RFC

Sunday, I picked up a Giant Cadex CFR 2 because it had been upgraded to DA 8 and I wanted the drive train. I am guessing early to mid 1990's and it is the model in this link:

https://media.photobucket.com/image/g...3/DSC_2569.jpg

I have to say, I am impressed with this frame. It's got some chops and appears to be very robust. The lugs have some shaping to them and are well made for this genre.

I'm going to have to figure out what I do with this bike and how I build it. Likely, either one of my sons or I will end up ridding it.

No photos yet. It's one of those low use, garage stored, grit covered bikes.

T-Mar

The CFR series was introduced in 1992 and stayed in the lineup thoughout the 1990s. The serial number may allow us to narrow things down.

shrinkboy

that looks very cool, robert

-holiday76

I picked up the ALuminum one earlier this year at a yard sale for cheap.



I actually just tore it down about a week ago and I'm planning on selling the frame off and ALU bikes arent my thing. If it was the carbon one like you're i"d probably have kept it.

RobbieTunes

I've always liked the Cadex, and the lug work is well done. I saw one at Stop, Swap, & Save a year or so ago in Richmond, it was 600 tricolor and priced at $329.99 in the bike corrall. It didn't sell, but I was sorely tempted. I test-rode it, and felt it was only a set of STI's from being a heck of a bike vs. the modern stuff.

You may elect to post the pics in the RetroCarbon thread..

-holiday76

if someone were to want mine they could have a very good deal on it. Just sayin.

RFC

I will do so. I was going to strip it to the frame, but instead, I will surgically remove the DA STI's and RD and transplant a 105 RD and 7 speed STI's and see who wants to ride it.

RobbieTunes

You still riding 58's?

and -holiday76, I sent you a PM on the size...I actually have cable housing that burgundy color

RFC

Yes, it's a 58, same size as the Darth Trek 2300. 58/57 is about the upper limit of my reasonable comfort zone. It sounds like you and I are built alike -- long legs, short torso, long arms. As a result it is the TT length that causes me problems on the big bikes. My ideal is 56-57/55-56. So, this isn't too far out of the optimum.

RobbieTunes

Same here. I've learned to stop at 56cm, but could make a 57cm top tube work for the right bike...been there and would do that, again.

RFC

And I've learned to stay away from anything with a ST of 54 or small. The headtube length kills me. That's one of the reasons I went on a selling spree this fall.

scrptdr

I just picked up one of these at an estate sale. It looked terrible, but after an extensive clean-up and some relubing looks and runs like new. It runs rx100 stuff except for the rear derailleur which is oddly a nice Mavic; it has 7 speed downtube shifters SIS.

I have to say I love the ride of this, and it has become my main daily rider, allowing my exotic collector columbus steel bikes and my state of the art carbon a much deserved rest.

The best part is I practically got it for free, as I got it as part of a lot and the stuff I have sold off (two sets of tubulars, not my thing though I toyed with the idea of getting some glue) has almost paid for it. The serial # is GA228764, in case T-Mar wants to take a crack at dating it (thanks if you do).

I agree with the idea of throwing 7 speed STi on it and that's the plan, although I am kind of enjoying the downtubers, haven't done that for a while now.

RobbieTunes

Stick with the downtube sticks. More fun.

T-Mar

The frame was manufactured during the first two weeks of 1992. There were two CADEX road models in 1992. The RX100 equipped model was the lower of the two and had a MSRP of $825 US. It was called the CADEX CFR-2.

Attached is a photo from the CFR_2 pages from the 1992 catalogue. Unfortunately, they're too large for my scanner bed but I have anticipated requests and included a detail scan of the geometry chart.

scrptdr

Thanks t-Mar, looks exactly like the picture. I have the CFR-2. I think I will stick with the downtube shifters for now, and maybe just get the OG derailleur to restore it to perfect period stock (there's a NOS one on ebay for $50ish). Going to go ride it right now.

RobbieTunes

IF Upgrading:
1-Wheels, go to an 8/9/10 modern set and drop a pound or two.
2-Crankset/BB, go to a used external BB setup and drop a pound.
3-Find a used RD/FD combo for 9 or 10 sp.
4-9sp or 10sp cassette
5-9sp or 10sp DA DT shifters.

Drop the weight, gain a stiffer/lighter BB, keep the DT setup with brake levers.

Go kick modern butt, and smile when you shift.

T-Mar

I'd probably resist any temptation to go to 8/9/10 speed on an older lugged carbon fibre frame that was designed with 126mm spacing.

Janus60

Giant Cadex were very robust frame. I had a very strong accident, the front Wheel broke the rear car bumper and the bike (fork frame and classics araya Wheel with shimano 105 hub) was steel in good shape

Janus60

Maybe the main drawback of the cadex was the long F tube (rear center tube) which was a bit long, making the bike a bit lazzy

Janus60

Why ? It is easily possible to upgrade to 10S and even keep the vintage DT shifters ?

Charliekeet

Well, T-Mar wrote that a few years ago, but I think what he meant is that if the frame is @ 126mm spacing (and anything 8/9/10 speed is 130mm)... it's not a good idea to spread an older lugged carbon fibre frame to fit that wider hub.
In other words, you wouldn't trust the frame under those circumstances.

Janus60

As I'm a newbie with less than 10 msg, I'm not yet able /authorized to post picture, but as soon I will be allowed I will show you some example : how I've upgraded an old shimano 1055 (7speed) bicycle Wheel (Giant Cadex CFR2 - 1992) with replacing the hub (Dura Ace 7700 hub + CAssette CS-7900 DuraAce 10 speed). With a DA 7900-RD it works perfectlly.

CO_Hoya 

clubman 

It's just risk management. Most vintage bike fans don't have a problem with spreading the rear triangle of steel bikes, within limits. Aluminum frames can be spread less than steel. Glued up frames are seen as less trustworthy.
It's your bike, feel free to do as you please but I doubt you'll get many ringing endorsements on this forum. Nothing personal of course.

icemilkcoffee 

Some bikes produced in that early 90's time frame have 128mm rear drop outs. They were designed to 'go both ways'.