:::NOOB ALERT::: Cannondale Frameset, any good? :::NOOB ALERT:::
 

Im in the market for a fixed gear track oriented frameset and im partial to cannondale. Ive seen this perticular frame for sale and the going rate seams to be $600-$800.... http://cgi.ebay.com/58cm-Cannondale-...QQcmdZViewItem ... Is that to much? From the little info i could find about it its a real good frame. All info or advice would be greatly appreciated. :)


(My road bikes)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture579.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture583.jpg

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So is that Cannondale at the top the one you're looking to buy? If so, the vertical dropouts will make it way more of an effort than it's worth to find a gear ratio with proper chain tension. If you're going to be spending 6-800 bucks anyways, I'd look at something actually built for the track. You can find used Keirin frames on ebay for that price range if you're into the whole NJS thing, or maybe a Bianchi Pista Concept or something along those lines.

No they are the original poster's road bikes....

For 600-800 you could find a nice Keirin NJS frame on eBay....would have cost $1400 or so new in Japan. Hand built, lugged, nice!

Read his post, click his link, and try again. :)

someday i'd like one of those c-dales. if you can do it, do it.

let me show u them

You should check out the Capo. I personally feel the ebay frame you are interested costs to much.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8PR1.html

It looks like an ok bike, but that price is way too high. You can definitely find a equally good frame for less. You may be able to find a Japanese NJS frame, though something as big as 58cm is going to be a bit tough.

I do have a bit of an issue with cannondales though--you know how smooth their joints are, what they call "CAD"? What they actually do is weld big, nice, strong seams, and then grind them off to make it look smooth. I've worked with a number of independent/small frame builders, and they all think this is just about the stupidest thing in the world. This practice has earned Cannondale the nickname "Crackandfail." Don't know how true it is, but something to consider.

Ive always liked them but there is NO WAY I would throw anywhere near that money at one.
I have no idea why but in the last month or two the prices seem to have gone through the roof. For $800 Im looking elsewhere or buying a Capo frame if you are dead set on Cannondale.

Sorry did not realise you are a 58cm....not much chance of a 58cm Keirin frame for 800 bucks. They go through the roof on eBay when they are large sizes, because every Gaikokujin rider needs 550-580mm it seems.

Also Fix/SS riders are notorious cheapskates(compared to roadies), so do not stress too much about the opinions you get, when regarding price. Maybe a Cannondale is not worth that much, but a lot of frames are....

Eh, missed the link somehow, hence my confusion. Seems that the frame is overpriced and the fat tubes don't really jive with that fork IMO, so my advice remains the same.

$725 for an old Cannondale frame seems nuts to me.

oh, now that i notice the price, i say hold out longer. nice frames, but no way i'd pay that for it.

then again, i'd also probably factor in the price of powder coating, since that blue doesn't match my eyes...

that cannondale is pretty nice actually.
go for it.

my bro has a cannondale. very light and VERY stiff. sorta rare, Id say be unique, my brother loves his.

No hijack intended to the OP, but is there a reason that the fixie tastemakers haven't embraced Cannondale as a suitable frame? I work in Chicago and see scores of fixies every day, the rare occasion I see a messenger on a Cannondale, it's geared. I think that red Capo is sweet and for a shop rat price I think it would be head and tail above the competition. What am I missing?

Dogfood1

the OP's ebay link is awesome. that generation of cannondale track frames are effing delicious

Though I wouldn't pay that much, there isn't much else I wouldn't do for one of those frames. They are extremely nice.

huh, the capo's okay, at least as a frameset. i actually haven't look at it, assuming it to be of langster quality.

Early 90s C-dale track frames are *****. The track I worked at back in the day used them for rental bikes. In fact, the bike sold new for 500 dollars. We sold the rentals for 200 bucks when they were two seasons old to make room for newer bikes.

The seller is a jack@ss.

That price seems really high but the newer CAAD5 is a pretty sweet frameset. My local drome has a 60 cm model as a rental built up with DA hubs and cranks, and it's a blast to ride. Because I care about things that no one likes, I like the double bottle cage mounts and brake drilling. It's neat to find such a kick ass track frame with these road riding amenities.

Cannondale makes excellent aluminum frames. They've done really well with embracing ovalized tubing and curved seatstays. And the Capo frame is incredibly light. Much higher quality than the langster.

Some cons - and this is probably why you don't see many messengers riding C-Dales - it has an integrated headset, which many think (including Chris King) leads to faster wear. If you're riding day in and day out you don't want your frame to be ruined because your headset ground into the headtube. Also it comes with a carbon fork which probably isn't as strong as an AL or steel fork. And the price. The frameset isn't bad, but the components are 100% entry-level, which doesn't seem right for a $700-800 bike.

So I'd recommend getting the capo frameset.. this year's model is quite the looker. And you can build it up real lightweight. I built mine up with heavy parts (deep-v wheels, front brake, stock fork) and it's 16.7lbs. With track drops and no brake it's like 15.5-16lbs.

that price you are paying for is for the rarity. Since those aren't made anymore alot of ppl have been drooling over it. I'm surprised no one has scooped it yet considering all the previous ones on ebay went for over $800. Since its only been used 5 or 6 times that isn't much of a deal in price terms but you are basically getting a brand new bike. I love the frame. Its pretty amazingly light and stiff. But you could do better

u can still find some other frames that are you size for 800$. that's a good budget to have when frame shopping imho

also
debernardi zonal
debernardi thron (paint)
bareknuckle
a brand new cannondale capo

and sometimes here if you like the race old school + gamble thing

edit: some other ones you might consider
bianchi concept
fuji pro, sometimes super cheap complete online
olmo, if you can find one
khs pursuit remake
geekhouse
extra 150$ vigorelli

didn't they come with full suntour superbe pro?

who's laughing now?