Dropping a ‘91 Cannondale SM500 (build thread)
10-18-19, 01:49 PM
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"Dropping" a ‘91 Cannondale SM500 (build thread)
Here is the “before” picture, it’s the seller's.
I ride a 60cm road frame, I’m a “shortback” with an 88.25cm PBH. I tend towards taller bikes with a shorter TT, or I put a short reach steering stem on my frames.
That is the opposite body type you would want when fitting drops on an older mountain bike! This is a 20” frame with a 23.25” TT length, so a bit of a stretch. My hope is that I can raise the bar high enough to counter the reach. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but we’ll see.
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 11-15-19 at 10:43 AM.
10-18-19, 02:00 PM
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I want to put these Cannondale Drops with grip shifters on it. I love the idea of putting road twisties on a mountain bike! They’re Suntour, so should be compatible, and they’re from a Cannondale touring bike, gotta like that!
I have a riser stem I think will work, and Suntour X1 derailleurs, to upgrade the running gear with.
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 10-18-19 at 02:17 PM.
10-18-19, 02:10 PM
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It’s a one inch headset, I did the quarter test and the stem is “noticeable smaller than a quarter” per Sheldon.
I think the frame couldn’t have been ridden too hard, that’s the OEM rear tire in the picture. The BB’s crunchy, so maybe stored outside, and the front wheel is a cheap replacement. Maybe a header, or maybe stolen while parked. The fork and frame are eyeball straight, so I’m going with stolen while parked but who knows for sure.
The BB scrapes in the same place during pedal rotation. I’m going to open it up but does that indicate anything to anyone?
I think the frame couldn’t have been ridden too hard, that’s the OEM rear tire in the picture. The BB’s crunchy, so maybe stored outside, and the front wheel is a cheap replacement. Maybe a header, or maybe stolen while parked. The fork and frame are eyeball straight, so I’m going with stolen while parked but who knows for sure.
The BB scrapes in the same place during pedal rotation. I’m going to open it up but does that indicate anything to anyone?
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 10-18-19 at 02:15 PM.
10-18-19, 04:15 PM
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I noticed that one on CL. Nice looking bike. Re the BB, I am often surprised that they can feel pretty crunchy, but with no noticeable damage to the races. Worst case, throw a new cartridge unit in and call it good.
11-12-19, 10:52 AM
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Is there a trick to getting the twist shifts off the bar? I’ve taken them apart and the only thing I can find is a set screw next to the cable insertion point. When I back that out the whole assembly feels just as solidly mounted as when it’s tightened.
I’ll post a picture of the disassembled shifter when I get back home, I’m on a class break at the moment...
11-12-19, 01:04 PM
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Getting closer, I think the collar is just stuck, a little lube should do it.
11-12-19, 11:40 PM
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Update
Starting to look like something 
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11-12-19, 11:53 PM
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That looks really cool! Sounds like you need a shorter stem, though. Or add a few vertebrae.
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11-13-19, 12:03 AM
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pretty snazz! i take it you didn't need a shorter reach stem, then? is that a ritchey vantage rim in the back?
11-13-19, 12:43 AM
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Thank you! 
I will need a shorter stem, I had what I thought was a Nitto with a 26mm clamp, but it turned out to be a 25.4. this is temporary.
That IS a vantage rim out back, and a basic araya on the front.
This is the stem I had planned to use, I'll need to find something closer to this (maybe not quite so tall!) In a road clamp size.
This is the stem I had planned to use, I'll need to find something closer to this (maybe not quite so tall!) In a road clamp size.
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 11-13-19 at 12:48 AM.
11-13-19, 12:49 AM
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I will need a shorter stem, I had what I thought was a Nitto with a 26mm clamp, but it turned out to be a 25.4. this is temporary.
That IS a vantage rim out back, and a basic araya on the front.
This is the stem I had planned to use, I'll need to find something closer to this (maybe not quite so tall!) In a road clamp size.
That IS a vantage rim out back, and a basic araya on the front.
This is the stem I had planned to use, I'll need to find something closer to this (maybe not quite so tall!) In a road clamp size.
velo orange has a nice chrome quill with a 17* positive rise. works well to get bars up high and is very stout yet light. and, in 26mm clamp
Last edited by thook; 11-13-19 at 12:56 AM.
11-13-19, 08:02 AM
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Neat project; looking forward to seeing the complete build.
11-13-19, 04:47 PM
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Looking good there. 👍 I know what you mean, about top tube length. My Killer V is a 21" frame, and the "virtual" top tube length is just short of 25"!!! That works out great for me though, I have orangutan arms & legs, lol, and this is probably the best fit I've found so far. 😎
11-14-19, 02:47 PM
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After digging around through V.O. Bens cycle, eBay, and Amazon looking for a riser stem I had a crazy thought. Drop bars with a 25.4 clamp section.
Found a set on Amazon for 20.00 shipped next day, so I'm going to use that tall Nitto stem after all. 😎👍
I have no problem dropping 50 bucks on a stem for a higher zoot project, but that's half what I paid for the 'Dale! tires alone nearly doubled my cost, I'm trying for a "nice" beater/commuter, I don't want to drop too much dough into it
Found a set on Amazon for 20.00 shipped next day, so I'm going to use that tall Nitto stem after all. 😎👍
I have no problem dropping 50 bucks on a stem for a higher zoot project, but that's half what I paid for the 'Dale! tires alone nearly doubled my cost, I'm trying for a "nice" beater/commuter, I don't want to drop too much dough into it
11-14-19, 03:08 PM
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After digging around through V.O. Bens cycle, eBay, and Amazon looking for a riser stem I had a crazy thought. Drop bars with a 25.4 clamp section.
Found a set on Amazon for 20.00 shipped next day, so I'm going to use that tall Nitto stem after all. 😎👍
I have no problem dropping 50 bucks on a stem for a higher zoot project, but that's half what I paid for the 'Dale! tires alone nearly doubled my cost, I'm trying for a "nice" beater/commuter, I don't want to drop too much dough into it
Found a set on Amazon for 20.00 shipped next day, so I'm going to use that tall Nitto stem after all. 😎👍
I have no problem dropping 50 bucks on a stem for a higher zoot project, but that's half what I paid for the 'Dale! tires alone nearly doubled my cost, I'm trying for a "nice" beater/commuter, I don't want to drop too much dough into it
If that Nitto stem still ends up being too long, I've got a cheap but tall Kalloy 50mm stem in silver and 25.4 that you can have for shipping. It's not fancy, but it works. I had bought it for an ill-fated 26" MTB dirt drop project myself. Not to worry, it wasn't the stem's fault, the bike was just way to big to be trying anything like that to begin with
11-14-19, 10:06 PM
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@chromoly....
yeah, the VO stem is kinda pricey. but, abshipp's onto to something if that nitto is still too long. those kalloy aren't expensive and still look nice....imo
yeah, the VO stem is kinda pricey. but, abshipp's onto to something if that nitto is still too long. those kalloy aren't expensive and still look nice....imo
11-15-19, 05:17 PM
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Bars came,
I think it's going to be really comfortable, AND not look too weird...
Gah! But the bar is narrower in the grip area too, so the grip shifts don't fit over the ends, and my Suntour barends are too big to fit inside.
...the thumb shifters fit though...
Last edited by Chr0m0ly; 11-15-19 at 06:09 PM.
