This article is brief and has been prompted by the Design Museum holding an exhibition on bicycles and their significance.<\/p>\n
As the Lotus Pursuit bike is a major exhibit the editors believed it provided an opportunity to revisit the 108 and provide some further interpretation.<\/p>\n
Subscribers are invited to attend the exhibition [details below] as it ought to appeal to a wide audience not least engineers, product designers and sports scientists.<\/p>\n
The Lotus Pursuit Bike has become iconic and features in many recent books.<\/p>\n
The Design Museum Exhibition examines how Design and Performance interface. The Lotus Pursuit bike is a perfect example. Britain has proud record of success with boffins , inventors and cranks <\/em>seeking advantage through innovation .This has taken various forms from cottage industry through to hard science that Lotus have brought to sport.<\/p>\n The editors believe that the achievement of Burrows, Lotus and Boardman have contributed to the recent colossal success of British cyclists men and women in international competition. It inspired them and offered confidence and pride.<\/p>\n The editors have seen many photographs of the Pursuit bike on the net \/in books but no working drawings that\u00a0 fully explain the layout so we take the opportunity of extrapolating what we believe to be the layout.<\/p>\n Subscribers might like to see our existing article on the Lotus 108\/110<\/a> that will gear them up.<\/p>\n Green Machine<\/strong><\/p>\n For many the bicycle is considered the most efficient form of transport on earth. Its credentials are:<\/p>\n As concerns grow for the environment so do the interest and importance of the bicycle. Some argue that the automobile advantages are being outweighed<\/p>\n The bicycle in comparison is ecological, efficient and more sustainable and generally holistic when fitness and health are factored in.<\/p>\n It is perhaps totally consistent with the Chapman design methodology and mantra of mechanical efficiency delivered through theoretical application of weight reduction enhanced by aerodynamic performance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Lotus Contribution<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBurrows filed a patent for a monocoque bike frame in 1982 and by 1984 he had produced his first rideable monocoque\u2026\u2026\u2026..The inherent strength of carbon fibre allowed him to use a single wing \u2013shaped blade with the front wheel axle bonded into it , the wheel then slid onto this from the side [ same applied at rear]\u201d<\/p>\n The suggestion is that an introduction was brokered that allowed Burrows to meet Lotus who saw an engineering challenge and opportunity to get into the Olympics.<\/p>\n Boardman was invited to be involved as rider and specific wind tunnel testing commenced at MIRA.<\/p>\n The editors believe that the primary Lotus contribution relates to the identfication of the critical component or obstacle. In the case of the racing bike it\u2019s the size and shape of the rider along with the mechanics of cycling and the consequential negative impact on aerodynamics. As in the past having isolated this element they proceed to find a theoretical solution capable of realization. In this they defy convention and explore and test, measure and having established data then proceed to find improvements. Aerodynamics are so critical to FI is worth noting the comparisons of approach.<\/p>\n Lotus like other automobile manufacturers sought to exploit their reputation and connection with a merchandise range of up market racing bikes [see our previous article and below]<\/p>\n From the Design Museum Website. Exhibition Description:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cycle Revolution at London\u2019s world leading Design Museum celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition and looks at where design and innovation may take the riders of the future. This will be your last chance to see an exhibition at the Design Museum\u2019s current London Bridge riverside location before the museum moves to its new home in Kensington in 2016. What’s in the exhibition? Highlights of the bikes on display include: Sir Bradley Wiggins\u2019s 2015 Hour Record bike and 2014 World Championship Time Trial bike A number of Team Sky\u2019s Pinarellos from the 2015 Tour de France, as well as kit and equipment from the team\u2019s 2015 Tour de France win Sir Chris Hoy\u2019s Great Britain Cycling Team London 2012 Olympic Track bike The Lotus Type 108 ridden by Chris Boardman at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Eddy Merckx\u2019s 1972 1984 Hour Record bike Francesco Moser\u2019s 1984 Hour Record bike, loaned for the exhibition from the personal collection of Sir Bradley Wiggins The earliest prototype Brompton in existence A 1978 Breezer Series 1 A 1969 Raleigh Chopper. Bike builder\u2019s workshop \u2013 showing the tools, materials and skills that combine to create a bespoke machine. Six independent British bike builders are profiled – Donhou Bicycles, Toad Custom Cycles, Hartley Cycles, Robin Mather Cycles, Mercian Cycles and Shand Cycles. High profile cyclists including Lord Norman Foster and Sir Paul Smith discuss their passion for cycling and hopes for its future in the closing film. – See more at: http:\/\/designmuseum.org\/exhibitions\/future-exhibitions\/cycle-revolution#sthash.ngf70VMb.dpuf<\/a><\/p>\n The last decade has seen a revolution in cycling, on a scale not witnessed in the UK since the Second World War. Cycle Revolution celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition. It brings together bicycles, clothing, accessories, equipment, film and photography to explain where cycling is now and where it might take us in the future. The exhibition looks at cycling subcultures through four \u2018tribes\u2019 \u2013 the High Performers who reach Olympic speeds, the Thrill Seekers who take on all terrains, the Urban Riders who pedal our cities mile by mile, and the Cargo Bikers who work on two wheels. British bespoke bicycle frame building is showcased in the exhibition in a recreation of a bicycle making workshop featuring artisans from across the UK. Cycle Revolution closes with a glimpse into the future of cycling \u2013 how it is changing the infrastructure of the city, and how architects, designers and urban planners are responding to the needs of twenty-first century cyclists? Enjoy the ride! Don\u2019t miss the specially-commissioned Ben Wilson bicycle sculpture in the museum\u2019s Atrium, cycling films in the 1.5 Gallery and series of cycling related talks and events. Continue the conversation on social media and feature on the exhibition\u2019s Social Wall @designmuseum #CycleRevolution. – See more at: http:\/\/designmuseum.org\/exhibitions\/future-exhibitions\/cycle-revolution#what-s-the-exhibition-about<\/a><\/p>\n This drawing by the editor seeks to demonstrate the layout of the 108 Pursuit bike. The bike needs to be viewed in several angles in order to appreciate the aerodynamic advantage achieved with the mono sided layout. Head on the bike has an extremely narrow profile. Some observers have likened it to an essentially two-dimensional object. It must have caused a sensation when raced.<\/p>\n In the Frame<\/strong><\/p>\n The specification of the Pursuit bike included:-<\/p>\n The seat post is nonadjustable and is totally integrated with rider physique. The clipless pedals are biomechanically efficient as are the handlebars. This image is taken from the net and offers one of the best interpretations of the Pursuit bike layout.<\/p>\n Chain Reaction<\/strong><\/p>\n The achievement of the Lotus Pursuit bike was possibly not just the technology and construction .The editors suggest there were significant multiple and integrated interacting but mutually complementary forces at work. We suggest these were:-<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Learning Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n Our learning \/educational opportunities are intended to be challenging thought provoking and requiring additional research and\/or analysis.<\/p>\n These opportunities are particularly designed for a museum\/education centre location where visitors would be able to enjoy access to all the structured resources available in conjunction with any concurrent exhibition.<\/p>\n In this instance we suggest the following might be appropriate:-<\/p>\n![\"Modern](\"http:\/\/colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Modern-Bike.jpg\")
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