Which would you pick?
#1
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Which would you pick?
I am going to look at a couple of bikes for my brother-in-law who is in need of a good, no-frills bike that can handle everything from college commuting to weekend 60 milers.
I found 3 candidates I would like to hear opinions.
1. 1983 or 84 Cannondale ST
2. 1986 Bridgestone 300
3. 1984? Univega Sportour
I found 3 candidates I would like to hear opinions.
1. 1983 or 84 Cannondale ST
2. 1986 Bridgestone 300
3. 1984? Univega Sportour
#2
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All can do the job, but I'd pick the Univega Sport Tour. Think it would be best all arounder and less name recognition gives it a slight advantage should thieves walk by the 3 of them sitting together with no one around. Don
#3
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This is my personal ranking, ymmv:
1) Cannondale ST
2) Univega Sportour
3) Bridgestone 300
The Univega and Bridgestone look like entry / mid level steel bikes. The sport tour is probably spec'd much better. I also believe the ST frames are very nice riding bikes.
Then again, I AM biased!
1) Cannondale ST
2) Univega Sportour
3) Bridgestone 300
The Univega and Bridgestone look like entry / mid level steel bikes. The sport tour is probably spec'd much better. I also believe the ST frames are very nice riding bikes.
Then again, I AM biased!
#4
Member
Comparable bikes, comparable components, Initially I'd be looking at condition and price to decide.
All equally clean (or rough) I'm looking at the Cannondale 1st. Big fan of the US made Al frameset, and the wide-range sport touring gearing would be my pick. OTOH, I'd be leery of high miles on the Cannondale frame, if it looks like it's spent a long life on the road I'd have to go with either of the steel frame options. The springier steel frames are going ride more comfortably anyway, and feel like a safer hi-mileage bet to me. (even so, I still have Cannondales hanging on the wall, I'm just a fan).
All equally clean (or rough) I'm looking at the Cannondale 1st. Big fan of the US made Al frameset, and the wide-range sport touring gearing would be my pick. OTOH, I'd be leery of high miles on the Cannondale frame, if it looks like it's spent a long life on the road I'd have to go with either of the steel frame options. The springier steel frames are going ride more comfortably anyway, and feel like a safer hi-mileage bet to me. (even so, I still have Cannondales hanging on the wall, I'm just a fan).
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I'm a big fan of the Miyata-built Univegas. Some years of the Sport Tour used triple butted tubing, but I believe this is an '84 below, which would not have. Most likey Champion double butted, good light stuff. Very nice bikes, real sleepers.
Last edited by Lemond1985; 08-16-19 at 07:59 PM.
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#6
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Beautiful bike. Looks like the one I am going to look at except yours is in better shape. This one has been in storage for some time.
This is my personal ranking, ymmv:
1) Cannondale ST
2) Univega Sportour
3) Bridgestone 300
The Univega and Bridgestone look like entry / mid level steel bikes. The sport tour is probably spec'd much better. I also believe the ST frames are very nice riding bikes.
Then again, I AM biased!
1) Cannondale ST
2) Univega Sportour
3) Bridgestone 300
The Univega and Bridgestone look like entry / mid level steel bikes. The sport tour is probably spec'd much better. I also believe the ST frames are very nice riding bikes.
Then again, I AM biased!
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Comparable bikes, comparable components, Initially I'd be looking at condition and price to decide.
All equally clean (or rough) I'm looking at the Cannondale 1st. Big fan of the US made Al frameset, and the wide-range sport touring gearing would be my pick. OTOH, I'd be leery of high miles on the Cannondale frame, if it looks like it's spent a long life on the road I'd have to go with either of the steel frame options. The springier steel frames are going ride more comfortably anyway, and feel like a safer hi-mileage bet to me. (even so, I still have Cannondales hanging on the wall, I'm just a fan).
All equally clean (or rough) I'm looking at the Cannondale 1st. Big fan of the US made Al frameset, and the wide-range sport touring gearing would be my pick. OTOH, I'd be leery of high miles on the Cannondale frame, if it looks like it's spent a long life on the road I'd have to go with either of the steel frame options. The springier steel frames are going ride more comfortably anyway, and feel like a safer hi-mileage bet to me. (even so, I still have Cannondales hanging on the wall, I'm just a fan).
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The blue one.
#10
Member
I'm so old that aluminum is MY high tech light weight material, and Cannondales are my "newer" US made pick (have to realize I grew up screwing Schwinns together). But I'm not gonna pretend aluminum has the safe usable lifespan of a steel frame.
Jm2cw, ymmv.
#11
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This is like asking: "do you want a poke in the eye, slap to the face, or kick to the ass?"
#12
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The Cannondale is the blackberry, BTW.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
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The ST Cannondales are so overbuilt (in terms of wall thickness, compared to modern racing aluminum) that their fatigue life should be completely fine.
Do all three fit tires of the same size? I'm personally convinced that our deteriorating infrastructure basically requires 32mm tires on road bikes at this point and 35's or 38's are even better for anyone except racers. I know the Cannondale will fit wider tires.
Do all three fit tires of the same size? I'm personally convinced that our deteriorating infrastructure basically requires 32mm tires on road bikes at this point and 35's or 38's are even better for anyone except racers. I know the Cannondale will fit wider tires.
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#14
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#15
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+1 on the Univega SporTour. Never owned or even rode a Cannondale so I googled Cannondale ST & 1st review that came up: Vintage Bike Review: 1989 Cannondale ST1000 | CYCLEBUTTCRACK
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
#16
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Of the three choices, Cannondale ST without a doubt. There are enough old aluminum framed Cannondales out there that I think we can finally dispense with the lifespan issue.
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#17
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+1 on the Univega SporTour. Never owned or even rode a Cannondale so I googled Cannondale ST & 1st review that came up: Vintage Bike Review: 1989 Cannondale ST1000 | CYCLEBUTTCRACK
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
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#18
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All good solid bikes and the first LBS where I worked sold all of them. But the answer is the Cannondale. It's a higher end bike than the other two, and will be much more responsive, similar to a top end racing bike of the time. The frames were IIRC all the same, whether it was their entry level model or top model, so uprading as necessary would be reasonable. No problem doing weekend 60 mile rides.
#19
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Thread Starter
+1 on the Univega SporTour. Never owned or even rode a Cannondale so I googled Cannondale ST & 1st review that came up: Vintage Bike Review: 1989 Cannondale ST1000 | CYCLEBUTTCRACK
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
wherein reviewer says it weighs 28 pounds (same as my 1991, steel, Trek 520). Under "The Bad" he lists aggressive frame geometry that didn't allow a comfortable riding position plus Poor Braking due to the "steel wheels"! hopefully, his example had a retrofitted, clunker wheel set because steel wheels should eliminate it from consideration. Don
This is a perfect example of don’t believe everything you read.
#20
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I also recommend the Cannondale. I have an 83 ST500, Cannondale's first bike. It's a great bike, well made and well spec'd.
#21
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We spent the afternoon checking out the potential candidates and we ended up with the Univega. And the Cannondale.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
#22
Senior Member
We spent the afternoon checking out the potential candidates and we ended up with the Univega. And the Cannondale.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
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#23
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N+1 for the Win
We spent the afternoon checking out the potential candidates and we ended up with the Univega. And the Cannondale.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
First stop was the Cannondale which was in much better shape than I expected but unfortunately it turned out to be too small for my brother-in-law. Fortunately for me it fit me perfectly and for $100 I couldn’t pass on it. It turned out to be an 83 model ST500.
The Univega turned out to be nice as well. It was equipped with 7 speed Suntour drivetrain featuring command shifters as well as a fresh set of Pasela PT tires.
A decent day of bike hunting was followed up with a 30 mile test ride on our new machines. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday if you ask me.
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