Retro Tech: Lotus 110 Sport

Many iconic bikes stand the test of time, one of which is the Mike Burrows-designed Lotus Sport 110. The "Z" frame went against the conventional frames of the era. You'll notice the lack of seat tubes and down tube, the idea being to reduce wind resistance as well as reducing weight at the same time. The Lotus 110 also utilized carbon monocoque technology, still revolutionary for the time. 

1996 Lotus Sport 110

The design of the Lotus Sport 110 is so good it is still wickedly fast compared to today's modern time trial bikes as has inspired similar designs today. Take a look at the Falco time trial bike below. 

Falco V 

It's a wonder why we don't see radical bikes like this today in the pro peloton. Well, the Lotus Sport 110 was arguably one o the bikes that caused the Lugano Charter in 1996 that would set guidelines for future time trial bike designs. The idea was to ensure race wins were decided by physical prowess oppose to technology. As such modern equivalents of the Lotus Sport 110 and the Pinarello Aspide will mainly be seen being used by triathletes instead of the pelotons.