This 1979 Motobecane Special Pro was acquired some time ago as a frame and a few bits. Since then I have been able to obtain all the necessary parts to build it up. Some are not 100% “correct”, but I hope to remedy that as time goes on.
These bikes were built in a separate “artisanal workshop” and were the ones used by the Motobecane – La Redoute team during the 1979 season. This was a one year only model, superseded in 1980 by the blue and chrome Equipe Pro model that then became the new La Redoute team bikes.
These bikes were a significant change from the previous top-tier racing bikes from Motobecane – see the 1978 Tour de France model HERE – which was made with Reynolds 531 EL tubing and fitted with a Campagnolo groupset. These 1979 bikes were made with Columbus tubing and fitted with predominantly French components.
The specification of the Special Pro team bikes was:
- Frame: Columbus tubing; Huret Dropouts; Braze-on attachments: brake cable guides on top of top tube; front and rear derailleur cable guides over bottom bracket. Team colour: olive green with metallic blue and black decals.
- Crankset: Initially Stronglight/Spidel Model 105bis with silver anodised and drilled chainrings. Subsequently the Model 106 was fitted (as on this bike).
- Pedals: Maillard 700
- Rear Derailleur: Huret Success titanium
- Front Derailleur: Huret
- Wheels: Super Champion rims on Pelissier 1001 low flange hubs.
- Brakes: Weinmann Carrera 400
- Handlebars: Cinelli Giro d’Italia bars (or to choice)
- Stem: Cinelli 1R
- Seatpost: Laprade
- Saddle: Selle Italia
Here is a page discussing these 1979 Motobecane racing bicycles
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