube and overall tighter geometry. That is a mystery, for sure. I have a 25” Grand Sprint that is more on the lower end of the scale that has a shorter top tube . I haven’t measured the top tube so I don’t know exactly what the length is , but it definitely fits in the tighter geometry category , unlike the touring bikes. With my long legs and short trunk I really don’t care for touring bikes all that much. Joe

due ruote 

My ‘78 is 54 c-t with a 55 c-c top tube.

ryansu

I also have a long torso with short, for my height, legs. I rehabbed a MB Nomade and found it fit like a glove and resolved to find a nicer model in the same 23" size. I now have a MB Grand Touring in 23 and really like it. In my experience it is much easier to find a GT than the Jubilee or Record, YMMV. One note on the GT is that in the early to Mid 70s the tube sets were nothing special and later in the 70s they had Vitus Main tubes which are nicer. Here is my rebuilt 78

repechage

A 56 cm center to top, 57cm top tube. Kind of middle of the pack in the size range. Curious too, as it has Columbus tubing transfers but is made of Reynolds 753.
Allegedly, Motobecane got into a tiff with Reynolds over 753, so no knowing as to the why. The French are known to have been... approximate with the tubing transfers.

repechage

The greyhound of race bikes till LeMond

SurferRosa

My '75 GR measures 22.5" st and 23" tt, both c-c.

SurferRosa

Is this your size?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...047665581.html

You could trade up and break even. Though the paint in your GT looks perf.

ryansu

Damn you sir!

It is my size but I am tapped out and that is more than I like to start with anyway, its not outrageous though and the bike appears to be in good shape, I have plenty of other bike projects for now.

Demet

Thanks everyone, very helpful. These are the measurements on my two frames:

Nomade II ~'81:

Seat tube 65cm ctt

Top Tube 60cm ctc

Head tube 15cm ctc

Wheelbase 107cm center of dropout to front fork seat


Grand Jubilee ~'74-76:

Seat tube 63cm ctt

Top Tube 59cm ctc

Head tube 14cm ctc

Wheelbase 103cm center of dropout to front fork seat.


They don't seem that different in terms of the actual numbers, but the Nomade fits way better.


One question, based on these numbers am I correct that the Nomade is a 25" and the Jubilee is a 24"? If this is correct I will look for a 25" Grand Jubilee or Grand Record.