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1984 Cannondale ST-500

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1984 Cannondale ST-500

Old 11-17-18, 10:09 PM
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1983 Cannondale ST-500

I’m excited to have picked up my first Cannondale today. I know these are hit or miss here, but I’m looking forward to trying one for myself. My first impressions are good. The paint looks great and I love the color. The components are a nice mix, including the much hated superbe tech RD. I do love the simple graphics of this era. I can’t believe that there is no decal for the model name.








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Old 11-17-18, 10:58 PM
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That is cool, a first-generation first model produced. Even has the original first can I computer magnet on the front wheel. Youll like it that bike. Long wheelbase, laid-back head angle but just enough to get out of the saddle. Enjoy

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Old 11-17-18, 11:56 PM
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Wow, SR Apex with the goofy BCD (I have two of those myself), Superbe Tech rear derailleur, and ... whew! For a second there, I thought that was a Helicomatic rear hub, which would have fit right in beautifully with the other evolutionary dead ends. You have the really wide section rims, too, kind of a nice time capsule. My ST500 was an '86 (I think) and by that time Cannondale had gotten into the habit of cleaning up the welds a bit more, so yours is for sure a real forerunner. Very nice survivor.

Now adjust those bars! My wrists are getting sore just looking at them.
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Old 11-18-18, 12:02 AM
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Congrats on getting a second year Cannondale! That color is gorgeous as are the Superbe components. Cannondale during this era differentiated models, visually, via paint color and components. Technically the forks are different grades of steel, but the frames are the same. Many of us like these old Cannondales, and the ST is a great mix of smooth relaxed geometry, with long chain stays for stability and panniers, yet stiff enough to not feel mushy or whippy when needing to climb or accelerate out of the saddle. Comfortable, confidence-inspiring bikes. Enjoy!
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Old 11-18-18, 07:10 AM
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The Spoke-protector is an added Bonus! Those Suntour components should serve you well. Also, if you get the opportunity to look at the inside surface of the (I think Drive-side) dropout, you might see two letters stamped there. (My '85 SM600 has: "TC"). These are supposedly the initials of the person who welded/finished the frame.
Anyone else ever heard of this for this era Cannondales? Is it even true??
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Old 11-18-18, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuckk
Thanks for that link! I guess it's non-drive-side. Added mine to the list.
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Old 11-18-18, 11:55 AM
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Awesome! I’m going to check the initials on mine tonight. I had know idea about the apex cranks being odd. I’ve also never had the Suntour sealed bottom bracket.

On the frame side, I’m glad to read the positive comments about the long wheel base and steel fork. I really find this bike asthetically pleasing, so I hope the ride doesn’t ruin that for me!
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Old 11-18-18, 02:33 PM
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Congrats, looks like a keeper. 👍 That one's way too nice for me, lol. 😉
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Old 11-18-18, 02:42 PM
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Serial number is AA, so does that mean it’s an 83? I couldn’t find initials on the nds dropout. The superbe tech RD is in immaculate shape under a layer of grime. I’m getting more and more excited about this bike. The wheels look nice. The Suntour sealed hubs have been excellent in my past experience. I’ve never had Super champion rims. I assume Wolber had bought them out at this point.

Can you explain what you mean about wide section rims?
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Old 11-18-18, 06:45 PM
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Cool! That doesn’t change anything, but it’s really cool. It has the original bar tape, which is actually pretty nice.

Its such a time capsule that I am debating whether to remove the reflectors... and I really dislike reflectors.



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Old 11-18-18, 08:10 PM
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I took photos of the dropouts. I’m pretty sure my frame is not marked with initials.





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Old 11-18-18, 08:15 PM
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I saw the bike too, but I was too lazy to go south. Good price on it. Actually is the second Cannondale for 65$ that I was able to buy, but...
What size is it?
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Old 11-18-18, 08:28 PM
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I think it’s a 23” model. I tried to resist buying the bike at first and sent a casual email. The next day I got myself hyped up and called, texted, texted again. It was a no-haggle price to me. I was happy to pay it. Now I’ve got my Motobecane listed for $65 to pay for the Cannondale.

I removed all of the reflectors, computer parts and plastic bolt covers, but I bagged them together and labeled the bag so I’ll remember what bike they are for.

I think this bike still has it’s original spec tires.



Last edited by mkeller234; 11-18-18 at 10:54 PM.
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Old 11-19-18, 12:34 AM
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By 'wide section' rims, I just mean boxy rims that are wider than you can find today. Not sure it's an actual accepted term. Common for touring bikes in the early 80s intended for 1 1/4" tires. or bigger. And the rims themselves are about 1 1/4" wide.

I have them on a couple of early 80s touring bikes. Wolber Gentleman 81 and that sort of thing.
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Old 11-19-18, 06:14 PM
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My 86 ST400 came to me with what I believe to be original Rigida 1320 27" rims. It struck me a little odd to spec such noodly rims on an otherwise serious touring bike. For commuting service, I built new wheels with a wider pair of rims.
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Old 11-19-18, 08:23 PM
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Wow. That's a real find, a AA ST in that kind of condition.
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Old 11-19-18, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
By 'wide section' rims, I just mean boxy rims that are wider than you can find today. Not sure it's an actual accepted term. Common for touring bikes in the early 80s intended for 1 1/4" tires. or bigger. And the rims themselves are about 1 1/4" wide.

I have them on a couple of early 80s touring bikes. Wolber Gentleman 81 and that sort of thing.
I see. I haven’t had many light, high-end race wheel sets in my hand for comparison. I’m used to the Weinmann concave rims and other chunkier rims, so these super champions seem a little higher class, but I didn’t even pay attention to the width.

Originally Posted by rccardr
Wow. That's a real find, a AA ST in that kind of condition.
It’s funny, last week I would have had no idea what that meant. I feel excited and fortunate to have picked up this bike.
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Old 11-20-18, 03:08 PM
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Very cool piece of history!
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Old 11-20-18, 03:53 PM
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I am fighting the temptation to strip this bike down for a full blown clean up. It’s not the right time for a project because we are hosting thanksgiving and I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a bike before the holidays. To scratch the itch, I gave the bike a small tuneup last night. I put tri-flow on all pivots and in the brake housing. I cleaned and lubricated the chain and drivetrain. I checked the bearings in the wheels, smooth as butter! Adjusted the derailleurs, the rear wasn’t shifting to the lowest cog. Adjusted the brakes and saddle height. I added the Jim Blackburn rack so I can ride this to work easily.

I took the bike out for a quick test ride just a little bit ago. The fit feels very good, at least for a short ride. My first impression of the ride is positive.



Nice handle bar engraving. I like the bend of these bars, at least appearance wise.


Tasteful bike shop sticker. This one is no longer in business.


The hoods and bar tape are in shabby condition


Blackburn rack, nice and simple.


Saddle adjusted, fits great!
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Old 11-20-18, 03:56 PM
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When I do the restoration I planned on buying the brown leather bar tape from Velo orange. Any feedback on that product?

I see that VO also sells gran Compe hoods too. I will probably buy them, but I wish they didn’t have the anatomic shape to them.
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Old 11-20-18, 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by jjhabbs
That is cool, a first-generation first model produced. Even has the original first can I computer magnet on the front wheel. Youll like it that bike. Long wheelbase, laid-back head angle but just enough to get out of the saddle. Enjoy

JJ
I wondered what that was, for lack of a better term' "dork disc" on that front wheel was. There was one of these early STs for sale here (local) not long ago that a grandson was selling his granddad's original bike and it had that disc on it. It was just too big for me or I'm not sure I would have been able to say no to it.

There is a nice CAAD9/4 Handmade in USA bike, at a good price, on CL right now that I am doing my best to not go look at. I don't have a CAAD or red or SRAM Rival Cannondale

Neat to see you in that other thread linked here about the welder stamps on the frame. I'm going to have to go home and look at mine now. Sadly none of mine will be yours because of the years.

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Old 11-20-18, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by fasthair
I wondered what that was, for lack of a better term' "dork disc" on that front wheel was. There was one of these early STs for sale here (local) not long ago that a grandson was selling his granddad's original bike and it had that disc on it. It was just too big for me or I'm not sure I would have been able to say no to it.

There is a nice CAAD9/4 Handmade in USA bike, at a good price, on CL right now that I am doing my best to not go look at. I don't have a CAAD or red or SRAM Rival Cannondale

Neat to see you in that other thread linked here about the welder stamps on the frame. I'm going to have to go home and look at mine now. Sadly none of mine will be yours because of the years.

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I actually have a complete cateye computer, so I could have a functioning one on the bike. They are kind of neat, but so bulky and a lot of pieces.
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Old 11-20-18, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by mkeller234


I actually have a complete cateye computer, so I could have a functioning one on the bike. They are kind of neat, but so bulky and a lot of pieces.
That was called the Cateye Velo Correct?
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Old 11-21-18, 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by jjhabbs
That was called the Cateye Velo Correct?
Yeah, that’s the one. I want to like it, because it’s an interesting piece of history. It’s just so...big. The old avocet computers are so much sleeker looking,

Here is the Velobase listing. The photo is of my computer:
VeloBase.com - Component: CatEye CC-1000 cyclometer
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Old 11-21-18, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by mkeller234


Yeah, that’s the one. I want to like it, because it’s an interesting piece of history. It’s just so...big. The old avocet computers are so much sleeker looking,

Here is the Velobase listing. The photo is of my computer:
VeloBase.com - Component: CatEye CC-1000 cyclometer

Now that is cool. I'm like you, I kind of want one for my old 1987 Black Lighting if it was period correct for the year. Also like you it is kind of big an ugly so maybe not.

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