mkeller234

I'm considering selling my 84 Lotus Sprint. It was completely overhauled in 2020 and had 0 miles since. It has the factory flip flop hub. It was also factory drilled for brakes.

Any ideas what is this worth?

Senrab62 

I've always appreciated the sprint. Well sorted, and ability to run brakes. And that color way is lovely 🌹

That being said, I've seen them go from about $100-500, but they don't come around very often. eBay would gross more, but you'd have to consider fees and shipping.

I'd say $3-500 on CL or marketplace or $5-800 on eBay. They're rare, but not exotic or as collectible as some other marquees. If that happens to be a 60cm and you decide to sell, let me know! Last thing I need is a vintage track bike, but what's one more?!

DMC707

Cool! A factory built fixed gear trainer

Is the crankset 144 bcd? (cant quite tell in the pics )

TugaDude

Vintage track bikes don't come up for sale very often. The color is very attractive and the condition overall very good. I could see it easily fetching $500.00 or more. Is that a 56cm frame?

mkeller234

Yes, I confirmed 144 bcd. Just curious, is that meaningful on fixed gear?

mkeller234

Thanks all for the opinions on value, all higher than I would have guessed. Although, it’s likely my market is lower than average too.

I am hoping not to sell it. I bought another bike with the promise to my wife that I would sell other bike stuff to pay for it. I’m over half way and I still have a few other items to sell first.

mkeller234

Here are some other photos from a while back:

TugaDude

I hope you don't have to sell it. A vintage track bike is probably the only thing that would get my serious attention at this point. The stable is more than full and I am content with what I have. I have three fixed gear bikes, an 1/8" Scrambler, an All City Big Block and a Miyata 312 that was converted to fixed. The others have track fork ends. I love them all which is why I still have all three.

For those who don't ride fixed at all, I will be honest and tell you that it isn't for everyone, but on the other hand, all of the things said about it being liberating, promoting a connection to the bike, etc. are all true in my opinion. It is just plain fun. My "game" that I play is to leave home on a fixed gear and try not to have to use my brakes. It is amazing how many times I've ridden miles and miles and never had to use them. But I'm also sensible, so I have them just in case! Skidding is just a tire-ruining endeavor in my opinion. So I don't.

Anyway, I support your decision to keep her. Just make sure to put her through her paces and enjoy the ride.

DMC707

A little. 144bcd suggests to me that , despite being sold with brakes, -- its closer to being a track bike than a "road fixie" -- as 144 is standard track crankset sizing -- 130bcd chainrings can get flexy when you're trying to put down maximum watts in something like a standing start effort

mkeller234

Oh, that is interesting. I don’t think this bike was actually sold with brakes, I think they were an add on from the lbs.

TugaDude

I doubt it was sold with brakes and there's even a chance that it had to be "modified" to even accept them. As most here know, brakes are against the rules when racing on a velodrome, so they don't have them, or they remove them in order to qualify to race. In many instances it is necessary to drill the fork crown to allow it to accept a caliper brake. And some would stop there (pun intended), as a front brake is sufficient on a fixed gear because you can use back pressure to slow down the rear wheel.

mkeller234

I’ve seen that with track bikes, but this one definitely came drilled from the factory.

zukahn1 

Yes because it limits gearing options and availiablity of front chain rings which need to be changed fairly often on SS/FG trainer. I would much prefer a 110 BCD crankset on bike like this.

DMC707

I take it you've never taco'ed a chainring (yep, it happens ) . At the track, gearing changes are usually done with the cogs unless an extreme change is needed. If i were to ride a bike like this, i'd probably set it up really mellow with a 46t front ring and an 18 or 20t freewheel though, but put a 16t fixed cog on the opposite side --- i honestly cant do a standing start anymore with enough power to taco a chainring

zukahn1 

I have destroyed wore out a lot of chain rings gravel grinding on SS trainers with 110BCD it is easier to find hardened steel front rings and lower the gearing a bit which really helps limit the destruction.