source for Cannondale parts?
 

Do folks know of a good source for parts for Cannondale bikes? I try to keep a 10-12 year old T800 running, but frequently encounter problems acquiring simple parts, such as bearing cups, gaskets, etc. My LBS Cannondale dealer usually doesn't have anything specific for a bike of this age (they always try to gerryrig something to fit, but I'd like to do better than that. And I'd like to do it myself. Worse still, they want to sell me a whole new wheel when I have a damaged bearing race!), but if I contact Cannondale, they just tell me to go to my local Cannondale dealer, as Cannondale itself doesn't sell what I need. Folks rebuild old cars and motorcycles all the time, so there must be sources for bike parts to fit a 10 year old bike. I'm in Canada, so if you know Canadian sources, that'd be great. But if you only know places in the States, I'd appreciate knowing them. I hope to do some major overhauling this winter. Thanks for any links.

Not remembering any proprietary or Cannondale-specific parts on the '94 H300 that I rode for a decade. Maybe the downtube shifter/housing stop bosses? By the time I sold that bike, the only original part was the frame.
Generally speaking, bike parts is bike parts. Are there some unique bits on your T800?

Is it the cone or hub race that's toast? If it's the hub, then I'd often just go for a new wheelset myself - basically you'll just need to find a good 700c wheelset with the proper rear spacing. I have a feeling that thing might be 135, but no certain.

Then casually look on eBay for a like-new hub like the ruined one, then rebuild that wheel. CODA rims and hubs for the 2000, might be tougher to source. Deore hubs for 2002 (they're EVERYWHERE). Back to in-house C-dale hubs in 2003, so probably tough again.

After you score you'll have a backup wheelset which is REALLY nice to have, IMO.

You can try these guys: http://www.cannondaleexperts.com/

Totally different than old cars and motorcycles, the only thing Cannondale made on your bike was the frame. Everything else was bought from the same suppliers/manufacturers that made parts for everyone.

Find a better bike shop.

Except for the frame and fork, I don't believe there were any parts specific to Cannondale and everything else was by some outside supplier.

I've scored some C'dale parts on e-bay, or from the take-off bin at local dealers. Very few parts were proprietary from what I can see.

rcd, I've owned, rode and built Cannondales for years and there's nothing exclusivly Cannondale about your T800 except the frame and the fork, which was spec'd through Tangy.

Brad

You mentioned 'gaskets', and for a second I thought you might be referring to a Cannondale motorcycle! But, as has been mentioned previously, buying parts for a bicycle is the complete opposite of buying auto or motorcycle parts. Bike components for a given model and year might have changed from printed spec for a variety of reasons, even changing in mid production run. The manufacturer is actually the last resource for you to find replacement parts for your bike, except for the frame and fork... even then, they will do as you have experienced, by directing you to your local C-Dale dealer.

To use a 'C & V' term from another industry, "Parts is Parts." Study your T-800. List all of the components on the bike, and look online for comparable replacements, based on price and personal preference ($$, WWGD, etc).
Have a question? Just ask; that's what we're here for. Someone will help you out... all of us have, at one time or another, pieced a bike together from new or spare parts, and have already lived and worked through what you're about to experience. Look at it this way; when you're done, you'll have a bike that is truly yours, a one off specimen unlike any other T-800 out on the road.

Now... GIVE ME YOUR CLOTHES, YOUR BOOTS, AND YOUR MOTORCYCLE.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...5Ju8grxbj8FWPQ

(and don't ask if there's a dead cat in the room or what...)

rcd, Forgot to ask earlier...What are you wanting to do with the T-800?

Brad

Thanks for these thoughts. Yes, I understand that I don't need to go to Cannondale for Avid Shorty brake parts. But my first encounter with a "problem" was trying to overhaul the rear wheel. THAT, as it turned out, was something specific to Cannondale in the year my T800 was built (2000? 2001?). I ended up buying a new wheel to "fix" the problem. The "gasket" I mentioned was a rubber seal to keep water out of the bearings. None of this could be had, which surprised (and frustrated) me. I assumed (I hope wrongly!) that, this winter, when I start overhauling the bottom bracket, head set, front hub, etc this winter, I would encounter similar problems as what I had encountered with the rear hub -- hence my post. bradtx, is that what you meant about what I want to do with the T800? Basically, I want to maintain it, ride it, cozy up to it as my buddy from many many great bike tours -- not just toss it out because it is ten years old. Besides, winters can get awfully long around here and a person can't fiddle ALL the time! And yes, this site has helped me out MANY times when I got in over my head! THANKS!

rcd, I am pretty sure that you have a sealed cartridge bottom bracket as my '95 Cannondale T bike does. If yours is starting to fail, replace it with a Shimano UN54 or UN55, presuming you have square taper crank arms. Otherwise it's just the normal overhaul items.

Cannondale touring frames are among the top 10 off-the-rack tourers ever built, yours will last a very long time with a little TLC.

Brad

PS In the mid '90s Cannondale started rebranding some components with their CODA brand name. My CODA crankset on the T bike is actually from Sugino (name is on the backside of the crank arms). Handlebars and saddles followed, as did the wheel hubs. I don't remember who actually manufactured the CODA hubs at the moment.

rcd, if you have access to a machine shop, or perhaps have your own tools for "creating" new parts, there is no end to what you might be able to service on your own. But, as far as the stuff on your Cannondale, headset, bottom bracket, hubs, etc, they just weren't designed to be serviced. If races are pitted, the entire assembly is thrown out and replaced. If the bottom bracket has failed, the entire unit is removed and replaced with a new sealed bottom bracket. If you want to cozy up with your bike, make yourself a truing stand, a dishing tool, and build some wheels. (Something I've always wanted to do.) Go over your frame with a fine tooth comb and check for cracks or signs of damage. Clean every nook and cranny of your derraileurs and lubricate. Build a repair stand. Drill out your chainrings to give them that vintage look.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...ter/photo1.jpg

rcd, I broke down and searched CODA hubs and they're made by Hugi.

Brad

Bottom brackets and hubs that are otherwise not sealed can be protected (after OH with Phil or marine grade grease) with O rings or a homemade seal made from clear silicone caulk, tapered out from the locknut to the dust caps.

Thanks again for the replies. I've been away for a week and am just now checking replies. I guess I'll just have to wait and play it by ear when I get to the "next" component I figure is due for some maintenance. bradtx, are you suggesting that if I run into the same problem with replacing parts on my front hub as I did on my rear hub, I might be able to purchase Hugi parts, and that's what I'll need to look for instead of Cannondale or CODA parts? Most of what I know about bike maintenance was learned by trial-and-error on Peugeot 10-speeds back in the 70s. I kept bearings and races clean and well-greased and my wife and I rode those bikes for a long long time. I was maybe foolishly thinking I could do the same with our Cannondales Ts. Maybe not.... Maybe Cale is right!

rcd, Post 14 was just a FYI post. I don't know if Hugi has replacement parts or not, hopefully they do if you need them.

Sealed cartridge hubs, bottom brackets and headsets have been used now for a long time. Cannondale just picked a semi uncommon manufacturer (for North America) to use as their house brand. One item I found had FSA now associated with Hugi, but it was the only one that mentioned that.

Brad

The rear hub on your Cannondale was likely a Cannondale rebranded hub. They had sealed cartridge bearings and there aren't replacements for the seals because cartridge bearings aren't meant to be serviced. You remove the bearing and install a new bearing when something goes wrong with the bearing. The cartridge bearing is a standard size that's available at many bike shops. If you can't find it at a bike shop, auto parts stores have them as do some hardware stores.

As for the rest of the bike, there is nothing proprietary about it. The bottom bracket is likely a Shimano (and not serviceable), the headset is probably a Cane Creek (which uses a sealed bearing that isn't serviceable) and the rest of the bike is likely Shimano. I'm working from memory here because my T800 has had every thing replaced on it. The wheels are currently on my daughter's bike in Seattle and the rest of the parts have gone to other bikes or the co-op.

If you still have the original rear wheel, it's worth replacing the bearing. The hubs aren't Phil Wood smooth but they are still good hubs.

Brands are Names applied to the Frames, and the components are from various sources .
Purchased in Bulk and shipped to the assembly point.

HeadShock forks are Unique to C'dale , but most others are not proprietary.

I think Hugi was absorbed by DT.

NB: there is a Lot more Money in restoring antique cars than
repairing old Bicycles . so Replica parts are reproduced.