Scottymc

I just purchase my first vintage road bike sight unseen. Haven't even pick it up yet. It's a Cannondale criterium with Shimano 105 group. I paid $71 on eBay. Not sure what year, I think it's a 1988. I hope it fits, listing said it was a 22" frame and I'm 5'10" tall. It looks to be all original. After I get it tuned and road worthy I will want to do some upgrades. I want them to be tasteful. Not a huge fan of the white seat or bar tape. Might change them or should I? Any opinions or input is greatly appreciated.[IMG][/IMG]

Homebrew01

Good deal! Put on whatever parts you like.

repechage

too good to be true deal, not picked up yet…"I'm sorry the bike was stolen, I will let you know if/when it turns up",

Wildwood 

My advice to new Cannondale road bike riders from this vintage is = ride the fattest tire the frame will allow.

Otherwise, just clean it, lube/grease it, ride it, enjoy. Then decide. It will all be clearer in your mileage future.

Welcome, and stay with us on the bike.
Early Cannondale is always of interest. When cleaning, check all points on all welds for 'paint cracks'. One big one, or numerous small ones warrant further inspection.

Jean3n16

id be hesitant to buy off Ebay but if it works out, then GREAT deal!

I like the white seat ( i have one) and bar tape actually.

Kevindale

That is an amazing deal -- I hope repechage is wrong! I agree that the bar tape is awful, but if the seat is halfway comfortable, I'd try it with white bar tape. I'm not usually a fan of white, but with that color blue it would look sharp.

My wife has an early Cannondale that she was riding with 21 mm tires (now has 23 in front and 25 in back)-- she never found it harsh, though it does have a CF fork. As noted, ride it for a while before worrying about upgrades, unless something isn't working. And welcome.

Lascauxcaveman 

Looks a bit small for someone your height, but ya never know. Don't toss the saddle 'til you put at least 50 miles or so on it, it might be perfect for your particular bum.

That bar tape is so gatdang fug it must go ASAP. Terminate with extreme prejudice. Plain black, white (if you keep the saddle) or frame-matching blue would all look really nice.

I echo the fat tire advice (@Wildwood) but don't feel you need to change any of the drive train or braking gear until you give it a good try. Nothing of that era really performs any better than 105, although you can spend a lot more for slightly lighter, more fancy looking gear.

Components and color point to 1988 SR500.

Kilroy1988 

I'm guessing that 22" is to the top of the seat post... Have you received the bike yet? Let us know what you think! Looks like a great deal in any case, and I hope it works out for you. Cheers!

oddjob2

Way too small for the OP, proably a 52cm.

SkyDog75

With a head tube that short, it's absolutely smaller than 22". It may be too small for @Scottymc, but it might be worth a try. With a long enough seatpost and a stem with enough quill length and reach, I think it might be workable.

Looking at the size options in the old Cannondale catalogs, I'd guess we're looking at a 50 cm frame. If that's the case, it'll have a 52.7 cm top tube. For comparison's sake, I'm just barely shy of 5'10" myself and generally ride 54 cm (21") bikes with top tubes around 53-55 cm and stems in the 90-100 mm range. I think a semi-tall stem could give Scotty a reasonable saddle-to-bar drop, but he'd have to find one with a long enough reach. The Soma Sutro stem can be found inexpensively, but it maxes out at 100 mm. To go longer, he'd probably need to go with a Nitto Technomic Deluxe*. It's a bit more expensive -- $62 at Ben's Cycle -- but is available in 110 and 120 mm reach.

* The quill of the Nitto Technomic Deluxe is 35 mm shorter than the regular Technomic. Being that this bike has such a short head tube, the regular Technomic could be too tall.

Scottymc

Picked it up on Monday. It's in great condition. A few scratches on frame that's it. Has a newer chain and tires. Tires are 700x23 Vittoria slicks. I replaced the seat with a black white and blue Cannondale seat. Going with black bar tape. After further inspection and researching the serial number it is a 1987 with a 53cm frame. A little small but not bad. I'm pretty sure it's not stolen. I bought it from an older gentleman who got it at a swap meet. Not a fan of the handlebars they are not original and way too big. Going for period correct modolo anatomic bars. Thanks again I'll send pics when completed.

ksryder

53cm =/= 22 inches. If it works for you, great, but 53cm is pretty small for most people your size. Since the size was listed incorrectly you may have some options.


I'm 5'11, I tried to make a 54cm bike fit me for way too long before I finally got a 56; all I accomplished was hurting my back and neck.

Last ride 76 

+1 or even smaller c-t-t.

Scooper

I believe at 5' 10" you'll feel pretty cramped on a 53cm frame. This chart is a good starting point for guessing the appropriate frame size when comparing traditional geometry (horizontal top tube) frames. The chart assumes frame size is seat tube length from center of crank spindle to the top of the seat tube (where the seatpost is inserted).

Scottymc

Here she is. New seat, different handlebars with new bar tape. All tuned up and feeling good. Haven't been on the road yet but did an hour and a half on the trainer with no issues.

Ex Pres 

At 5.10 are you sure you don't need to raise the saddle?
In any case, it looks good, was a great deal, and enjoy.

exmechanic89

I agree, I'm 5'10" and the saddle would be up much higher if I was riding that bike. Actually it would be too small a frame for me, but it is a sweet ride.

Flog00

53cm is close to 21"
22" is close to 56cm