Mountain Biking - what is this cannondale moutain bike worth?

my mom just bought this used mountain bike at a flee market for me. she paid $200.

it's a black cannondale mountain bike, on the frame it says 3.0 series. it's an aluminum frame.
on the fork it says tange cro mo steal fork
sintour xcMaster derailer
da Compe XLT breaks
Sintour Xpress shifters

anyone know the model name/number and/or year of this bike? The guy who sold it to my mom said something about it being a bike thats used by the police, but i'm not sure the guy knew what he was talking about.

i guess my questions are, is this bike worth $200 and can the bike be used for serious mountain biking. can the fork be replaced for a suspension fork, and when so done will it be a descent bike? I was going to start mountain biking and buy a used bike this spring, but i was expecting to have to pay more like $500 for a used bike thats worth using. I just started road cycling last year, and i'm happy with my entry level trek 1200 for that, but i want to be using a real mountain bike on the trail, not a consumer made for suburbs bike.

I would have to say your mom got ripped off.

If you are going to put a good suspension fork on it will cost the same as a new bike would have.

Although your bike does have cop tires, cop brakes, cop pedals, etc....just like Jake and Elwood.


And I would add.....Who spends $200 at a yard sale when they aren't an expert about what they are buying?

Ride it as is. Rigid will make you a real man, and then when you get a suspension bike, you'll feel like you're riding on air!

http://www.getawesome.com/bike.htm
heres picks of the bike in question

Hey you know what? Not a bad bike for the price. You can find out how old the bike is by reading the serial number (usually on the underside of the bottom bracket or along one of the chainstays. Serial number code: first two digits are the size, next 6 are date of manufacture, remainder are unit number. For instance: SN#54021787121 indicates a 54 cm frame, built on February 17, 1987, #121.

PS Please reorient the front wheel's quick release lever so it's up aligned with the fork blade.

uhhh...does anyone else see a serious fubar in the left chainstay?

I take back what I said about riding it. That is NOT safe.

EDIT: it looks like the right chainstay is dented pretty well too. Unless it's one of those crazy-*** designs, and I'm pretty sure it's not, that's no bueno.

That's just clearance for the crank arms, there's nothing wrong with it. My old Peugeot is similar but it's compressed for clearance of the chainrings.

yeah, both sides have that dent. it's built like that

the serial maybe be 52023087562 or 52 inch bike make on february 30 1987 unit #562...but the bottom half of half of the digits are warn off, so it's hard to be positive.

i put pics of the built in dent in the chainstay on the bottom of here.
www.getawesome.com/bike.htm

$200 seems a bit high, the bike is at least 17 years old. It looks to be in good shape, ride it and have fun.

Yes, the 'dents' in the chainstays are from the factory for crank arm clearance.

I dunno about $200, but it looks solid. I really like the frame. Bet its steel....mmmm steel :)

someone told me they think it's a road bike converted to a mountain bike. check this out. from myspace forum.
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Oh, it is a road bike frame with mtb handlebar and tires. Check out ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cannondale-3-0-Road-Race-58cm-Bike-Cycle-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ7224633846QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and it is going for $370 now as a road bike.

Change to a used road handlebar and slap 2 used road wheelset and sell it off ebay to maybe break even and then get a used entry level MTB Trek 4300-4500 for about $300 at ebay if that's the price range you are comfortable with.

a. its not steel, cannondale never made a steel bike.
b. its not a converted road frame, see the cantilever bosses and cable stops.

After looking at the photos again, I'd guess it's a 1990 model. Seven speed with under bar push-push shifters, and real vintage Tioga Farmer John's Nephew tires! :D

It's worth riding and enjoying.

You've got a cool, vintage mountain bike there. I don't know what they sell for, but I'm pretty sure that's a fair deal. More than I'd like to pay for a vintage bike, but I don't usually find them that nice.

I'm pretty sure you can get whay you paid out of it. I'm also sure it'll be great to ride and learn on. Don't bother trying to upgrade it and turn it into something it's not. You'll spend a bundle on parts and nobody who wants it as a vintage bike will want it and nobody looking for a modern bike will either.

Enjoy,
Ron

Yes, the 'dents' in the chainstays are from the factory for crank arm clearance.

Consider me corrected. In that case, the bike looks to be in excellent condition, I don't know that you got the best of deals, but not too bad.

DON'T sell it for a trek 4300. I promise you A) this bike will take more abuse and B) you'll have more fun.

Cannondale were making aluminium frames way back then? They never made a steel bike? Wow, i didnt know that.

damn... what kinda dropouts are those?

and have your mom look for some old suntour pro friction thumb shifters. i'll give ya $15 for 'em if in good condition.

Cannondale were making aluminium frames way back then? They never made a steel bike? Wow, i didnt know that.

Since '83