Jay.Money

I recently bought a mint 1986 Miele Nova. It was very affordable + tires and tape. It's a mid to low end of the line. It looks great. I've been riding it as a commuter and been happy.

Now I have the opportunity to pick up a 1989 Cannondale ST400. Described as mint (no rain, always in dry garage, yadda, yadda). 100% original parts. Bike is more costly but I can recoup much of through the sale of the Miele (I think).

Question is: is it worth the hassle? I read good things about the STs, but this bike is low end of the line. That said, it does offer more "stuff". IE: another chainring, more ability for fenders and racks, likely a lighter frame...

Steel vs. aluminum.

What would you do?

devinfan

That's a tough one. I'm a big fan of Miele's. However the Cannondale is a nice touring rig. Very different bikes. I'd suggest keeping both but I see you're hoping to cover the cost of one with the other. The Miele was nearly free so maybe just reach for the Cannondale, ride both for a while then decide which one you want to keep?

Wileyone 

"Steel vs. aluminum" Steel all Day long. The Cannondale will be quick but can your Prostrate handle it? I'm an old guy so I had to ask. I Love Miele's but they can be all over the board. Need some pic's.

Jay.Money

Pics! They're both mint and original... ok. I'll post up when I'm off my phone.

I think I just want mtnbke to tell me what to do.

Wileyone 

"mtnbke" is welcome to post too. Maybe he/she can post some pic's.

KonAaron Snake 

Can I vote neither?

Jay.Money

Of course. What do you suggest?

Wileyone 

Moving on.

devinfan

Neither? Moving on? From what? They're both nice bikes. This thread is confusing me.

Jay.Money

Tell me about it... I just wanted to know if there's a significant difference between two bikes.

Thanks for the constructive feedback Devin.

ncrnelson

I really enjoy my Cannondale ST500 and would gladly take another ST. They're high quality US made frames. I would think that by 89 it would have 130mm rear spacing and could be upgraded easily should you ever want to.

This is not a racy bike, it's got long chainstays and fairly relaxed angles. Good for comfortable long rides, especially with 28mm+ tires which it should easily have room for. If it fits, and that's what you want, go for it.

I can't say anything for the Miele though, don't know a thing about them.

Henry III

I would go for the Miele. I've never seem too many higher end models and most seem mid to entry level bikes. I'm not a Aluminum frame humper by any means and would take a steel frame but they've never tickled any of my fancies. I also ride a Cannondale H400 but it's my only aluminum bike and offers a pretty nice ride but I'm also on decent Challenge 30mm open tubular tires so it probably takes the edge off the stiffness of the frame and beefy Kinesis aluminum fork.

Lascauxcaveman 

If you're not a particularly sensitive rider, I'd suggest you try the C-dale. My 1990 ST600 is a decidedly stiff frame, but I'm learning to like it a lot. I've tried a couple of different wheelsets on it and have decided with the 27" set it came with and fairly fat tires (nominally 32mm Conti Touring) it doesn't feel "harsh." That's on a big 63cm frame w/a 200 lb rider, though. A smaller, lighter rider might not feel the need for that kind of hard aluminum stiffness. It's definitely a couple ponds lighter than my other big touring bike. (Steel tubed Peugeot Vagabond)

mapleleafs-13 

i'd vote for the one that you feel more comfy on.

i will agree with the other posters in the fact that the c'dale will be a tad bumpier. i've owned both bikes, either one will be a good ride, depending on what your body tells you.

as for the ones that vote for "moving on", i'm guessing they're just crabby or it's that time of the month.

Narhay

In terms of aesthetics cannondales just don't do it for me but you could always go and test it out for yourself.

KonAaron Snake 

If it were me I'd be patient. I'd ride the Miele while looking for a nicer Japanese road bike (or better if you get lucky). Cannondales don't do much for me. If you really liked the Miele, you wouldn't be asking the question.

kunsunoke 

Can-o-beers are pretty stiff for those of us under about 5' 11". If that's you, I wouldn't consider picking it up - would only make you miserable riding it.

And it's not as though the Miele is a crap bike, either. Even the low-end models were very good rides.

bradtx

Jay.Money, I like Cannondales so my expected response is to buy the ST400. The caliper braked STs carry a bit of a premium price-wise because they are closer to a roadie in appearance.

I rode one of my touring bikes unloaded extensively during our drought period and enjoyed it. Any touring bike is going to be stiff in order to control a full touring load. While I don't find my Cannondale roadies to be uncomfortable, the longer wheelbase and lower tire pressure on the touring bikes results in a very smooth ride.

Most importantly, both bikes need to be a proper size for you.

Brad

Jay.Money

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, the guy that was selling the ST backed out of the deal. Said he had a buyer that was closer to home for him (delivery was part of the deal). Then I see he re posted it 20 mins later! Bad form if you ask me.

devinfan

Too bad. The Miele probably suits Toronto riding more anyway. Isn't it an Ishiwata frame? I saw a Nova once in champagne and thought it was a nice bike. Ride away into the beautiful summer night and think about the fact that you just saved $300. Definitely no guarantees that the C-dale was going to have a nicer ride. What do you need a triple chainring for in Toronto anyway?

mtnbke

You'll find another one. Once you've ridden a properly fitting high end aluminum bike, or for that matter carbon or a properly stiff titanium (there are a lot of bad titanium bikes out there) bike you'll understand what makes them so special in comparison to steel. They just accelerate like a rocket in comparison, they climb so much better, and they just simply "go forward" when you pedal in a way that a steel bike just doesn't.

I wouldn't overpay for a Cannondale ST, unless it was something special like the '86 ST800 build. That's a dream build (though the same frame as the rest of the ST lineup). The only differences between the models was the components they hung on them and things like the number of water bottle mounts, or calipers vs. cantilevers. All the frames are otherwise identical, though the rear dropout spacing does change from 126mm to 128mm (transition), then supposedly you can find ST bikes with 130mm. I think you can find a Cannondale touring bike in 135mm though I'm not sold that those are ST bikes but rather the T series. At some point the line was reworked like all Cannondale's by the engineer that did the 3.0 Series rethink. Its not clear exactly what changed and when for the ST bikes, just that changes were made.

If I could only have one bike it would be the mythical 69cm Klein, but though the old catalogs say they existed I've never even heard of one existing. So in that context, and considering I'm still fat, if I could only have one bike and not a stable it would be a Cannondale ST. I'm glad I'm allowed more than one because I've got a garage full of STs in my size (69cm c-c or 27"). Great bikes. Comfortable as can be, and comparing one to an old steel bike isn't fair to the old steel bike. Now there are great reasons for wanting to collect and ride certain older steel bikes that go beyond how they ride. You'll never win a bicycle beauty contest when the lugged steel bikes show up if all you brought was something aluminum or titanium. There is something to be said for a beautiful bicycle. However, I love riding my Cannondale and even looking at it. To me a bicycle is about how it rides.

Get a C'dale, you won't go back.

daf1009

Time to disagree!

First...I do agree that there are SOME aluminum and/or carbon bikes that accelerate...but...to get those, you are typically paying 1000's...I had one, a carbon fiber...and came to hate it. While it rode pretty good and it did accelerate well...I found it to be fugly and I came to just totally dislike it...it is gone! BTW...acceleration can be overrated, as I do not think that most of us here are doing a lot of racing! But, I could be wrong...

Second...I do currently have one aluminum bike in my collection, a Pinarello Surprise...and while I love riding it, I realize that it is harsh ride for me...particularly compared to my steel bikes...I feel EVERY bump and bruise in the road...and this is with a carbon fork on it...it helps...but...

Third...I have really tried to like Cannondales (they are US made after all)...but...I am quite the opposite of @mtnbke! I have found them to be atrocious riding...VERY harsh and, talk about feeling EVERY bump! I have tried some of their touring geometries and some of their racier ones...and they all, to me, ride like trash. Plus...as I said about the CF bike, quite ugly. My brother liked his when he had it...but...for me, there is simply nothing better riding than some good old steel bikes...

My two current fav's are a Miyata 1000 and a Tommasini Super Prestige...both "old steel"...and the Super Prestige, when "I am in the mood" will accelerate very quickly...but...alas it is ME that is not often in that mood! I am more of the relaxed type of rider...

So...no offense intended toward @mtnbke ...just a differing opinion on C'dale's...this is the beauty of the biking world...there are enough models and differences that everyone can find something that suits them!

The Golden Boy 

This is the best, most level headed reply I've ever read from you.

Thank you for the insights/report. Thank you for not being disrespectful to anyone while putting out a great post.

Best wishes.