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Legend Compe
The Legend Compe was a true racing bicycle and entered the ranks of the Lotus Competition, Supreme and Super Pro as Lotus' least expensive racing machine.
The Legend Compe was only made for two years, in 1983 and 1984. It complimented the already popular Lotus sport bike, the Legend.
The Legend Compe frame and fork was constructed from Columbus SL or SP Tubing. 50-58 cm frames used SL tubing and the larger 60-64 cm frames used the slightly heavier SP tubing for added strength.
While the Legend Compe frames were similar to the Lotus Legend frames, the Compe frame used tighter racing geometry and did not have threaded eyelets on the fork or rear dropouts for racks or fenders.
The 1983 and 1984 Legend Compe models are two significantly different bicycles. The 1983 Compe model uses the same components as the sport Legend with only minor modifications. The Compe came equipped with a narrow range freewheel and a short cage version of the Suntour Cyclone II rear derailleur. As with previous Lotus racing bicycles, we'd assume the Compe used tubular rims, but we have been unable to confirm this for the 1983 models.
The original 1983 Lotus specification chart, shown below, is not specific in the variation of details between the two different bikes. The specification sheet doesn't even use the word "Compe", just the code "VS-6C Racing", we're assuming the "C" is for Compe.
Every 1983 Legend Compe we have seen has had aftermarket clincher rims installed, a common modification on any Lotus bike originally equipped with tubular tires. If you have a original 1983 Legend Compe with Ukai or Araya tubular or clincher rims installed, we'd love to talk to you about it. Please send us an email.
The Legend Compe was only made for two years, in 1983 and 1984. It complimented the already popular Lotus sport bike, the Legend.
The Legend Compe frame and fork was constructed from Columbus SL or SP Tubing. 50-58 cm frames used SL tubing and the larger 60-64 cm frames used the slightly heavier SP tubing for added strength.
While the Legend Compe frames were similar to the Lotus Legend frames, the Compe frame used tighter racing geometry and did not have threaded eyelets on the fork or rear dropouts for racks or fenders.
The 1983 and 1984 Legend Compe models are two significantly different bicycles. The 1983 Compe model uses the same components as the sport Legend with only minor modifications. The Compe came equipped with a narrow range freewheel and a short cage version of the Suntour Cyclone II rear derailleur. As with previous Lotus racing bicycles, we'd assume the Compe used tubular rims, but we have been unable to confirm this for the 1983 models.
The original 1983 Lotus specification chart, shown below, is not specific in the variation of details between the two different bikes. The specification sheet doesn't even use the word "Compe", just the code "VS-6C Racing", we're assuming the "C" is for Compe.
Every 1983 Legend Compe we have seen has had aftermarket clincher rims installed, a common modification on any Lotus bike originally equipped with tubular tires. If you have a original 1983 Legend Compe with Ukai or Araya tubular or clincher rims installed, we'd love to talk to you about it. Please send us an email.
The 1983 Legend/Legend Compe was the first traditionally styled Lotus bicycle to use aero brake cables under the handlebar tape. (The 1981 Super Pro Aero was the first, of course). Features found on the 1983 model, shown below in Oxide Green, were full-wrap seat stays and Edwardian Legend Compe script decals on the top tube, styling cues borrowed from the first-generation Legend along with the half-chromed stays and fork. 1983 models utiliize the Suntour top mounted shifter assembly on the down tube.
As with many 1983 Lotus models, the 1983 Legend Compe seems somewhat more difficult to find than the 1984 version.
The 1983 Legend Compe shown below, while actually in excellent original condition with very low miles, has a replacement set of clincher wheels. Mavic Rims with Campagnolo Record hubs. Nice wheels, but certainly not original to the bike.
1984 Legend Compe models are also built with Columbus SL or SP tubing with the addition of a LOTUS engraved fork crown and LOTUS engraved seat stay caps at the seat lug. The shifters have also been moved to brazed on bosses on the sides of the down tube and the frames now use Campagnolo rear drop outs. The 1984 Legend Compe models use a gold outlined block style Legend decal on the top tube.
The Legend Compe in 1984 used traditional, non-aero, brake cable routing.
1984 Legend Compe models were offered with Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport group with Nuovo Record derailleurs. Components other than the Campagnolo gruppo were made by Japanese manufacturers, probably in an effort to offer a Campagnolo gruppo equipped bike at an affordable price. We have confirmation that the 1984 Legend Compe rode on Araya tubular rims, the same as the other Campagnolo models offered that year.
The 1984 Legend was equipped similar to the 1983 Legend and is now a much different bicycle than the Campagnolo equipped 1984 Legend Compe.
It is our understanding that the Campagnolo Legend Compe models were imported in "one shipment only" and were not available for re-order by the Lotus dealers. When the inventory was sold they were gone.
At the same time Lotus also offered the Campagnolo equipped Super Record Supreme and the Nuovo Record Competition.
We believe the Legend Compe was only available as 1983 and 1984 models, but the 1984 Campagnolo models were available as unsold back stock possibly into 1985-86.
For more information on the 1984 Lotus Legend Compe, be sure to check out Jeff Groman's fresh-out-of-the-box example on our Featured Bicycles page.
| 1983 Lotus Legend Compe |
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| Frame Details | Fork and stays reinforced, top tube cable guides, bottom bracket cable guides, brazed on bottle bosses, single brazed on shifter boss on top of down tube, full-wrap seat stays at seat lug, 1/2 chrome chain stays and seat stays, 1/2 chrome fork blades, recessed brake bolts, chain peg, Suntour forged rear drop outs. | ||
| Frame Tubing | Columbus Double Butted Cro-Mo, SL on 50-58 cm, SP on 60-64 cm | Headset | Shimano 600 EX |
| Fork | Columbus Tubing, Forged Semi-Sloping Crown w/ Cut-Outs, 1/2 Chrome Blades, Reinforced | Handlebar | SR Custom Alloy w/ Cotton Tape |
| Colors | Tan, Navy and Oxide Green | Stem | SR Apex, Forged Alloy |
| Frame Sizes | 50-64 cm | Brakes | Dia Compe Gran Compe Aero w/Slotted Aero Levers |
| Crank | Sugino Super Mighty Comp w/ Drilled Chainrings 42-52 | Seatpost | SR Laprade CT-P5 |
| Pedals | KKT Pro Vic w/ Clips and Straps | Saddle | Kashimax Super-Pro |
| Shift Levers | Suntour Cyclone II Braze-On Top Mount | Rims | Ukai Tubular? |
| Front Derailleur | Suntour Cyclone II | Hubs | Suntour Sealed Bearing QR Front and rear |
| Rear Derailleur | Suntour Cyclone II | Spokes | |
| Freewheel | Suntour Winner | Tires | Sew-ups |
| Chain | Suntour Ultra 6 | Weight | 22 lbs. |
| Notes | Included water bottle and alloy cage. | ||
| 1984 Lotus Legend Compe |
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| Frame Details | Fork and stays reinforced, top tube cable guides, bottom bracket cable guides, brazed on bottle bosses, brazed on shifter bosses on down tube, full-wrap seat stays at seat lug w/ LOTUS engraving, 1/2 chrome chain stays and seat stays, 1/2 chrome fork blades, recessed brake bolts, chain peg, recessed seat biinder bolt. Campagnolo forged rear drop outs. | ||
| Frame Tubing | Columbus Double Butted Cro-Mo, SL on 50-58 cm, SP on 60-64 cm |
Headset | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport |
| Fork | Columbus Tubing, Forged Semi-Sloping Crown w/ Cut-Outs and LOTUS engraving, 1/2 Chrome Blades, Reinforced | Handlebar | SR |
| Colors | Tan, Oxide Green, and (?) | Stem | SR |
| Frame Sizes | 50-64 cm | Brakes | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport |
| Crank | Campagnolo Nouvo Gran Sport 42-52 | Seatpost | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport |
| Pedals | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport | Saddle | Kashimax w/ Lotus Nameplate |
| Shift Levers | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport | Rims | Araya (?) Tubular |
| Front Derailleur | Campagnolo Nuovo Record | Hubs | Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport |
| Rear Derailleur | Campagnolo Nuovo Record | Spokes | |
| Freewheel | Suntour | Tires | Tubular |
| Chain | Suntour | Weight | |
| Notes | Specifications observed on multiple bicycles with the same equipment. | ||
