Is this vintage?
 

Last fall I picked up a 1991 Cannondale 3.0 with Suntour GPX componentry. I couldn't tell you what the wheels were because I blew them up in the first week and bought new ones.

It has DT index shifters. Whaddaya think? Does it make the vintage cut? Or do we need to wait another three years so it can hit the 20 year birthday mark and be considered vintage?

good luck. I posted about a bike from the late 80's and barely got a response. I posted a bike from 79 and the response trickled in!!!

I don't know if it's Vintage, but there are quite a few cannondale fans around on C&V, got pictures??

17 yrs old,:D I don't even think she's legal yet:D

1991? That sounds like a nearly-new bike to me. :)

This is a fairly easy going forum. For certain, to get the best positive response, you should post pics. I'm sure there are a number of Cannondale fans on the forum, I can think of at least one ;).

We respond extremely well to photos :) .

East Hill

How did you blow up the wheel set?

downtube shifters are certainly C&V territory.

cannondales were, back then, amazingly stiff. A friend got whacked by a car at about that time (early '90's) and thrown over the hood. Her bike went underneath the car and was drug far enough to scrub off the cantilever boss on one side. The bike frame was still so rigid that the shop guy and I both stood on the unsupported chainstay for a picture. No deflection at all. So, I suppose the upshot of this is that you need 25 or 28c tires, and a good saddle.

Yes, definitely some fans of those frames here - and they still sell well, compared to other aluminum frames of the time. The stiffness luker mentioned above does make the ride somewhat jittery, but they have great acceleration and are great climbers. I think the aluminum forks are what really made them harsh on long rides, something a carbon upgrade would help.

To, me, however, the thing that does make your bike collectible is the GPX group. True, it was 3rd from the top, but you don't see it very often. This was at the time when Suntour was losing big to Shimano indexed systems, so I'm guessing not many manufacturers chose it for their builds.

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/suntour/suntourscans.html

Oh, yeah, here's the one I sold, a '93 SR400 with RX-100. Being a child of the 80s, I like the looks!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21..._driveside.jpg

I really like the bike, and I guess what I'm wondering is should I upgrade it (carbon fork, Ultegra, etc...) or should I try and keep it as is. To be honest, the GPX works amazingly well. It's so simple, and the DT shifters leave nothing to break, so it shifts clean and crisp all the time. The Jockeys are old, and could use replacing, but otherwise it's great.

The fork is what I'm not sure about. I started thinking about it because the reach isn't ride for me with the stock, Cannondale stem. I was looking around for a cheap 1" quill that would put me at a better reach and I came across the all-too-well-known Performance Forte carbon fork, headset, and stem set. I can get that guy on there for $150 + 10% off right now (more if I time it). Again, I'm happy with the GPX, but it could also use a new BB.

So, I was thinking that the frame is so good, maybe just as light and high performing as modern frames, that I could turn it into a dedicated roadie. But if we're crossing the threshold of vintage with it then I might make a ploy to keep it of it's era (i.e. the threaded headset, original fork and so on).

I blew up the wheels bombing a downhill on my commute at about 35mph. To be correct the hubs are probably still useable, but the rims more or less ripped through at the spokes. I decided if I was going to do new rims I should do a new cassette, but I had freewheel cassettes and much prefer freehub. So, I found a great deal on Ultegra/Open Pros and got a new chain to go with it. It's been going strong like that ever since, and due to that will never be truly vintage, though I could build some wheels with the GPX hubs and come close.

I also don't like the bars that were on it. I have some Ritchey Biomax bars and will be putting those on it no matter what. the brakes work fine, but my main question I keep coming back to is should I just put a $35 1" quill stem on that fits me or just go for it and do the threadless conversion with the carbon fork for $150 + % off?

I've ridden lots of road bikes, and the geometry and stiffness are my favorite so far. One of my good buddies growing up is now a pro rider and had Trek OCLV around all the time. It was nice, but this Cannondale rides nicer, IMHO.

Thanks all! I'll try and get some pics up when I can. I've got the 12 month old running around my feet today, so it's difficult to get outside with the camera.

No one will be coming after you with pitchforks and torches if you customize it to suite your needs. So, no, it's not collectible in that sense. Personally, I'd suggest you ride it as is, with the stem swap, for a while. If you find your hands and upper body numb, you might be well served to swap in a carbon fork. There's a reason most aluminum frame bikes are not sold with aluminum forks anymore. On the other hand, you may find it works just fine for you. The unknown variable about swapping forks is that it can change the handling characteristics if you end up with a different rake and trail than the original design.

Let your imagination run wild and do what you want to do with this bike to make it ride like you want it to ride.You have a good frame and its pretty new so go for it and don't worry about not being period correct its not an antique or really a vintage bike yet BUT if you change stuff on it keep the old items in case it becomes more collectable in the future. Have a blast this is all about fun

I gotta admit,anything after 1980 dont float my boat ,BUT, JunkYardBike,I,m impressed with that "cannondale"

You may get a different attitude here than other vintage groups, since there is an undercurrent here of "Whatever it takes to make it ridable for you." That is, unless it is a really rare bike that belongs in pristine condition as a museum piece.

If you would like to try a carbon ork, then you should. I used to have a 1989 Cannondale touring bike with a steel form that rode very well for the little time I had it on the road. And that was with a tweaked rear triangle.