Classic & Vintage - Help identifying a Cannondale

Hey I'd like to ask this forum for help in identifying a Cannondale 3.0 that nearly ended up getting scrapped.

Here's the story [if you're interested]. I totaled my car in a storm earlier this year, and I'm leaving for basic training to San Antonio in July. I decided not to buy another car and while I was helping out my dad to clean out his remote storage facility I came across a dirty, grey bike. My dad was ready to trash it but I thought I could fix it up and use it to take me to the gym and back until I ship.

When I cleaned the bike I discovered that it was actually black, with green paint splash stickers.

The frame said cannondale 3.0 and my face lit up like a light bulb. The bike seems to have less then 500km on it. Everything on the bike seems to be original including the brakes and tires.

The shifter mechanism gives me problems downshifting from the biggest ring to the smallest where the pedals are, the chain usually falls and I have to stop the bike to put it back on, other then that the rear wheel wobbles a little and you can feel it especially when you're braking. Other then that everything else seems to work fine.

Now I've been debating on upgrading the bikes components such as drivetrain and brakes. Unfortunately I cant find ANY concrete info on the bike. I've found similar ones but I haven't seen a single picture that looks like mine [color combination and components].

I've found this article but that's the most info I could scrounge up
http://allcdale.com/cannondale-30

I'd appreciate if you guys ould help me find info on this and maybe show me some pointers to what I could upgrade to, I'm very mechanically inclined I just don't posses the knowledge of what components would work best with this amazing frame.

Thank You in advance! Here are the pics:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0052.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0057.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0058.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0060.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0061.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0062.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0063.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0064.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0065.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b204/mattness138/Cannondale%203point0/IMG_0066.jpg

I know almost nothing about Cannondales, so I can't help with your question.

But that is a pretty nice bike. And nice components. You sure you want or need to update them? I am a fan of older MTB's, and with the exception of the brake levers being huge and unwieldy (and flexy, sometimes), I like the old components. Sometimes those old shifters just need to be completely cleaned out (the pawls in Rapidfire-type shifters get gummed up and do not engage well until they are cleaned). And completely cleaning or replacing the chain does more than you might guess it would. And it never hurts to take the derailleurs off to clean them completely, then lightly oil them and set them up from scratch with new cables/housings. Yours might be worn out, of course. But if it really only had 500km on it, then I would be pretty optimistic about bringing them back to life. And a wobble in the wheel is a good opportunity to learn a thing or two about truing a wheel. The rim could be bent, but I would try truing it first.

Not trying to talk you out of updating it. New components can be nice. But, you have a good stuff hanging off a good frame, so give it a little thought before going that route.

I do have an old C-dale MTB from about the same vintage (I think it is an Alpine; I think a lower end C-dale). The components on mine are just bad. But, the frame seems like it has lots of potential that could be tapped.

jim

Thanks for the tip, I know the frame used to be state of the art and is still very competitive, however I have no idea what quality the components are.

I will take it apart and refurb the components. I'm sure there's plenty of info on here on how to go about it

Wow...looks like it's in great condition.

I'm going to guess it's a...1991?

Make sure the tire sidewalls aren't dry-rotted...they could split without warning.

The brake levers aren't compatible with the linear pull (or "V") brakes you might see now. if you replace the brake levers, you also need new shifters...

Unless something is broken, there's no reason to upgrade...cleaning out the old, dried up grease would be good, and new brake pads might be needed.

Yeah, it's from arond 1990. Back then, LX was Shimano's second to top-of-the-line component group. (XTR was introduced in 1991.) It looks like it's in great shape. I don't think you should change a thing... except for maybe getting rid of those reflectors.

Yeah, it's from arond 1990. Back then, LX was Shimano's second to top-of-the-line component group. (XTR was introduced in 1991.) It looks like it's in great shape. I don't think you should change a thing... except for maybe getting rid of those reflectors.

Nothing wrong with those reflectors. In fact, most states require them. I know Texas does.

I'm not a C-Dale expert. Check the date using the info from Vintage Cannondale regarding reading your serial number on the bottom of the BB shell. Realize that frames made late in the year could be the next year's model. For instance, this week I picked up a T700 with a date code of October 1995--- but it has the 1996 paint color.

At the suggestion of Torchy McFlux and kramnnim I checked the 1990 catalog. I believe your MTB is the SM700 (click the attached file below). This looks like your bike except it is missing the the green splotches, so your C-Dale might be a '92-'93.

I also looked on bikepedia. It only goes back to 1993 and has basic information on the M700. This also matches up. As you can see it ran in the mid $800s that year. You have inherited a very nice, almost 20 year old MTB from your Dad. When you begin your service to our country (thank you), give Pops a big hug and strict orders to take good care of the bike while you are away. No more deep storage. Clean and polish it and keep it in your bedroom! :)

May you be safe in all your future endeavors.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1993&Brand=Cannondale&Model=M700&Type=bike

Nice find! I bought a new Cannondale M800 around 1988 when I was in the AF and stationed in NH, I had a blast on that bike! Mine was black also, but without the splatter paint and had friction shifting. I agree with what the others have offered regarding upgrades - totally unnecessary unless something is broken, the bike is already fitted with quality components.

It sounds like you need to adjust the lower stop on the front derailleur to keep the chain from dropping off the small chainring, it's a very easy adjustment to make.