Originally Posted by
mtnbke
You're welcome!
I received this email from the seller about your new bike:
"I bought this bike a a high-end auction in the late 80's or early 90's from Philip Sweedler & Son Auctioneers. It was listed as a Cannondale Prototype. I can't find any markings on the bike other than on the components but I cannot document anything. Either way it appears to be a very well made bike but proved too tall for me to ride so it ended up in storage all these years. I will check for serial numbers when I get a moment. You are welcome to check it out in person if you would like.I priced the bike low in an attempt to get rid of stuff I never use and generate some cash. "
and
"I double checked for serial numbers. There are none stamped on the chain stays or the bottom of the crank housing or anywhere else that I can find."
I was NEVER going to buy this, so don't think you poached this. I just thought it was cool.
Very curious to see more detail on the rear dropouts. I can measure my dropouts on my STs to let you know how thick they are. If this was a prototype, it was a prototype for the ST series bikes, because those are what Cannondale started with right? So if this is around a 66cm c-t that is a 25" touring "size."
Some numbers from Sutherland's 4th edition (15-1) on tubing diameters:
Cannondale
Top Tube 34.9mm
Downtube 44.4mm ('84 ST 38.1mm)
Seat Tube 31.7mm
Head Tube 34.9mm
Steering "column" 25.4mm
Chain Stay 25.4mm
Seat Stay 19x25.4
and right there under the Cannondale numbers is the information for the Kleins. Lo and behold it gives specific information for the tubing diameters for BIG Kleins 68cm-70. Return the favor and help me find one!
Interestingly the Old Klein and Touring tubing sizes were different from Cannondale. However, the new Quantum (new racing) tubing diameter numbers are the same for Klein and Cannondale for Downtube, Seat Tube, Steering "column," and Chain Stay[s]. So the Klein v. Cannondale litigation becomes a little more funny, in that Klein sued Cannondale for violating their patent on oversize tubing, when that wasn't even Klein's innovation and was already "prior art", and that in the end Klein changed tubing dimensions to replicate Cannondale's tubing diameters. Too funny. It doesn't make me respect Klein any less, but the Klein cult was so rabid repeating falsehoods and misinformation for YEARS after Cannondale won. Heck someone in C&V posted the other day in a different C'Dale thread that C'Dale had to pay $5 per frame for violating the patent, and that's how he bought a $100 Cannondale on clearance.
From a bunch of sleeping bags, backpacks, tents, clothing, cycling kit, and touring suppliers (panniers and racks) it appears you may have a "missing link." A prototype that actually bridged that tiny little company from their outdoor gear to a paradigm changing frame to the point they became one of the biggest Cycling brands in the world. I'll leave at that. Otherwise I'll end up ranting about the Joe Montgomery fraud and the "house loan" and the Dorel sadness.
Thanks - I figured you weren't eyeing this for purchase.
The seller told me the same history, unfortunate that it dead-ends at the auction he purchsed from, it came for sale sans-backstory ad only listed as 'Prototype Cannondale'. The mystery makes it interesting to me, as does the fact that there are no serial numbers or other markings found as of yet (I'm curious to pull the fork and check the steerer tube). Chuckk's story above makes these details just a bit more interesting. And thank you for the info on tubing diameters. I won't be able to get to the bike for a few days, but will post my measurements with yours when I can. Any more related info you may have would be greatly appreciated.
This bike actually measures 6
5 CTT, and is 59 CTC. The fit is great. Seatpost has been raised a bit from the images above. The stem (130? - haven't had a chance to measure yet) may work, or may need to get replaced with a slightly shorter version of the same. Time will tell. I have a 25" ~sport touring bike that fits will. This fits very well and feels a bit more compact, more nimble.
Rear droupouts measure around 8.33 - 8.74mm thick from a set of quick and dirty measurements.
Seatpost is 27.4