Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Advice please re Cannondale Criterium

Hi all.

I am looking at a 1988 Cannondale 105 Criterium in good condition and wanted to get your advice.

First, is this a bike worth having and riding?

Second, it's got a 6-speed freewheel. Can I squeeze in an 8 or 9 speed free hub?

Third, what is a "market price" for this bike?

Thanks All

RFC

Might be interesting to compare to your steel rides. It's incredibly stiff and accelerates like a rocket, but will probably fatigue you more quickly than a comparable steel frame over distances. Of course, tire size and inflation plays a role here, but you probably can't fit much larger than 25c (actually, this is based on a '93 I had with alloy fork, so you may be able to fit up to 28c).

You can spread aluminum 126 spaced dropouts easily to accommodate a 130 spaced hub. Just don't try to cold set it.

Market price can range from $150-$250 depending on condition and component group.

I should qualify my post by adding my riding impression is based on a '93 frame with cantilevered drops and alloy fork. The '88 model might not be quite as stiff or 'feel' quite as fast.

Here's a relevant thread that might push you into making an irrational, impulsive buy:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?284011-Who-else-is-rocking-an-old-Cdale-criterium

1988 is the last year of the heavy frames. They're uncomfortable at best.

You should be able to do 7 spd. Not 8 or 9 unless you spread the frame.

Cool thing is you can take the rear wheel off and stand on the chainstay/seatstays (or dropout, if you don't bend it). It would support a 160-180 lbs person no problem.

Get an 89 or later.

cdr

1988 is the last year of the heavy frames. They're uncomfortable at best.

You should be able to do 7 spd. Not 8 or 9 unless you spread the frame.

Cool thing is you can take the rear wheel off and stand on the chainstay/seatstays (or dropout, if you don't bend it). It would support a 160-180 lbs person no problem.

Get an 89 or later.

cdr

Even better a 90 or later because they come with an aluminum instead of CroMo steel fork.

You should be able to do 7 spd. Not 8 or 9 unless you spread the frame.



I would not spread an aluminum frame!

IMO, the steel fork would yield a more forgiving ride. That frame can be brutally rigid.

Oh, my. Such opinionation going on here.

I have a buttload of Canndales- Criterium, Road and Touring frames- and every single one of them is/has been an absolute joy to own and ride. No problems with a 100+ mile ride, no frame breakage, none of that stuff. If a steel frame has a sweeter ride, I can't tell (I own/have owned steel bikes as well). Yes, the frame is stiff, but it's never made me want to get off the bike sooner than anything else I ride.

The Criteriums have pretty tight geometry, so it's not something you'd want to tour on. But for most everything else...very nice.

If you can grab an SR500 in decent shape with 105 components in good condition (the 88's are actually my favorite- pics below are of an 88 SR800-red- and an 88 SR500 -blue), do so. If you don't like the bike...I'll buy it from you.

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/1988CannondaleSR800red1000px.jpg

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/88SR500Cannondale1000px.jpg

Oh, my. Such opinionation going on here.

I have a buttload of Canndales- Criterium, Road and Touring frames- and every single one of them is/has been an absolute joy to own and ride. No problems with a 100+ mile ride, no frame breakage, none of that stuff. If a steel frame has a sweeter ride, I can't tell (I own/have owned steel bikes as well). Yes, the frame is stiff, but it's never made me want to get off the bike sooner than anything else I ride.

The Criteriums have pretty tight geometry, so it's not something you'd want to tour on. But for most everything else...very nice.

If you can grab an SR500 in decent shape with 105 components in good condition (the 88's are actually my favorite- pics below are of an 88 SR800-red- and an 88 SR500 -blue), do so. If you don't like the bike...I'll buy it from you.

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/1988CannondaleSR800red1000px.jpg

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/88SR500Cannondale1000px.jpg

It's the blue just like yours. We'll see if it ends up here. The guy saw one listed on the Bay for $500, so he is convinced his $400 asking price is a good deal.

No problems with a 100+ mile ride, no frame breakage, none of that stuff. If a steel frame has a sweeter ride, I can't tell (I own/have owned steel bikes as well). Yes, the frame is stiff, but it's never made me want to get off the bike sooner than anything else I ride.

So you notice no difference between the cantilever frames with alloy forks and the older frames with steel forks, as you have pictured? I've never ridden the latter, but I can say without equivocation the cantilever frame with alloy forks was a jarring (but fun) ride even on 25c tires, especially when compared to steel frames (Columbus SL/SP, Reynolds 531) I've owned. It definitely 'feels' faster and 'feels' like it climbs better than the steel, which feels spongy in comparison, but over a similar distance, I would feel much more fatigued on the Cannondale, especially in my upper body.

I have never spent much time on a Cannondale or any aluminum bike, for that matter. I've test ridden Cannondales and loved them. I even got to test-ride the first Cannondale soon after it came out in 1983. I loved it.

I have a 1991 SM-700 (mountain bike) which I never ride because I'm not much into mountain bikes and it also needs some repairs I'm not enthusiastic about diving into. I've ridden a bit and found it uncomfortable, and I think it's because the rider position is too different from what I'm used to.

$400? NOOOOO NO WAY. Not even maybe.
JunkYardBike gave you good advice on the price. Whether or not you like the ride or want to make changes, for $400 you can buy a newer C'dale with carbon fork and brifters, alreay set up with 8 or 9 speed, no upgrade needed.
EDIT: BTW I'm a big C'dale fan and currently own 3, and I'm looking at another.

+1 on the price, and the guy who's trying to sell that Criterium on eBay for $500 will never get it. That bike sold for $450 new.

This time of year, paying more than $225 + shipping for anything that's not perfect and needs nothing is crazy. In season they go for twice that much (if refurbed and ready to ride), but not now. I sold the blue one in the pic above for $425 in the early fall and it had been entirely restored, needed nothing. The red one (which had a full 600 group and a fresh powder coat & decals) went for $500 at about the same time.

I haven't spent a whole lot of long ride time on a cantilever frame but did a refurb on an 89 Black Lightning last year and did some 30+ milers on it. Very sweet ride and it was a canti. Hated to sell it, but I'm not so much into the black bikes. A 25 is about the largest tire you can fit on one of those frames- I tried a 28 but it rubbed. The later Road frames from the early 90's (a little more relaxed than the Criterium series) will fit a 28, however.