Were the 1970s bikes from Motoconfort the same as those from Motobecane?

Question

I've got something called a Le Champion from Motoconfort dated to the 1970s which, aside from the different decals, is indistinguishable to me from Le Champion models from that era from Motobecane (going by the pictures thereof I can find on the Internet)-- however, I am in no way an expert in either old bikes or French bikes; Are Motoconfort bikes just a re-badging of typical Motobecane models from that era, or is there some tangible difference between the two marques? i.e. is a Motoconfort Le Champion from year n exactly the same as a Motobecane Le Champion from year n?

Answer 1

She's such a cutie.

Motoconfort is absolutely not a ripoff or a knockoff from a Motobécane. For some time there was an overlap between the brands until the mid 70s but the factories were the same.

So to tell it shortly, if it's a Motoconfort Le Champion it's exactly the same bike as a Motobécane Le Champion even in terms of factory equipments or frame quality.

She's real as they come, and that's coming from a Motobécane hardcore lover that owns five of them (even the tiny but heavy foldable one).

Answer 2

For anyone still following this thread... there is actually quite a lot of difference between the 1970s Motobècane Le Champion (for USA export) and the bike with the same model name produced under the Motoconfort brand, I believe for sale just in Europe though not sure. Motoconfort and Motobècane were dvisions of the same French company. The Motobècane Le Champion was a high end road/racing bike with a hand made frame and fork of Reynolds 531 chromoly steel and came with much higher level components (Stronglight chain rings and cranks, Campagnolo derailleurs, Brooks professional leather saddle, etc.). The Montoconfort pictured above is a lovely touring bike but definitely not the same animal.