The legacy of Motobécane
Dive into the captivating tale of Motobécane Bicycles, a journey that spans decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and a profound love for cycling. As we pedal through history, discover how Motobécane has become synonymous with quality, style, and an unwavering commitment to the joy of riding.
Pedals of Progress (1923-1945):
Motobécane's bicycle legacy traces its roots back to 1923 when the French engineering duo Charles Benoît and Abel Bardin founded Motobécane in Pantin, a suburb of Paris. During the interwar period, Motobécane bicycles gained recognition for their precision and durability. Even during the challenging years of World War II, Motobécane's dedication to craftsmanship persisted, laying the foundation for a legacy that would endure.
Post-War Cycling Renaissance (1946-1960):
With the post-war era ushering in renewed optimism, Motobécane bicycles emerged as symbols of freedom and mobility. The company's commitment to quality design and performance made its bicycles popular among cycling enthusiasts. Sleek designs and reliable engineering became hallmarks of Motobécane, setting the stage for the brand's prominence in the cycling world.
Innovation in Motion (1960s-1970s):
Motobécane was pivotal in shaping the cycling landscape during the 1960s and 1970s. The brand embraced innovation, introducing advancements in frame materials and design. Motobécane bicycles became known for their versatility, catering to recreational cyclists and competitive riders. The iconic Mirage and Grand Jubilé models captured the hearts of riders around the globe.
This rapidly growing innovation led to the creation of a championship-winning bike, which the legendary rider Luis Ocaña rode to victory in the 1973 Tour de France.
Rebranding to MBK (1980s-today):
In 1984, Motobécane underwent a name change and became MBK as a part of its modernization. The name 'MBK' is an acronym derived from the original name. MBK has, much like Motobécane, a strong dedication to innovation and craftsmanship. Today, MBK is known for its modern take on cycling and is a forerunner on the urban bike scene with both regular aluminium bikes but also innovative E-Bikes of the future. Learn more about MBK here.
The relaunching of Motobécane:
The long-term licensee of MBK and Motobécane, HF Christiansen of Denmark, has revived and relaunched the legendary Motobécane brand, paying tribute to its vast history and carrying on its legacy with models such as the Concept Team Champion - a bike inspired by the 1973 Tour de France winning bike.
1923-73 Team Champion: A model to celebrate two anniversaries.
To celebrate the legacy of Motobécane and the history of the sportive DNA of the Motobécane brand, we are presenting the 1923-73 Team Champion anniversary model. The model is a vintage-styled gravel bike built from high-quality components. The bikes will be hand-built at HF Christiansen's premises in Denmark. HF Christiansen is the long-term licensee of MBK and Motobécane in Europe and elsewhere. HF Christiansen's approach to Motobécane has always been one of 'Héritage français, style danois' - we hold the legacy of Motobécane high while adding modern elements from the Danish bike culture, which is our company's legacy since 1903.
1923-73 Team Champion - The link between past, present and future
1923-73 Team Champion comes in 3 colours - among others, the classic orange Luis Ocaña colour from 1973 and the iconic shiny light blue. And, of course, we present a no-nonsense black version.
Pricing:
Complete bikes:
Shimano GRX RX400 2x10sp (11.2kg): €1.999
Shimano GRX RX820 1x12sp (10.6kg): €2.499
Framesets:
Frameset (including bespoke carbon fork): €999
Frameset (excluding bespoke carbon fork): €699
Bespoke carbon fork: €300
*The prices are subject to change.
View the bikes in detail
1923-73 Team Champion has the classic decals from the Motobécane road bikes of the past but has now been reimagined as a gravel bike - the sportive bike type of today. The gravel bike speaks not only to the sportive segment but also to the daily commuter, which is central to the Danish bike culture - HF Christiansen's speciality.
The head badge follows the historic design, and the gravel bike is, of course, built using Reynolds CrMo steel tubes. High-quality steel tubes have always been a part of the Motobécane DNA.
The bike is equipped with a piano black carbon front fork, and you have the possibility to configure the bike with either Shimano GRX400 2x10sp or the all-new Shimano GRX600/800 1x12sp. All of which benefits comfort and performance.
Geometry
| 50cm | 53cm | 55cm | 58cm | 61cm | |
| Reach (mm) | 373 | 371 | 386 | 389 | 398 |
| Stack (mm) | 549 | 570 | 586 | 609 | 628 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 530 | 540 | 560 | 575 | 590 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 500 | 530 | 550 | 580 | 610 |
| Chain stay length (mm) | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1029,5 | 1030,8 | 1032,4 | 1046,6 | 1062,1 |
| BB drop (mm) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 115 | 135 | 150 | 170 | 190 |
| Seat tube angle | 74 | 73,5 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Head tube angle | 69,5 | 70 | 71,5 | 71,5 | 71,5 |