Classic & Vintage - I have to admit, I am developing some serious Cannondale love

Although I have always been aware of Cannondale, my first hand introduction was during my present C&V period. If I had to rate my C&V bikes in terms of riding performance, I would have to put my 1987 Blueberry Criterium among the top of the list and, really, only comparable to my 98 Litespeed Ultimate. They are both very stiff sprint bikes and I love the ride. The Blueberry is so responsive that I left the DT shifters on because when I upshift, it's like hitting the next rocket and taking off.

Now, with my recent acquisition of the 90 ST600, my admiration is confirmed. The same feel with the stability of the big tires. I did hill repeats on it today and, although the feel is different, it was still fast.

I may need to collect the entire set: CX, MTB and track drop single speed.

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

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0014a.jpg

In regards to aluminum, in my experience there is no other as good as Cannondale, mountain or road.

I find myself always looking at Cannondales on C.L. Haven't got one yet. How do the weights compare between the two? I've seen several of the touring bikes listed but they're usually too big. That blue is killer by the way.

My thoughts?

Guys coming from C&V like the ride of Cannondales...because although they are vintage, they ride (and kind of look) like modern bikes.

It is definitely what converted me. My first Cannondale was very similar to your blueberry. I also had a similar feeling that shifting was like hitting the turbo button, that bike was a rocket. Since then, I have been gradually moving away from C&V. I no longer lust after old SLX and 531 framed bikes (except to look at). Every now and again I will think I want one and build it up (most recent was a Tommasini Super Prestige) only to strip it back down and sell it. More recently, I've started to fall for modern steel cross bikes. Stiff and somewhat aggressive geometry, but the ability to take 40mm wide tires... I would like to try a ST Cannondale and put on some fatties, looks like fun.

Here is how my blueberry looked when I first picked it up. I cant seem to find a picture of how it looked when I eventually sold it, unfortunately.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/Cannondale%20SR500/100_0268.jpg

We have a really nice ST600 with full 105 for sale at our shop, it is a friends of my boss ( Dr. Joe) who owns it and he bought at our shop new. I think it is a 22" frame which would fit me perfect, it's the same color blue as the one above. I thought the guy was done riding road bikes but then he just bought a Ti Merlin bike with full Campy Record on it that we were selling for another one of my bosses friends. I want the C-Dale but I just won't have the money to spend on a bike unless I get rid of a few in the stable first. I am thinking with the price tag my boss put on it it may be there for awhile so things may change, stranger things have happened.

Glenn

I love my '86 SR900 with campy nuovo/record. I hear you guys about the turbo button, man these things can take off. If only it was indexed shifting.. Anyway I've been dying to get a Ti road bike tho

I had a 3.0 for a number of years, and it was a great handling bike. The 3.0 series is super stiff, though, so not a century machine.

My '87 SR400 is my best climber - The thing about 'dales is that it seems ZERO energy gets wasted. It all propels you forward - yet the ride is uncompromised.
It's the most modern bike I've ever owned, but I think it's still alright because it has a level TT and it runs friction DT shifters.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Cannondale%20SR400%20Team%20Comp%201987/CannondaleCloudyDay2.jpg

My thoughts?

Guys coming from C&V like the ride of Cannondales...because although they are vintage, they ride (and kind of look) like modern bikes.



I think you nailed it.

You guys spurred me to air up the tires and go for a midnight stroll. I also did a practice tube change on these ambrosio wheels that everyone has trouble with. It was pretty hard but I got it without much trouble. Now I just need to figure out how to improve the rear braking. Also, anyone have any tips on how to make the hoods more comfortable? They are so skinny compared to modern hoods and they cut in like crazy.

You guys spurred me to air up the tires and go for a midnight stroll. I also did a practice tube change on these ambrosio wheels that everyone has trouble with. It was pretty hard but I got it without much trouble. Now I just need to figure out how to improve the rear braking. Also, anyone have any tips on how to make the hoods more comfortable? They are so skinny compared to modern hoods and they cut in like crazy.

Are you riding with cycling gloves? Padded gloves help.

You can get also Cane Creek SC-5's in Silver with gum hoods for a retro-friendly look. They're comfy:

294307

Those hoods won't fit over the campy brake levers? I kinda hate to take them off

Those hoods won't fit over the campy brake levers? I kinda hate to take them off

They are levers and hoods - a complete assembly.

FWIW Campy hoods are pretty comfy in my experience (Super Record).

I'd say the easy fix is wear padded cycling gloves, then asses if your position is okay (i.e. not too much weight on your hands). It's a racing bike, so you'll always have more weight up front than with other, more upright setups.

Ok just got back from my spin around the block. Now I remember why we love these bikes. So quick, so balanced, almost like a smooth twitchy feeling. This bike fits me like a glove too. Riding in the drops is actually more comfortable than up top. Thanks for suggestion canyon, you're always good like that.
I think my trek 1000 might have to switch duties to commuter :)

I thought this 47-48 cm bike was super canondale for my daughter Nelli, it's still to big for her,
for sale at the LBS for only 300 dollars, it's a steal, new tires and perfect trim.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f394/rivieraproject/bicycles/usa/IMG_1382.jpg

Those hoods won't fit over the campy brake levers? I kinda hate to take them off

If you decide to try the Cane Creek levers canyoneagle mentioned, there may or may not be a pair in the classifieds...:innocent:

As far as the Cannondales, I like 'em. My wife and I replaced out Burley tandem with a Cannondale.

I loved the early ST500 I (very briefly) had, but it was a 25" frame, very unsafe when your normal top end is 23.5". Man that big beast could transmit power. One day I will find an early ST I can afford in my size.

I have a '93 2.8 and an '89 3.0 now, both are the cantilevered dropout frames, a little harsh with their aluminum forks. Great for 25-30 miles but long rides are reserved for 531 frames.

If you decide to try the Cane Creek levers canyoneagle mentioned, there may or may not be a pair in the classifieds...:innocent:

As far as the Cannondales, I like 'em. My wife and I replaced out Burley tandem with a Cannondale.

Oh I see :) I don't know.. I hate to take off the campy levers. They're part of the group ya know..

The earlier Cannondales were designed before the use of computer modeling and CAD. As a result, they were grossly over engineered. I have heard it said that they are the stiffest production bike ever built.

BTW, I just got a lead on a Capo. May have to check it out.

That green SR400 takes me back to crits of my youth. The SR's were incredibly stiff (feeling anyway), fast reacting frames, quick steerers, that you wanted to have under you when you were exiting a last uphill corner to a finish. When the relatively whippy early carbon lugged frames came out, the side by side comparisons were like ends of a very long spectrum.

The ST's on the otherhand were remarkably forgiving rides. They did some worthy figuring when they designed the chainstay/seatstay relationship on the ST's. Stiff yet very ridable. I find the ST's really compare favorably to some of the more overbuilt steel tourers of the 80's to today, and they are solid on the BB area (avoiding fender rub when climbing)

I got my 1986 SR400 new, as a teenager. Like auchencrow says, it climbs really well. I really like that it was welded just down the road from me. I'm still riding it!

When my nephew visited last summer he rode my '93 R600 2.8.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Cannondale/1993%20R600/Feb15R600Side.jpg

In the early to mid '90s he and my niece raced for the Univ. GA cycling team. They are fun to ride with even though I can't keep up with them, but they humor Ol' Uncle Bob and let me beat them on the decents (mass has a big advantage going down hills)!

Anyway, this summer I entered the nephew as a rider for a team in the local sprint triathlon. He was thrilled with the R600 and described it as "a rocket!" In fact he had the best bike time for the race (over a 1000 participated). He had not raced in more than a decade. When he left to go home to TN, he said; "Uncle Bob, never, ever, EVER sell that Cannondale!" Who can argue with a nephew like that? :)

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy282/jylmks/Bikes%20-%20Cannondale/89a8951f.jpg

My '92 R1000 came with full Mavic. The wheels, stem and post have been replaced with weight weenie stuff. As is, it weighs <18 lb and I have a project to get it <17 lb. It accelerates so sharply, handles quickly, and I don't find it uncomfortable at all. I love the workmanship of this American-made frame.

Cool story bob!

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy282/jylmks/Bikes%20-%20Cannondale/89a8951f.jpg

My '92 R1000 came with full Mavic. The wheels, stem and post have been replaced with weight weenie stuff. As is, it weighs <18 lb and I have a project to get it <17 lb. It accelerates so sharply, handles quickly, and I don't find it uncomfortable at all. I love the workmanship of this American-made frame.
What ww stuff did you put on it?

My intro to Cannondales was also a blueberry with the yellow spongepaint highlights. Great, and memorable, bike. Since then a lot of Cannondales have passed through the Lab and each one has been a delight to build and ride. Sadly, the lack of top tube cable guides has forced me to look elsewhere for suitable raw material for my builds, hence the proliferation of late 80's Schwinn and Centurion steel in storage waiting for attention.

With only three complete sets of cable guides remaining in the parts bin, what may be my final C'dale builds will be epic:
* Black 23" '88 ST (the caliper model with additional braze ons for front pannier racks) with a 10 speed triple setup and 700c Ultegra/Open Pro wheelset
* Yellow 58cm '88 SR2000 clone with NOS 7 speed Dura Ace (but clincher wheelset) and new Turbo saddle
* Red 58cm '88 SR500 with nearly NOS 6 speed 105 including a pretty amazing 105/Wolber wheelset and a recovered white Turbo saddle.

I've been holding off on building these since they represent the end of an era for me, but unless I can locate suitable cable guides...

Cannondales have something too them.

I have had 7 Cannondales and still have 4 of them. Sold a too small for me T700 to Bradtx, think he still has it. Sold a small for me 89R600. Parted a R1000 and sold the frame.
The only one I wasn't sad to part with was the 89 R600. I dont know if it was the size, that aluminum fork, the 3.0 frame stiffness or what but that bike was brutal on me and I always felt like it was on the edge of tossing me off. Guy I sold it too told me he loved it when I caught up with him a few months later. It was damn fast but I always felt like somebody took a lead pipe to my back and neck after I did 20 on it.

I picked up a hurting 91 R1000 for the parts (campy proton wheels, Ultegra) and sold off the frame (way to small for me) and built up a R300 frame I bought in my size. Its such a great riding bike that during the summer its the bike I ride the most. Fast and smooth with the carbon fork I put on it. 20 miles seems to go buy so easy on it.
My poor M400 (my first C'dale) made commuter just sits. Doubt I put 5 miles on it last year but just cant seem to bring myself to sell it. Every once in a while I pump up the tires and jump the ditch out front with it. Suppose to be my bad weather bike but I usually wuss out and drive on those days.
Got some great trails near by (Blankets Creek) so I picked up a Super V1000 on the cheap a year ago. Head shock is hurting but still a fun ride. Man that thing soaks up the bumps! Seems the faster you go the better it gets.

The PO put on
- American Classic post
- Avocet O2 Ti rail saddle
- Tioga stem
- Scott bars
- Hi-E hubs
- Campagnolo Record tubular rims
- Oval spokes, brand unknown to me

I replaced the tires with Vittoria Rally, installed Ritchey SPD pedals. In that configuration, it weighs 17.9 lb.

To get it under 17 lb, I came up with this list of changes:
- Mavic 631/2 crank, lighter than the 631/1 that is there now but keeps the Mavic drivetrain and starfish look
- White Industries Ti spindle bottom bracket, a lot lighter than the Mavic BB
- carbon fiber fork w/ carbon steerer, the main weight savings will be the steerer
- Grammo threadless stem, which doesn't look too jarringly modern
- KMC SL chain

I can't find my notes on the weight savings, but I think that will get the bike comfortably in the sub-17 lb area without resorting to stuff like Ti bolts or aluminum freewheel.

I want to keep the Mavic drivetrain. As far as I know, this was the only year and model of Cannondale that came with full Mavic, and I think that is a big part of the bike's essence. But if you went for a lighter drivetrain, you could potentially get close to 16 lb.

Ayup, I've had a few 'dales, and like them a lot. :thumb: I still have a '97 Silk Road 500 frame in the basement, that I rode all last summer, until I got the bug to try a steel Italian bike. Now all those parts are on the '93 Miele Invictus, which I'm "probably" going to take for my first ride today. The only problem is, it'll only be in the 40s F, and I'm pretty wimpy, about riding in cold weather, LOL, so I'm still building up to it. :D EDIT: My bad, it's 37F now, so it was probably about 34 or 35, when I went out earlier. ;)

I find myself always looking at Cannondales on C.L. Haven't got one yet. How do the weights compare between the two? I've seen several of the touring bikes listed but they're usually too big. That blue is killer by the way.

Between my '89 3.0 CR300 and my '95 3.0 T bike there is an eight pound difference. I know that sounds like a lot, but most of the difference is the wheelset and tires. The T bike is a slightly larger frame so a few ounces there and the T bike's group specs are at a lower level accounting for another few ounces plus the rear rack.

Brad

Cannondales have something too them.

I have had 7 Cannondales and still have 4 of them. Sold a too small for me T700 to Bradtx, think he still has it. Sold a small for me 89R600. Parted a R1000 and sold the frame...

The T bike isn't going anywhere without me!! :)

Brad

With only three complete sets of cable guides remaining in the parts bin, what may be my final C'dale builds will be epic...

I need a set of those so I can put my 86 Black Lightning back together! Got any idea where a guy might find a set? I need a front Wobler wheel if anyone has one for sale. Other then those two things I've got a 100% original but odd BL.

I've got five Cannondales and love each one but my Synaspe is probably favorite ride of all of them. Well that is until I get my first ride on the BL anyway. I'm really wanting to put it back together and that first ride on it.

I actually know where another all original BL is for sale right now... and sorry I'm not telling :)

fasthair

The Proverbial Hens Teeth... there's a computer-printed 3D repop, but the material is weird and the attachment method leaves a bit to be desired or so I have read. If you have to get a set, look for a trashed frame and you can salvage them, or use zip ties until then.

If you're willing to Shoo-goo or epoxy a set of original but damaged ones onto your top tube, I can help.
Have some with the little wiggy bottom bits broken or partially broken off so they can't be installed as designed with the teeny plastic posts.

From Bradtx's thread from 12-25-2012, source for repro Cannondale top tube cable guides:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/607918/cannondale-cable-guide.html?li=productBox-search

From Bradtx's thread from 12-25-2012, source for repro Cannondale top tube cable guides:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/607918/cannondale-cable-guide.html?li=productBox-search

Did we ever determine if those repros could be sanded flat?

I've had three. Even though I am crazy for 1970s Paramounts, this past summer I have been riding the wheels off my 2004 R600 CAAD5.

I scored this February 1987 Team Comp at the LBS for $225.00. I've known the bike since it was new. A buddy of mine built it up from a frame-set back in '87, traded it in on a spinning machine in December 2011. It is ALL CAMPY including the BB and headset.

http://www.jims59.com/vintageschwinns/images/Cannondale_1987/1987_Cannondale_Team_Comp_rt.jpg

My 2004 R600, I bought it off the CL last June for $550.00. Pretty much a new bike.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/556581_3349465975485_1000242837_n.jpg

294492294482 I just finished the ST600 and rode it yesterday in 24* weather...10*ish with the wind chill! I picked up the Super V900 a couple of weeks ago and have tried to ride the wheeels off of it!!! I've got a 3.0 around here somewhere with a complete Blaze group! It is complete, but somewhat molested! Some freak painted the stem and bars black with a rattle can! Going stealth! One of my Canal gitters!

Hoss Cartwright, I had that exact R600, in the same red paint, in a 60cm, for about a year and a half. I bought it off CL for $100, with no fork or anything, just the frame, never built up before I got it. If I didn't have the Silk Road, I'd still have the R600, but I didn't need 2, or so I thought at the time. ;)