Help Identifying Cannondale Bike Year and Model
06-24-15, 07:30 AM
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Help Identifying Cannondale Bike Year and Model
Yesterday I was given a Cannondale bike by my ex-boss / company owner, he hasn't ridden it in years so it's gonna need some new tires and tune up. I can't ask him anything about the bike because about 6 months ago he had a stroke and can't speak very well, it takes a lot for him to make partial sentences and even then you can't understand him. Something to keep in mind is I think 5 years or so ago he had a wreck, don't think a vehicle was involved but I'm pretty sure it did some damage to the bike. What makes me think that is the combination of the components on the bike. I also guess he could of bought the frame and picked out the components for it. Here is a list of the components and the serial #, had to color it in with a white crayon to be able to read it.
Rear wheel: Araya 700C
Front wheel: Mavic
Tires: Continental 700C x 28
Brakes: Shimano 600
Brake levers: Shimano 105
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Crankset: Shimano Exage 500 CX Triple (175mm) Says Shimano E-50 on the outer ring, E-40 on the middle ring and didn't look at the inner.
Seat: Liberator
Cassette: Shimano HG?? (forgot to look) 7-speed
Shifters: Grip Shift (on the ends of the drops, you twist them)
Serial # 23110287056 (I'm guessing that it must be an 1987 but no idea about the frame and what it came from)
The frame looks black with like gold specks in it and the Cannondale label is red. It also has the old Cannondale House looking logo on the front.
It also has a label on it that says Sports Series
Here are a few crappy cell pix from late last night, sorry they aren't better.
Rear wheel: Araya 700C
Front wheel: Mavic
Tires: Continental 700C x 28
Brakes: Shimano 600
Brake levers: Shimano 105
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Crankset: Shimano Exage 500 CX Triple (175mm) Says Shimano E-50 on the outer ring, E-40 on the middle ring and didn't look at the inner.
Seat: Liberator
Cassette: Shimano HG?? (forgot to look) 7-speed
Shifters: Grip Shift (on the ends of the drops, you twist them)
Serial # 23110287056 (I'm guessing that it must be an 1987 but no idea about the frame and what it came from)
The frame looks black with like gold specks in it and the Cannondale label is red. It also has the old Cannondale House looking logo on the front.
It also has a label on it that says Sports Series
Here are a few crappy cell pix from late last night, sorry they aren't better.
06-24-15, 07:40 AM
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Pretty sure it's a touring/ST model looking at the wheelbase and triple rings. Year can be determined by running the serial number found on the stays over at the vintagecannondale site.
06-24-15, 08:10 AM
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Is this bike worth the money to get what I'm guessing is new tires and who know what else tuned up?
Did he replace the shifting levers with the grip shift? It looks like most Cannondales had the levers on the frame, I'm not very familiar with their bikes. Just own a an old Trek MTB and have never had anything else other than BMX bikes growing up.
06-24-15, 08:26 AM
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Yes, I'd expect that it came with down tube shift levers. They're nice bikes and well worth the cost of fixing it up. Is the frame size right for you?
06-24-15, 08:26 AM
#5
Still learning
Take the bike outdoors and please reshoot photos from the drive side of the bike, so we can look at fork alignment etc. It may be easier to post photos to a host and provide a link to the gallery.
I think OldsCOOL is correct as to year and model line, but we can't see the existing shifters, the spacing of the rear tire to the seat tube, eyelets, dropouts, etc.
If no frame damage worth $50 in tires for sure.
I think OldsCOOL is correct as to year and model line, but we can't see the existing shifters, the spacing of the rear tire to the seat tube, eyelets, dropouts, etc.
If no frame damage worth $50 in tires for sure.
06-24-15, 08:35 AM
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Take the bike outdoors and please reshoot photos from the drive side of the bike, so we can look at fork alignment etc. It may be easier to post photos to a host and provide a link to the gallery.
I think OldsCOOL is correct as to year and model line, but we can't see the existing shifters, the spacing of the rear tire to the seat tube, eyelets, dropouts, etc.
If no frame damage worth $50 in tires for sure.
I think OldsCOOL is correct as to year and model line, but we can't see the existing shifters, the spacing of the rear tire to the seat tube, eyelets, dropouts, etc.
If no frame damage worth $50 in tires for sure.
Talked to his son and he did say after one of his spills that he changed out a lot of the components.
It doesn't look like the frame has any damage but I need to clean it and get a good look at it or take it in to my LBS and have them give it a tune up.
06-24-15, 09:00 AM
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If it is an 87 then it's an st600, I just happened to have the 87 catalog on my phone. The st600 came with a mix of 600 and Deore. The st700 came with cantilever brakes and the st400 was equipped with Suntour alpha 3000.
06-24-15, 09:08 AM
#8
Still learning
Surprisingly the frame size is right for me, he's pretty close to my size so I got lucky there.
I will take outdoor pictures this evening when I get home and better ones at that. It was late last night when I got home and just snapped a few for basic information.
Talked to his son and he did say after one of his spills that he changed out a lot of the components.
It doesn't look like the frame has any damage but I need to clean it and get a good look at it or take it in to my LBS and have them give it a tune up.
I will take outdoor pictures this evening when I get home and better ones at that. It was late last night when I got home and just snapped a few for basic information.
Talked to his son and he did say after one of his spills that he changed out a lot of the components.
It doesn't look like the frame has any damage but I need to clean it and get a good look at it or take it in to my LBS and have them give it a tune up.
06-24-15, 09:19 AM
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I can DIY it all myself so I'll probably just go that route if nothing is majorly wrong with it.
06-24-15, 01:28 PM
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Definitely an ST, all ST's were sized in inches and SR's in millimeters. With a November '87 build date, likely sold as an '88 model year, but not that important. Mix of components, not all stock. Came with 27" wheels and those look like 700c's. Grip shifts are not standard on that model. Derailleurs and crank are original, I think.
Well worth a major investment if it really fits you (you should be 5'9" or taller), will take any/all types of vintage and modern components to make a do-all gravel path bike like this:
Or a tasty road warrior/century killer like this:
Well worth a major investment if it really fits you (you should be 5'9" or taller), will take any/all types of vintage and modern components to make a do-all gravel path bike like this:
Or a tasty road warrior/century killer like this:
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06-24-15, 02:06 PM
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@rccadr Great looking bikes...very nice
After looking through catalogs I came to the conclusion like you, that it was released in 88' and the ST400 in 1988 was the only one that was available in black, 87's weren't neither were the 89's that were in the ST family. I think he basically changed everything out but the frame...LOL I'm 5'11" but other than standing over it I haven't messed with it yet to see how it feels. I'm going to clean it up this evening and I'm leaning on making it into a road warrior. I don't have shoes that work with the pedals he has on it, probably change those out to something else but not sure. Would you leave the Grip Shifts or change it back to levers on the down tube? Haven't used either before and not sure which would feel / work better.
After looking through catalogs I came to the conclusion like you, that it was released in 88' and the ST400 in 1988 was the only one that was available in black, 87's weren't neither were the 89's that were in the ST family. I think he basically changed everything out but the frame...LOL I'm 5'11" but other than standing over it I haven't messed with it yet to see how it feels. I'm going to clean it up this evening and I'm leaning on making it into a road warrior. I don't have shoes that work with the pedals he has on it, probably change those out to something else but not sure. Would you leave the Grip Shifts or change it back to levers on the down tube? Haven't used either before and not sure which would feel / work better.
06-24-15, 02:17 PM
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I look forward to some full bike pictures but I recommend ditching those chunky grip shifters and cheesy aero bar, up to you though. I have an 83 st500, the one that started it all and it rides great. Tracks so stable you could almost take a nap on it. A nice distance rider, though not the fastest. I've also got an 87 sm400 that rides really well and is built like a brick ****house. These 80s Cannondales are great quality American made bikes and definitely deserved to be fixed up if you've got the desire to do so.
Edit: just noticed you asked about the grip shifters, yes get rid of them as fast as you can and pick up some downtube shifters or compatible bar-ends of you can find them.
Edit: just noticed you asked about the grip shifters, yes get rid of them as fast as you can and pick up some downtube shifters or compatible bar-ends of you can find them.
Last edited by ncrnelson; 06-24-15 at 02:22 PM.
06-24-15, 02:23 PM
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I look forward to some full bike pictures but I recommend ditching those chunky grip shifters and cheesy aero bar, up to you though. I have an 83 st500, the one that started it all and it rides great. Tracks so stable you could almost take a nap on it. A nice distance rider, though not the fastest. I've also got an 87 sm400 that rides really well and is built like a brick ****house. These 80s Cannondales are great quality American made bikes and definitely deserved to be fixed up if you've got the desire to do so.
I've got the desire to fix it up, love doing things like that....now money might be an issue.
06-24-15, 03:14 PM
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If you replace only what's necessary I think you could have it going for less than $100 easy. You should probably be able to get a set of 7 speed Shimano downtube shifters for ~$20 on eBay. Cleaning and degreasing is free, repacking bearings with fresh grease is $5 for a big tub of marine grease. Brake pads are $5-15 per set typically. Cables are about $4 a piece from bike shops and housing at my LBS is $2.50 per foot. Tires can run from $10 for Kendas or Nashbar house brand to as much as you want. This doesn't account for cost of tools though or time spent watching instructional YouTube videos.
06-24-15, 04:09 PM
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Definitely an ST, all ST's were sized in inches and SR's in millimeters. With a November '87 build date, likely sold as an '88 model year, but not that important. Mix of components, not all stock. Came with 27" wheels and those look like 700c's. Grip shifts are not standard on that model. Derailleurs and crank are original, I think.
Well worth a major investment if it really fits you (you should be 5'9" or taller), will take any/all types of vintage and modern components to make a do-all gravel path bike like this:
Or a tasty road warrior/century killer like this:
Well worth a major investment if it really fits you (you should be 5'9" or taller), will take any/all types of vintage and modern components to make a do-all gravel path bike like this:
Or a tasty road warrior/century killer like this:
06-24-15, 07:53 PM
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I cleaned the bike up and took some pictures of it. Hopefully these will look better. I will have to say that I love the way it rides, seems a lot faster then the Trek 1.1 I borrowed from a friend. Just need different pedals and would probably like some that have the pedals with clip and strap. Don't have shoes for the clips ons that is on the bike right now. I absolutely hate the grip shifters, they suck in my opinion. There also is something a little wonky with the handlebars, one side is bent a little inward towards me. Should be able to fix that easily enough.
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psy11mtjds.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psainz2rwj.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...pszojcj64o.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...pswc1mdond.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4ybdrcst.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psy11mtjds.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psainz2rwj.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...pszojcj64o.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...pswc1mdond.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4ybdrcst.jpg
Last edited by aftrshok99; 06-24-15 at 08:50 PM.
06-24-15, 07:56 PM
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If you replace only what's necessary I think you could have it going for less than $100 easy. You should probably be able to get a set of 7 speed Shimano downtube shifters for ~$20 on eBay. Cleaning and degreasing is free, repacking bearings with fresh grease is $5 for a big tub of marine grease. Brake pads are $5-15 per set typically. Cables are about $4 a piece from bike shops and housing at my LBS is $2.50 per foot. Tires can run from $10 for Kendas or Nashbar house brand to as much as you want. This doesn't account for cost of tools though or time spent watching instructional YouTube videos.
06-24-15, 07:58 PM
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I cleaned the bike up and took some pictures of it. Hopefully these will look better. I will have to say that I love the way it rides, seems a lot faster then the Trek 1.1 I borrowed from a friend. Just need different pedals and would probably like some that have the pedals with clip and strap. Don't have shoes for the clips ons that is on the bike right now. I absolutely hate the grip shifters, they suck in my opinion. There also is something a little wonky with the handlebars, one side is bent a little inward towards me. Should be able to fix that easily enough.
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psy11mtjds.jpg
https://i357.photobucket.com/albums/o...psy11mtjds.jpg
06-25-15, 09:00 AM
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06-25-15, 09:24 AM
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06-25-15, 09:32 AM
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My favorite ride is still my 1990 C-dale st400. It was a navy blue that year. Over the years, I've changed everything but 1 brake, 1 shifter-suntour and the actual frame of course. Given that I have a tendency to be a maintenance "light" sort of guy, it stills rides surprisingly sweetly. So in my mind it will be money well spent.
06-25-15, 09:35 AM
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