Frames and Framebuilding (1986) CANNONDALE
08-02-22 | 03:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,419
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From: Central Florida, USA
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (7); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Trek (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Quintana Roo (1)
Frames and Framebuilding (1986) CANNONDALE
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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May, Jul, Aug, Oct, 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Dec 1985; Apr 1994; May, Jun 1996; May 1997.
WTB: bicyclist May, Dec 1997: Jun-Dec 1998.
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Litespeed head badge (circa 2000)
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May, Jul, Aug, Oct, 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Dec 1985; Apr 1994; May, Jun 1996; May 1997.
WTB: bicyclist May, Dec 1997: Jun-Dec 1998.
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Litespeed head badge (circa 2000)
08-02-22 | 05:45 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 472
From: North, Ga.
Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's
1987. Cannondale bicycles were cool, fresh, new, excellently designed and American made!
What do you do with all that success? Build a motorcycle.
A lesson is in there somewhere.
What do you do with all that success? Build a motorcycle.
A lesson is in there somewhere.
08-03-22 | 09:05 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 933
From: In transit
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
I still love my 99 R4000. Those CAAD aluminum frames were, and are, the heat.
08-05-22 | 12:08 PM
#4
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,689
Likes: 6,416
Although the early ST and SR bikes were fast and stiff, the finish work -especially around the seat and head tube junctions- was very crude in comparison to the 87-88 and later aluminum frames.
Interesting to read that they recognized the problem and worked to improve that last 10%.
Interesting to read that they recognized the problem and worked to improve that last 10%.
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
08-05-22 | 12:57 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 2,171
From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
Although the early ST and SR bikes were fast and stiff, the finish work -especially around the seat and head tube junctions- was very crude in comparison to the 87-88 and later aluminum frames.
Interesting to read that they recognized the problem and worked to improve that last 10%.
Interesting to read that they recognized the problem and worked to improve that last 10%.
08-05-22 | 07:07 PM
#7
Groupetto Dragon-Ass
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1,631
From: Lostin Austin, TX
I've got two 85's and agree that the head tube and seat tube finishing is UGLY. Head tube finish especially since the joined tubes are larger in diameter than the head tube.
But they feel just great.
My personal favorite frames are the 2.8, both for the ride and looking at the manipulated tubing.
But they feel just great.
My personal favorite frames are the 2.8, both for the ride and looking at the manipulated tubing.
Last edited by Chuckk; 08-05-22 at 07:10 PM.
08-06-22 | 12:51 AM
#8
Master Parts Rearranger
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,851
Likes: 2,833
From: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Bikes: 1987 Woodrup Competition - 2025 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gen 3 - 1987 Lotus Legend - 2024 Trek Emonda ALR Rim Brake - 1980 Trek 510 - 1988 Cannondale SR500 - 1985 Trek 670 - 1982 Trek 730
Seeing the 1985 catalog with the top SR900 with Campy NR, you just can't help but think 1) the frame and components really don't go together aesthetically 2) Cannondale is onto something, and that something is the future. What a time to see a "changing of the guard."
08-06-22 | 06:07 PM
#9
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Mission Viejo
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
In 1986 I bought a new SR400.
A few years later a shop was blowing out Cannondale frame, supposedly due to the Klein lawsuit. Picked up a new 1988 Criterium frame and steel fork for $100.
Built it up with some 7400 parts I already had. It’s gone through a number of changes. It is now a triple (3x8) running M900 derailleurs. Only 7400 parts left are the brake calipers and pedals.
I never could find a replacement that was as much fun. Still riding it at 70.
John
A few years later a shop was blowing out Cannondale frame, supposedly due to the Klein lawsuit. Picked up a new 1988 Criterium frame and steel fork for $100.
Built it up with some 7400 parts I already had. It’s gone through a number of changes. It is now a triple (3x8) running M900 derailleurs. Only 7400 parts left are the brake calipers and pedals.
I never could find a replacement that was as much fun. Still riding it at 70.
John
08-06-22 | 06:59 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 2,468
From: Snohomish, WA.
About ten years ago I had a 86 SR withe a mix of parts on it. It rode pretty well, but was on the small side for me.
Last winter I came across a 66cm 1989 road frame built up with later parts. The welds on this were definitely more appealing to the eye.
Last winter I came across a 66cm 1989 road frame built up with later parts. The welds on this were definitely more appealing to the eye.
Last edited by Roger M; 08-06-22 at 07:15 PM.
