Road Test/Bike Review (1983) CANNONDALE Touring Bike
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 3,467 Times
in
999 Posts
Road Test/Bike Review (1983) CANNONDALE Touring Bike
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
Likes For SpeedofLite:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,072
Bikes: my precious steel boys
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 438 Post(s)
Liked 603 Times
in
359 Posts
That SkidLid ad is hilarious. I don't think I'd expect that thing to protect a bowling ball, much less my skull.
#3
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 49
Bikes: '85 Schwinn Tempo, '83 Raleigh Super Course, '84 Bianchi Randonneur, '88 Schwinn Premis, '83 Cannondale ST-500, '97 Bianchi Trofeo , '81 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
6 Posts
Awesome to read that article! I still have my 83 St-500. All original, serial AA0297. Great ride although I never load it for touring. I love the “Sport” aspect of the bike.
Likes For Akkorn:
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 3,467 Times
in
999 Posts
Thanks for sharing the photos and confirming the model as well!
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Prepare to have your mind blown. Those test riders found the Cannondale to provide better control on washboard surfaces and greater comfort than comparable steel-framed touring bikes, among other superior traits.
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 208
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105 (2021) Cannondale Cujo 2 (2018) Cannondale Quick Carbon 1 (2017) Giant Sedona (2006) Cannondale R1000 (2001)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Liked 238 Times
in
105 Posts
Using the inflation calculator at https://www.usinflationcalculator.com the 1983 price of $600 is about $1,500 in 2020 dollars.
#7
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 49
Bikes: '85 Schwinn Tempo, '83 Raleigh Super Course, '84 Bianchi Randonneur, '88 Schwinn Premis, '83 Cannondale ST-500, '97 Bianchi Trofeo , '81 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
6 Posts
I can verify that. It’s one of my most comfortable rides ( I also ride a Schwinn Tempo, Raleigh Supercourse, & two Bianchis). I’ve never felt the harsh ride some people report.
Here’s Cannondale’s 1983 catalog supplement.
Here’s Cannondale’s 1983 catalog supplement.
Likes For Akkorn:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Using the inflation calculator at https://www.usinflationcalculator.com the 1983 price of $600 is about $1,500 in 2020 dollars.
On top of that, for the first couple of years, Cannondales were shipped completely disassembled, with the frame and fork in one box and the rest of the components in another, so the labor cost of assembling Cannondales was much higher.
But Treks had been shipped completely disassembled, too, for their first several years of selling to bike stores, so we'd gotten used to it to some extent. That's simply what it took to sell innovative American-built bikes in the early to mid-1980s.
Last edited by Trakhak; 07-07-20 at 02:07 PM.
Likes For Trakhak:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Forgot to give heartfelt thanks to SpeedofLite for posting this terrific article. Those of us who sold and rode Kleins and Cannondales knew how great those bikes were, and it's great to be reminded that even people who'd already ridden high-end steel bikes for years appreciated them back then.
Likes For Trakhak:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Back in Lincoln Sq, Chicago...🙄
Posts: 1,609
Bikes: '84 Miyata 610 ‘91 Cannondale ST600,'83 Trek 720 ‘84 Trek 520, 620, ‘91 Miyata 1000LT, '79 Trek 514, '78 Trek 706, '73 Raleigh Int. frame.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times
in
219 Posts
On the Vintage Trek website is a touring bike comparison of the 720 with a few others, one of which is a Cannondale ST500
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...g720June83.pdf
https://www.vintage-trek.com/images/t...g720June83.pdf
Likes For Chr0m0ly:
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 3,467 Times
in
999 Posts
Found an ad on the inside back cover of the same Bicycling Aug 1983 issue.
Better late than never.
Better late than never.
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
Likes For SpeedofLite:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
By the way, @SpeedofLite, I remember seeing a review of a SlingShot road bike in either Bicycling! or Bicycle Guide that praised it to the skies. Might be worth your while seeking that one out.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
I have an '85 Cannondale ST 400. It's one of the best riding bikes I own.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stillwater, OK
Posts: 7,827
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1872 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
468 Posts
It's all about the model. The STs are very nice riding bikes. The SRs are miserable. I've had both and can verify that claim 100%.
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
If you can find one, try riding a Rigi some time. They weren't kidding when they came up with that name. They built sub-track-bike-wheelbase steel bikes with a split seat tube so that the rear wheel could poke through. Those were truly miserable, beyond even the steel '80s-era Italian criterium bikes and the Cannondale crit series bikes.
My hardest-riding bike ever was a Columbus SL/SP Bianchi Specialissima Supercorsa. My aluminum bikes, most of which have wheelbases around a cm longer than the Bianchi's, feel smooth compared to that bike.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Back in Lincoln Sq, Chicago...🙄
Posts: 1,609
Bikes: '84 Miyata 610 ‘91 Cannondale ST600,'83 Trek 720 ‘84 Trek 520, 620, ‘91 Miyata 1000LT, '79 Trek 514, '78 Trek 706, '73 Raleigh Int. frame.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times
in
219 Posts
I don’t even think it’s the stiffness of track and crit bikes, it’s the relationship of the rear tires contact patch to the saddle. The further forward the rear tire is placed, the impacts from road bumps send the saddle more directly up, into the rider. The longer the chain stays, the more bumps will rock the rider forward instead of directly upwards.
I have no credentials or proof, but I do have opinions and I’m on the internet.
I have no credentials or proof, but I do have opinions and I’m on the internet.
Likes For Chr0m0ly:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
I don’t even think it’s the stiffness of track and crit bikes, it’s the relationship of the rear tires contact patch to the saddle. The further forward the rear tire is placed, the impacts from road bumps send the saddle more directly up, into the rider. The longer the chain stays, the more bumps will rock the rider forward instead of directly upwards.
I have no credentials or proof, but I do have opinions and I’m on the internet.
I have no credentials or proof, but I do have opinions and I’m on the internet.
An additional important factor, I think, is that there's less of a time lag between front and rear wheel impacts with short-wheelbase bikes. Generally, everything happens faster on a short-wheelbase bike, including how quickly it responds to steering input, just as my vintage 1960 Plymouth Golden Fury handled very differently from my Volkwagen GTI.
shoota's post above gives a perfect example of the factors at work, since the frame tubing would have been the same between his ST and SR Cannondales and only the geometry would have been different.
Last edited by Trakhak; 07-09-20 at 10:12 AM.
Likes For Trakhak:
#18
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,608
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10954 Post(s)
Liked 7,482 Times
in
4,184 Posts
SoL- thank you for posting this! What a great article from a technical perspective. So many details that just arent readily available when it comes to currently designed bikes.
I didnt know the history of how Cannondale got into bike building, so this was a neat peek into history.
I didnt know the history of how Cannondale got into bike building, so this was a neat peek into history.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#19
Senior Member
I remember when these came out. I was working after school at the LBS.
First impressions of everyone:
1) Why is a bike bag and backpack company making bicycles??
2) Isn't that just like a Klein?
3) These things are sure zippy!
First impressions of everyone:
1) Why is a bike bag and backpack company making bicycles??
2) Isn't that just like a Klein?
3) These things are sure zippy!
#20
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 492
Bikes: Historical: Schwinn Speedster; Schwinn Collegiate; 1981 Ross Gran Tour; 1981 Dawes Atlantis; 1991 Specialized Rockhopper. Current: 1987 Ritchey Ultra; 1987 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Master; 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper FS
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 209 Post(s)
Liked 178 Times
in
111 Posts
Yeah, I liked the story of some guy wanting to build an aluminum bike and sending out letters to different companies. Had never heard that.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 3,467 Times
in
999 Posts
By the way, @SpeedofLite, I remember seeing a review of a SlingShot road bike in either Bicycling! or Bicycle Guide that praised it to the skies. Might be worth your while seeking that one out.
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 52
Bikes: '73 Raleigh Competition, Guru Sidero, Soma Groove, Smolenski,
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
I had always heard that aluminum bikes were harsher to ride than their steel counterparts. Did something change in Aluminum design that caused this? Some have mentioned shorter chainstays? Did manufacturers go nuts with the oversized tubing, making them uncomfortable?
Also, is this what the article is talking about https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...195030961.html? or is this one of the SRs? Do I need an aluminum "sport touring" bike now? So many questions...
Also, is this what the article is talking about https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...195030961.html? or is this one of the SRs? Do I need an aluminum "sport touring" bike now? So many questions...
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
I had always heard that aluminum bikes were harsher to ride than their steel counterparts. Did something change in Aluminum design that caused this? Some have mentioned shorter chainstays? Did manufacturers go nuts with the oversized tubing, making them uncomfortable?
Also, is this what the article is talking about https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...195030961.html? or is this one of the SRs? Do I need an aluminum "sport touring" bike now? So many questions...
Also, is this what the article is talking about https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...195030961.html? or is this one of the SRs? Do I need an aluminum "sport touring" bike now? So many questions...
The "harsh" tag was originally applied to aluminum bikes because Cannondale was the first manufacturer to market large numbers of aluminum racing bikes with a very short wheelbase in the United States. A sizable proportion of the people buying those racing bikes were replacing sport touring bikes that had a significantly longer wheelbase and so were not used to the comparatively jarring ride of a true criterium-geometry bike. (The only other aluminum racing bikes generally available on the market were Alan and Vitus bikes; both companies used conventional tube diameters and so were more flexible than both the Cannondales and the comparable steel bikes.)
The Cannondale in the Craigslist ad is not a touring bike; note how close the rear tire is to the seat tube, for instance. A fit rider or racer would likely enjoy the ride of that bike.
Likes For Trakhak:
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 3,467 Times
in
999 Posts
I sold Cannondale bikes in bike stores starting the first year that they were introduced (represented by the touring model reviewed in the article posted above). I've owned and ridden high-end steel, aluminum, and carbon bikes and know that they all ride essentially the same for a given wheelbase, the same way that cars with a given wheelbase ride similarly; e.g., sports cars are quicker-handling and have a firmer ride than SUVs and family sedans.
The "harsh" tag was originally applied to aluminum bikes because Cannondale was the first manufacturer to market large numbers of aluminum racing bikes with a very short wheelbase in the United States. A sizable proportion of the people buying those racing bikes were replacing sport touring bikes that had a significantly longer wheelbase and so were not used to the comparatively jarring ride of a true criterium-geometry bike. (The only other aluminum racing bikes generally available on the market were Alan and Vitus bikes; both companies used conventional tube diameters and so were more flexible than both the Cannondales and the comparable steel bikes.)
The Cannondale in the Craigslist ad is not a touring bike; note how close the rear tire is to the seat tube, for instance. A fit rider or racer would likely enjoy the ride of that bike.
The "harsh" tag was originally applied to aluminum bikes because Cannondale was the first manufacturer to market large numbers of aluminum racing bikes with a very short wheelbase in the United States. A sizable proportion of the people buying those racing bikes were replacing sport touring bikes that had a significantly longer wheelbase and so were not used to the comparatively jarring ride of a true criterium-geometry bike. (The only other aluminum racing bikes generally available on the market were Alan and Vitus bikes; both companies used conventional tube diameters and so were more flexible than both the Cannondales and the comparable steel bikes.)
The Cannondale in the Craigslist ad is not a touring bike; note how close the rear tire is to the seat tube, for instance. A fit rider or racer would likely enjoy the ride of that bike.
Do you know if the cantilever design introduced in 1989 made a difference in ride or handling quality in the Criterium Series frames even though the chainstay length and wheelbase did not change from 1988?
I've never ridden the touring frame, but the passion of BF members for this bike is infectious and I'm starting to think I'm missing out on something sweet.
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Do you know if the cantilever design introduced in 1989 made a difference in ride or handling quality in the Criterium Series frames even though the chainstay length and wheelbase did not change from 1988?
I've never ridden the touring frame, but the passion of BF members for this bike is infectious and I'm starting to think I'm missing out on something sweet.
I've never ridden the touring frame, but the passion of BF members for this bike is infectious and I'm starting to think I'm missing out on something sweet.
Those Cannondale touring bikes were amazingly versatile. People would do loaded touring with them, enjoying the absence of the wallowing-down-the-road feel of loaded steel touring frames, and then race them successfully on weekends.