NorthHills

Greetings

Absolute beginner here. I am trying to identify this bike. A neighbor of mine gave it to me as they were not using it but really didn't know much about it. Any ideas on the age of this bicycle? I am looking to change the seat and handlebars as I find them very uncomfortable. The gearshifters are built in to the YETI hand grips, will this make putting on new handlebars very expensive? Looking to do mostly road riding on flat to moderately steep rolling hills for fitness several times a week.

Bottomline, am I wasting my money altering this bicycle? Would it be more economical to purchase a new one that would be comparable, thanks for your help!

Walpurgisnacht

I know about the H400 (a family member owns one and likes it), but I don't know about costs of modifying it. If you don't get any replies here in the hybrid forum, you might want to ask over in the Bicycle Mechanics forum.

DorkDisk

That looks like a mid to late 90s model. They were still handmade back then in USA, and still sought after today for that reason - and its looks. This was before the series of bankruptcies, when Cannondale made cutting edge stuff. They were a cool company back then. Scott Montgomery ate his hat when the crazy Pong bike was delayed.

Those Grip Shifts come right off like normal shifters and the bars can be swapped out with no problem.

Overall it looks like to be in good shape. Thats a pretty good score.

As for if it is worth it, that all depends

NorthHills

Thanks for the quick responses, I'll update as I get it together!

cycleheimer

Really, really nice bike. Seriously nice neighbor to be so generous. If the bike fits, if it isn't trashed, and you like the way it rides, definitely worth investing in. Check out the special deals online at Nashbar (or Niagara Cycle) to keep the cost of the changes down. If it were mine, I would put on an alloy rear rack, add a Nashbar large handlebar bag (would probably work well with those bars), get a new saddle, a saddle bag to carry an extra tube, and a mini frame-mounted pump with the attachment bracket that gets screwed down under the down tube water bottle cage. BTW, not 100% sure about this, but...the stem and bars and shifters on that bike look like they were swapped out from a less expensive type of bike. Looks like a steel bar and stem...if so, wouldn't hurt changing them. Check out Bikepedia for more info....

link: 1993 Cannondale H400 - BikePedia

practical

I think the previous posters have nailed the bike model. I think the seat and handlebars make the bike look dated and old - funny how those designs were seen as preferable by the consumers back then but now they wouldn't be. If you want to make it a better bike for road riding, then switch out the seat, go with a flatbar with new grip shifters - probably less than $100 if you can find a used saddle. Check with bike shops around your area to see if any sell used parts.

DorkDisk

I am not a Cannondale expert, but this does not look like a 93 model. AFAIK 93 models still used cantilevered dropouts.

cycleheimer

The link lets you check out the other model years. '93 was the first year listed.

rommer25

Going by color it looks like a 2001. My 1993 is red. The large crank would have 50 teeth if it's a 93 and 48 if it's a 2001.

DorkDisk

2001 has an oversize headset, while OP has a 1" headset. OP also has STX, which came out for the 1994 model year and only lasted a few years

NorthHills

Well here is an update. Bike is shifting nicely and mechanics are all working really well. I replaced the handlebars with a basic straight bar, shifters transferred easily enough and put on some new handgrips. New seat and some aluminum pedals. My only gripe now is the actual height of the handlebars. They it too high and keep me from leaning forward. What are my options here will I need to replace the entire fork? Thanks for all of your inputs, I really appreciate it.


NormanF

I recommend an upswept cruiser bar. Seriously, a flat bar keeps you leaning too far forward. You want a more balanced riding position.

Single speed

Here's my H400. Definitely worth fixing up, actually cheaper than u might think. Same story, it was giving to me too. I love my Dale, but I would so much rather had your frame.

theavidrider

Wish I had neighbors like yours!

But really, it's a solid bike, especially if you wanted to spend a little bit upgrading it. This bike will last forever with some TLC.

I recently read an insightful H400 if you're interested in knowing more about it, they can probably provide you with more info than I can. search up "cannondale h400" and you'll find an article from Triumph Bike Reviews on page 1, I would link it, but it keeps getting blocked for some reason