Originally Posted by
Trakhak
I've come across such remarks denigrating the Cannondale frames with the cantilever dropouts before. From what I remember from my days working at a Cannodale dealership, the cantilever dropouts were introduced solely to get around one of Gary Klein's patents. The cantilever design has no effect on the ride or durability of the bike, Internet-based conjecture notwithstanding.
That said, I wouldn't mind owning one of the earlier Crit frames, either.
Oh!
I have a canti framed mountain bike, I have no worries bout its strength. I just like the earlier ones better. And that they were only produced for two(?) years makes them collectable. I had a beat up smurf blue 500 with the zig zag yellow “custom” paint (to hide the less-than-true tubing, and a beautiful Black Lighting.
When I got the BL I sold off the 500... but then I let go of the BL because I was always worried about riding it anywhere.
But I would love to find another 500 Crit from ‘88, something I wouldn’t mind cranking on.