A student at my school had a 27" Lotus. I saw it and raved about it-- even offered to buy it. I gave it a ride in front of the school, skipping gears and all.

No frame has ever fit me or ridden better. He said that he got it from a junkyard and put new tires on it. He has no lock and this is one of the highest crime cities in the state. I made him promise to take care of it and show it to me in September.

I just sunk a few hundred into a new wheel / spd pedals & shoes for my 66cm/26" Panasonic. The double butted tange on the Lotus was SO much nicer than my hi-ten butted Panasonic. I didn't check out the type, only the frame sticker, but checking online I'm guessing it is a Challenger SX.

I felt guilty offering to buy it, since you so rarely see kids in this neighborhood on anything even close to a decent road bike. Stolen pink and purple girl bikes are the main thing that gets street cred. But the guilt came from thinking that I would be steering this young man away from experience with such a sweet bike, even if it doesn't fit him.


I still want it, though!