I've been lurking for a few weeks but this is my first post. I've been tinkering with bikes all summer (looking for a nice bike for my self) garage sales, thrift stores etc. I would buy one cheap, fix it up, ride it a while then sell it. sometimes I made money, sometimes I lost money but that was never the goal. As the weeks progressed I learned a lot about good vs cheap bikes both mechanically and ride quality. Now I have what I consider 2 nice bikes. I am still deciding which one I like best. The Super Sport fits me better but I like the ride of the cannondale sightly better.

1) 1988 Cannondale criterium frame. 58cm Shimano 600 components (I added the Ultrgra shifters)

2) late 80s Schwinn Super Sport. 54cm Shimano 600 components

Based on everything Ihave read I expected the Cannondale to ride harsher than the Super Sport. But what I have found is the Cannondale although stiffer is much smoother than the super sport. (It s eems to dampen the "road buzz" more than the super sport.


Here are some pics:
















Aw heck. Maybe I'll keep them both.

I will supply the usual mantra...which one fits better?

+1 Size matters. And there is a dramatic difference in size between the two for sure. You are not going to like the ride of the Cannondale for long if it doesn't fit right..

Around here, you could get more out of selling the Cannondale anyway, so it makes it a no brainer.

Cannondale fork look weird?

+2 on fit.
They've got to ride a lot differently, I'd think.
I like the components on the C'dale, and the looks of the Schwinn.

Since you'd enjoy the tinkering, go with the components you want on the frame that fits.
Sell the other one......
....and then realize your addiction and buy another.

You know it won't end, so don't try to fight it....

And welcome.

i'll second putting the c-dale components on the SS and keeping that.

Then build the c-dale, and sell it.

Then i'd suggest buying/building roughly 10 other bikes for various needs you can come up with.

You're not married right? This will make things easier.

Those Ultegra shifters - are they 7 or 8 speed? What about your rear cluster?

I ask, as I believe that's a 6400 RD - goes up to 7 speed (as delivered). I've never had luck with decent indexing on an 8 speed 600-series system with either the 6400 7-speed RD or the 6401 8-speed variant. Just curious as to what your experiences have been.

-Kurt

Yes I'm married. And my wife is all too familiar with obsessions. Since the beginning of summer I have acquired about 15 bikes. I still have about 5 full bikes and a pile of frames and parts (mostly junk) as well.

There is no cure.

The shifters are 10 Speed triple (6603), The Cassette and chain are 9 speed. It works fine as long as I dont try to use the small chain ring and the smallest 2 cogs or the large chain ring and the largest 2 cogs. The derailleur does has enough travel to hit all the sprockets and the indexing works just fine with the 9 speed double.

can you change the tires and see if the ride is the same? looks as though you've got beefier tires on the c-dale... that'll affect the ride a bit.

I would keep both. You need at least two bikes so that while you're tinkering with one, there's another one available to ride. I fubarred the rear rim on my primary commuter but had other bikes to ride while I was waiting for the new rim to arrive.

15 bikes? Zounds! Mrs. Doohickie would divorce me if I bought that many. She got mad at me when I bought #4 for $10 off Craigslist. But I sure would like to be able to do that.

I hope Mrs. Doohickie never sees your post!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that the drive side chainstay on the C-Dale looks really dented! The second and third pictures show this clearly. I'd be concerned. Here's one on ebay at this time. It does have the indentations, but they don't seem as severe. Maybe you need to have the LBS check it out.

Best of luck and welcome to C&V, and of course I Like the Schwinn, but I have a soft spot for C-Dales as well.

It's a crit (or racing) frame, so the wheel is closer to the downtube than on a touring frame.

I just looked at both my '86 C'dales. Dents appear to be of normal size. Denting does make for swollen spots, which seem accentuated on that white frame. At least in the pictures.

I did that. Not much difference. Still more noticeable "road buzz" on the Schwinn. Not that the schwinn is bad ride but there is a noticeable difference.

Sounds as if your chain might be a link or two longer than ideal.