Can someone explain to me the insane cost explosion for '92-'94 Cannondale Track frames? I just threw a couple bids out on this one when it was under $1k - but $2400? Don't get me wrong, it's the hotness and I def want touch the heinie, the prices just seem totally outrageous. Is this just right now since they're so hot, or is there something I am missing about the rarity and/or quality of the frame?

Cannondale Track Frame 56cm Superbe Pro | eBay

Supply and demand (lots of hype too)

They look amazing and are super hyped up, but there is no reason to buy a c-track frame as you could get a frame with the same ride quality for half the price.

People are idiots. You could pick up a used CAAD10 frame on ebay and build it up into a sub 15lb geared road bike and still spend less than that

It ain't easy being sleazy.

I don't think it's people being idiots, it's just certain items in EVERY hobby will attain cult status for various reasons. If Klein made a track bike in the mid 90's, I guarantee that bike would have the same collector/cult status as the Cannondale and most likely more.

But like I said, every hobby has past items that have attained the same cult-like status...it can come out of nowhere and go away, stick around, or become even more sought after as time goes on. If you're into cars, you know this full well. A certain model during a specific period will get a lot more money/demand while the earlier and later examples of the same model will get very little.

You just aren't fixie enough to have it.

Too play devils advocate, that frame is almost 15 years old and looks fartin' great! No dents, small amount of paint blemishes, looks like original fork. That thing is in awesome shape and 56cm TT isn't oddly big/small, so I can see how there would be a lot of interested buyers. I've seen beat up, dented C-dale tracks go for nearly $1500 on ebay,

To play even bigger devil advocate, you could pick up a similar viintage R900 complete bike in better condition than the track frame for $690/bo

1993 Cannondale R900 56cm Shimano 600 Tricolor Vintage Road Bike | eBay

Basically the same bike without track drop outs and slightly slacker geometry. And even that is overpriced because you can get a R900 in really nice condition for around $400 some places.

And of course those mid 90's Cannondales were still much harsher then today's aluminum frames. So for $2130 msrp you could also get a brand new CAAD10 track and all the technological advancement that have come in the past 20+ years to smooth out the ride and increase performance

https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bik...9-ebf1d008b645

Only thing is the new caad10 track is horse dick and has horrible geo and looks ugly. I do agree with your other points though.

lol at having a conversion "Cdale track". A group of dudes all riding them would be funny. PBR and TT protecters.

new Cdale track's are ugly and IMO have the opposite appeal of the older Cdale tracks. plus they are still really ******** expensive, hot damn!

to OP: Heavy Pedal Zephry and Colossi Al Colossione are same geometry/design and both look great in person. Also you could look into the Cdale Major Taylor Track frames. If you irrationally just want one to have one and try it, good luck and save up. you could try PM'ing A-Danger over at Pedalroom to see if they know of anything available.

if you need funds I can help by taking the paramount off of your hands

I'm really bad at visualizing things.

What aspect of the CDale Track's geo gives it that slightly downward sloping top tube? I'm staring at a geo chart and having a brainfart.

Either the seat tube is a little long or the head tube is a little short.

I concur. I am not really going to buy an older cdale, it is on my list of bikes I'd like to own, but there is no way I am paying that premium. I threw a bid out there because it was in my size and you never know when those will come around again. I think all three of my current bikes probably clock in around $2400 total investment, so I'm not going to reach.

Notta chance

By horrible you mean pretty standard 2016 track geometry. The real issue with the CAAD10 track is that it's twice the price of the equally good Dolan Pre Cursa, which is what nearly every beginner track rider is using (at the velodrome, not the cafe)

edit: NM there's a slew of differences in the geometry. The CAAD is noticeable longer than the vig or the precursa. I was only trying to point out that most track frames now don't run 75/75 angles anymore.

Had an early 90s Cannondale road bike, would not revisit the bone jarring ride of that thing. To this day aluminum frames makes my teeth chatter.

But yeah the track frame looks hot.

That 45mm fork rake on the CAAD10 is stupid.

While the price paid for that one is debatable, the series 3.0 cannondale track is worth every penny I paid for mine or rather in this case, pennies not spent for mine.
It has very favorable aggressive track geometry in my opinion and is based on one of the stiffest families of bicycle frames. Made in the USA from Cannondale's golden years.
Looks good while doing it too, from its track ends to its smooth welded super oversized tubing. I actually have its sr2000 sibling too!

In addition, the 3.0 track's lack of cannondale's anti-corrosion primer coating, which all of its road siblings had with anticipation that cyclists would ride road bikes outside and track bikes indoors out of the rain, has proved very beneficial for the cdale track as this coating has caused bubbling paint issues as it degrades over time.

That's primarily it. It's reached cult-status because of those things, and for good reason. Late-80s to mid-90s was the absolutely peak of Cannondale, they were churning out gold back then, and the track frames are no exception. The owner at my LBS when I was like 12 rode one to work from time to time, and if it was there the days my friends and I went down to hang out at the shop, we would just drool over it, and we were riding BMW back then. They're great frames, very well made, gorgeous tubing, and just have a certain look to them.

Hype. I probably wouldn't spend more than $8-900 on one in decent condition, maybe $1.5k if it was PRISTINE. I've got a friend who bought one for almost $2k and he he ended up flipping it for every penny.

Ask next about the availability of Cannondale 24in-wheel BMX frames

Agreed.

I was just on Cannondale"s website the other day and you can get one, well it's MSRP, at $2,150 brand new with some pretty decent components.

yeah, but that's the caad10.

For $2100, you could build up a $1250 Cervelo T1 frameset and have a better track bike. Or a Hoy or Dolan and have a bunch of money leftover for tires, beer, and whatever.

But this thread is for complaining about the 3.0/2.8 track bikes of the early 90's so let's get back on track.

I want one, but I really don't need another tarck bike. I also have a Heavy Pedal Zephyr, so other than the funky C-Dale track ends there is no reason to really contemplate one.