Is my 1986 Lotus Prestige worth getting back?
06-28-13, 12:10 PM
#1
Speechless
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Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,
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Is my 1986 Lotus Prestige worth getting back?
In 1986, I worked at a bike shop in Ithaca and built up a Lotus Prestige 61cm (might have been a 63), and rode the snot out of it. I ended up giving up riding in the early 90's, and stored the bike for 20 years. About 4 years ago, I gave it to a friend who couldn't afford a bike, and I still see him using it intermittently, even though it is a tad large for him.
The year after I gave it away, I started riding again, and am probably a more serious cyclist than I was then. I have aluminum bikes, and have ridden carbon, but now find myself riding my steel single speed the most, and find it my most comfortable frame.
My question is, I can probably get the Lotus back by swapping him a better fitting bike, but is it a frame worth modernizing, or am I better off just getting a modern steel frame? Nostalgia makes the Lotus call to me, but old tall frames have, IMO, a cramped feeling, so the other part pushes me toward a Pacer or a Soma Smoothie.
This wouldn't be a free exchange with him, because where I have most of the parts for a replacement bike, I would have to drop a few hundred to pull of a complete bike to have a shot at getting the Lotus back.
The year after I gave it away, I started riding again, and am probably a more serious cyclist than I was then. I have aluminum bikes, and have ridden carbon, but now find myself riding my steel single speed the most, and find it my most comfortable frame.
My question is, I can probably get the Lotus back by swapping him a better fitting bike, but is it a frame worth modernizing, or am I better off just getting a modern steel frame? Nostalgia makes the Lotus call to me, but old tall frames have, IMO, a cramped feeling, so the other part pushes me toward a Pacer or a Soma Smoothie.
This wouldn't be a free exchange with him, because where I have most of the parts for a replacement bike, I would have to drop a few hundred to pull of a complete bike to have a shot at getting the Lotus back.
06-28-13, 01:46 PM
#2
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You could always look around for a cheaper replacement bike for him on CL. That way, you wouldn't have to use your parts AND your money to get the Lotus. Talk to the guy and explain that you are nostalgic for it and you can give him a replacement that fits better and has no sentimental value to you. Maybe he'll just give it back.
