Vintage Cannondale CAD2 frame
 

Hello everyone my name is Gilbert from Santa Clara California and I am new around here. I was an avid cyclist and a much younger man as I was riding some 300 miles a week during college. Well as i approach my 55th Birthday and retirement I would like to return to the road as I spend my golden years riding off into the sunset.

I have recently took delivery of a vintage Cannondale CAD2 frame I believe was made in November of 1997. My plan is to use this frame as the foundation for a touring bike. I don't know much about this frame but I will list the serial information at the end for those who might be able help me with identifying this frame.

My question is, what components should I consider for this build. I would like to stay in the same group-set but would consider any recommendations. My plan is to use this bike for both a daily training ride as well as possibly some bike packing. I would to thank all those who can help.

Serial No:
IK B1-0302 07396
276739 BRT02619

Blessings
Gilbert

Is it a Cad2 mountain or is it the Cad2 road frame? pictures would help.

http://vintagecannondale.com/year/1997/1997.pdf

Gilbert 62, Welcome to the forum.

I have a '96 CAAD2 touring bike. It's a redesignation of the model from the "3.0" of the previous year, which I also have. ;)

A Nov. manufacturing date may indicate that it was sold as a '98 model. vintagecannondale.com can help, use the frame color to help nail down which model year the frame is.

Do you have just the frame, a frame set, or a partial/complete bike? This can help us help you.

Brad

I would completely clean the frame inside and out. Install new SRAM X7 components, with the focus being the SRAM X7 3x9 Mountain Bicycle Crankset. Have a set of wheels made by Mike Curiak at Lacemine29.com. Drop him a line and tell him what you are up to. He gives great advice, and his work is excellent.

People tour on all sorts of bikes , what YOU ride does not need approval.

Photos added
 

see photo

Serial No:
IK B1-0302 07396
276739 BRT02619

Blessings
Gilbert[/QUOTE]

Gilbert, Appears that there's a way to go. :)

Looks like this was either a replacement frame or one originally ordered as a frame set since there is no model designation. Being a blank canvas, you can build it as you like. You will need a 1 1/8" threadless touring fork to start, measure the head tube's diameter to be certain. What is the FD designation?

Brad

Touring bikes rarely use the same group-set for all components. Most often they are a mix of mountain and road group bits. This becomes more likely if you look forward to touring with a heavy load. A guidline for the drive train used on a heavily loaded touring bike is 20-100 GI (gear inches) because the lower gear ratios are handy for climbing and top end speed isn't usually a priority.

-Wheels are a component that are important to reliability. I started with a budget wheel set and then retensioned and retrued them and thus far they've been quite reliable.
-Generally most touring bikes are built around mid range components because fighting for every gram isn't critical, but long term durability is.

What are your expected load weights?

Brad

if you want to stick with one group, deore should be fine
as a 3x9 for touring without breaking the budget.
i'd want to go with lower gearing, depending on
your pack weight and terrain, 17 GI is nice.

what IS the budget by the way?

speaking of, perhaps budget more for the wheels.