Lotus launching Type 136 bike on 1 Nov

[TomE]

Teaser video published yesterday:


Type 135 is the planned EV sportscar so Type 136 is the next in the sequence, but I suspect the bike may be available for sale before the car.

Lotus has history with high performance bicycles, including the 1992 Olympic gold medal winning Type 108 track bike and multiple time trial winning Type 110 in the 1990s.

More recently they’ve collaborated with Hope and British Cycling to produce the Hope-Lotus HBT track bike for the Tokyo Olympics and for the British Cycling team to use in the world track cycling championships.

 

[Porter]

From the context, it looks like this might be a full UCI road bike. Very cool.

 

[simonb]

another lotus not made by lotus

 

[Aero]

Available everywhere else in Nov 23. Coming to the USA by 2028 (pending CARB approval)

 

[EZcheezy]

I was assuming this was for a motorcycle so after that hype music only to show some guy slowly peddling towards the camera came off as comedic how lame that looked

 

[TomE]

A couple of previous threads about Lotus involvement in cycling:

Lotus Cycling

There are 3 in the US. Currently running Evoras - not sure when they’ll be getting Emiras. https://www.thespeedjournal.com/lotus-driving-experience-usa-track-partnerships/ Anybody watching the Lotus/Hope bike in the commonwealth games?

www.emiraforum.com

30 years ago today - Boardman takes Olympic gold riding a Lotus bike

With the medal successes of Team GB in track cycling over the last 10-15 years, it's difficult to imagine a time when winning an Olympic gold in track cycling was such a major event that it made front page news and caught the world's attention. That day was 29 July 1992, the day Chris Boardman...

www.emiraforum.com

 

[mrmoogee]

Looks an awful lot similar to Cervelo S5 that front end... a very successful design anyway

 

[kitkat]

Picking Hope components is about as Lotus a decision as one could ever make. I’ve never had a part from Hope that didn’t fail disastrously in some shape or manner. Good thing their track bicycle doesn’t need brakes.

 

[kitkat]

From the context, it looks like this might be a full UCI road bike. Very cool.

Yeah it’s an electric road bike, and god damn is it ugly. I think I’m going to cringe every time someone I know sends me this.

 

[Porter]

Yeah it’s an electric road bike, and god damn is it ugly. I think I’m going to cringe every time someone I know sends me this.

ELECTRIC?

Just.... why...?

 

[Lotustoronto]

Yeah it’s an electric road bike, and god damn is it ugly. I think I’m going to cringe every time someone I know sends me this.

I think it's a good looking bike.... not sure about the electric part.

 

[kitkat]

I think it's a good looking bike.... not sure about the electric part.

The stem/bars are very Cervelo S5 and the seat stays are just horrible. I get that they're trying to do the same seat stays as the Lotus Hope track bike in order to put the seat stays in the wake of the legs, but it's still horribly ugly. As a roadie of 15 years with multiple high priced aero bikes, I wouldn't ever buy this even if it weren't an e-bike.

 

[PsymonR]

An alternate look, in JPS livery.

They're doing a first edition, 136 bikes. Must say I'm not much one for bikes myself, but JPS colours always look good imo!

 

[TomE]

It’s not a looker but it is very aero efficient. The electric part is removable.

But £20k means it’s more expensive than a Hope-Lotus HBT track bike and comparable to one of the iconic Olympic winning Type 108s (if you can find any of the six bikes for sale).

Lotus Type 136 - Track Inspired Performance Road Bike. Electrified | Lotus Cars United Kingdom

Inspired by the pioneering and rebellious Lotus track bikes of the past, the Type 136 pays homage to its Olympic heritage with a super-light design, supercharged efficiency, and signature Lotus performance.

www.lotuscars.com

 

[freefall_junkie]

An E bike What a disappointment. To me a Lotus E bike seems somehow disrespectful to the history of pain, sacrifice and dedication that took Boardman to Olympic gold aboard the 108.

Someone in Lotus needs a large dose of Rule #5

 

[TomE]

Lotus have published the press release and further details and images following the launch event in London. I'll get a chance to see the bike in person next week.

Lotus Launches Type 136 – a track-inspired performance road bike. Electrified. - Lotus Cars Media Site

media.lotuscars.com

 

[TomE]

First look from GCN at the Rouleur event