2lato

I've been looking to get into Road Cycling for a while. Never pulled the trigger on a bike. This is my first road bike. Was on CL and found this Cannondale R600 , 58cm aluminum frame, shimano 105 components, brevettato handle bars. Was able to get it for 200 dollars. It was just recently serviced. Hope it was a good deal. Let me know if I over paid. Frame looks to be in great shape. Some paint chips here and there but overall great bike. Rides really smooth.

I'm very excited to start riding. Anything to know about this bike or things to know for a new road bike rider.

Lazyass

No you didn't overpay, it looks pretty mint. Sweet bike. More people will appreciate it in the vintage section than here.

2lato

I'll post it in the vintage section. Thanks.

SSRI

you are a good deal for 200.

Drive side picture please.

2lato

I'll get a Driver side picture up tonight/ tomorrow. Also was told the front wheel is on backwards. I'll be fixing that later today.

Monkey D.Luffy

Just change the skewer direction, the wheel is not backwards.

2lato

Yes, gotcha

goenrdoug

Looks great, that bike will take you far!

You got a good deal too!

The first thing you should do is check the rubber parts (tires, tubes, brake pads) for life. If any/all are cracked/hard/etc, replace them.

Beyond that, oil it up (chain, maybe the cable housings) and get out there and ride it!

You'll probably find that you'll need to adjust the saddle, bars, etc. Read the many extended threads here (and elsewhere) on the subject. There's no shortage of info out there.

Next, consider what sorts of pedals/shoes/cleats you want to move to and make that leap. Or, hey, use the strappy things on there now, you might dig them. I guess it depends on the sort of riding you'll be doing.

Bluechip

The front wheel is fine, it's the frame that's facing the wrong direction.

Is it a 3.0 or a 2.8? Road or criterium frame. My guess would be 3.0 road. I think the 2.8's had cables routed under the top tube. Anyone remember when they stopped using downtube shifters? It's not the most comfortable bike but it's a great handler. With slightly wider modern tires/rims it will be fine. $200 is a pretty good price if it's in good shape. Congratulations!

Here's my 3.0 Criterium transformed into a fixed gear.

scuzzo

thats a steal... that was my first true road bike.. i bought it for 500 bucks.. it was kitted out with ole shimano Exage and biopace rings, and was 2 sizes too small, and mine was not in mint condidion. i bought it used back in 1995.. it was a great bike.. you got a super deal,, they are rare... and a cool Downtube shifter bike beats a bike with brifters just for the uniquenes of it..


great bike...

Homebrew01

Nice. Check that the stem is in far enough. It looks like it might be too high, above the safety minimum insertion mark.

If you want a bit more cushy ride, you can go with a 28 mm tire, at least on the rear. I just put one one my old Cannondale and I think it helps a bit.

2lato

Updated photo with Driver side picture.

2lato

Thanks for the compliment. I'm looking forward to riding it this spring / summer.

2lato

I'm going to check out the stem when I get home. I bought it like that. Is it easy to adjust? How do I put it at the correct height for me?

Also thanks for the tire recommendation. I'm going to look into that.

2lato

It's a 3.0. I just updated the photo. I'm going to look into a wider tires/rims set up later.

SSRI

Nice, its the 105 group 8speed or 7speed?

Homebrew01

Very easy. I think it's a 6 mm allen (hex) wrench on the top of the stem. Unscrew it a couple of revolutions. Give it a little tap, and the stem should come loose.
On the side of the stem there will be a Minimum Insertion line. The stem should be in far enough so you can't see it.
Then eyeball the stem straight and snug it back up.
I usually align it by sighting down from the handlebars to the fork tips.

2lato

I appreciate the heads up. I'll take care of this tonight. Thanks for your help.

Dave Cutter

You did good! A great bike at any price (I own an RS600). And you got a great deal as well. A great entry into road cycling!

Homebrew01

Also, try to take the stem all the way out if you can. Then smear a thin layer of grease on the section that will be inside the frame, reinsert & tighten. The grease will help stop it from corroding & seizing up inside the fork.

2lato

Thanks again for pointing this out. I went home last night and sure enough the stem was about an inch over the MAX !! I lowered just a little below the max line. Feels great riding it. Why would anyone have put it over the max line?

2lato

I believe it's the 7 speed.

Bluechip

I looked it up on VintageCannondale and it looks to be a midyear '92. I say midyear only because of the seat post clamp vs the built in binder clamp on the 92 and older models.

Also my eyes tell me it's a 56cm frame (I could be wrong though) The head tube spacing looks identical to my 56. The geometry chart should be on VintageCannondale if you want to check.

2lato

I measured and it's a 58cm. I'm going to check the serial number out tonight when I get home to double check. Your not the first person to say it looks like a 56cm.