At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Chris Boardman won gold in the 4,000-metre pursuit on a Lotus Type 108. That success made the bicycle a striking example of how a sporting achievement can also draw attention to an object’s design.
Mike Burrows’s concept was developed by Lotus Engineering using wind-tunnel work. Its carbon-composite monocoque had an aerodynamic cross-section: the frame’s shape became a central part of the project.
The road-going Type 110 adapted that idea with a conventional two-sided fork and rear stays that accommodated a range of gearing.
The story also offers a useful exercise in reading design. When looking at a racing bicycle, ask what task each shape serves and what it asks of the rider. An impressive silhouette alone cannot tell you whether a bike suits your own riding.