VintageLOTUSbicycles.com
Elite
By 1983 Lotus was offering 15 road bikes in their model line, plus four Cobra MX bikes and the Pegasus MTB.
New for 1982-83 was a line of bicycles imported from Taiwan and built by Pacific Cycles. Pacific Cycle Lotus models all have a serial number that begins with the letter P, many still have labels designating they were made in Taiwan.
We would like to thank George Lin, of Pacific Cycles, for bringing this information to light. Pacific Cycles has a cool website here as well as an fascinating biography about George Lin himself.
From George Lin,
" I started my bicycle career in 1972 and founded Pacific Cycles in 1980. Alpha Cycle (Lotus) was one of our first clients. I remember visiting Sid’s (Sidney Star's) home a few times, met his wife, son and cat. We also produced the Alenax transbar bike around the same time."
The new Pacific Cycles Lotus models were the:
Prestige
Elite
Elan
Special
The Pacific Cycles bicycles were made from carbon steel, hi-ten steel, and the Prestige was made from Ishiwata tubing, a first use of that brand for Lotus.
While some of the Pacific Cycles bikes continued to use derailleurs and cranks from Shimano, Suntour and SR many components were listed as steel, alloy, or Dia Compe type and were supplied by other manufacturers.
Prestige
Elite
Elan
Special
The Pacific Cycles bicycles were made from carbon steel, hi-ten steel, and the Prestige was made from Ishiwata tubing, a first use of that brand for Lotus.
While some of the Pacific Cycles bikes continued to use derailleurs and cranks from Shimano, Suntour and SR many components were listed as steel, alloy, or Dia Compe type and were supplied by other manufacturers.
The blue bicycle shown above is an early version circa 1982-83 Lotus Elite. The bicycle uses the same seat tube decal style and fonts as the first generation Tsunoda bikes, but subtle differences exist. From a marketing perspective, badging the bicycles in a similar fashion would allow the new Pacific Cycles bikes to fit seamlessly into the existing line of Tsunoda bikes.
The silver bicycle below is a later style Elite with the LOTUS seat tube decal.
The early Elite models were available in the two color combinations as shown. "Champagne with blue head tube and trim" and "medium blue with dark blue trim".
The silver bicycle below is a later style Elite with the LOTUS seat tube decal.
The early Elite models were available in the two color combinations as shown. "Champagne with blue head tube and trim" and "medium blue with dark blue trim".
| 1983 Lotus Elite (Pacific Cycles) | |||
| Frame Details | Forged drop outs, top tube cable guides, brazed on shifter and bottle bosses, cable guides under bottom bracket | ||
| Frame Tubing | Hi-Ten Steel | Headset | Chrome Steel |
| Fork | Hi-Ten Steel | Handlebar | Alloy with Cotton Tape |
| Colors | Champagne w/ Blue Trim Medium Blue w/ Navy Trim |
Stem | Alloy |
| Frame Sizes | 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 cm | Brakes | Compe G Type Alloy QR Side Pull and Drilled Levers |
| Crank | SR Silstar Alloy 42-52 | Seatpost | Alloy Fluted |
| Pedals | Alloy Black Quill w/ Toe Clips and Straps | Saddle | Viscount Anaomic |
| Shift Levers | Suntour VX on Down Tube | Rims | Alloy 27 x 1 1/4 Alloy |
| Front Derailleur | Suntour VX | Hubs | Alloy "Shimano-Type" w/ QR |
| Rear Derailleur | Suntour VX | Spokes | |
| Freewheel | Suntour 6-Speed | Tires | 27 x 1 1/8 Skin |
| Chain | "Gold Chain" | Weight | 26 lbs. |
| Notes | |||
