Road Cycling - 90's cannondales...

I've been thinking about trying to find a 90's era cannondale. PriO and Bdog posting pics of their R600's got me thinking about it even more.

Anyone know of the "best" frames / bikes to get from back then? R600, 2.8, 3.0, etc? I assume we are talking pre CADD3...so I'm not really familiar w/ the different models from that year range.

Also, anyone know when they stopped going with downtube shifters and just went with STI? Whatever I would get, I'd want to convert it to current Ultegra 9speed...so I'd need 130mm rear spacing and I'd prefer to not have the downtube shifter bosses on the sides...but if that's the only way they came, that's fine.

Any ideas on the better models out back then?

I've been thinking about trying to find a 90's era cannondale. PriO and Bdog posting pics of their R600's got me thinking about it even more.

Anyone know of the "best" frames / bikes to get from back then? R600, 2.8, 3.0, etc? I assume we are talking pre CADD3...so I'm not really familiar w/ the different models from that year range.

Also, anyone know when they stopped going with downtube shifters and just went with STI? Whatever I would get, I'd want to convert it to current Ultegra 9speed...so I'd need 130mm rear spacing and I'd prefer to not have the downtube shifter bosses on the sides...but if that's the only way they came, that's fine.

Any ideas on the better models out back then?

My racing bike, which I still have and will post a pic of later, is a Cannondale Crit 600, with Ultegra (600) downtube shifter, only an 8 speed cog in the back...but I can say that is is as stiff a frame as you will ride. I am a big guy for racing...175 and 5-11 when in shape, and this bike handled everything I threw at it. I am buying an ORBEA but will keep the 'dale for time trialing...

Great bikes...and I honestly like the downtube shifters just fine...but hey, I am old school.

Z

One of my bikes is an R500 purchased in '98. It is a CAAD3 with STI shifters. Great frame, very quick and responsive but was originally supplied with average components - RSX which was essentially the 105 group....

My bike is a 94 R600 and I just bought it last year for $350. Pretty good deal for having all Campy components and Mavic rims. As in the pic in the other thread you can see it had downtube shifters, but someone put on a lever shifter and you really don't notice the conversion on the downtube. Whoever had it before took pretty good care of it. The bike shop knew the guy and said it doesn't have alot of mile on it. The only thing I have noticed about 90's R600's is the part of the frame in the rear that sticks out where the cog and wheel mount. The mounts don't meet at the triangle, but about 2 inches after the frame meets is where the wheel is put on at.

http://home.planetcomm.net/bdog/R600/CannondaleR600%20(1).jpg

http://home.planetcomm.net/bdog/R600/CannondaleR600%20(2).jpg

http://home.planetcomm.net/bdog/R600/CannondaleR600.jpg

Bdog...every time I look at that side shot of your 'dale...I'm lusting after that paint job! ;)

I'm wondering how the 2.8, 3.0, and R series differed back then. I had read somewhere that they were all the same frame just different components...wonder if this is true or not?

Bdog...every time I look at that side shot of your 'dale...I'm lusting after that paint job! ;)

I'm wondering how the 2.8, 3.0, and R series differed back then. I had read somewhere that they were all the same frame just different components...wonder if this is true or not?The 2.8, 3.0 and R were different frames. The 3.0 was lighter than the 2.8 and the R was the lightest. It may be a thickness or diameter of the frame also that lead to the weight difference. Thanks for the paint compliment, I like it too.

that big would look so hot if you had some red tires bdog :)

Prio- I was thinking the same thing...red or blue tires would definitely compliment the paint scheme! ;)

Bdog - Thanks for the info...sounds like I need to source a R series...wonder if there was an R800 or higher back then? Maybe I should call Cannondale and see if they have any old brochures...

Yea, I need new tires anyway and it wouldn't hurt to call Cannondale and get some info on the older model bikes... that's is how I got my info.

Ok, just got off the phone w/ cannondale...here's what I found out.

2.8, 3.0 were frame designations. R200,400,600,1000, etc were actual full bike models and represented the component level. According to the tech I talked with you could of bought an R600 w/ either a 2.8 or a 3.0 frame back then (should be marked on the bike) and either a double or triple again depending on the model you were looking at.

They said the 2.8 was a lighter frame from the 3.0 and their top in '93 & '94. In '94 the top model was an R2000.

So the bottomline I guess is that there is a ton of choices to choose from in those year ranges....I think I want to get a 2.8 w/ 130mm rear spacing as the first parameters.

Cool, now keep up the search for a good deal.

here bdog :)
http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/blue.JPG
http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/redd.JPG

Here is a shot of my old Cannondale. There are no model markings on the frame. I called Cannondale and was told it was a 93 R900 with the 2.8 frame. It came with Shimano 600 group. A friend of mine was converting one of his bikes to a TT bike so he gave me his Ultegra sti shifters and a rear derailleur so I was able to convert to 9 speed. I like the look but it is sure hard to keep clean.

Can any one help with what size the head tube is on the 2.8's, I want to put a carbon fork with a threadless headset .


http://www.pbase.com/image/31629930.jpg

here bdog :)
http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/blue.JPGSweet, I like the blue.

weren't they 1" back then?

This may be a kinda late reply, but i just purchased a cannondale r800 and it is quick. I really don't know what it feels like because I haven't taken it for a 40+ ride, but for what I ride it feels okay. Defenitly a good buy! :)

Wow…I can't believe I missed this thread.

I've got a '92 that looks exactly like Bdog's. The exceptions being, mixed bag of Shimano components (as this was one of their first offerings with a triple), and the paint is all blue (same as the front of Bdog's). I would guess that you are looking for a 93 or later as my bike is a 7 speed cassette with 126mm rear spacing, down tube shifters of course.

I am amazed at the longevity of this frame. I put a ton of miles on this thing over the past 10 years and with stiffness of the early all aluminum frames (harsh does not begin to describe the ride), I would have expected this thing to come apart years ago. I would say that the qualities that make for a harsh ride are also the qualities that cause folks to seek out these frames. The slightest motion of the pedal is translated instantaneously to motion at the rear wheel.

I would definitely get a carbon seat post and carbon handle bars and anything else you can think of to smooth out the ride. C'dale has come a long way with their frames. I've ridden later all AL Cannondale's that are much smoother than the early frames. We have a very long descent on one of my local routes that is some nasty road, potholes, ruts and generally poor asphalt. I've had water bottles, pumps and mirrors shake off the bike during this descent. I literally get popped off the seat from unexpected bumps. Even with these issues, I do like the bike and it usually sees 100 - 150 miles per week. I have owned it since new and I do take good care of all of my equipment, but I still get compliments from people who think the bike is new.

Bdog - Nice ride dude. I almost hate to say it cause I'll probably get flamed, but, take off the spoke protector :)