ssmorol

Hi all,
Wondering if you guys can help me out on this...I'm a newb...I am currently looking at a 2002 Jamis Comet, but if that falls thru, I am looking at this Cannondale https://rochester.craigslist.org/bik...231264893.html
I don't think the components are as nice as the jamis, but can anyone attest to these on the Cannondale?
Also, My buddy is also getting into biking...he's a bit shorter than me, so it's possible we could get a deal on both of these if they fit us...
Thanks in advance!

Bluechip

I can't tell what components are on the frame (probably 8sp) but the frame itself is excellent. Not cushy at all but plenty stiff. I have the Criterium version (can't tell which one those frames are) and it's one of my favorite handling bikes ever. That being said $350 is too much. I wouldn't offer more than $250 and that was if they are in near perfect condition. It's a 25 year old bike with no collector value.

maartendc

Be advised that this R500 is probably from the early 90s. Thus, it will be more difficult to service with current day parts than a bike from 2002 will. (a lot of things have changed in bike technology since then).

That being said, I have a Cannondale from around the same era, mine is a 1989 3.0 frame (model R400 or R800). They are great frames, not comfortable, but built to go fast.

They seem in really good condition, so $350 is actually a pretty fair price. Maybe try to knock em down to $300.

goenrdoug

if the shifters work (if not, try drowning them repeatedly in WD-40 thoroughly) the pair for $600 would be a good deal. You'd probably be paying over 'blue book' for them, but as has been said, they were nice bikes in their day. I had one of these that was maybe a year or two newer (mine was a '92/93) and it was great.

You and your buddy could get a lot of riding out of them and could easily learn all the things you want out of your next bike (the one you reward yourself with when you discover that you're actually going to dive into the sport and want to upgrade a year from now!) Plenty of people make the mistake of investing in a $2500 bike initially only to figure out that they actually would like something different that their bike isn't capable of delivering.

howellhandmade

I am a Cannondale . . . enthusiast. I have a 1988 Criterium, a 1998 Team Saeco CAD 3, a 2005 R500, a 2011 CAAD 10, and am building another 88 Criterium for my wife. Always on the lookout for them . . . except for the 1989-96 models with the cantilevered rear dropouts. I think they were a bad idea and are perhaps responsible for their road frames' reputation for harshness. Markets vary; Cannondales of that vintage in perfect shape (no corrosion, no paint gouges) would probably sell for $300 around here. Sellers try for $500 or more, and they sit forever. If I didn't already have four 'dales that I love I would probably be tempted by an 89, stupid cantilevered stays and all. There are lots of things to like about the bikes and the company, and it's worth something to me to ride a frame made by very skilled US craftsmen. Kills me just a little that my CAAD 10 is so good.

ssmorol

So my buddy and I ended up buying both of them. $250 total, $125 each...I think we got a pretty good deal! Just going to need new tires for each and tune them both up. Going to have to check out the Sheldon Brown site and some youtube videos on what we need to do. Needless to say I am pretty excited about it.

turkey9186

Add was down. Pictures or it didn't happen.
My first CDale was a 1999 R500 with RSX100 and CXP22 rims. I put 5000 miles on it in 2.5 years and then upgraded everything to Ultegra 6500 triple and a set of Open Pros. Kept it for another year and upgraded to a CAAD5.
The only real difference between the high and low end bikes then were the drive train and wheel. It will be a stiff and even harsh ride on chip seal. They are stiff for sprinting though.

ssmorol

Oh it happened!! Pictures to come!

goenrdoug

That's an excellent deal.

Enjoy the bikes!

You can probably fit 25mm tires on them (my 93 could) so I'd suggest going with that to minimize the fabled harsh ride. Honestly, I didn't find the ride terrible on my old 'dale. Of course, some things become legends that people believe and pass on...

If the bikes have been sitting, you'd do well to replace the tires, tubes and brake pads since all of the above are rubber (or very similar, in the case of butyl tubes) and will harden, crack, rot, etc. The next thing to look at would be the cables and cable housings. They might be fine, though. If the shifters seem to move the cables freely in both up and down directions, you're golden and can proceed to ride... If not, flush the hell out of the shifters with WD-40 and consider re-cabling.

For an additional ~$125 (per bike) changing the cables, housings, tires, tubes, brake pads and even chain and bar tape and you could possibly find yourself with a couple of bikes totally tuned and ready to go a few thousand miles without needing another cent invested in them. Maybe even less if you skimp on some of the items you replace (or find that the cables/housings are fine, for instance..)

Enjoy it! It can be a rewarding experience just working on the bikes. Hell, I bought my 93 for $150 and probably put about $100 into it. I sold it about 2 years later for $500 to a guy who loved the looks of it and how it looked leaning against his BMW. Go figure.

Bluechip

Great deal and enjoy the heck out of them. Here's my Criterium version transformed. Still fun to ride.
[IMG][/IMG]

maartendc

Can't see your photo sadly.

Man, $125 per bike, that is an excellent deal. Where I live those things would sell for $300 each at least.

ssmorol

Here are some pictures of my bike...finally got my first ride in last night...wow, it is so nice!
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...hBWL9HedkxdXsT
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...6A2ALWWpCN70KC
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...V49dhmmZg08Btt

bonz50

links don't work

ssmorol

Let's try again!
https://goo.gl/photos/eWBfwgHfGxZJ9Gbr5
https://goo.gl/photos/4s5uAySBdnFyyY857
https://goo.gl/photos/PVtpPwZaZvCNWrdF6

bonz50

nice!! friend of mine had a rigid MTB from that era, they had some great paint schemes on them

RushFan2112

I love those old Cannondales. Great find and enjoy them!!!

alcjphil

One heck of a nice bike for $125. How many teeth on that big chainring? Looks like 46-48 teeth

Bluechip

Trying again-

turkey9186

Nice looking bike!
FYI if you ever want to touch it up. Cannondale used Imron paint, but they used Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth colors from the prior year on the frames. Viper red on a 1999 C'Dale is a stock 1998 Dodge Viper color.