Old Cannondale Question
02-10-13, 06:04 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Old Cannondale Question
hi,
I'm a newb to the site and fairly new to road cycling. I've always admired the old Cannondale SR bikes, and might have a chance to get a mid 80's SR800 (?). I'm 5'8 (shorter legs, longer torso) and was wondering if a 56 would be too big a frame for me? Unfortunately, I can't try before I buy. If anyone has some insight with these I would really appreciate it.
Cheers!
I'm a newb to the site and fairly new to road cycling. I've always admired the old Cannondale SR bikes, and might have a chance to get a mid 80's SR800 (?). I'm 5'8 (shorter legs, longer torso) and was wondering if a 56 would be too big a frame for me? Unfortunately, I can't try before I buy. If anyone has some insight with these I would really appreciate it.
Cheers!
02-10-13, 06:31 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
I'm 5' 10" and ride a 56 old Cannondale.
Reminds me, I still have my wife's old 54 in the shed.
Reminds me, I still have my wife's old 54 in the shed.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
02-10-13, 08:17 PM
#4
AngelmanSyndrome.org
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 320
Bikes: 2013 CAAD10 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-10-13, 08:38 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pennsyl-tuckey
Posts: 684
Bikes: '86 Cannondale SR400, '86 Pugeot PX10, '92 Bianchi Axis, '95 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, '00 Fondriest X-Status, '08 Specialized Roubaix, '13 Cannondale CAADX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
My '86 is marked 58, but measures 56 like my other bikes. I recall they used to measure frames "funny" like from BB center to top of seat tube. Check out the catalogs here for some data:
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/catalog.html
Sure enough, the TT length listed there for the 58 is 56, and it fits me like my other 56x56 bikes.
https://www.vintagecannondale.com/catalog.html
Sure enough, the TT length listed there for the 58 is 56, and it fits me like my other 56x56 bikes.
02-10-13, 09:48 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
thanks for the catalog links - I was actually checking those out when you posted.
I was also looking at another Cannondale black lightning from '90 that was listed at 55 - I'm trying to nail down whether it's a 54 or a 56 as they both had 55cm top tubes.
On another note - how important is standover height on a road bike? I'm a 30 inch inseam - could I get away with a 31" standover?
I was also looking at another Cannondale black lightning from '90 that was listed at 55 - I'm trying to nail down whether it's a 54 or a 56 as they both had 55cm top tubes.
On another note - how important is standover height on a road bike? I'm a 30 inch inseam - could I get away with a 31" standover?
02-10-13, 09:52 PM
#7
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Get away with? Sure, just lean the bike when you straddle it. I do that anyway, just as a precaution. How comfortable are you with the thought that if you panic stop and slide forward off the saddle, you'd damn sure better remember to, and be able to, lean it before your feet hit the ground?
02-11-13, 01:31 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
I am 6.2 and rode a 58cm 1990 Cannondale RC 800 It was a tad too small for me.
02-11-13, 01:49 AM
#11
Senior Member
Long torso typically makes for an easier fit. I'm 5' 6" with a short-ish torso and am fine on a 54. A shorter stem helps and with a larger frame you end up with the bars closer to even with the saddle, which makes the reach easier. I think you'll be fine on a 56 especially with a shorter stem.
02-11-13, 04:17 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
Those Cannondales from that era were known for their short top tubes, so I think that you might fit it ok. Also, I can not recall if they were measured to the center or the top of the top tube.
02-11-13, 06:16 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Trenton On
Posts: 245
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale T1, 1998 Specialized FSR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A 56 is too big for you. Size does matter. Does your present bike fit you well? If it does, measure it and either compare its measurements against the published specs for the bike you want to buy or get the seller to measure his bike for you.
If you want to be sure remember - if you can't ride it don't buy it. Al
If you want to be sure remember - if you can't ride it don't buy it. Al
02-11-13, 01:04 PM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A 56 is too big for you. Size does matter. Does your present bike fit you well? If it does, measure it and either compare its measurements against the published specs for the bike you want to buy or get the seller to measure his bike for you.
If you want to be sure remember - if you can't ride it don't buy it. Al
If you want to be sure remember - if you can't ride it don't buy it. Al
02-11-13, 01:36 PM
#15
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,296
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1441 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
364 Posts
I'd take a hard look at a mid 80's CDale before I paid any significant money for it. Many 30 year old CDales are still good bikes. But aluminum does corrode, and it can fatigue.
So depending on how much, and how hard its been ridden, and how its been cared for, its remaining useful life could vary.
Thus I wouldn't buy it before I tried it.
So depending on how much, and how hard its been ridden, and how its been cared for, its remaining useful life could vary.
Thus I wouldn't buy it before I tried it.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-11-13, 01:44 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Beautiful Long Beach California
Posts: 3,589
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
thanks for the catalog links - I was actually checking those out when you posted.
I was also looking at another Cannondale black lightning from '90 that was listed at 55 - I'm trying to nail down whether it's a 54 or a 56 as they both had 55cm top tubes.
On another note - how important is standover height on a road bike? I'm a 30 inch inseam - could I get away with a 31" standover?
I was also looking at another Cannondale black lightning from '90 that was listed at 55 - I'm trying to nail down whether it's a 54 or a 56 as they both had 55cm top tubes.
On another note - how important is standover height on a road bike? I'm a 30 inch inseam - could I get away with a 31" standover?
02-11-13, 06:54 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Trenton On
Posts: 245
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale T1, 1998 Specialized FSR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well that does make it a bit harder but not impossible. Try out some of your friends' bikes and find one that fits. Measure it and compare. Stop by your LBS and do the same. The LBS won't like it that much though. AND --- if you can't ride it don't buy it. Al
02-18-13, 12:15 PM
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all of the good advice - it was very helpful!
As a matter of fact, I ended up going with a '13 Allez Sport in 54, which fit perfectly. I noticed many of the older Cannondales (in good shape) were not really that cheap, and for a bit more I could get a brand new modern bike (the Allez was on sale too!).
I researched it a bit, and the Allez seemed like a good bang for the buck to get me started. Didn't hurt being able to test ride it as well.
As a matter of fact, I ended up going with a '13 Allez Sport in 54, which fit perfectly. I noticed many of the older Cannondales (in good shape) were not really that cheap, and for a bit more I could get a brand new modern bike (the Allez was on sale too!).
I researched it a bit, and the Allez seemed like a good bang for the buck to get me started. Didn't hurt being able to test ride it as well.
02-18-13, 03:51 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 211
Bikes: 1991 Eddie Merckx Corsa, 1991 Cannondale 3.0 Road Race, 2008 Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am 6'0'' with similar proportions and ride a 58cm Road Race 3.0 frame (same as the SR*00 series).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cdry
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
0
11-19-15 09:55 AM
