Picked up this SR600. It came with MTB straight bars and levers. I asked the seller about it and he said that he bought it from the shop brand new like that... weird. I don't see why a crit bike should have those. Anyways... I picked it up for $200, which is a little more than I wanted to spend, but the frame charmed me. Some stuff is rusty and it needs a complete overhaul, but the paint is in perfect condition.

Not sure what I want to do with it... I threw on a 3T record stem and crit bars with brifters to see how it would look. I already have a ridiculously hydroformed oversize tubed Ridley, so stiff frame category is already filled. I was hoping for a steel bike to train on (RB-1), but won't hold my breath for now. I would probably do brifters with 600 Ultegra drive train and maybe brakes if I am feeling SP 600 over DP 105.

What would you guys do? This one is for the people who don't hate aluminum bikes.

Another question, how has the quality of Cannondale changed over the years? In general the "they don't make them like they use to" saying applies to most situations, but just wanted to hear some people who have had experience with both (I also know things have moved to Taiwan). These SR bikes with the shortened stays are notoriously stiff. Has Cdale eased off of that?