I was recently given a 1997 Cannondale Super V 1000. Totally set up for rough trails.
It's a full suspension 19".

I'm new to biking and want to get into shape and enjoy rides on street and mild dirt paths/beach areas. Not sand.

My back won't allow me to be bent over too far.
So if I convert it, I'll have to get tires, handlebar & cables.

I could use advise on if y'all think I should sell it and buy a hybrid or should I convert this. This Cannondale seems really light and is in great shape.
I'd love any input

thanks

If it would be hardtail I would say big Yes. (I've done it - got a perfect hybrid by making the rigid on slicks)
But this rear spring will be always like a harness on your back... IMHO

Thanks. Have you had any problems with the shorter wheelbase?

I'm pretty sure I can make it a hardtail. The rear shock can handle a lot of air pressure and is lockable. If it's not enough, I can make a 1.5" to 2" diameter aluminum dummy in place of the shock. I have a buddy with aluminum fabrication shop. He's positive it will hold strong and rigid.

I would understand the creativity of some cuban guy when he would try to reanimate his 1953 Buick with the engine from 1979 soviet made Lada.. It would be his only way to keep rolling.
But having around such a huge variety of new and used bikes I would not understand to-build-a-frankenstein approach. Unless you have some special feelings to this bike.
I would sell and would buy what you need. Little effort with most likely little money from your pocket.

Yeah, I'm kind of a MacGyver personality. I guess my problem is I know what i have and what it weighs but don't seem to be able to find a bike in the local bike shops for less than $800 that suits my "wants". Money is an issue for me and for less than $200 I could convert this. But i've heard that shocks waste a lot of energy on the road and perhaps even the front shocks are not preferable.

Just trying to get educated here before I spend my limited cash.

Try to find used bike on craiglist. You will be surprised what kind of deals you will be able to pull. I will be banned for spamming if I will start again. I'm talking about this in every second topic.

I'm wondering the same thing. I have an early 90's FS Canondale Delta-V 1000 (I think) in my basement and I don't know what to do with it.

Man, just buy some smooth tires and make the bars comfortable for you and go for it. Don't worry about taking shocks off or whatever just yet. Set them to rigid if you want-if they bother you then do something else later. I bet you can do it for $100-150. You are already 90% there to having a sweet ride.

LOL! I scour CL just to see what is out there every so often. First bike off there was a really nice Jamis for $50 and last Saturday scored a Gary Fisher for $75 which when I pulled up in my drive, dude across the street offered me $150 on the spot! Guy on the other side of me just scored a one year old ridden 3 times $1200 package-bike, clips, shoes, for $300.

my vote is no. keep the nice bike as is.

but you have a challenge to find the right bike. don't assume it's a hybrid. a straight bar road bike might be fun for a year but despite your shyness for a proper road bike, I'll bet there's a good chance three years from now you'll wind up on one. I say skip the BS and get to it now! :-)

I have a Super V 2000 that I put narrower slick tires on - I think they're 1.95s. The bike rides amazing with these tires. I've developed a problem with my hands and was going to do some converting - butterfly bars, rapid fire shifters - but then found a F1000 at a garage sale which had already been converted. I picked it up for $75.00. I'm glad I didn't change out my Super V - the bike is brand new condition and if I do sell it I'll get a lot more than I paid for it.

You sound like me. Effort isn't a disadvantage for me... a thin wallet is. So, I MacGuyver alot of stuff. Some ideas work, some don't. The experience is priceless.
I had a bike in for repair with a broken shock on the rear triangle. Didn't think I could find a suitable replacement cheap (for the owner), so I fashioned a piece of aluminum square stock I had and installed it in place of the shock. Turned it into a rigid.
If money is tight, and you don't mind trying different things, I'd say go for the conversion.