New to me Lotus Super Aero!
05-04-22, 11:07 AM
#1
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New to me Lotus Super Aero!
Just traded for this bike and I'm STOKED!!!! I honestly have no intentions of selling it but out of sheer curiosity what do you think it's worth? It has a some chipped paint by the chain and some around the frame but damn decent condition otherwise. I have yet to do anything to it as I literally just got it today.
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05-04-22, 04:56 PM
#2
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$650 as it appears to be all there and is a legit Japanese classic
Note: this is an off the cuff eval and the first number that popped into my head when i looked at the photos.
Note: this is an off the cuff eval and the first number that popped into my head when i looked at the photos.
05-04-22, 05:12 PM
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Since it is the only one I've ever seen, I'd say it should be priceless. But seriously, it really is unusual and the first I've seen from Lotus. I did see a Fuji that had that sort of "aero" tubing at a shop up in Iowa. It was amazing to me at the time because I hadn't seen many steel bikes with anything other than round tubing and never in person.
So enjoy it! It is likely the only one in town and just show it some love.
Edit: I'm sure you can source some better hoods for the brake levers. And you can also address the road rash on the one that shows in the photo. Not hard to do at all, just don't remove too much metal. Or, if the hood covers it up, leave it, who cares?
So enjoy it! It is likely the only one in town and just show it some love.
Edit: I'm sure you can source some better hoods for the brake levers. And you can also address the road rash on the one that shows in the photo. Not hard to do at all, just don't remove too much metal. Or, if the hood covers it up, leave it, who cares?
05-04-22, 05:19 PM
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I just located this thread which the OP might want to check out. The bike in the thread is just a tad different in some respects, but basically the same.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rare-find.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rare-find.html
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05-05-22, 03:33 AM
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Hopefully it’s worth more than whatever you traded for it.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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05-06-22, 04:50 PM
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This is one of those rare cases where to the right person, this could be $1000 bike. To someone looking just for something to ride? Less.
05-07-22, 10:15 PM
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05-08-22, 07:39 AM
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The expert on this particular bike is @pastorbobnlnhLotus didn't often make junk.
THat stem alone is really rare. Very nice find, and probably pretty valuable to someone looking for that brief era of Shimano AX/teardrop tubing.
THat stem alone is really rare. Very nice find, and probably pretty valuable to someone looking for that brief era of Shimano AX/teardrop tubing.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
Last edited by jdawginsc; 05-08-22 at 08:55 AM.
05-09-22, 07:25 AM
#11
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I've had my Lotus Super Pro Aero up and running since January and I really enjoy riding it. Mine is far from original spec because the original/previous owner was a professional racer who was sponsored by Lotus and Shimano. He won several full triathlons on the bike and placed in the top ten at the Iron Man in Hawaii back in the early years of that race. Needless to say, he built the bike to suit his needs.
Mine is missing the DA AX handlebars, water bottle and cage, crankset, and pedals. He also switched the tubular rims to Fiamme Ergals and changed out the saddle. I've added my own Brooks saddle, clipless pedals, and a second set of Roval tubular wheels. Finally, I made my own goat's skin bar cover and brake lever hoods (since original AX hoods are either super expensive or hard to locate).
While I only paid $250 for mine back in 2019, I believe it is worth a great deal more in that they are rare, an early example of semi-mass-produced aero bikes, and the fact that it was used to compete in many early triathlon races.
IMO the OP should make whatever changes are needed in order to make it comfortable to ride, and ride it! Congratulations on finding this wonderful bike!
Mine is missing the DA AX handlebars, water bottle and cage, crankset, and pedals. He also switched the tubular rims to Fiamme Ergals and changed out the saddle. I've added my own Brooks saddle, clipless pedals, and a second set of Roval tubular wheels. Finally, I made my own goat's skin bar cover and brake lever hoods (since original AX hoods are either super expensive or hard to locate).
While I only paid $250 for mine back in 2019, I believe it is worth a great deal more in that they are rare, an early example of semi-mass-produced aero bikes, and the fact that it was used to compete in many early triathlon races.
IMO the OP should make whatever changes are needed in order to make it comfortable to ride, and ride it! Congratulations on finding this wonderful bike!
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
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