fjlegend

What would you rather have given similar overall condition:

1980's vintage Miyata 710 with Suntour Cyclone dr, Sugino GLP crank, Look pedals, Uakai 700cc rims, Dia-comp brakes. 6 speed cog. This bike is triple butted cro moly.

or

1986 basically stock Cannondale Black Lightning; al frame with cro moly fork, suntour edge crank, suntour derailluer, dia-comp edge brakes, 7 speed suntour cog.

both bikes are about $150.

From my limited research the Cannondale was a entry level bike while the Miayta is a mid level bike off the day. The Miayta is steel and heavier but well made and the Cannodale aluminum and stiff.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks for having me on your forum.

Kevin

Paulus

I had a Cannondale 3.0 Black Lightning for many years (although the components were majorly upgraded from stock). They were a great bike, very strongly built too. It's done a ton of miles and is still going strong (with a new owner). It still looks pretty good today too. Here in NZ we still see quite a few 3.0s on the road. Not bad for an aluminium bike built almost 20 years ago. Check it carefully for cracks or major dents though.

Sprocket Man

I own a Miyata Pro from the late 80's that I've converted into a fixed gear bike. Miyata bikes of that time period had near-horizontal dropouts which made the conversion quite simple. It is a very nice bike.

Cannondale bikes from the 80s were usually very stiff, which is good or bad depending on your particular preference. The ride may be harsh, but some people (myself included) like the responsiveness of a stiff frame. Check the Cannondale frame very closely for cracks as I've heard that older C'dale frames sometimes had that problem, particularly where the tubes meet the lugs.

fjlegend

What about the component comparisons?

The other thing is that the Miyata is an ebay bike and the Cannondale is a friends. I'm leaning Cannondale but there is something special about the Miyata that is calling me.

Any thoughts.

Kevin

*new*guy

I had a Cannondale criterium from that era and absolutely loved it. As far as the components are concerned, wouldn't you be inclined to upgrade whatever is on there anyway? I currently also have a first generation Cannondale Track that I ride quite regularly. I keep expecting it to just fall apart one day but it hasn't.

As for the frames being prone to cracking "where the tubes meet the lugs", these bikes don't have lugs. They have very smooth welds where the tubes were joined.

I'd base your decision on what your intent is for the bike more than anything else. As stated, the C'dale is going to be stiff and responsive, the Miyata --comparatively speaking--forgiving and comfy.

SSRI

Cannondale Black lightnig was not entry level I believe you can go lower with a sr400 . with some crazy airbrush art on the tubes
I will have to go with the black lightning (if there is not too many paint chip).
I remember drooling for one back in HS.

OrangeOkie

It just so happens that I am currently building up two mid to late 80's Cannondales with Suntour and Dia Compe components. The thumbnail photo shows my L.L. Bean model Cannondale (Criterium?) I bought out of the catalog in 1987. I paid about $350 for it, if I remember correctly. It came with Suntour 3000GX derailleurs, Suntour's low budget line and friction shift only. If the Cannondale you are lookng at has Cyclone 7000 derailleurs, then it is Suntour's first attempt at index shifting with a seven speed freewheel. It should have the Suntour Accushift index/friction downtube levers. If it has Cyclone GT components, then it is friction only. Cyclone was Suntour's mid-priced line of components. The handle bar and stem are nice 3ttt alloy on both bikes. Hubs are Maillard alloy on Mavic alloy rims, 36 spoke.

The 2nd Cannondale Criterium I recently bought off ebay for $167. It has Suntour's 3040 Accushift index components. The Dia Compe non-aero brakes are nice. I'm upgrading the ebay bike to a high end Dia Compe aero brake set, and the LL Bean bike will remain non-aero with either Dia Compe or Suntour Superbe Pro levers and high end Dia Compe brakes. The ebay bike had a Sugino crank, and the LL Bean bike a cheapy. I'm upgrading both bikes to Sugino/Suntour cranks. Hope this helps.

BTW . . . just a note about cracks in the frame. I remember receiving a notice in the mail from Cannondale about possible cracks in the weld where the down tube is attached to the steering tube. They had some warning stickers they wanted everyone to put on the frame. I never did, and I've never had any cracks either. For $150 each, just buy 'em both! Sell the one you don't want.



1987 Cannondale

fjlegend

Settled on the Cannondale Black Lightning as the Miyata on ebay went north of my number and finished at $190 plus $60 shipping so $250 total. The Cannondale will get me going and I only had to pay $50 plus shipping. So I will be into my first road bike for under $100


Kevin

fjlegend

Turns out the cannon was a 89 model. The dr is the cantiliver type as Cannondale updated the frame in the late 80's by moving the seat stays in front of the drop out. I guess this move tightened the rear geometry without sacrificing wheel base.

The 89 got better sutour components as well. It should hit my dock on Tuesday. I see this bike being a cheap entry into the sport and then a viable lightweight fixed gear in the future or a great beater bike to lend to friends or ride in the rain.

Kevin