1988/87 Cannondale road bike
09-08-18, 06:07 PM
#26
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
I find myself coin flipping now between these two bikes, the Cannondale and the Trek 1000. Both are 12 speeds, Trek has 170mm cranks, C’dale has 175mm cranks, C’dale is a little taller at the top tube and had about a 4cm shorter wheelbase, the stem on the Trek is at max height so if I want more height on the bars I’ll have to swap stems. The Trek is about a pound or two lighter based on the handheld luggage scale.
I’m planning on bringing the Cannondale to work for a lunchtime lap to get a better feel for how it rides and handles.
No pressure right now to purge a bike so no real hurry to decide between them unless something else catches my eye and I need to build the bike funds.
Anyway, had a few minutes today to pull both bikes out and compare them side by side, just thought it would be fun to share a photo.
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Last edited by treebound; 09-27-18 at 12:42 PM. Reason: typos
09-08-18, 06:10 PM
#27
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
(Sorry for the typos, my phone browser isn’t behaving for editing.)
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09-08-18, 06:10 PM
#28
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I wish I had your problems. Is the weight difference mostly due to the wheels? And maybe the seat that Cannondale is sporting? I would think the weights would be rather similar.
09-08-18, 07:11 PM
#29
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
Could be a little from the tires, wheels and rims seem comparable. Saddle could be a good chunk of the weight difference.
I paid too much for the Cannondale but couldn’t pass it up due to the condition it was in. And I got dumb lucky on the Trek (right place, right time, and previous owners were moving and the first in line buyer was a no-show), Trek’s tires I found at Goodwill a year or so ago (dumb lucky again), white saddle I had in a spare parts bin.
I paid too much for the Cannondale but couldn’t pass it up due to the condition it was in. And I got dumb lucky on the Trek (right place, right time, and previous owners were moving and the first in line buyer was a no-show), Trek’s tires I found at Goodwill a year or so ago (dumb lucky again), white saddle I had in a spare parts bin.
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09-27-18, 12:55 PM
#30
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
The Cannondale is currently winning the coin flip based on the last couple lunch laps. Looking at max tires sizes, it looks like the Trek has less room, might be able to sneak a 25mm tire on there but the brake arm clearance might be an issue if the tire is much taller than the current 23mm tire. The Cannondale looks like it would be happy with a 25 and just might be able to sneak a 28mm tire onto it. The 23’s currently on the Cannondale are a bit soft or compliant and I’m concerned about pinch flats. I did find some 10mm Velox in a drawer at home so I put that onto the rear rim of the Cannondale and so far it seems to have stopped the tubes from getting holes on the rim side.
Speedwise it seems like both bikes are comparable if I look at my Strava segment times between the bikes. But the Cannondale just feels better to me even though it is taller.
oh well, just rambling through some thoughts, have a good next ride everyone.
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09-27-18, 01:53 PM
#31
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I've got the 1988 Criterium model, I don't think it had a name. The plastic top tube cable guides are long gone. Many fast rides on this bike since the 80's. IIRC the frame's geometry was designed by Davis Phinney, the winning-est crit rider of the late 1980's. I entered my first race on the bike in 1988, and won.
These frames do tend to beat you up though. They're screaming fast when you first jump on, but the lack of flex starts to bother my joints after an hour or so, always did, even in my late 20's. They are no the compromise, criterium crushing speed machines of the era. I have done a century ride on it, but would use something else next time.
I would try to get some nice comfortable tires, maybe GP 4000's and a box-style rim. I doubt you have room for anything bigger than 25's though, and maybe not even that much. Enjoy all that speed and stiffness!
These frames do tend to beat you up though. They're screaming fast when you first jump on, but the lack of flex starts to bother my joints after an hour or so, always did, even in my late 20's. They are no the compromise, criterium crushing speed machines of the era. I have done a century ride on it, but would use something else next time.
I would try to get some nice comfortable tires, maybe GP 4000's and a box-style rim. I doubt you have room for anything bigger than 25's though, and maybe not even that much. Enjoy all that speed and stiffness!
09-27-18, 02:39 PM
#32
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I feel the same way about my 88' Klein. It just outperforms my steel stuff. As much as I like them once in a while, it's my go to.
09-27-18, 04:23 PM
#33
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Yup! You’re looking at 28’s on a Black Lightning! 😈Took it out for 4 hours last Saturday. I’m beat up and sore, but it’s the position more than the road shock. I think the whole “Cannondales are harsh” thing is just silly. Hands and feet are excellent shock absorbers! And pneumatic tires! A literal cushion of air. This came on 23’s and it was still a great ride. ENJOY IT!!
10-13-18, 02:39 PM
#34
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
The yellow/white Trek 1000 is gone to a new owner, replaced it with a Novara Randonee (not sure of the model year yet, gearing is 3x8 with Sora brake shifters).
Then did some more horse trading and wound up with a set of Panaracer 700x25c tires which are now on the Cannondale. The ride of the ‘dale seems to feel better to me now.
added pic is of the Novara
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10-13-18, 03:27 PM
#35
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I just picked up a Cannondale road bike, but I’m having trouble figuring out exactly what model it is. Per a Vintage Cannondale website the s/n works out to be an early 1988 size 60 frame. But the 1988 catalog shows those with 7-speed,
and the 1987 catalog scans show 6-speed but nothing with a 100% match. Closest is the Black Lightening model, but the decals and crank don’t match this one.
One pic attached, I can add more later once I’m back on wifi.
SunTour Blaze matching component group on this one. I guess everything could have been swapped out.
The size 60 frame looks to be center to top, but with the post slammed the bike is a functional fit for me. This thing looks like it was bought new and has very little use on it.
and the 1987 catalog scans show 6-speed but nothing with a 100% match. Closest is the Black Lightening model, but the decals and crank don’t match this one.
One pic attached, I can add more later once I’m back on wifi.
SunTour Blaze matching component group on this one. I guess everything could have been swapped out.
The size 60 frame looks to be center to top, but with the post slammed the bike is a functional fit for me. This thing looks like it was bought new and has very little use on it.
1) The fork does not look bent, what you are seeing is the 74 degree head tube geometry. If the frame were more compact for the rider it would make the twitchy handling more intuitive. As is with the too tall frame, I fear it would just make for a punishing ride.
2) The saddle is tilted down is an awkward way - is this how you ride it?
3) The saddle is technically too low, telling me that this bike is probably not the best choice for you fit wise. The proportions as currently set up just look - wrong. Sorry - no offense intended, it is just my sensibility based on notions of proper fit that I have evolved over the years.
4) This frame could be a really nice quick club racing/criterium bike for somebody about 6'2" or taller. Just curious how tall you are.
5) The stem is taller than the seat again making the setup appear awkward. Again, no offense to you, but if it were me I would drop down the stem at least to the level of the saddle. When a stem is higher than the saddle, poor handling can result.
6) The aluminum frame is in excellent condition for sure. It is the little details outlined above that can make or break the actual ride comfort. If the frame were a 55 or 56 instead of the current size, you would be golden.
10-13-18, 04:26 PM
#36
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
Saddle position pic was as bought, since has been swapped and adjusted. Agree that the frame could be a size or two smaller, but the reach works for me so the slammed saddle height doesn’t bother me. And at my age I tend to like the comfort of the bars being at saddle height if not a little above.
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10-13-18, 04:37 PM
#37
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Saddle position pic was as bought, since has been swapped and adjusted. Agree that the frame could be a size or two smaller, but the reach works for me so the slammed saddle height doesn’t bother me. And at my age I tend to like the comfort of the bars being at saddle height if not a little above.
I am a SunTour fan as well. How are you liking the vintage components?
Last edited by masi61; 10-13-18 at 04:42 PM.
10-13-18, 04:51 PM
#38
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
No apologies needed, without opinions and personal preferences life would be boring.
I like the components, no problem with them at all.
A Klein is on my someday list. When I lived in California for awhile I was at a bike shop in Auburn (up the hill from Sacramento) one day when the regional Klein rep came in with their new mtb frame, the one with the single huge thinwalled tube for a frame. They all took turns flexing the side of the tubing with their thumbs. A couple of the employees wanted to build it up right there and go for a trail ride down along the American river, and a few of the other shop employees just rolled their eyes and walked away not wanting anything to do with it. That was back sometime in the 1990’s or so.
I like the components, no problem with them at all.
A Klein is on my someday list. When I lived in California for awhile I was at a bike shop in Auburn (up the hill from Sacramento) one day when the regional Klein rep came in with their new mtb frame, the one with the single huge thinwalled tube for a frame. They all took turns flexing the side of the tubing with their thumbs. A couple of the employees wanted to build it up right there and go for a trail ride down along the American river, and a few of the other shop employees just rolled their eyes and walked away not wanting anything to do with it. That was back sometime in the 1990’s or so.
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