RFC

Although I have always been aware of Cannondale, my first hand introduction was during my present C&V period. If I had to rate my C&V bikes in terms of riding performance, I would have to put my 1987 Blueberry Criterium among the top of the list and, really, only comparable to my 98 Litespeed Ultimate. They are both very stiff sprint bikes and I love the ride. The Blueberry is so responsive that I left the DT shifters on because when I upshift, it's like hitting the next rocket and taking off.

Now, with my recent acquisition of the 90 ST600, my admiration is confirmed. The same feel with the stability of the big tires. I did hill repeats on it today and, although the feel is different, it was still fast.

I may need to collect the entire set: CX, MTB and track drop single speed.

bici_mania

In regards to aluminum, in my experience there is no other as good as Cannondale, mountain or road.

scozim 

I find myself always looking at Cannondales on C.L. Haven't got one yet. How do the weights compare between the two? I've seen several of the touring bikes listed but they're usually too big. That blue is killer by the way.

4Rings6Stars

My thoughts?

Guys coming from C&V like the ride of Cannondales...because although they are vintage, they ride (and kind of look) like modern bikes.

It is definitely what converted me. My first Cannondale was very similar to your blueberry. I also had a similar feeling that shifting was like hitting the turbo button, that bike was a rocket. Since then, I have been gradually moving away from C&V. I no longer lust after old SLX and 531 framed bikes (except to look at). Every now and again I will think I want one and build it up (most recent was a Tommasini Super Prestige) only to strip it back down and sell it. More recently, I've started to fall for modern steel cross bikes. Stiff and somewhat aggressive geometry, but the ability to take 40mm wide tires... I would like to try a ST Cannondale and put on some fatties, looks like fun.

Here is how my blueberry looked when I first picked it up. I cant seem to find a picture of how it looked when I eventually sold it, unfortunately.

Glennfordx4

We have a really nice ST600 with full 105 for sale at our shop, it is a friends of my boss ( Dr. Joe) who owns it and he bought at our shop new. I think it is a 22" frame which would fit me perfect, it's the same color blue as the one above. I thought the guy was done riding road bikes but then he just bought a Ti Merlin bike with full Campy Record on it that we were selling for another one of my bosses friends. I want the C-Dale but I just won't have the money to spend on a bike unless I get rid of a few in the stable first. I am thinking with the price tag my boss put on it it may be there for awhile so things may change, stranger things have happened.

Glenn

shoota 

I love my '86 SR900 with campy nuovo/record. I hear you guys about the turbo button, man these things can take off. If only it was indexed shifting.. Anyway I've been dying to get a Ti road bike tho

canyoneagle

I had a 3.0 for a number of years, and it was a great handling bike. The 3.0 series is super stiff, though, so not a century machine.

auchencrow

My '87 SR400 is my best climber - The thing about 'dales is that it seems ZERO energy gets wasted. It all propels you forward - yet the ride is uncompromised.
It's the most modern bike I've ever owned, but I think it's still alright because it has a level TT and it runs friction DT shifters.

RFC

I think you nailed it.

shoota 

You guys spurred me to air up the tires and go for a midnight stroll. I also did a practice tube change on these ambrosio wheels that everyone has trouble with. It was pretty hard but I got it without much trouble. Now I just need to figure out how to improve the rear braking. Also, anyone have any tips on how to make the hoods more comfortable? They are so skinny compared to modern hoods and they cut in like crazy.

canyoneagle

Are you riding with cycling gloves? Padded gloves help.

You can get also Cane Creek SC-5's in Silver with gum hoods for a retro-friendly look. They're comfy:

shoota 

Those hoods won't fit over the campy brake levers? I kinda hate to take them off

canyoneagle

They are levers and hoods - a complete assembly.

FWIW Campy hoods are pretty comfy in my experience (Super Record).

I'd say the easy fix is wear padded cycling gloves, then asses if your position is okay (i.e. not too much weight on your hands). It's a racing bike, so you'll always have more weight up front than with other, more upright setups.

shoota 

Ok just got back from my spin around the block. Now I remember why we love these bikes. So quick, so balanced, almost like a smooth twitchy feeling. This bike fits me like a glove too. Riding in the drops is actually more comfortable than up top. Thanks for suggestion canyon, you're always good like that.
I think my trek 1000 might have to switch duties to commuter

puchfinnland

I thought this 47-48 cm bike was super canondale for my daughter Nelli, it's still to big for her,
for sale at the LBS for only 300 dollars, it's a steal, new tires and perfect trim.

brockd15 

If you decide to try the Cane Creek levers canyoneagle mentioned, there may or may not be a pair in the classifieds...

As far as the Cannondales, I like 'em. My wife and I replaced out Burley tandem with a Cannondale.

redneckwes

I loved the early ST500 I (very briefly) had, but it was a 25" frame, very unsafe when your normal top end is 23.5". Man that big beast could transmit power. One day I will find an early ST I can afford in my size.

I have a '93 2.8 and an '89 3.0 now, both are the cantilevered dropout frames, a little harsh with their aluminum forks. Great for 25-30 miles but long rides are reserved for 531 frames.

shoota 

Oh I see I don't know.. I hate to take off the campy levers. They're part of the group ya know..

RFC

The earlier Cannondales were designed before the use of computer modeling and CAD. As a result, they were grossly over engineered. I have heard it said that they are the stiffest production bike ever built.

BTW, I just got a lead on a Capo. May have to check it out.

Chrome Molly

That green SR400 takes me back to crits of my youth. The SR's were incredibly stiff (feeling anyway), fast reacting frames, quick steerers, that you wanted to have under you when you were exiting a last uphill corner to a finish. When the relatively whippy early carbon lugged frames came out, the side by side comparisons were like ends of a very long spectrum.

The ST's on the otherhand were remarkably forgiving rides. They did some worthy figuring when they designed the chainstay/seatstay relationship on the ST's. Stiff yet very ridable. I find the ST's really compare favorably to some of the more overbuilt steel tourers of the 80's to today, and they are solid on the BB area (avoiding fender rub when climbing)

BentLink

I got my 1986 SR400 new, as a teenager. Like auchencrow says, it climbs really well. I really like that it was welded just down the road from me. I'm still riding it!

pastorbobnlnh 

When my nephew visited last summer he rode my '93 R600 2.8.



In the early to mid '90s he and my niece raced for the Univ. GA cycling team. They are fun to ride with even though I can't keep up with them, but they humor Ol' Uncle Bob and let me beat them on the decents (mass has a big advantage going down hills)!

Anyway, this summer I entered the nephew as a rider for a team in the local sprint triathlon. He was thrilled with the R600 and described it as "a rocket!" In fact he had the best bike time for the race (over a 1000 participated). He had not raced in more than a decade. When he left to go home to TN, he said; "Uncle Bob, never, ever, EVER sell that Cannondale!" Who can argue with a nephew like that?

jyl

My '92 R1000 came with full Mavic. The wheels, stem and post have been replaced with weight weenie stuff. As is, it weighs <18 lb and I have a project to get it <17 lb. It accelerates so sharply, handles quickly, and I don't find it uncomfortable at all. I love the workmanship of this American-made frame.

shoota 

Cool story bob!

shoota 

What ww stuff did you put on it?