Coldow91

I have Cannondale SM400 mountain bike that I want to make into a touring bike, and take a bunch of trips on. The bike is steel and pretty much bombproof as far as I can tell. the frame and components seem to be in great shape and have been beautifully taken care of. I want to put drops on the bike and some bar end shifters on....I just want to make sure that I can do this. it has cantilever brakes and thumb shifters on it now. so I am just checking that I can use bar end shifters.
The bike already has racks and slicks on it so I think this would be the only big change I would make.

I will post pics of it when I get a chance

dcullen

The frame is aluminum, not steel, the fork is chrome-moly steel. And that's fine.

Check the diameter of the bar mounting on the stem (road and mtn are different, you may need a new stem). add drops (or treking bars) and bar end shifters. Aero Brake levers will work with cantis, but not v-brakes (If you want v-brakes look to Tektro RL520 or other long pull road levers)

You didn't tell us the year (or number of cogs) so I'm guessing a little here. (check out https://www.vintagecannondale.com/index.html for serial number info, etc.)

It looks like SM400 were available starting in 1987 through 1991 (https://www.mombat.org/Cannondale.htm) 18.5" chainstays (good) and relaxed geometry make this a good candidate for conversion. Looks like the drivetrain was Suntour 3000 indexed. Malliard hubs with 5 speed freewheel.

By 1991 the SM400 was built on the 3 series mountain frame (with cantilevered rear dropouts and shorter chainstays) Suntour Accushift 7 speed Indexed, still on a freewheel.

Spend your $$ wisely. Upgrade to Shimano Indexed Bar End (9 speed) and use them in friction mode, update your hubs/wheels at a later date to a Shimano freehub and SIS rear mech and your set with modern drivetrain. May swap out the 28t granny for a 24.

Good Luck

Doug

Coldow91

ok thanks alot. you are right it is an aluminum frame
I believe it is an '88....I think that I will have to get a new stem and will look at the bar end shifters you mentioned

n4zou

You don't want to drop a lot of money converting it. You can easily end up spending as much money upgrading parts as just going out and purchasing a new touring bike. Going to drops will require replacing your current shifters and brake levers which may be incompatible with your brakes requiring the addition of Travel Agents. A trekking bar will allow you to reuse your current components saving time and money. They have two more hand positions than drop bars as well.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html

Coldow91

ok I hadn't thought of using trekking bars. I was also thinking of just using the straight bar and with bar tape along most of it (or just getting some new grips) and putting some nashbar bar ends I already have on