1987 Lotus Elite 600, is this a good bike?
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1987 Lotus Excelle
I'm about to buy a blue '87 for $130 that has Shimano 105 drivetrain instead of 600, do you think this is worth the trouble of 1 hour drive? I've never seen a Lotus before and currently own a '94 Giant Cadex CFR1 for my weekly rides.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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1987 Lotus Elite 600, is this a good bike?
Hi BF members, I'm considering buying an '87 Lotus Elite 600 that I saw on a local ad in San Diego but I was wondering if the asking price is fair or not, they have it listed for $160 but the drive train is Shimano 105 instead of 600EX, do you thin this is fair and if it worth the effort to drive around 1.5 hours? 
Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Your comments are greatly appreciated.
#3
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You have to ask if this a good deal? They are almost giving it away. If it's your size and the frame is nice go get it now!
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If it is your size, 160$ is a great deal.. Looks like you will need a 9 speed cassette and a front tire/tube though.. and personally, Id change the stem but the shimano 105 5500 group looks clean.
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Condition and size are everything. Pics?
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Posts moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals and to their own thread.
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IMO, that's high unless it is completely mint, bearings repacked and ready to ride. That price is more in line with something that has been converted to decent brifters.
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Merged duplicate threads/posts.
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I'll check on the bike frame and if its ok I'll bring her with me today

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Thanks!

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I've been trying to find some a decent 105 group for an Orbea Tour I'm working on and prices I found so far are little over $100 so maybe its not that high I guess but I'll try to negotiate the price anyway hehehe thanks amigo!
#12
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I wouldn't budge on price if I was the seller.
This thread just illiterates how worthless CL is for certain quality bikes.
This thread just illiterates how worthless CL is for certain quality bikes.
#13
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This one is a deal, only reason it is around is it is not rideable.
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Last edited by wrk101; 01-14-18 at 08:24 AM.
#14
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You and I both know that tires are an easy fix. But yeah, the lazy clueless CL buyers don't care.
#15
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The Lotus Elite in the second set of pictures above is worth $160. Needs a front tire & some pedals. Need to get rid of that weird stuff on the handlebars.
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I see I missed the pics from the duplicate thread. I didn't realize it was brifter 105 and not downtube shifter. Looks like a good deal if everything works. And a good rule of thumb for bikes is that a complete bike will usually be worth less then the sum of its parts.
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Success!
I pick up the bike last night and the seller (my new amigo Dan who is the service manager at a bike shop) even included a nice set of wheels with Ultegra hubs, continental tires and a 9 speed cassette for the same price so I'll only need the pedals to enjoy this nice looking bike, the frame have some rust spots on the top tube cable guide but I guess wont affect the integrity of the bike but will make sure and take her to a shop just to make sure, paint is not bad and seems that the Shimano 105 is working fine but I'll know until I take her for a ride.
I can't load up pictures yet until I have 10 post so be patient, meanwhile I'll take her some better pictures at daylight this weekend.

I can't load up pictures yet until I have 10 post so be patient, meanwhile I'll take her some better pictures at daylight this weekend.
#19
Still learning
$130 for a STI shifting bike with the extra rims? You stole it! Enjoy!
Lotus bikes are few and far between, but oh so handsome.
Lotus bikes are few and far between, but oh so handsome.
#20
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Yep. Unless somehow that rust on the cable guides is bad it was a great deal. There might be enough paint wear on the frame to have dropped the price. That sunny picture glare, as bad as flash pic glare doesn't help.
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Success!
I pick up the bike last night and the seller (my new amigo Dan who is the service manager at a bike shop) even included a nice set of wheels with Ultegra hubs, continental tires and a 9 speed cassette for the same price so I'll only need the pedals to enjoy this nice looking bike, the frame have some rust spots on the top tube cable guide but I guess wont affect the integrity of the bike but will make sure and take her to a shop just to make sure, paint is not bad and seems that the Shimano 105 is working fine but I'll know until I take her for a ride.
I can't load up pictures yet until I have 10 post so be patient, meanwhile I'll take her some better pictures at daylight this weekend.

I can't load up pictures yet until I have 10 post so be patient, meanwhile I'll take her some better pictures at daylight this weekend.
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Seems that the rust is not that bad but will take some close up pictures to share as well as some at day light because my phone does not take good quality pictures at night
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You did great a nice $250-300 bike with $150 wheel set for $130 it doesn't get much better than that. The only issue I can see is the 9 speed cassette may not index correctly with the older 105 stuff but this is a easy fix $40-50 for a new cassette and some pedals and you have a $400-450 great riding bike.

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Finally took her for a ride and its a great bike, I'm no expert but didn't had any trouble with the 9 speed cassette index correctly with the older 105, 71 kilometers thru the scenic road from Rosarito to Ensenada in Baja... I'm very happy with the bike, o though its a tad bigger for my size (note the seat post all the way down)