A friend of mine is selling an L.L. Bean branded road bike I am considering picking up.

The frame appears to be a Cannondale frame, which would make sense considering the current lineup of bikes L.L. Bean sells are re-branded K2's, it's quite possible they were selling re-badged Cannondales in the late 80's/early 90's. The frame is typical Cannondale-looking aluminum, though there are no visible markings that indicate it's a Cannondale - just a pink L.L. Bean decal (under clearcoat) on the metallic light blue frame. Front and rear derailleurs appear to be Suntour Le Tech - any good? Sugino double crankset, Nitto stem, 3T drop bars, dia-compe side pull brakes.

He's only asking $40 for it, which seems worth it, but I don't know if anything on the bike is worthwhile except the frame. Any opinions?

A guy I rode with in the late 80's rode one. He claimed it was made by Cannondale and it looked like it was. I can't remember the components but it had 27 inch wheels...I believe it was more of a touring frame. It seemed fairly light as did all the Cannondales back then.

It think it was a good bike, but nothing special.

For $40 it's hard to go wrong unless it's all beat to hell or it doesn't fit you.

It doesn't fit me. It would be to strip and sell, probably, though I really do like the frame. I believe the wheels are 27", like you say. Late 80's would make sense - the frame design looks really modern for late 80's, but I suppose it could have been an 80's bike. The colors certainly scream 80's.

Meh, I think I'll pass. Sounds like nothing particularly stands out on this bike.

You might make a few bucks on those good, but run-of-the-mill parts, and the frame if sold separately. I'm not up on what all that stuff is going for, but I don't think you'll get rich. Unless you like to work cheap and/or just enjoy farting around with bikes, it probably isn't worth it.

It sounds like it has good components... I think you could make back your money fairly easily.

C-Dale used 27's on their touring bikes up until 1990.

I know two guys who have the same model C-Dales who have been riding them hard since they bought them new and they are holding up really well. One has crossed Canada several times and is ridden nearly 365 days of the year.