kross57

I've tried to match this up to 97/98 catalog specs with no luck. Is it a custom build? Or did I just miss something? Frame is marked CAD3 but no model.

T-Mar

My leading candidate would be a 1997 R600 with a few changes. The colour's correct, as are the RX100 calipers and 105SC derailleurs. The triple crankset and adjustable stem are fairly common conversions.

kross57

Thanks Tmar. I have little experience with Cannondales but it did not seem to fit any particular model without some customization.
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Ironfish653

It’s probably one of the ‘Trade-in’ frames. In 1996-1997, Cannondale had a frame trade-in program, where you brought in your old frame for a substantial discount on a new Cannondale CAAD-3 frame, either road (R600) or MTB (F1000)

*the R600 and R800 shared the same frame, but just different component levels, which was a common practice for Cannondale in that era

There were two color ways offered for each frame, the black/purple road frame seems to be the more common. They have the Cannondale/CAAD branding, but no model, because they were never sold as complete bikes. Since it was either shop-built, or owner-built, the components may not be as a stock bike. ( mine isn’t anywhere close to factory)

FixedGearFix

Nice bike, I have a '92 R600. The 3.0 series frame though. I really want a carbon fork like yours too. Hard to find them in a 1" steerer though.

qcpmsame 

Any serial number on the frame? The would allow you to check Vintage Cannondale's site and the Serial Number page. I believe T-mar has this one though.

Bill

stardognine

Under the BB shell, you can read part of it in one of his pics. 🙂 OP, you’ll need to unhook those cables, to pull the cable guide.

desconhecido 

In late summer 1997, Cannondale bare frames. without forks, were available for sale and I bought one. Don't recall the price but the frames were being discounted pretty well at the time. My recollection is that it was sold to me by Branford bike when they were still in Branford, CT, but I don't know that for certain. I think I still have some original paperwork in a storage locker, but I haven't sorted through it in about 20 years, so I don't know for sure exactly what is in the file.

My frame is exactly as the one in this thread except it's 52cm and it's metalic blue. I seem to rememember that there were more colors, but it was a long time ago. Graphics is the same and there is no model designation. My recollection is that the same frames were used on most all of the road bikes no matter the model.

So, if a wag is in order it is that this bike could have been sold, or exchanged for a trade in, to the original owner as a bare frame without fork.

kross57

The serial number is IC which would be a 1997 built in March. You can see that in the last pic above.

Thanks to all. Definitely a custom build. Sweet ride!