JEngle1122

Hello! I nose around this forum but as I have not yet purchased a bicycle I have not yet had much to say.

But! I have found this bicycle for sale and I don't know what to make of it. I am intrigued though.

It is (allegedly) a Lotus mountain bike, but I am having a really hard time finding any information on this bicycle..... or even confirming that a such a thing as a Lotus Mountain Bike really exists. There is some sparce info to be found online about Lotus, but everything I've seen seems to be road/racing bikes. Most people who have owned one say they love theirs, so that's promising. But this doesn't look like any of the photographs of other Lotus's I have found on the internet.

Is there something fishy going on here that I just can't figure out?

Seller says it's a 21speed, in excellent condition, but fails to provide a model name/number.

Pictures follow.

Any information would be appreciated! I am looking to get into biking on a regular basis and I want a decent bike that I could take off the path if I feel like it.

I would really just like some info on whether or not this is a good purchase at $85. I'm not really concerned so much about the cash, I just don't want to get stuck with a crummy bike, and then have to deal with the hassle of finding another one later on.

Thank you so much.

Respectfully,

Jessica

thompsonpost

Can you post close ups of the bottom bracket and components?

Daspydyr 

It looks like a pretty basic bike. The frame is unique, but have no clue to its origin. If you can get it for $100 or less, the tires roll true and the brakes work, shifts to all the gears, get it. You should have some basic fun with it.

It looks like the kick stand is standard equipment, so maybe $40. might be the better price, might be "antique."

Svr

Lotus was a brand sold in department stores like Sears. Quality wise, it falls in between what you would find at Wal-Mart and a bike shop at an entry level.

$85 doesn't seem like a bad price, but that bike was never intended to anything more than cruise around on paved and gravel roads.

JEngle1122

Thank you everyone. My understanding was that Lotus was a brand shipped in from Japan, and that they mostly manufactured road bikes. They are no longer in production, so I asked in the "vintage" forum one person was able to tell me the model is called an "Explorer". Apparently since Lotus mostly produced road bikes, a bike like this is pretty rare to see, so it is of some notoriety because of that... but not especially valuable in any monetary way. But that is enough to grab my interest at least somewhat.

I think I am going to go check it out tomorrow. If it is a good fit and I buy it, I will gladly post some close up photographs.

Thank you very much for your input!
Jessica

junkyard

What do you intend on using the bike for?

JEngle1122

I dunno, junkyard. I'm basically starting from zero here. I haven't owned a bike for about five years, and before that I was not serious about biking at all and the bike I owned was a total clunker. It was quite literally broken as I was riding it, so that the gears would "slip" every fifth pedal or so... at least that's the best I can describe it.

I just figured I'd get a modest bike, and see what it, and I, am capable of doing. I live in the city so I'm not going to go hopping or... I don't know.... spelunking with it. But a dirt path here and there may not be out of the question. I can't say. I'm not in the best shape either. At least for now... I think wherever I go, it shall be flat.

Jessica