Trying to ID a Lotus bicycle.
 

Hello. I am not very knowledgable about bicycles in general but I am trying to learn. I am interested in buying a Lotus "Mountain" bike, seen in the pictures below.... but rare as the Lotus bicycles are the Lotus Mountain bicycle must be exceptionally rare, because I can't seem to find even so much as a reference to one anywhere (on the internet, so it is not as though I have done an exhaustive search of any depth or breadth)......

But can anyone who knows anything about the Lotus brand of bicycle tell me anything about this bike??

I am very interested in knowing. I understand the Lotus' aren't in production anymore, but they were/are bicycles of some quality. Every little bit of info I could find from someone who owned one was a comment about how much they enjoyed it. I truly want to know more about this bicycle....

Thank you for your assistance.

Jessica

PS I also posted this question in one other forum, I hope that is alright.

It's the Lotus Explorer, a very unique designed bike worth holding on to if not just for a conversation piece. The shape looks to be good I'm surprised the Explorer decal is gone. They don't sell for much, which is sad, but they go fro around $150 used. I would buy one just because of it's looks. I think it came with Shimano SIS but not sure, but it was decent low mid-end components. The bike was not an expensive bike even when new, but like I said it's unique.

Reminds me of the Cannondale Killer V hardtail frames.
http://66.147.244.179/~vintagm8/?q=node/400
Or maybe that's the other way around, the Lotus may have been to market first.

Lotus Mountain Bike? Learn something new every day.

Thank you very much! I can rest a little easier at night now that I know this isn't just a figment of my imagination. Yes, I agree rekmeyata I think the design is very unique, that was why I became interested in it, and also the unfamiliar brand name.

I think I am going to go try it out tomorrow. I am excited! The price that is being asked is quite low and that's just fine with me! I am on a budget and it would be great to have a sturdy bike at a good price (that ain't too hard on the eyes either).

Much obliged, all.
Jessica

Make sure you ride it to be sure it fits primarily, and then to make sure it shifts and stops etc. I too found one for sale today, but it's in Sunrise bike shop in St Paul MN, and that's a ways for me, but appears to be in superb shape, they want $150 for it. here's the pic. http://www.sunrise-cyclery.com/usedbikes_3/lotusbg.jpg
Maybe someone else here might be interested?
http://www.sunrise-cyclery.com/usedbikes.htm this page you have to scan down through the bikes to find the Lotus.

I've got a Lotus MTB in the queue myself. I would not say Lotus MTBs in general are rare, but this model might be as it has a pretty unique frame design.

+1 Condition looks great. I would hold on to it for sure.

Hey, look at that. It does look just like mine, except mine is missing the "Explorer" decal.

I did buy it BTW, and it's pretty great so far! It's a good fit and the gears all seem to work, but I'm not very good at using them yet..... I keep forgetting which way to turn the shifters to get the gear changes I want. I've only been out for a couple of rides since I got it on Saturday, and it was really fun. The bike is pretty fast but I couldn't ride it for very long.... i couldn't have possibly gone more than two miles... and I had to stop for a breather. I'm really out of shape. But it is so fun!

I also went to the bike shop nearby and got one of those "Look" mirrors that you weasel onto your glasses. I'm not very good at using it yet, either. But I guess you learn with time.

I'm so excited to finally have a bike! It has a little cosmetic damage, there's a gouge in the seat, maybe 1/2 inch, and the end of one of the rubber hand grips has been sqashed into the handlebar in but other than that it is in great shape.

Thank you again all for the help with this. Also, one morething...... my buttocks are so sore. It won't be like this forever, right?

Jessica

Congrats Jessica, that is a unique bike, I think you'll like it. The seat and the grips are an easy and cheap fix, as is any chain and gear cleaning, you can do it yourself, or use a handy "man", or take it to a local bike shop and they can do the labor cheap because it's so simple. Depending on cosmetic damage, if your meaning paint scratches or chips, you can get either use fingernail polish or Testers model paint to match and touch up any bare metal so it doesn't rust.

There is a lot to learn, and the more you can do yourself the more money you save. Internet has a wealth of information to help you with maintenance like these: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-helpbyregion.asp and: http://bicycletutor.com/ And of course forums like this one.