1997 Cannondale R800 CAD3, Sometimes A Frame Just Speaks To You.
04-25-15, 12:07 PM
#1
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1997 Cannondale R800 CAD3, Sometimes A Frame Just Speaks To You.
In late March miamijim put this '97 Cannondale R800 CAD3 frame up for sale and I knew I had to have it even though I had just found out I had to pay a good amount to the state of Wisconsin for '14 income taxes. At nearly that exact time Essthreetee listed the Sora brifters, FD, RD and cassette. I could see the bike in my head. I wanted to build a bike with a wide range of gears for a ride this year called the Sadistic Century. I did not want a triple but a compact double and I knew I must complete the vision. Reading up on the Sora I found that the only thing that received bad reviews were the brakes. So I decided on FSA Gossamer components to complement the black Sora components. I sourced the FSA items on eBay and went in search of wheels. I could not believe my luck finding a NOS set of C'dale CODA B.O.S. wheels on eBay also. The price was steep but after putting up a bunch of stuff for sale here and eBay I soon had the $$$ in PayPal to afford the wheels. The NOS ITM stem and bars have been hanging around my parts bin for years.
The bike is done (in record time for me). 1 ride down and I am in love. The color scheme was a big part of the vision for me. I also have a '88 Schwinn Ontare and a '88 Eddy Merckx Corsa-Extra Team Hitachi
1997 Cannondale R800 CAD3
Shimano Sora Brifters, FD & RD (9 speed)
FSA Gossamer Crankset, Brakes and Seat Post
ITM (NOS) Stem and Bars
Speedplay X2 pedals
Selle San Marco Rolls Saddle
Fizik Bar Tape
Jagwire Road Pro Cables
Elite Ciussi Water Bottle Cages (Red & Yellow)
1997 Cannondale R800 Photos by Frogbutter | Photobucket
The bike is done (in record time for me). 1 ride down and I am in love. The color scheme was a big part of the vision for me. I also have a '88 Schwinn Ontare and a '88 Eddy Merckx Corsa-Extra Team Hitachi
1997 Cannondale R800 CAD3
Shimano Sora Brifters, FD & RD (9 speed)
FSA Gossamer Crankset, Brakes and Seat Post
ITM (NOS) Stem and Bars
Speedplay X2 pedals
Selle San Marco Rolls Saddle
Fizik Bar Tape
Jagwire Road Pro Cables
Elite Ciussi Water Bottle Cages (Red & Yellow)
1997 Cannondale R800 Photos by Frogbutter | Photobucket
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I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
Last edited by Frogbutter; 04-25-15 at 12:09 PM. Reason: Spelling
04-25-15, 12:15 PM
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Congrats on the find, you're going to love that bike. While most of my bikes are steel, my first "modern" (90's) road bike was a C'Dale R4000 that was my primary ride for over 10 years. I loved that thing, it was incredibly responsive and if I find another frame someday I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. It just rocketed forward with every ounce you put into the pedals, and they really nailed the compliance vs stiffness with the CAAD3 series. Awesome bike.
[IMG]
C'Dale 19 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]
C'Dale 19 by mtypinski, on Flickr[/IMG]
04-25-15, 12:17 PM
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Nice job!
04-25-15, 01:23 PM
#5
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Frogbutter, Congrats on a very nice build! 
I've had more CAAD3s than any other Cannondale model and they've been excellent platforms for club and distance riding. The red/yellow fade was very popular around here at that time. Enjoy...
Brad
I've had more CAAD3s than any other Cannondale model and they've been excellent platforms for club and distance riding. The red/yellow fade was very popular around here at that time. Enjoy...
Brad
04-25-15, 01:25 PM
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The build turned out great.
04-25-15, 03:07 PM
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I too love my Cdales. Current ride is a caad3 r300, with rsx brifters. Love it more than ever after switching out the fork, for a nashbar threaded carbon one. Much improved the front end..
Found a r3000 around the same era, have to wait until july to pick it up. Can't wait.
Found a r3000 around the same era, have to wait until july to pick it up. Can't wait.
04-25-15, 04:25 PM
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Sweet... I'll have my XR800 F******bike ready to go in a week or so. Not sure if I'll make the start of Bike Month with it, depends when the Ribble order arrives. Today I scored a much nicer crankset for it, which is fortunate, because the Exage is bent. Now it's going to be geared higher, but that's ok as long as the range is wide enough.
Untitled by Darth Lefty, on Flickr
Untitled by Darth Lefty, on Flickr
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04-26-15, 05:39 AM
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Nice to see everyone digging out their old Cannondales. Keep it up!
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
04-26-15, 06:16 AM
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OK, finally a place to flash our CAAD3 rides. Love mine. R600 with 105 and Ultegra bits. Does everything well (Ok, sucks at single track around the reservoir). Power Grips/pedals have been swapped for a nice pair of Suntour GPX pedals. I wore out the plastic pedals from all the miles.
04-26-15, 09:06 AM
#13
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X10I am so digging what I started.
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I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
04-26-15, 10:34 AM
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Still a favorite, my '88 SR500. Some changes since this picture: Sella Italia Q-Bik SE saddle, DA hubs laced to Open Pro rims, Tektro dual pivot calipers.
Compact Sugino crankset (48/34) paired with a 13/28 freewheel gives me lots of gearing options.
Compact Sugino crankset (48/34) paired with a 13/28 freewheel gives me lots of gearing options.
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
04-26-15, 04:49 PM
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This is my second season after doing a build on an '88 Cannondale Criterium Series frameset, 54cm w/ aluminum Sakae Litage Fx fork:
04-27-15, 05:50 AM
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You guys are singing my song! I have a vintage 110BCD Deore XT crank that I will drop the inner ring from and make a compact. And a buddy of mine has an NOS SR Prism fork that I'm going to put on front. I think I just need brake levers, front derailleur and mount, and headset maybe.
04-27-15, 04:51 PM
#18
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I have been warned about this ride being a little stiff. Is that what you refer to?
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I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
I'm happy to say that I own more Steel then Carbon. My Stable! ---> https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVZBep7
04-27-15, 05:40 PM
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Brad
04-27-15, 06:21 PM
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When getting accustomed to a Cannondale Criterium Series, bike fit is especially critical to the feel. Mine is such a good fit I can comfortably handle an 80mi ride. Vibration doesnt bother me much, I kind of dig it. The feedback from the road lets me know how the bike is doing. When climbing hills, this thing is rock solid. Cranking on the speed in a sprint and going into corners, it's a dreambike. And the harder you ride it, the more you appreciate it.
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