cs1

Anyone own one or know anything about them? I was offered a very clean one the other day. Are they typical Cannondale stiff? About how much is a late 90's version go for, it is very clean. Thanks

Tim

sydney

Cdale stiff.Pre magic hourglass seatstays.$250 tops for a near perfect frameset.

Dwayne

If I remember right, the CAAD3 was before the hourglass stays. I think the CAAD3 is the one your dentist gives to you, it guarantees him work because it'll rattle your fillings out.

same time

Two people I knew rode the Caad3, and both cracked the dropout on the right side behind the chainstay. I heard talk that cracked dropouts were common. Cannondale replaced one with another Caad3, the other with a Caad4. Both friends were happy and had no more problems.

Sorry, this random bit of info probably doesn't help you.

bhh

I have a '96 Cad3 mounted on my trainer. It is very f'ing stiff but I rode it for 5 years and was happy. I would have a hard time recommending it and there is no way I would pay $250 because I've seen brand new Cad5 frames go for $300 & change on ebay.

ImprezaDrvr

I've got one that I converted to fixed gear a couple of years ago. It's definately stiff in the BB and stiff overall. For it's day, it was a pretty smooth aluminum frame. But there are a lot of options that wouldn't cost too much more and would offer a smoother ride.

Tarantula

I still have my CAAD3. It was the bike that I used to fall in love with the road. It was stiff, responsive and is still in great shape with over 18,000 miles. I have worn out a bottom bracket, many cassettes and a set of legs. I occassionally ride it on club rides and some fun time trials. Every time I get on it I remember how much I like being with my old "friend".

urban_assault

I loved my CAAD3. Never any problems and I loved to way it rode. Too bad that lady pulled out in front of me and trashed it, but at least I was ok.

p.s. I converted mine to a fixie as well. 40x16 was a perfect gear for the frame. A bit on the smallish side, but it worked for me

Phantoj

You sure that was a CAAD3? I thought the cracked dropouts were the downfall of the 2.8 frameset that preceded CAAD3.

I'm not sure the majik seatstays on the CAAD4 really do anything to soften the ride - besides setting up an expectation of smoothness in the rider's mind.

Syndey said $250 for a perfect CAAD3 frameset, but I think that's high - note the post here where a poster was moaning about losing an Ebay auction for a $100 CAAD4.

I would expect to pay $250-400 for a complete CAAD3 bike, less if it had downtube shifters. The CAAD3 is slightly heavier than the frames that came later, but not by much, really.

same time

Holy stink, you are absolutely correct. The 2.8 frame with the cantilevered dropouts. One glance at the frame design and you knew the dropout would break. Cannondale replaced them with newer Caad3 & Caad4.

Sorry for the misinformation.

ImprezaDrvr

Ah, the 2.8. Almost bought one of those. Helped give Cannondale the Crack'n'fail moniker.

sydney

Read it again.sydney said $250 tops for a frameset . And wan't the captioned auction for just a frame? Your expectations would be totally delusional in many markets,and the price of a caad3 would also be dependent on codition and components.Time for a reality check,after your trun on the comprehension switch.

Phantoj

Sydney, I understood what you were saying - that you were talking about a frameset.

I just think $250 is too high. Hey, different people value stuff differently, something that becomes apparent if you engage in any Ebay bidding.

gcasillo

I paid $370 for a CAAD7 two months ago.

TomRFast

It's indeed very stiff as others have said. I rode it for years and the stiffness would get to me sometimes after about 80 miles -- no big deal. The carbon fork helps and is essential. Now it's permanently on my stationary trainer. It got retired because it failed a safety inspection at the bike shop. Too much perspiration made the paint bubble and was corroding the AL. It was no more durable than my older chromoly frames.

I would not recommend this bike currently for road use. There are so many better options available now -- technology has come a long way in the last 25 years. On the other hand, mine is viper red fade to speed yellow, a beautiful bike. In perfect condition I would pay $500 for the frame if it were something I wanted, and it could have a place in my schedule for a few miles per week. I would just advise tallying up the build-up cost of the frame because you're going to need over $1,000 to do justice, not including wheels, pedals, cages, computer, etc.