zeejet

I recently bought a Cannondale 3.0 (owner said it was used to train for the 1995 Paris Brest Paris so I'm guessing it was a 94 or 95 R400 or R500; see photo). I've removed the aero bars and bottle cage so far but still need to change saddle and maybe retape the handlebars.

I'm planning to use it as a commuter bike (my route is short and on smooth and well-maintained pavement) but it currently has old 700x23 tires, which make me feel a bit vulnerable using it as a city commuter bike. I want to get new 28's but I'm worried it will either not fit or fit too close for it to be safe. I'm fairly confident I can move to 25's though.

Anyway, I'm not very knowledgeable about bikes in general. I've attached an image of the clearance between the front wheel and the top of the front brakes and fork. I know this isn't very precise (I don't own calipers at the moment), but does it look like I have enough to go up t a 28? Or is it also manufacturer and model dependent?

Homebrew01

No definitive answer. I can just barely fit a 28mm on the rear of an early SR frame, but the front derailleur arm just about touches the tire. Not all tires are the same even though they have the same number on the sidewall.

prathmann

I have a '90 (made in '89) Cannondale 3.0 - crit geom. Usually run 23mm tires on it but I did have a 28mm Spec. Armadillo on the front for a while. It worked but was a very tight fit. On roads with any amount of dirt on the pavement I'd here a frequent 'zzzzz-ping' as tiny pebbles would get stuck under the fork before being ejected. Close enough that I suspect some nominally 28mm tires would fit while others would be too big.

zeejet

Actually, my bike might be almost identical to your with maybe some components replaced. I thought it was a 94-95 R600, but based on the badge design and color, it's likely an '89 SR2000 (not sure what geometry). The guy at my local bike shot also says Cannondale road bikes with 28s are a bit risky and will often not fit depending on the specific wheel model.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It kinda confirms what I suspected. I bought some All-Condition Armadillo 25s today!

fietsbob

Measure rather than just take Pictures.

safe to go with whats on there , Minus the cobwebs.

bradtx

zeejet, The Cannondales were hand made and as such one frame is not identical to another. Generally a 25 mm tire is as large as can be fitted in the rear, sometimes not. The rear brake can also be remounted on the front of the rear brake bridge for a little more clearance.

Brad