rccardr 

This is an '84 BB series SR frame that I had powdercoated in dark orange and then built up with Shimano 600 Tricolor components (crank bolt covers were tapped in after the pics), a Selle San Marco Motormount saddle, and some Maillard rims. It's between a 56 and a 58 & rides super sweet. Always wanted an orange bike... Prospective owner thinks he wants it without decals, but I think it might look better with them.






This is a custom 63cm tallboy ST series touring bike that I built for a guy who's like 6 feet 4. '87 frame but full Ultegra drive train, 600 shift levers, Tektro brakes and levers (wow, are THEY ever comfortable), WTB saddle. Love them Sugino cranksets, wish I could find some more...

5cagm

Great looking C'dales before they became Cannondales haha. Every time I see them I see the second dimple in the chain stay and think they're dented and then remember they were designed like that. I recently picked up a Caad4 for my girlfriend (yes I know not exactly C&V) but it must have been one of the last high end mass produced aluminum bikes with a 1" steerer tube. Apparently the next year the same model had a 1-1/8 integrated. I love the tri-colour components by the way. They look great and work just as well. They're actually also lighter than the DA stuff of the same era for most bits. I have to agree with you on the orange one. I think it will look even more stunning with some decals. Cheers!

jstewse

Wow. I know it's usually the lugged steel beauties that get all the attention around here, but I am just a sucker for Cannondales. Everytime I see one of your bikes I'm further tempted to pursue my dream of building one of these. I really, really love that orange bike especially. I agree too, I think some black decals would just set that thing off.

wrk101

+1 Love the Orange Cannondale. And that era Cannondale had crap paint, so why not? I have two late 80s Cannondale framesets hanging in my basement right now. This gives me some ideas!

I picked up two Cannondales in the last two days, a 1992 C600 and a 1997 R500. Fortunately, they are from the period where Cannondale finally started improving their paint.

How did you handle the cable clips on the top tube? Did you just rattlecan them and reattach? Or?

EjustE

great builds! The orange is an early one Fixie livery without being a fixie. Well done, sir.

RobbieTunes

I think wow is an appropriate word. You share junkfoodjunkie's talent for clean.

Absenth

This Bike Noob approves highly of the Orange bike
the white one is slick too.

What can I say I'm a sucker for an old frame with new components. I just haven't been able to bring myself to replace stuff that works great on my 26 year old Trek.

Roger M

They both look great, but the orange one really 'pops'. Nice work .

It's amazing what one can do with just a somewhat 'ordinary' dated bike.

roccobike

Ok, as someone who also collects and rides C'dales, I like the white one. I like the Profile head conversion and I just plain old like white Cannondales. Nice job on both bikes.

pastorbobnlnh 

Just as bad as cuda2k's "beer can" remark a few weeks ago.

And my, "I only Ride Titanium," nephew's slur, "Crack N Fail" every time I see him.

Can we come up with any more disparaging Cannondale remarks?

rccardr, great looking work! If I ever snag a vintage Cannondale in need of PCing, I'll use your builds as my inspiration. What is the source for your decals? You also seem to have a great supply for the cable clips. Your wise guidance is appreciated!

RobbieTunes

I've heard a few, though I like the bikes just fine....I've always just backed off 5 lbs on my normal tire pressure, and enjoyed the ride like any other.

"A hemorrhoidectomy for the cost of a bike"

"Tastes great, Loose Fillings"

"Lose that kidney stone, ride a Cannondale"

"When a Trek is just not stiff enough"

"Soft-Ride's #1 sales tool"

The group I used to ride with was fast, and merciless. Show up with a nice bike, and you had to 1) prove you didn't steal it, and 2) prove you could ride it. Guy with a Cannondale tourer used to run 25mph with it in triathlons, racks included. We used to kid him about having to hurry so he could deliver papers later. Another guy with a Cannondale tandem used to team up with his girlfriend, leave us in the dust.

rccardr 

Bill, the older frames (pre-'86) used metal top tube cable guides that were riveted in, so they just get stripped and powdered with the rest of the frame. I did find some of the plastic clips, but also worked out a way to remove and re-use existing ones without damaging them. I also dig the Tri-color stuff and always try to have a couple sets of it in the the parts bin. Very versatile & lasts forever, but cosmetically...let's just say that about 80% of what I see out there for sale looks like it was dragged through a cornfield behind a pickup truck. Sad.

Pastorbob, decals are available through the Vintage Cannondale site. He has both mid- and late- 80's sets in stock in black, white and- yes, you'll see it here later this year- gold.

pastorbobnlnh 

I've been primarily riding either my 2001 CAAD 4 or my '83 Paramount (Columbus tubing) through the Spring. There are differences between the ride of these bikes, but it is not great. Both do not shock absorb exceptionally well on our predominately cracked and frost heaved pavements.

Last night I took Sporty, my single gauge chrome molybdenum Schwinn Super Sport, down from the ceiling hooks and was able to squeeze in a 20 mile ride. I had forgotten the smooth damping this frame offers. This bike seems to float across the cracks, ridges, and pot holes. Despite the extra 8-9 pounds of frame and classic bits, there's something to be said for a less expensive steel frame.

The Super Sport may be slow, but it certainly is smooth!

Glennfordx4

Very nice, I dig the orange bike ( reminds me of the General Lee from the Duke's of Hazzard ) a great color combo and would look good with the black decals although I like it as is.
Glenn
If I could get my 85 ST500 to look that sick I would have to replace my coffee table with it.♦

Young Version

The orange one looks fantastic. I, too, am a sucker for older Cannondales. They consistently feel "faster" than anything else.

poprad

Nice job on the C'dales! I absolutely love the orange one, and bet it looks awesome in person. I re-did my '98 R4000 a few years back, and used a decal set that came right from Cannondale for $20 on top of the powder. They have a very durable finish and are made to put on sans clear, and have stood up exceptionally well after 2 years. I would say get the black decal set, I bet it would really set off the frame. Nice build!

My C'dale, believe it or not sitting next to me in my room in Baghdad on a trainer as I write this:

3373jones

rccardr, do you have a photo album or something similar (like a BF thread) where you have pics of all your c'dale builds? you do fantastic and inspirational work and such an album/tread would be a great reference.

5cagm

I was only teasing haha. I actually have nothing against them, I just think that the absurdly OS downtube looks funny. As for ride quality I don't have enough experience on one to judge but I know many people who love them. Here's the 1999 CAAD4 I picked up for my girlfriend .



It was custom built for a professional female racer with over 100 career wins (Kendra Wenzel). If it's good enough for her it's easily good enough for my girlfriend who's just getting into riding.

Barchettaman

My Cannondale flat bar conversion rides just beautifully, but it does sport 700c 28 tyres:

cs1

I like the small dia frames a lot better than the late model beer can downtube versions.

rccardr 

This was a custom build for a lady who wanted a Black & Tan Cannondale in her size- 53cm. She specified a frame 'the color of the foam on a Guinness draft'. Len McCreary at Figure LLC in Manassas Park, VA did his usual amazing job on the powder coat (and the right color, too!).

Drivetrain is all Shimano 105 5500 with a Cannondale C2 brakeset, 105 non-aero brake levers (never seen those before), new Vuelta ZeroLite wheelset, 8 speed Shimano cassette, new Shimano RL400 shift levers, a Dimension bar on an Origin8 stem, Tange Levin headset, and a Vader saddle (they are remarkably comfy and durable for the price- I'm amazed).

All in all, a pretty cool little bike and a dream come true for her.

pastorbobnlnh 

Dr. C,

Once again, a beautiful resurrection of a classic C-Dale! Does your PCer strip your frames of their original paint as well? If so are there any special considerations needed for the thin-walled portions of the Cannondale tubes?

rccardr 

PastorBob- Yep, he chemically strips the old Imron off the frame, then hits it with aluminum oxide to get the last of the paint off and give it a consistent finish before he powder coats it. Does a nice job of sealing off the threaded parts (braze ons, bosses, headtube, BB) so nothing needs to be chased afterwards. Because he doesn't reeally work the blaster that much, we've not had any problems with the tube thickness. He's not cheap, but he is good.

I also make sure I only buy old frames that can be refurbished so there isn't much that needs to be smoothed out once the paint is gone.

Roger M

Another great looking bike, Rccardr... You work very well with colors. Never thought the color of beer foam could ever look good on anything but beer.

Very nice

RFC

Great work. And the Tektros are good levers.