Classic & Vintage - Cannondale ST600 now with big fat tires

Reported earlier about picking up this beauty.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/864706-Just-picked-up-a-sweet-little-Cannondale-ST?highlight=cannondale


It was in excellent condition, but I still stripped it to nubs and rebuilt this weekend. I like Cannondale stiffness and this one may be stiffer than my 1987 Criterium Blueberry.

I switched out the 27" wheels for 700's. The tires are 37mm Panaracers, but actually measure more like 38-39 and they fit just fine. There are many other changes, including post, stem, bar ends, 48-36-24 chainrings and 9-speed 12-23 cassette.

Doctor, what do you think?

Pastor, is this a righteous path?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0067r-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0060r-3.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0052r-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0054r-3.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0058r-5.jpg

I think it looks great, but more importantly how does it ride? Looks like you lucked out as the cantis bosses work for the 700 wheels, what are the cantis? Nice choice for all your changes. If it was me I'd lose the white lever hoods, but that's my own taste.

Thanks. I had to change out the stock cantis to a set of older Shimanos that had enough reach. (A good reason to canabalize old MTBs). I agree about the hoods, however, they are stock and not made of that nasty, sticky snot one finds on 105 hoods.

Shakedown ride will be tomorrow.

Cool! Those '80s C'dale frames are mighty durable. I really like the red, and fitting fat tires should make for a comfy ride without giving up benefits of the stiff frame.

I love it! I bet those fat tires make it ride like a Rolls Royce.

You should take it to: this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/863954-C-amp-V-Southern-Arizona-Group-Ride?highlight=)


;)

I love it! I bet those fat tires make it ride like a Rolls Royce.

You should take it to: this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/863954-C-amp-V-Southern-Arizona-Group-Ride?highlight=)


;)

+1! Please join us for our upcoming Arizona C&V group ride on January 12.

BTW, great looking bike! It looks like it can handle the zombie apocalypse and then some....

[QUOTE=Saguaro;15124108]+1! Please join us for our upcoming Arizona C&V group ride on January 12.

BTW, great looking bike! It looks like it can handle the zombie apocalypse and then some....[/QUOTE

This ride sounds like a great time. I will see if I can clear family conflicts and ride. BTW, if I can, I just might be able to bring a surprise. Hint -- a 60-year-old rider from Dallas, past Masters swimming champion, now placing in Cat 3 Criteriums. I have ridden with him before. Woe be us all. But, I'll put him on a drop bar MTB with 2" slicks. That should slow him down a bit.

All the pastor can say is:

AMEN!:thumb:

I really like it! My ST also now sports 700c wheels, and my plan is to run a 9 speed cassette with barend shifters (which I've had since summer but have not installed). Mine came with sidepull calipers, so I have a set of Paul Racer centerpulls ready to go on it. However, I'm not certain I can get a set of tires that wide to work with the fenders.

i like fat tires :thumb:

Me likey. A lot.

(A good reason to canabalize old MTBs)

SHHHHH I want all the thumbies and cantis to myself :lol:

RFC, Similar build to my T bike (mostly parts bin). :) I had plenty of Cannondale roadie take-offs so mine looks darn near factory.

I've really grown fond of mine as it does many things well (actually replaced a couple of Cannondale roadies) and I've even day toured on it several times. ;)

Brad

Wait a second.... you picked this up in the last few days, cleaned, overhauled, cheanged the wheels size and cantis all in less than a day? I think we need to discuss your membership status. I had thought it was a requirement that all 'projects' were to be contemplated for atleast one month before even starting and an then should take atleast two to three days to complete?


Actually I think it looks great. Good job

Mmm, fat.

Looks great. I'd like to find one in blue to do something similar to

Love the red paint and those tires look perfectly suited to the frame.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0052r-1.jpg

For a second I thought this was the MTB drop bar conversion thread.

I am using the 35mm Panaracers on my city bike, they definately run big. I really like the size.

All, thanks for the comments.

I took it out for a 20 mile shakedown yesterday and like it a lot. Also, the big frame and the big tires are a good combination.

As much as I love the look of classic full blown touring bikes, I am always disappointed with the sluggishness of the ride and have sold several nice bikes including a Miyata 1000. This bike, however, because of the sport/tour geometry (73.5/72.0) and the stiffness, retains more of a road bike quickness while being very steady. It's definitely a keeper.

Because I ride primarily on road bikes with 23mm tires, I can always tell the difference when I ride fatties on wider rims. I notice it most in acceleration and in climbing, particularly the short steep hills that require you to jump out of the saddle. However, there is definitely a significant fly wheel effect and they roll right over road junk and bad pavement.

Looks great. I'd like to find one in blue to do something similar to

Mine just after the build:
292299


RFC, I'm going to guess that because my chainstays aren't dimpled for crank arm clearance like yours that my chainstays are closer together at the BB and that's where my tire size (35 mm Pasala) restriction is. Something for others to consider if they want to duplicate your build with your tire size. Can you fit even larger? Does yours have 135 mm rear drop outs?

Brad

Nice!

What pressure are you running. And since it's relevant to my first question, what do you weigh, if you don't mind.

Nice!

What pressure are you running. And since it's relevant to my first question, what do you weigh, if you don't mind.

I can't answer for RFC, but, with mine (35 mm Pasalas) I run 65 PSI unloaded and I'm 175-180 lbs.

Brad

Mine just after the build:
292299


RFC, I'm going to guess that because my chainstays aren't dimpled for crank arm clearance like yours that my chainstays are closer together at the BB and that's where my tire size (35 mm Pasala) restriction is. Something for others to consider if they want to duplicate your build with your tire size. Can you fit even larger? Does yours have 135 mm rear drop outs?

Brad

Mid 80's Cannondale went to cantis. My guess is that they also increased clearance at that time. I have about 3-4mm of daylight between the stays, but wouldn't go any wider. It's a bit of a Chinese puzzle to get the rear wheel in place without deflating. Dropout spacing appears to be 132 mm, which is consistent with what I remember about Cannondales of this era. 130 mm wheels popped right in without any problem.

Nice!

What pressure are you running. And since it's relevant to my first question, what do you weigh, if you don't mind.

I tend to run tires hot. Bad habit, I suppose. I am 165 and the tires are 90 psi.

Hot means hard?

I have the same tendency and am trying to break myself of it. I'm afraid of pinch flats and of denting my rims, even though the risks aren't that great. I brought my pressure down to 80-rear and 75-front, and I'm sure I can go lower. I weigh 180, and my bike is pretty heavy. This is with 700x32 Paselas.

I rode to work today (yay!), 13 miles, with racks and panniers.

RFC, Mine is a '95, the first year (per catalog) of the 3.0 touring frame and the less attractive unicrown fork. It also has 135 mm rear dropout spacing. Between the chainstays I have ~1.5 mm tire clearance.

Tom, I'm jealous! I've had a head/chest cold since after Christmas and haven't rode at all. 65 PSI is the lowest recommended pressure on my sidewalls and the lowest pressure I've run since I was a kid...so far, so good.

Brad

RFC, Mine is a '95, the first year (per catalog) of the 3.0 touring frame and the less attractive unicrown fork. It also has 135 mm rear dropout spacing. Between the chainstays I have ~1.5 mm tire clearance.

Tom, I'm jealous! I've had a head/chest cold since after Christmas and haven't rode at all. 65 PSI is the lowest recommended pressure on my sidewalls and the lowest pressure I've run since I was a kid...so far, so good.

Brad

Oh. Then there were at least 3 design changes before they went to sloping TTs.

I wish I could get wider on mine. I'm afraid my 32's barely squeak in the rear triangle already on my ST400.

Oh. Then there were at least 3 design changes before they went to sloping TTs.

You might be right. I count three major design changes, with some minor changes through the span of Cannondale's touring bike production. Basically they're grouped in my mind as the original ST, the 3.0 T series and the sloping top tube single digit T series.

Brad

Canopus, are you running 700's or still have 27" rims? On the ST's that have gone through a 700c conversion here, I've found that 32's fit fairly easily.
But the ST's I've worked on have all been caliper brakers, none newer than '88.