I'm a fan of bar-end shifters, but this bike is just too "frankened" at $400. Doesn't even have the original fork, that is a big disappointment.
I don't think I could go over $250 for that bike.
I'm a fan of bar-end shifters, but this bike is just too "frankened" at $400. Doesn't even have the original fork, that is a big disappointment.
I don't think I could go over $250 for that bike.
Tri-color fan
Now you know your size. I agree with Jake... kinda spendy at 4 bills.Originally Posted by nickbarnabe
Keep looking, but don't get impatient; the right one will come along.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
ALAN NAKAMURA
1986 Moots Mountaineer #397, 1994 Salsa La Raza w/ RS Paris Roubaix Ti SL, 1994 S-Works FSR w/ RS Judy SL, 1994 Bridgestone MB-1 w/ Allsop Softride Stem,
1983 Trek 620 'MK II', 1983 Trek 600 "The Mattíse", and a 16" Raleigh branded folder with all Japanese equipment sans the S/A AW 3 speed hub & shifter!
Seller describes the fork: *unknown make Aluninum fork.
That's a deal killer IMO. I wouldn't know if I could trust it or not. If you have a source for a replacement, that's good. Also, why would you purchase a bike from someone that can't spell aluminum?
The very best (and very worst) deals usually come from people that have no idea what they're talking about. The guy with the Specialized obviously does know some, cause he built the bike.
But with the real yahoos out there on C/L, you either get someone dumping a gem for $50 or some idiot that thinks their bottom barrel Peugeot is worth $1500.
Tri-color fan
True dat, bro
Yeah i think the seller's spelling/grammar is the biggest turn-off. I sent him an email asking if he has had any interest in the bike and this is what i got.
"Hi nike,
I still have to bike, I'll be around tomorrow after noon 2 pm - 6 pm if you wanna. Check out the bike. Call text or email..."
My name is not nike. And apparently he still has to bike.
After doing more searching, this one is looking much better for $400 I think. I have seen one or two of these in Boston and I always thought it was an awesome looking bike. http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/2991619833.html
oldskoolwrench - You are right, I just need to be patient and do lots more research/learning before i make a purchase. I think I am just going through biking withdrawal already hahaha.
Sport LX crankset? Is that a 105 rear derailer? I suspect someone may have "downgraded" the components on this bike. If that's the case, $400 is too much IMO. But if it has a nice matching group on there, then the price may not be too out of line.
Still, $400 is more than I'd personally pay for any carbon tubed bike. I had a similar Specialized Epic, and while mine was not in great shape I bought it for $240 and later sold it for around $260.
I wish my name was Nike. That would be cool.
Tri-color fan
Sport LX crankset? Is that a 105 rear derailer? I suspect someone may have "downgraded" the components on this bike. If that's the case, $400 is too much IMO. But if it has a nice matching group on there, then the price may not be too out of line.
Still, $400 is more than I'd personally pay for any carbon tubed bike. I had a similar Specialized Epic, and while mine was not in great shape I bought it for $240 and later sold it for around $260.
Yeah i wasn't sure about the components. I looked at some other ones for sale and it looks like they all had shimano 105 equipment originally, but i also saw another with all dura ace components for quite a bit more money. I assume the 105 components came stock on this bike and the one with the dura ace stuff was upgraded?
26 inch rims? What's up with that? CF also is a minus. I would see what's out there in a steel bike, preferably a chro-molly, welded or lugged, doesn't matter that much at this price point. A lot of Bianchis out there seem to work great, lugged or welded. I believe that weird stuff should be avoided, not worth the bother!
That is a sweet bike. Way better deal than anything I've seen posted here yet.
As long as you're fine with friction DT shifters. But really, who could resist Arabesque 600?
Tri-color fan
I looked at that listing too. That is a really nice bike. Probably will take a look at that one. Its in my price range too. I guess i didn't think much of it because i'm really not familiar with lotus, but if you guys think its a fair price then it sounds good to me. As far as the shifters go, i can't really say that i like or don't like DT shifters because i have never owned or even ridden a bike that had them. I think I will miss my bar end shifters but i can overlook that small detail. I don't typically mess around with different gears when i ride anyway. I usually find a gear i like and stick to it unless i'm going up a steep hill.
Also the person selling it has a well-written ad and doesn't sound like a dope. Another plus.
Last edited by nickbarnabe; 05-04-12 at 11:17 AM.
That Lotus is a nice bike, and I too like the Arabesque 600 group, hopefully all the original Arabesque components are on the bike still. It used a decent frame set made up of Tange Champion, then they fully wrapped the seat stays around the seat tube which gives it a really cool and unusual look and beefed up the rear end a bit. I would buy that bike.
The Specialized Allez is a nice bike too, problem is that unless your really schooled in checking carbon fiber frames for damage I would pass. But they were very unique looking.
Personally I would buy the Lotus only because of it's vintage look and vintage components...and it doesn't hurt that's it's less expensive!
Last edited by rekmeyata; 05-08-12 at 04:01 AM.
I think you might start looking at chainstay length and clearance of the rear wheel. A lot of race geometry frames, like the Allez, will not allow for fenders or even a larger tired size than 700x25. My cousin has a late 80s steel allez and a 700x25 tire actually hits the brake bridge! So keep in mind what type of riding you will be doing, most likely not racing criteriums. Check out the top tube length, chainstay length and overall frame geometry before buying something that will not be suitable for your riding. Road "racing" bikes from the late 70s thru early 80s usually make better all arouind bikes than early to mid 90s on bikes(especially those like the Allez). +1 on the lotus, nice bike for what seems like a fair price. Do you know what the lotus frame tubes are? Might also check the gear ratios, a 53/42 chainring and 23/13 cassette/freewheel isn't exactly ideal gearing for a general use bike.
good luck and good hunting,
Brian
Last edited by calstar; 05-08-12 at 03:26 PM.
did you read my previous post? the lotus is tange champion. The lotus has a touring, or maybe a sport geometry, either way it has eyelets in the front and rear for fenders and will accept larger tires probably at least 28's and probably 32's but not sure if fenders will clear 32's, and LBS could determine that, but fenders will at least clear 28's on that bike
But the age of that bike would probably dictate the frame using 27 inch wheels, the largest would be 1 1/4 wide, usually touring bikes back then allowed room for fenders with 1 1/4 wide tires.
i found this site today: http://www.vintagelotusbicycles.com/Legend.html
Last edited by rekmeyata; 05-08-12 at 03:35 PM.
I think i'm definitely gonna buy the Lotus. I emailed the seller about it a few days ago and it seems like he has had it posted for quite some time with no luck so i think he will let it go for even less than he posted it for. It really is a beautiful and unique bike. Seems like my style. Just have to make sure it is a good fit.
Excellent! I'm glad that I was able to help. Hope it fits!
If you want the bike you might want to be proactive, i.e. contact the seller asap and make an appointment. Someone may be thinking about the bike as you are, get there first, "if you snooze you lose", probably happened to more than a few prospective buyers.
Redmeyata, yep, read your most, I'm claiming senior moment as an excuse for inattentiveness. BTW, do you know what models Lotus use the Tange tubesets on? I have a Lotus Eclair, touring specific model, without any tube stickers, also Tange?
Brian
I think I will get in touch with him tomorrow. Definitely can't pass it up without at least going to look at it.
They used various tubesets on their bikes, but that particular one being questioned about here used Tange Champion #2, Champion #1 was the lightest and was a racing only frameset designed for lightweight riders, whereas the #2 was used in touring and sport bikes. The difference in tube thickness was Tange Champion #1 was 0.8/0.5/0.8mm double-butted; and Champion Tange #2 was 0.9/0.6/0.9mm not butted. There was also just Tange without the Champion and were numerically in order too. The difference between Champion #2 and Tange #2 was only about 4 ounces in weight with the Tange 2 being heavier then Champion 2. Later Tange came out with Prestige line of tubing and all that was was Champion tubing heat treated so the racing frame (Champion #1 renamed Prestige after the heating) would be a bit more stiffer for the racing crowd.
So i bought the Lotus today. Ended up getting it for $200. I think I did pretty well. I will post pics tomorrow after i have a chance to finish cleaning it up a bit.
Congrats, that's a nice bike and I would have paid $200 for it as well. I'm surprise the bike stayed for sale for so long. I have a bike that has the same color as the Lotus but I wish mine had the chrome fork and stays because that looks really nice on the Lotus.
I use to own a Lotus but it was an older 73, the model was Europa John Player Special or simply JPS.
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