Looking to purchase a bicycle and wondering if this is worth the cost. If not, please send any recommendations you may have, vintage or not.
Live in a city with lots of hills. I’m 6’6” and 280lbs.
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/d/lake-oswego-motobecane-grand-jubile/7596168564.html
Thanks!
by wibbles94
7 Comments
300 is maybe a little high for this bike. However being a bit on the higher end of Motobecane’s model range it is somewhat collectible, so reselling it later down the line shouldn’t be too hard. However, before you buy it, take a look at the headset and bottom bracket. Before the early 80s, French bikes had these parts in an obsolete size, so getting replacements is difficult. If the bearings in either the headset or bottom bracket feel ‘crunchy’ when you turn the handlebars or pedals you may want to look elsewhere. As a side note, these bikes are known to be very nice to ride. I had a 1973 Grand Touring (one step below the Grand Jubile) and I loved it.
That’s the going rate. I own a Grand Jubilee as well. It’s funny to see that your bike has fingertip shifters too. I did that because I used my bike for touring. Great ride.
That’s a $200 bike. If the guy is that inflexible on price I’d look around more. He’s had that post up *at least* 3 weeks, (no idea how many times he’s reposted it) so you can be pretty sure it’s not going anywhere. It’s a Motobecane from the 1980s.
Better bikes can be had for less that will give you a much better biking experience and be easier to service.DOn’t get me wrong, it’s an OK bike, just not worth $300.
It doesn’t even have a triple crank. If you have hills, that’s a MUST.
I don’t think $300 is high at all for that bike, but maybe it’s just that I’m used to NYC prices. It’s a Reynolds 531 frame, that alone is worth $150-200 to me. Then it has Suntour Cyclone derailleurs and bar end shifters. That’s $100+ in value there, too. The rest is gravy.
Especially given that you’re a tall person in need of a bike, I’d strongly recommend grabbing it. Tall bikes aren’t super easy to come by.
I also think people get overly worried about French parts. There’s plenty out there, even some stuff in current production, and honestly the stuff on the bike is most likely fine anyway.
I have this bike and I paid 300 bucks for it. It’s the real deal great ride.
$300 is a good price. Always depends on where you live and the bike market there. Also some people seem to think you have e to get a bike for like $80 always to restore or update. This a solid looking bike.
Pretty much throughout the 70’s they were Reynolds frame tubing