Darth Lefty 

Once you have worn out your harsh / lively aluminum frame maybe it will be as smooth / dead as steel

DMC707 

Hardy har har-- i have seen a couple of responses countering my assertion about aluminum framesets "going dead" after a fashion, Suggesting that i am another Quixotic character tilting at windmills-- -- but 'tis true to my hands, feet and backside -- granted i do not have enough miles on any of my 'Dales for this to occur , but i have over 20-22k on a GT aluminum frame and the ride quality is gone --- so much so that i retired it as a race machine and relegated it to time trials only

The bike feels a little like riding a carbon bike now- Just a "thunk , thunk, thunk" sensation that is hard to convey over the keyboard.

what happens at the molecular level? I dont know- these are bicycles , not pressurized jet airplanes, but something happens

Dave Cutter

Well you should be ashamed of yourself for high jacking a Cannondale thread.... to complain of the ride quality of your GT.

I love a good vintage bike.... but my own Cannondale is a 98-99 (not sure which). And I like it's ride.

OldsCOOL

Yeah, mine gets better. The '88 Criterium Series is a beast in the hills and corners. There is nothing like it. The harder you push it, the more you appreciate it. Apparently you didnt.

DMC707 

I push all of my bikes VERY HARD ! (up any hill greater than a 6 or 7% grade that is )

OldsCOOL

I hear that

scuzzo

wow, im tearing up., i saw my very first, second and third road bike in this tread..
started with a red and while 3.0 built with exage... and ambrosio wheel set.. i think
then went to another 3.0 while with red script.. built with same groupo.. if you could
even call it that.. then the final 3.0 built with 105 and down tube shifters... i think i had
iso trek rims too.. thumb busters... if you have had them you know what i mean..
then i got a CAAD 3 built up with campy record and and colorado cyclist open pros..
green and yellow Helen Cycles Team frame... wow... i really did love my cannondale.. just sold rocket ship rides
a bit mean on bad pavement.. but heck.. if you want soft.. sit on the couch..
if i can find that caad 3 photo i will post..

thanks again for the trip down memory lane..

Joepasta

This is awesome. A lot of good looking bikes. Here is mine.

DMC707 

My new pickup --- I love Cannondales --- but check the tire sidewalls ---- however- this one is a 48cm , and i have a 13 year old nephew who is battling Crohn's Disease (steroidal medications lead to weight gain and a puffy face ) ---- He is a promising little junior wrestler and loves baseball as much as any 13 year old can love baseball

--- So i paid up to have a nice light frame to build off of --------- he already has a nice 26" BMX cruiser (courtesy of Uncle Doug ) and other things, --- but i thought, for off season training - i hope this can fit the bill

bikeclub

Still working on this 1992 M500, planning on making it a upright, slow commuter, for hauling, bike packing, or leisurely gravel road rides.

rccardr 

That looks very nice...

fleslider 

Nice ST what year is it?

ApolloSoyuz1975

I'm drooling at the black awesomeness on this page!

bradtx

I agree

bradtx

That'll turn out nice...begging for a black seat post IMHO.

Brad

bradtx

I wasn't sure which bike you decided to use, this or the Centurian. I bet your nephew loves it.

Brad

Joepasta

From what I can tell it is a 90.

DMC707 

Funny (or not so funny).

I had him over at the garage one day and i actually have a choice of 4 for him-- A clean little 48c Raleigh 531 steel Technium, a Univega in 50c made with Columbus Thron, and my brother's old Centurion in 48c, plus this Cannondale --

I basically told him to pick a color --- He told me he's good for now as the cruiser i built him for Christmas was getting him around just fine. (A newer SE OM Flyer 26" bmx, except with a mtb stem and bars on it --- it looks like a dirt jump bike with that setup)

He Kinda' took the excitement out of wrenching on any of 'em though for now. I will just have to pick one to build for him and invite him for a ride i guess

D1andonlyDman

This is a 1989 Crit. 3.0 frame that I built up myself. It is fast, but harsh. I definitely prefer riding steel or CF. I don't ride it anymore.

OldsCOOL

Lascauxcaveman 

Well, if you ever decide to adopt me as your nephew, keep in mind I like frames in the 60-63cm size, mostly. I will act excited and grateful every time you build me a bike

RiddleOfSteel

Those black lightnings are swoon-worthy. Oh my.

I will (sort of) apologize for a seeming re-post, BUT in building a bike for someone else, I used the 105/Mavic units on mine for that, leaving me with a very convenient "problem" of finding new wheels for a good price. Snagged these killer late-'90s Giant EXT Pro Carbon (spokes) wheels an hour after they posted, for a great price. A little heavier than the outgoing units (dang Rigida DP18 rims) but with 700x28c Continental Ultra Sports and these wheels, the ride is another level of smoothness. Call the EXTs wagon wheels because they look like it, but they plus the thicker tires just work visually, too. I love the way they look (and ride)! I'll swoon over that.

FYI, for tire clearances: Brakes/brake bridge = 2-3mm and tire-to-FD-mount bolts is 1mm! No rubbing, tracking marks, or noises under normal and hard riding. Pic of the "gap" and a 'shopped side view. Rims have a deeper bronze luster to them, but it's not evident in the (original) picture I took.

Bikedued

Man, I hope nothing sticks to those tires, cause it will stop in a split second. My new to me SR500 isn't much better. I can just fit one fingertip between the tire and seat tube, sideways!,,,,BD


It's already being torn down and painted....

cehowardGS

That is really a sweet job/build/upgrade...

Since that is the Black Lightning, what are the crank, brakes and RD/FD, since they all seem black?

I have an 89 BL, and it has the Edge components, and at some time, I might think about going with brifters..

DMC707 

LOL ! Its a deal! - I just procured an Ironman in a 60c size also -- Once adopted, will you promise to also drink all my beer and steal my car keys for late night joy rides every once in a while ?