VintageLOTUSbicycles.com
Challenger & Challenger Mixte
"The most noteworthy model in the group is the $215 Lotus Challenger."
"We Judged it a Best Buy."
~~ Consumer Reports, November 1985 ~~
Those words probably help explain the popularity of the Lotus Challenger, as it's still one of the more available models you'll find for sale today, and for $215 back in the day it was a heck of a good bike.
Since it's introduction, circa 1984, the Challenger has evolved through at least three series of improvements and modifications.
The Challenger SX is an upgraded model that was sold for some years along side the Challenger. It's a different bicycle with many improvements over the standard Challenger.
The photos above are first-series Challengers, introduced by 1984-85. There is no Challenger model shown in any of our Lotus sales information through the 1983 models. It was this style Challenger that was pictured and rated "Best Buy" in the November 1985 issue of Consumer Reports. You can see the ratings here.
Note the following:
Gold outline block LOTUS logo on the down tube
Tange Champion decal on the seat tube
Tange Hi-Tensile fork
Solid color frame without contrasting head tube
CHALLENGER model name on forward top tube
The only LOTUS decal on the seat tube is the outline lotus flower
Note chain guard on crank.
Note the following:
The mouseover photo below shows the second generation Challenger, circa 1986.
Note the following:
The bicycle shown below is the third series Challenger and was introduced in 1987.
Note the following:
Mouseover the image below to switch between the third and second series Challengers, the bikes shown have some changes from stock components but for the most part are representative of their models.
The "Crystal Black" Lotus Challenger pictured above is a nice example of a third generation, circa 1987, Lotus Challenger. With the exception if the saddle, which was originally Viscount, and the stem shifters moved to the downtube, the bike looks mostly original. 1987 Challengers came equipped with foam handlebar grips. The component chart below shows the original equipment specifications. Next model up is the Lotus Challenger SX , or if the Challenger is more bike than you need, take a look at the Lotus International.
| 1987 Lotus Challenger Sport Series |
|||
| Frame Details | Bottom bracket cable guides, water bottle bosses, top tube cable guides, shift lever cable guides on downtube. | ||
| Frame Tubing | Tange 900/1000 Double Butted Chrome Moly | Headset | Tange MA-60 |
| Fork | Chromalite | Handlebar | Alloy Ferrule, foam grips |
| Colors | Coral, GM gray, Pearl Blue, Crystal Black | Stem | Delta Alloy |
| Frame Sizes | 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 inches 19, 21 inches Mixte |
Brakes | Dia Compe 500N Alloy Sidepull Dia Compe 164 Alloy Levers with QR and Extensions |
| Crank | SR SAC-310 Alloy 42-52 | Seatpost | Stainless Steel |
| Pedals | NH-610 Rattrap | Saddle | Viscount 2200 Anatomic Black, Ladies Saddle for Mixte |
| Shift Levers | Shimano S401, Z-Series, Stem Mount | Rims | Araya SP-30 27"x1 1/4" Alloy 36 Holes |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano AX-50 | Hubs | Suzue Sealed Tech Small Flange, QR Front |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Z501 | Spokes | 14 Guage Chrome Plated |
| Freewheel | Shimano Z012, 14-28, 6 cogs | Tires | 27"x 1 1/8 Gum Wall 100psi |
| Chain | DID Black | Weight | 27 lbs. for 21" |
| Notes | |||
