Lotus 108
Encyclopedia
The Lotus Type 108 is an Olympic individual pursuit
bicycle. The revolutionary frame is an advanced aerofoil cross-section using a carbon composite monocoque.
The use of monocoque frames for bikes is not new, but their development was improved through the work of Norfolk based designer Mike Burrows
, who advanced both the design and build through utilising carbon fibre mouldings.
Burrows' design was initially rejected by British cycling manufacturers. However, it was to be received more enthusiastically by the British Cycling Federation. The design was considered illegal by the UCI
. Therefore the project was prematurely shelved in 1987.
In 1990, the UCI revoked the ban on monocoque frames. Shortly after this, Lotus Engineering
became involved in the project through a friend of Burrows who took his design to the Lotus factory. The potential was evident and Lotus’ knowledge and aptitude at using carbon fibre techniques allowed the design to finally realise its potential. By February 1992, Lotus Engineering had acquired the rights and marketed the bike as the LotusSport Bike. In addition, the design was modified and perfected through a series of wind tunnel tests, by the Lotus aerodynamics specialist Richard Hill.
The success of this was emphasised when Bryan Steel was able to shave five seconds off his time for the two kilometre pursuit at an international race meeting in Leicester.
The profile of Lotus and Burrows was raised at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. A new world record of 4 minutes 24.496 seconds was established as well as Chris Boardman
winning the 4000m pursuit, lapping World Champion Jens Lehmann
in the final. The publicity of this medal, the first British cycling medal at the Olympics in 72 years, confirmed to Lotus the potential of marketing a production version. This was to become the Lotus Type 110.
Following the Olympics, the Type 108 was modified with the introduction of a set of elongated tri-bar handlebars to suit the, since banned, superman position.
A total of fifteen Type 108s were built including one prototype in 1991, as well as three frames for use in the Olympic Games. A further eight replicas were offered for sale at £15,000 each. Of the fifteen, at least two are on display, one at the Lotus Factory at Hethel and the other frame (supposedly Chris Boardman
’s gold medal winning bike) at the Science Museum
in South Kensington.
Individual pursuit
The individual pursuit is a track cycling event where two cyclists begin the race from a stationary position on opposite sides of the track.The event is held over 4 km for men and 3 km for women. The two riders start at the same time and set off to complete the race distance in the...
bicycle. The revolutionary frame is an advanced aerofoil cross-section using a carbon composite monocoque.
The use of monocoque frames for bikes is not new, but their development was improved through the work of Norfolk based designer Mike Burrows
Mike Burrows
Mike Burrows is a bicycle designer from Norwich, England.He is best known for the design of the track carbon-fibre Lotus 108 time trial bicycle manufactured by Lotus for Chris Boardman, when he won the 1992 Olympic 4000m pursuit in Barcelona...
, who advanced both the design and build through utilising carbon fibre mouldings.
Burrows' design was initially rejected by British cycling manufacturers. However, it was to be received more enthusiastically by the British Cycling Federation. The design was considered illegal by the UCI
Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....
. Therefore the project was prematurely shelved in 1987.
In 1990, the UCI revoked the ban on monocoque frames. Shortly after this, Lotus Engineering
Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
became involved in the project through a friend of Burrows who took his design to the Lotus factory. The potential was evident and Lotus’ knowledge and aptitude at using carbon fibre techniques allowed the design to finally realise its potential. By February 1992, Lotus Engineering had acquired the rights and marketed the bike as the LotusSport Bike. In addition, the design was modified and perfected through a series of wind tunnel tests, by the Lotus aerodynamics specialist Richard Hill.
The success of this was emphasised when Bryan Steel was able to shave five seconds off his time for the two kilometre pursuit at an international race meeting in Leicester.
The profile of Lotus and Burrows was raised at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. A new world record of 4 minutes 24.496 seconds was established as well as Chris Boardman
Chris Boardman
Christopher "Chris" Boardman MBE is a former English racing cyclist who won an individual pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and broke the world hour record three times, as well as winning three stages and wearing the yellow jersey on three separate occasions at the Tour de France...
winning the 4000m pursuit, lapping World Champion Jens Lehmann
Jens Lehmann (cyclist)
Jens Lehmann is a German professional cyclist and double Olympic champion. Despite his many successes , he will probably be remembered best as the person caught by Chris Boardman riding the revolutionary 'Lotus Superbike,...
in the final. The publicity of this medal, the first British cycling medal at the Olympics in 72 years, confirmed to Lotus the potential of marketing a production version. This was to become the Lotus Type 110.
Following the Olympics, the Type 108 was modified with the introduction of a set of elongated tri-bar handlebars to suit the, since banned, superman position.
A total of fifteen Type 108s were built including one prototype in 1991, as well as three frames for use in the Olympic Games. A further eight replicas were offered for sale at £15,000 each. Of the fifteen, at least two are on display, one at the Lotus Factory at Hethel and the other frame (supposedly Chris Boardman
Chris Boardman
Christopher "Chris" Boardman MBE is a former English racing cyclist who won an individual pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and broke the world hour record three times, as well as winning three stages and wearing the yellow jersey on three separate occasions at the Tour de France...
’s gold medal winning bike) at the Science Museum
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
in South Kensington.