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Looking to rebuild old c-dale

Old 02-24-07, 02:48 PM
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Looking to rebuild old c-dale

It's been about 6 years since I've even looked at my old c-dale f500 caad 2. The frame is still in good condition but the components are shot. I'm wondering if it is possible (or worth it) to replace all my old stuff with newer components. Are the older c-dales compatible with newer components? I'd appreciate any guidance you guys/gals can provide.
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Old 02-24-07, 04:48 PM
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A bit more info would help. What does "shot" mean? Are your components broken? What type of riding do you want to do? How old is the bike? What color is it (this is most important for some of our members)?
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Old 02-25-07, 06:35 AM
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"A bit more info would help. What does "shot" mean? Are your components broken? What type of riding do you want to do? How old is the bike? What color is it (this is most important for some of our members)?"

The bike hasn't left the garage in 6 years and I tore it down to the frame yesterday. After looking over all of the parts I took off, they are in bad shape, rust, really old grease, pretty much they need to be replaced. "What type of riding do you want to do?"- I am a road biker, but my friends enjoy mountain biking so I'll just be occasionally ridding the local trails, nothing to intense. The bike is a 1998 or 1999, I'm not sure though since canondales archives only go back to 2000. It is olive colored.
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Old 02-25-07, 06:38 AM
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Sure, new components will fit it, but if you're talking wheels and cranks to boot...just go out an buy a new bike.
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Old 02-25-07, 11:50 AM
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Honestly, take it to a shop. We can't see the bike to know the condition. Greasy parts may just need a cleaning. Its probably not worth throwing a lot of money into, and some newer parts aren't compatible/won't fit. Its probably 7 or 8spd componentry, and in either case no high-quality replacements are readily available as 7/8spd is now found only on the lowest-end bikes. So, let the 'experts' (ask around to find a good shop) look at it and see what they think. Don't go in there thinking you need to replace everything--a shop employee (myself included at times) sees dollar signs when a customer comes in bent on replacing everything. Just ask them if they think a good tune up and cleaning would do it for you.
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Old 02-25-07, 11:52 AM
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See, i've weighed the option of buying a new bike, but I'll only be riding this occasionally, because I only primarily ride my road bike. I've been looking at the custom build kits on Jensonusa.com, and since they come with everything I need, I'll probably go that route. The only question I have left is about the p-bone head shock that originally came with my bike. I would like to replace it but I don't know if I have to replace it with a newer head shock or if it is compatible with a regular fork.
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Old 02-25-07, 12:14 PM
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Keep in mind that the frame is not spaced for a new 9spd setup, and since its aluminum, probably cannot be spread safely to accomodate a 135mm rear wheel. If the kit is 9spd, you will need new wheels in addition to the components. It depends if it is a 1.5" head tube or a 1.25" head tube... I can't remember what the older headshoks used. The Headshok is actually one of my favorite suspension systems of all time, and can be rebuilt/upgraded rather inexpensively by a Cannondale dealer. If it is 1.5", you can use a headset reducer to allow you to use any modern threadless 1 1/8" fork. However, bear in mind that the frame is designed around a short travel Headshok and going to an 80-100mm travel fork could throw the handling off.
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Old 02-25-07, 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by seely
Keep in mind that the frame is not spaced for a new 9spd setup, and since its aluminum, probably cannot be spread safely to accomodate a 135mm rear wheel. If the kit is 9spd, you will need new wheels in addition to the components. It depends if it is a 1.5" head tube or a 1.25" head tube... I can't remember what the older headshoks used. The Headshok is actually one of my favorite suspension systems of all time, and can be rebuilt/upgraded rather inexpensively by a Cannondale dealer. If it is 1.5", you can use a headset reducer to allow you to use any modern threadless 1 1/8" fork. However, bear in mind that the frame is designed around a short travel Headshok and going to an 80-100mm travel fork could throw the handling off.

Gary Fisher set the 135mm standard years ago. They've been using 135mm rear hubs since before 8spd systems. 135mm hub will fit fine.

The head tube on a Cannondale will need a reducer cup to accept a 1 1/8" headset. It will fit fine.
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Old 02-25-07, 04:08 PM
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Hey I really appreciate the help guys. I'm going to head over to my LBS in the spring, they are a cannondale dealer and they really know their stuff. I bought my bike from them back in 98 so I'm keeping that store loyalty. Again I thank you for your help.
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