Is this '97 Cannondale Saeco Caad3 worth it?
01-14-22, 10:23 PM
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Is this '97 Cannondale Saeco Caad3 worth it?
Hey everyone! I'm new to classic/vintage bikes, so I would really appreciate your opinion on this. A local seller is selling this Cannondale Saeco Caad3, which according to him is from 1997. Is this a good bike? Do you think it's in good shape? Do you think it might be a fake? Are the components on the bike any good?
The yellow tape on the drive-side seat stay covers a dent that can be seen on another picture. And are these mismatched wheels?
Shimano 105 rear brake
Is this a normal shape for a seat post?
This brake caliper doesn't seem to have any inscription on it.
Shimano Deore XL front derailleur
"Shimano 105" rear derailleur
"Mirage" can be read on these brifters. Is this Campagnolo Mirage?
This is the dent on the seat stay
"Grey Campagnolo" can be read on the chainring, but no inscription on the crank arm.
The yellow tape on the drive-side seat stay covers a dent that can be seen on another picture. And are these mismatched wheels?
Shimano 105 rear brake
Is this a normal shape for a seat post?
This brake caliper doesn't seem to have any inscription on it.
Shimano Deore XL front derailleur
"Shimano 105" rear derailleur
"Mirage" can be read on these brifters. Is this Campagnolo Mirage?
This is the dent on the seat stay
"Grey Campagnolo" can be read on the chainring, but no inscription on the crank arm.
Last edited by Genghis Kant; 01-15-22 at 08:37 AM.
01-15-22, 12:14 AM
#2
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Hard to tell exactly from the pics, but it looks like the impact to the seat stay might have pushed the stay a little in and to the rear, aside from leaving a pretty good dent. I would pass.
01-15-22, 01:34 AM
#3
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My guess is that the original owner stripped the bike after denting that stay (and breaking the deraileur hanger?) and discarded the frame.
A street rat then found the frame by the side of the road and decided to build it up again with parts from his parts bin and flip it. None of the parts match and it's anybody's guess if all that junk works together happily.
Some of the components may be of value to somebody looking for spare parts, but if you're looking for an actual bike to ride I'd steer well clear at any price.
A street rat then found the frame by the side of the road and decided to build it up again with parts from his parts bin and flip it. None of the parts match and it's anybody's guess if all that junk works together happily.
Some of the components may be of value to somebody looking for spare parts, but if you're looking for an actual bike to ride I'd steer well clear at any price.
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01-15-22, 05:40 AM
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How much? If all the parts work you got $160+/- worth of stuff.
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01-15-22, 06:51 AM
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Run, don't walk. Someone who would sell a frame like that can't be trusted. It should be stripped and scrapped.
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01-15-22, 07:59 AM
#6
Thrifty Bill
Parts bin build of a damaged frame. Run away.
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01-15-22, 09:57 AM
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How much is the seller asking? If $100, I would buy it in a heartbeat. If any more than $150, I run away.
That's simply because I think the parts are pretty nice as a donor bike.
If a Cannondale has tape covering a dent, likely it has sharpness in its bends on the stay.
That's simply because I think the parts are pretty nice as a donor bike.
If a Cannondale has tape covering a dent, likely it has sharpness in its bends on the stay.
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01-15-22, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Genghis Kant
"Grey Campagnolo" can be read on the chainring, but no inscription on the crank arm.
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01-18-22, 09:25 AM
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It must have taken a very hard hit to get a dent like that.
Unfortunately, there are less options on fixing such damage on an aluminum bike as aluminum does not take well to any kind of "bending back" to shape and tend to crack easily.
I wonder if a thick enough carbon overwrap around that dented section to reinforce it might work to save the frame??
Unfortunately, there are less options on fixing such damage on an aluminum bike as aluminum does not take well to any kind of "bending back" to shape and tend to crack easily.
I wonder if a thick enough carbon overwrap around that dented section to reinforce it might work to save the frame??
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01-18-22, 10:55 AM
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Second pic shows how bad the rear is. the rear wheel isn't centered with the stays at the brake bridge. Parts only....
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01-18-22, 10:57 AM
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The frame is a very cool "wall hanger" or alternatively worth $1.50 at the scrapyard since alu prices are through the roof. If the parts work, I'd be interested at any price under $100.
01-20-22, 11:40 AM
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What everyone else said, it's a Frankenbuild with a damaged frame. These were cool bikes BITD but that thing would have to be pretty cheap to peak my interest.
01-20-22, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by canopus
Second pic shows how bad the rear is. the rear wheel isn't centered with the stays at the brake bridge. Parts only....
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, Cannondale M500, etc...Need to do an N -1...
01-20-22, 06:18 PM
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Thank you everyone for all your tips! I'm really new to this, so I had no idea it was such a bad deal. Here where I live (Argentina) it's often very hard to get your hands on a bike of a reputable brand, and those you do manage to find are extremely expensive.
Thanks! This type of comment is really useful to assess if the asking price is reasonable or not.
And do you know what "BREV" stands for? Is it part of the brand's name?
It does look cool, too bad it's damaged 
Out of curiosity, which three components do you think are worth it from this build?
If all the parts work you got $160+/- worth of stuff.
It says BREV. CAMPAGNOLO
These were cool bikes BITD
Three of those components
01-20-22, 06:55 PM
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Even in the components I see little value. The shifters are lowest end Campy. Someone could use them if they work but they wouldn't want to pay much. Square taper crank with standard ring sizes, meh. Beat up Shimano mid range mtb front derailleur? Beat up mid range Shimano RD.... Lots of work to strip, clean and sell, little potential.
01-21-22, 10:54 AM
#16
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I raced a Cannondale Saeco CAAD3 back in 1997-2000. It was full Shimano Dura Ace and that example, is nowhere near as nice and is a damaged Frankenbuild as others have noted.
A good condition example with original parts would be a lovely bike. I remember it being lightweight and very comfortable.
A good condition example with original parts would be a lovely bike. I remember it being lightweight and very comfortable.
