peabodypride

Hi,

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1013300349.html

What is the general consensus of that bike? It's very obvious that the geometry is tight, so it's definitely the Crit model. It looks as if the only changes needed are aesthetic (blue stem and confetti wrap), but I'd like to hear more. I know to check for cracks before purchasing.

Thanks,
PP

queerpunk

Not as stiff or as light as modern aluminum (no surprise), kind of a harsh ride but not in a problematic way, and decent bikes. It would make a good beater as-is, or, with a bit of carbon fork here and modern components there, not a budget racer. I rode a friend's for a minute. Fun in that old-road-bike kind of way. Nothing outstanding but for some reason I really like those bikes.

botto 

Bluechip

That looks like a late 80's and not a 3.0 to me. I think the 3.0's and the 2.8's had cantlevered dropouts. Also it has a steel fork while most of the later ones had aluminum forks. If it is an older model the rear spacing will not work very well with modern gearing and should not be upgraded. All that being said I absolutely love my 3.0. It is now a fixed gear and still is one of the best handling bikes I have ever ridden. If it fits you and and you don't mind the 7 speed gearing it would be a good bike to have but I think that price is a little high.

bonechilling

Did you mean "not a bad budget racer"? In that case, it's worth pointing out that the bike is 7-speed Shimano, and therefore has 126 rear spacing (rather than the modern 130 spacing). If you wanted to move to brifters, you'll be forced to ghetto-rig something or else just use your seven speed cassette (certainly more than enough gears for most crits).

x10dedl1fe

First, as a former owner of a 1995 Cannondale Criterium with the sky blue on white color scheme I can't complain. That bike was great, and I miss it. Also, with the addition of Michelin pro2s the bike was lighting fast. Though it is not that light (22/23lbs), and it is a crit geometry I would pick up the bike again if I had the chance.

On the contrary, there were a few problems: its white (dirt becomes your friend), brake squeal, wheel true/wobble (front), and I locked it up with a cable (= stolen). All minor problems. Nevertheless, that Cannondale not bad with the full Shimano 105 group and it was a solid bike. Smooth shifting, etc.



Enjoy!!

botto 

bikes aren't fast. riders are.

Mike_Like_Bike

I have that same exact bike! I bought mine for $75...it was stripped down and in unrideable condition when I got it though. It's a single speed now and for riding around town for fun or commuting.

For $250, I'd definitely snatch that up!

mollusk

It looks like a 1988 SR500.

Bluechip

https://www.jtgraphics.net/cannondale_sr500.htm
This looks like the same bike. He upgraded it to 10sp Ultegra so it can be done. Those dropouts will fit a modern hub (with quite a bit of spreading) but when I tried putting a 9speed hub in mine it was a bear getting it in there and it never shifted cleanly. I would still not recomend upgrading it. It's still nice as a 7 speed.

x10dedl1fe

Agreed.

patentcad

Aluminum isn't modern.