Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Help me identify this mid 80's Cannondale SR road bike.

Here's the quote from the seller:

"1985/1986 56cm Cannondale SR500/SR600 with Tange Cro-Mo forks. Built up with Shimano 600 8-speed group (except brake/shift levers are new Shimano Sora - I originally had the bike set up with downtube shifters - Sora was all I could find at the time in 8-speed). Cinelli stem, "cut-off" Look drop-in bars, Selle Italia Flite saddle with titanium rails. Wheels are Shimano 600 hubs laced with Mavic Open 4CD rims. Comes with a second 8-speed cassette. I have been using the bike as a commuter for the past number of years."

I just flipped through the catalogues and there is no bike in this colour which fits the description provided. The fork is non-original. Can anyone shed light on which bike this is? The seller is asking for $250. Should I pick it up?

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Get the serial number from the seller. Its a repaint, no decals, no other markings. So you are not going to find it in the catalogs. Cannondale used a good serial number system back then.

Many of us would not squeeze an eight speed system into an aluminum frame Cannondale. I have one right now, and I have been thinking about putting eight speed STI onto it.

The replacement fork is very odd. The original fork was cromoly, so there is no advantage of replacing it with another cromoly fork. That makes me wonder whether bike was in a wreck. I would check it really carefully.

Toronto pricing seems to be on the high side. If so, this bike is a decent/good deal.

It predates 1989, when Cannondale went with the long cantilever style dropouts.

And since you are buying it as an end user, I don't see much difference whether it is a 1984 or a 1987 model. Since it no longer has original paint, fork, or components, nothing is really original anyway.

Doesn't look like a repaint, Bill. Looks like a "no paint." Bare aluminum, which wouldn't surprise me as the Cannondale paint jobs from that era are pretty poor. I agree with you on the rest. Pre-89 model but the serial number will tells us the year for sure. It can be found on the left chain stay or the left seat stay.

Really odd thing to do to the bars, chopping them like that.

-Shin

Is it me or is there a giant dent in the chainstay?

Is it me or is there a giant dent in the chainstay?

Yes. They are there for crank clearance. The stays are oversized, so Cannondale added the dimples so the crank arms don't hit them. There's one on the other size too.

-Shin

It doesnt matter what model it is because Cannondale only made 1 road frame.

ah ok cool thanks for the clarification

Yes. They are there for crank clearance. The stays are oversized, so Cannondale added the dimples so the crank arms don't hit them. There's one on the other size too.

-Shin

Yup. As a matter of fact, 2 dents at the drive side (one you cannot see, but it is where the large ring of the crank goes) and one at the non-drive side

It's an AA/BB/CC frame (83/84/85). Metal cable guides on top tube (unless they have been painted) and riveting methodology on RD cable stop give it away.
Nice platform.