Info needed on a "Lotus" bike.

[paulh7830]

Hi i am new to the forum, i have this bike which i when i got the frames (2 of) was told it was a Lotus downhill racing bike?? Can anyone clarify if it is indeed a Lotus.
Thanks Paul.

 

[jonnyboy666]

i'm afraid not, generic taiwan made base model, must have been a 'good' salesman

 

[mikee]

Glad you went first Jon

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

It does look a bit weird and sometimes the weird bikes are the unusual and rare one-offs. However in this case the details give it away as a low-end BSO - poorly made and welded rear brake hanger, low rent shock, dropouts, low-end forks, general geometry etc.

Sorry dude..... but if you like riding it, maybe its ok for you?

I hope it was cheap though... very cheap. :-/

 

[stuey]

Is the rear brake hanger original: I can't see how the back end can compress with it 'in the way' - not a Lotus - but looks fun.

 

[paulh7830]

I bought two frames the same, with only one damper assbly (which is titanium) and had it made up by another bike shop. The misleading bit about this saga is the guy in Notts were i had it from bought the last remaining frames from British Eagle in Wales who made the frames for Lotus, the hardtail frames i had i know to be genuine as i have seen the same up for sale. In total i had 5 frames off him 3 hardtails and the 2 full sus ones. The brake hangers i reckon were put on by the shop who made it up.

 

[jimo746]

have you got any more pics of the bike(s)??

Is there a serial number on the bottom bracket?

Things like the rear canti brake bridge suggest BSO to me, I could be wrong though, but if you search "Lotus" on this forum you'll see either hardtail alloy frames or hardtail carbon frames, unless this is a hitherto unknown/undiscovered Lotus frame :?

 

[Rampage]

The canti bridge looks to be just bolted to the rear stays. Any decent frame wouldn't have enough material there I expect. Possibly a BSO would!

 

[paulh7830]

I will look tomorrow for a serial number on the bottom bracket. Whats a BSO??
Paul.

 

[secret_squirrel]

last remaining frames from British Eagle in Wales who made the frames for Lotus,

This for me is a bit of a clue - BE made some right old pieces of BSO shite bitd. I reckon you got flogged their Raleigh Activator 2 equivalent prototypes. Ignoring that bloody awful reinforcement between the seat and the top tube the welds look fairly tidy and if the sticker is correct it's 7005 alu.

I suspect they took a stock or near stock front triangle and then bodged bits on.

Also the Ti parts? scales and magnets will confirm.