A domesticated, jacked-up Lotus Super Pro. I think it’s a ‘81 model (six speed, not seven freewheel). Strange design, a little gimmicky, but really, really cool. Built with Tange Aero Dynamics CroMoly butted tubing and outfitted with Shimano Dura Ace AX components. Shimano aerodynamic water bottle is original. I’d love to test ride one, especially a ‘83 model with Raspberry Pink paint.
Perhaps this lug was repaired? I can’t believe a Lotus Legend would have a sloppy detail like this. Very surprising.
Triple Legend Day. The Edwardian style script “Legend” decal on the crossbar marks it as a second generation model, circa 1983. Newer pink bartape and computer. The anodized rims are newer as well. Columbus double butted Cro-Mo tubing all around. This is a top of the line Lotus, so I’m surprised by the finish of the seat lug-see the next post as linked here.
This upgraded Legend is another generation newer than the bike in the previous post and mixes old and new components. Egg beater pedals, aero brake levers, Brooks saddle, brakes calipers, and the wheelset are newer. The crankset and derailleurs/levers appear to be original. That bartape looks good with the frame color. And the whole bike looks good in that scene-what a great day for a ride.
A distinctive Lotus Legend, “completely rebuilt with assorted components”, so says the owner. Also: “I wish I could repaint it, but the current paint isn’t quite bad enough to justify it. In order to spruce things up a bit, I tried something new: I re-upholstered an old (Vetta) Turbo saddle in leather and stitched together some bar wrap to match. After applying some leather conditioner/protectant, it looks pretty darn good, amateurish sewing not withstanding”. I think it’s a nicely appointed ride.
Another particular Lotus: Challenger SX mixte. I don’t recall where online I found this bike, but here’s the tagline from the seller: “Elegance with an edge. 45 cm single speed for getting around town. A comfy ride with an easy mixte frame. $225”. Exactly-elegance with an edge. I love the fat, fat tires and rims. Notice the clearance between the tires and brakes. Koolstop pads, comfy saddle, upright bars, BMX platform pedals, and hastily converted to a single speedster. Lotus beach cruiser! I really, really like this one.
Another super tall Classique-this one was made near the end of the Lotus era-circa 1988. This bike was probably not manufactured by Lotus. In the late ‘80’s, the Lotus name was licensed to a secondary builder, with little oversight by the namesake company. By looking at it, everything except the frame, and maybe the shift levers, are replacements parts. 650B rims and tires fully covered by fenders; unlikely center pull brakes combined with aero levers; two speed anodized crank setup with granny gear and cruising ring. I think this bike is fantastic-highly customized and totally mismatched. I guarantee there is not another bike out there that looks like this one.
A 63cm Lotus Classique on Columbus, Ohio’s craigslist. An impressive 341/2 inches stand over height-you’ve got to be tall to ride this one. Updates include the wheelset, aero brake levers, saddle, cables, bartape, and grease. To quote the seller: “ Lotus bikes are some of the best bikes ever to come out of Japan and the Classique is one of their higher end bikes. It is very tight and lightweight, one of the smoothest road bikes I have ever ridden. I hate to see it go but I have been informed it is time to thin the herd”. I’m curious to know what bikes he is keeping. Asking $250.
(Source: columbus.craigslist.org)
Keeping the fourth generation theme going, as well as updating recent ebay sales, I present this Lotus Excelle. It sold for $182.50 plus $59.95 in shipping after twenty two bids. I think this is a great price for an Excelle of this condition. There’s something not right about the pedals, but other than that, this is a pristine, 99% original bike. I prefer the ‘86 Excelles over the 1987’s because Lotus had not switched to Shimano Biopace chainrings. The Biopace system seems gimmicky to me-I like my chainrings round-like this pleasingly agressive SR crankset. The same Wisconsin based seller also had this bike listed on ebay as well.
I’ve decided that today is fourth generation Lotus day. The Cyclone was only produced in 1986, placing it very specifically in the fourth generation age group. I like the Ice Blue paint, but prefer this model in Pearl Yellow. As the name indicates, the bike is outfitted with a Suntour Cyclone drivetrain and braking system. Tange #2 tubing. SR bars and stem. This particular bike was available through oldbikesbelong, which is in Louisville, Kentucky. I could not tell if it’s still available. There is contact info on their website. Asking $375. Not a bad price, if it’s in good condition. I’d pay $375 for a yellow one in my size.
I was wasting time online last night by looking at all things Lotus. I found some good stuff, such as this rosy, fourth generation Classique on gmancycles. I have not previously run across this blog, and I could not tell if Gman collects bikes or resells bikes, but he seems to have quite a few. I’ll let him tell the story:
“Here is a brand new build/conversion of a ’82 (it’s a 1987) Lotus “Classique”. The frame is 57 cm and was built in Japan using Ishiwata steel, fork is a black and the frame is a very cool shade of rose’ with nice steel lugs and thick horizontal dropouts. Not a super rare frame but definitely not common, the top of the forks have a very detailed stamp of the lotus flower. She is built up with a Shimano 105 headset, black Nitto stem, chopped and flopped bars with new thick n zesty bar tape and new pair of Cane Creek Crosstop brake pulls that are cabled to a pair of beautiful old school Diacompes that are competition grade (NGC 400 with 39-49mm reach). Sweet and period appropriate for the frame. The drive train consists of a Superbe BB, Sugino 170mm GP crank set, specialized 46t chain ring, MKS track pedals w/chrome cages, KMZ chain and Shimano 16t freewheel and 14t fixed cog w/lockring. The whole bike spins on a pair of wide flange Dimension hubs laced to a pair of medium V no name rims with stainless spokes with Kenda 700cX23 tires, the wheel set has not been ridden, YET! One is able to sit on a leather Selle Flite with titanium rails and a fluted Laprade seat post, ummm yummy!”
The conversion is not to my taste but I do appreciate his enthusiasm. There are more pics of this bike on his site. Check it out.
Submission: Joe’s 1984 Lotus Unique
Joe’s description: Silver-Champagne with black decals. SR Blue line Components. Original Ukai rims. engraved seat stay caps. Purchased from Old Spokes Home in Burlington, VT for $370. Great ride.
A handsome bike in a picturesque scene. Thanks Joe.
It must be Odyssey month. There’s another first generation Odyssey on Long Island’s craigslist. This one is very similar to the one I posted on May 17th. Silver with blue decals. The CL listing pics are small, but minus a new saddle and seatpost, it looks to be highly original. For $100, it’s totally worth checking out.
(Source: longisland.craigslist.org)
The other Odyssey is a fourth generation model with more originality. Judging by the pics, it’s got some scrapes and scratches, but nothing serious. The yellow/gold cable housing, rack, Vetta saddle, chrome tire pump (non-functional) are standard issue. The bartape is missing-probably removed when the new rubber brake lever hoods were added, and the pedals are not stock MKS, otherwise, it looks to be as Lotus intended. The navy paint indicates it’s a 1986 model. Starting bid: $174.50. Will update. Sold for $361.78 plus $85 in shipping after twelve bids.
(Source: ebay)
A pair of Lotus Odysseys on ebay at this very moment. This one is a handsome first generation model with recent updates. I’ve never understood the logic behind fixing up a bike by replacing parts/components, only to turn around and sell it. Most bike nerds would rather everything be original, even if the parts are in bad shape. Seller describes it as “Vintage Top of the line Lotus”. The frame and original components are lovely: Suntour Cyclone derailleurs/levers, Shimano 600EX brake calipers, all attached to Champion No. 1 tubing. There is some rust near the bottom bracket and I recognize the shiny new decals on the seat tube as being replacements for the originals. This particular machine has Avocet cranks, which are not standard components, though I do like the setup. The cockpit has brand new Cane Creek aero levers and bartape. The saddle is new as well. Starting bid of $150 or buy now for $400-both reasonable numbers. Will update with the final price. Update: did not sell-zero bids. I’m very surprised. Perhaps the $400 buy now price scared potential bidders.
(Source: ebay.com)
