Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Cannondale, very early need info??

Hello, I have a Cannondale road bike, and there is no model number on it. My best guess is it is an 83 model, but you would think they would have put a name on there someplace. It has 12 speeds,and the shift levers are on the forward tube. I think there was an R-300 and R-500, but I can't find anything more than that, and can't remember where I found that. Went all over the web, including the factory site, and even they are no help anymore. Can anyone shed some light on this one? thanks. ron

Check the serial number, a Cannondale of that age will have one on the bottom bracket. Then look it up at the vintage Cannondale sites.

Few if any manufacturers run the vintage sites. So to find vintage info, you need to find a separate site, hosted by an enthusiast, who provides that kind of info.

http://www.vintagecannondale.com/catalog.html

Thanks for the info. I did find out all about it from another enthusiast. I did hear from one 'snob' who said none of the dales were valuable or collectible as they are 'too new', having originated in 1983. Other vicious rumors claimed that frames broke apart down by the crank. I really don't care, and have been hardened by other people's criticism of my Jaguars as not being reliable. I live with it, and love them. I always ask people to look in the mirror and tell me what they don't like.

Whether something is valuable and collectible is rather in the eye of the beholder, don't you think?

I have several of these 80's Cannondales, ride them regularly and love each of them for their unique personality. While they have been appreciating somewhat recently, I would not consider them an investment in anything other than my own enjoyment.