mcavana

i came accross an old cannondale R400. it is black with white letters... mavic wheels, and the old school shifters on the frame. It obviously just hung FOREVER in someones garage, because even though it is many years old it is still in like new condition... shifts very smooth. What year range would you guess this bike to be? this pic looks like it.. just different colors.. and the bike in the picture shows a three ring crank... the bike in question is 2 ring (7 sprocket cassett.. so a 14 speed bike)... now would this old, time capsule aluminum bike, with round excellent shape mavic wheels, new seat, new tubes, new tires, new brake pads, new bar tape, old working computer be well worth 175.00 after tax? I figure the new stuff.. tires $40.00, tubes $14.00, bar tape $10.00, seat $15.00, brake pads $7.00.. are worth about 90 bucks alone! Does that seem like a great deal? good deal? **** deal? what year did they stop using those shifters? got this pic from a bike on ebay... it claims to be a 2000 year model, but i think that is way off.

Bockman

Serial number code for Cannondales is as follows: first two digits are the size, next 6 are date of manufacture, remainder are unit number. For instance: SN#54021787121 indicates a 54 cm frame, built on February 17, 1987, #121.


Serial Number is usually on the bottom bracket.

Dave

mcavana

dave, you are a genious. what do you think about the deal?

Fox Farm

It looks like about a 1990 or 1991 to me. The rear drop outs are the cantelever style but the name on the down tube is a little more modern. I think that the price is decent. The bike probably sold for middle to high $100s new. If you want to upgrade it to modern STI shifting, you can find the 9 speed Ultegra stuff for good close out prices now. You will need to either get a new rear wheel or rebuild the one you have with a hub that can accomodate 8, 9, or 10 speed cassettes. The bike mechanices who post here can tell you what that mm size is. 130?

Retro Grouch 

What, exactly do you plan to do with it?

The first cut on a used bike should ALWAYS be size. If a pair of shoes doesn't fit you, it isn't a good deal regardless of price. Bikes are the same. Fit affects your efficiency, comfort and performance every minute that you are on the bike. Nothing else comes close in importance.

Assuming the fit is OK, I'd measure between the rear dropouts. If that distance is 125mm, then you are stuck with 7-speed rear cassettes and replacement parts are likely to become progressively harder to obtain. To me that wouldn't be a deal breaker if my plan was to use it as it is for commuting or casual riding. If that measurement is 130mm, then it's possible to upgrade the bike to 8, 9 or 10 speed cassettes and things like new shifters are easily obtainable even though upgradeing may be pricy. There may be cheaper ways to get yourself a nine-speed bike, but upgrading it yourself will be more fun so you have to factor that in.

I'd say that $175.00 is probably a fair price for that bike but I suspect you can probably buy it for less. It looks to me like that bike has negative utility for the current owner. He doesn't use it and it takes up storage space so you're actually doing him a favor. I'd shoot a $125.00 offer at him and when he counter offers at $150.00 I'd ask if he has any other bike stuff to sweeten the deal. Go for it!

mcavana

the bike size is perfect... it would just be used for weekend rides for someone just starting out... it is for sale at my local bike shop (where i buy all my high dollar bikes). this bike was a trade in.

sydney

126 was the number for 7 speed,meaning the dropouts shouldn't be spread for a wider 8/9/10 speed hub. 7 speed HG cassettes or freewheels,depending on what you have may be around forever. If it's got an IG cassette,that's another issue,but not necessarily a deal breaker.You just have to scrounge harder for parets. If it's late enough to have been produced concurrently with 8 speed models,the rear spacing could be 128mm which was a compromise spacing that would take either a 126 or 130 hub.

sydney

It's literally a giveaway,considering condition,new stuff on it and the fact the shop has probably looked it over.

Ebbtide

I have one made on 6/26/87, all 105 and like yours, in great shape. The steel fork and silent rear hub is dreamy when out for "just a ride."

I found it at a yard sale for sixty bucks hoping to get some friends into road riding. After I cleaned it up and road it, I had to keep it as a spare. I did research the value earlier this year and comps went for $180.00 not including shipping (fifty) on ebay.

I think Retro has the right approach.

BTW, I hope yours have aero levers. No junk (cables, computers) to obscure your view. Its like flying, enjoy!

mcavana

yeah, the shop trued the wheels... basicly totaly tuned it up... also going to give the guy that's buying it a correct fitting. it seemed like a no brainer... but i have learned to ask friends for advice when a no brainer comes along... utherwise i always end up being the no - brainer.