My New 198? Lotus Eclair’s Maiden Voyage
03-10-22, 06:47 PM
#1
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My New 198? Lotus Eclair’s Maiden Voyage
Maiden voyage of my new 40 year old Lotus Eclair this morning. Old racer here who is now in search of touring bikes after getting hooked on the 240 mile Katy Trail a couple years ago.
I have three boys who are 20, 19, and 16 so I have carte blanche to amass more touring bikes so we can ride together. Been checking Craigslist to no avail so I searched “used bicycles Chicago“ and came across a charity and recycle shop called Working Bikes.
Saw this bike on their online store for $260 and was required to pay for it before they would even allow me to see it and pick it up by appointment.
Looked like a no brainer to me. Turns out it was! My wife was all for me buying this because it will go to our 20 year old junior in college. I will reluctantly be giving it up but look forward to riding it occasionally.
Dang! I gotta say this. I LOVVVVVE those 27x1 1/4 cushhhhhhy tires! My daily rider is a Merckx titanium with clearance for only 25C with tires. I am in the process of resurrecting a 1981 Raleigh competition with 10 speed Campy Chorus as well as a 1985 RALEIGH KODIAK with new Shimano 105 triple group set. I know now I am totally looking forward to wider cushier tires!
Last edited by ThatsOK Cyril; 03-10-22 at 06:58 PM. Reason: add details
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03-10-22, 07:45 PM
#2
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That's a real beauty.....son will be very happy with the ride, "great" dad!
Best, Ben
Best, Ben
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Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
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03-10-22, 09:36 PM
#3
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Oh yeah, my wife thinks he will be blown away by this. Last summer he and I did Ragbrai where I rode my Merckx titanium and he rode a 1991 Specialized Allez Epic carbon bike. This Lotus will be way more comfortable and functional for him.
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03-11-22, 04:15 AM
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Nice bike. Got one in silver myself. Super smooth ride but a tad heavy for the hills around here.
Early 80s version iirc.
Early 80s version iirc.
Last edited by DonkeyShow; 03-11-22 at 04:32 AM.
03-11-22, 05:41 AM
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The OP's frame appears to be from a circa 1983 model. Here's that year's advertisement.
03-11-22, 05:55 AM
#6
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ThatsOK Cyril , Nice bike! I've got 3 older kids, but I've only been able to convince my daughter to ride a C&V bike. I'm hoping my boy's eventually get interested in older bikes so I can pass on a few.
I enjoy the cushy 27" Panaracer's also.
Happy riding!
I enjoy the cushy 27" Panaracer's also.
Happy riding!
03-11-22, 03:14 PM
#7
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Excellent bike to have in the fleet. A few years back I found one for a song in my wife's size and have been tinkering with it to suit her, but it is smooth and rides like it's on rails. Hope you and your son enjoy it!
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
03-12-22, 12:13 AM
#8
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I've long thought that the gentle curve that Lotus used on these forks somehow satisfies my aesthetic ideal.
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03-12-22, 05:39 AM
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ThatsOK Cyril , Nice bike! I've got 3 older kids, but I've only been able to convince my daughter to ride a C&V bike. I'm hoping my boy's eventually get interested in older bikes so I can pass on a few.
I enjoy the cushy 27" Panaracer's also.
Happy riding!
I enjoy the cushy 27" Panaracer's also.
Happy riding!
"I am sure glad my Dad converted this to a triple while he still had it. That grannie ring comes in handy for kid-pulling."
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-14-22, 12:12 PM
#12
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Sealed bearing hubs? I didn’t realize that. It is a first for me to buy (or usually haul home from the curb) a bike that someone else had already refurbed, so I hadn’t checked the hubs. I was pleased when I discovered the rear hub is 40h.
03-14-22, 12:15 PM
#13
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03-14-22, 12:21 PM
#14
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and it’s great to see a durable workhorse, not a garage queen. I’m more of a rider than just a looker. Got that from my dad who 40-50 years ago would drive our 1931 Model A Ford 500mi+ to national Model A shows and put a beer on the hood as he cleaned the road grit off while the immaculate show cars were futzed with and frantically whisked back into their trailers when rain looked possible. Nothing wrong with show cars and bikes. As they say, “Your mileage may vary.”
03-14-22, 12:23 PM
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03-15-22, 07:30 AM
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Eclair is a tasty name for a tasty bike. Most all of the Lotus brand bicycles I've seen on the forum have been attractive, well made and well outfitted.
