riverdrifter

I'm interested in this bike. Can anyone give me some advice or info? Things to look for? It's late 80s right? Seller is asking $300 OBO. Thanks!

Hobbiano 

Go get it if it fits you.

tyler_fred

Those are great touring bikes. Judging by how it’s outfitted, it appears the owner takes pride in his ride. Good components! As previously stated, ride it to make sure it fits. Also give it a once-over for possible front end collision damage, frame or rim dents. I am curious about the zip ties on all three main tubes. Not sure which direction the cadence sensor wire is routed, but zip ties on all three main tubes? May be wiring for lights. Also not sure of the shifter brand but it appears to be past parallel with the down tube. Check that out too. Other than that, it’s ready for panniers and a long weekend tour. Good luck!

shelbyfv

The zip ties on the top tube are a kludge, the three plastic cable guides are missing. Replacements were available for awhile from Vintage Cannondale for about $50. You may want to check, I think they are sold out. Anyway, a significant negotiating point. Also, tire width is somewhat limited by today's standards.

natterberry 

$32 shipped.
https://shop.vintagecannondale.com/p...for-cannondale

I’d buy this if it fits you.

delbiker1 

Nice touring bike. Make sure it is a good fit. That is most important. I think $300 is not out of line, but, I would look it over really good and negotiate using whatever is wrong or needs replaced.

tyler_fred

With fenders, possible Brooks saddle, 2 racks, 3 bottle cages with bottles, and a handlebar bag, thats’s deal at $300. Top tube guides appear to be in place and the owner opted to cinch the computer/light wiring at the cable guide locations.

RiddleOfSteel

This is a 1987 ST800, Cannondale's top of the line touring model of that year. The anthracite metallic paint color was usually reserved for the top touring model and nothing below (1988's ST1000 was black, though), so a bit iconic in that regard. You don't see ST800s come up very often, and this one looks to be in great shape with top tube cable guides in tact. Everything is original, including the color-coded racks front and rear, as well as the standard fenders.

If this bike fits you, $300 is a killer deal for a bike like this. Total time capsule, while also being (still) incredibly capable and modern in demeanor.

You can swap to 700C wheels and 32mm tires, with the possibility that 35mm tires could fit width-wise (Cannondale slowly opened up the stay widths on these as they went along, though with canti brakes and it being 1987, it may be well on its way to 1990's ST-like accommodation). The canti brakes can adjust to the reduced rim diameter. So you have some modern-conversion flexibility as a number of us (including me) have done so on these great bikes.

Reynolds 531 

Allow me to explain my opinion on this bike:

I have clicked on your profile, to find your local CraigsList, so I can try to steal it out from under you.

So yeah, looks great, go for it!!!!!!!

(being facetious)

riverdrifter

Okay, okay!

riverdrifter

riverdrifter

Seller is not the original bike owner and has never ridden it. He will take measurements when he gets home tonight and let me know, so I still don't know what size it is. It also includes all original front and rear panniers.

sdn40

Probably means he's a flipper. And since he didn't bother to even give it a bath, don't be afraid to make an offer accordingly. Totally depends on your market - but no way that bike gets $200 where I'm at.

shelbyfv

Happy to be corrected about the top tube guides. You guys have good eyes. I tried enlarging but still couldn't see them! Since they are often broken, I think this indicates either light use or a prior owner who cared enough to source replacements.

RiddleOfSteel

Size is a 23" (per catalog) or 58cm, measured center-to-top (of the top tube, NOT the top of the seat tube as so many erroneously do when selling bikes). Cannondale sold their tourers in 2" increments, 19" (at some point), 21", 23", 25" and for a few years, a 27". Their road/criterium (SR/SC) bikes were always in cm, measured the same way.

That Superbe Pro shifter lever (drive side) is not correctly oriented--likely, it's the typical Cannondale shifter boss mis-orientation (which is easily remedied). Maybe it was set up incorrectly, but I really think it's the shifter boss. I've dealt with this, as have many others.

riverdrifter

How can you tell the size?

stardognine

You were doing fine until you mentioned the panniers come with it, too. Now it creeps into the category of "don't screw up this deal", lol. 😁😉

sdn40

From the headtube gap. it looks like a 58cm to me

riverdrifter

Thanks. If it is a 58 (23) it's probably too big for me. I think a 21" would be perfect. I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam.

I'll find out the measurements tonight and post back. If it doesn't fit me I'll pass along the contact info here for everyone else.

In the meantime, if anyone would like to buy my 2012 Jamis Satellite Sport; well, that would be a big help in getting this deal done.

riverdrifter

Thanks!

delbiker1 

Do not give up on this bike until you have had a chance to see it and, hopefully, test ride it. There are differences in the geometry size measurements with some bikes that affect the fit. IMO, this is too nice a deal to just pass it up sight unseen.

riverdrifter

It's a 3 hour drive (everywhere is at least a 3 hour drive from where I live) so I can't go just hoping it fits. That said, a 23" might work for me, and it sure looks like exactly what I've been looking for.

RiddleOfSteel

I have looked at many bikes, is the short answer.

The slightly longer, and Cannondale-specific answer (because you are talking to a vintage Cannondale fan here), is that each 2" size increment is very obvious. The 19" has the top tube intercept the down tube, so only the down tube connects with the head tube. The 21" size has both top tube and down tube smushed against each other at the head tube junction. The 23" has some space between both of those two tubes. The 25" is my size so I really know that proportion. And the 27" is just monstrous. Usually if one knows their size/size range as far as frames go, they will know the approximate size of an unknown frame they're looking at, provided the camera angle isn't crazy. If the viewer knows the history or sizing method of the company of that frame, then it's a lot easier to get it right just by looking at it.

RiddleOfSteel

According to a bike size chart (with high and low ranges for small height increments), a 21" (53cm approx.) would indeed fit you well. It's a big jump to 23"/58cm, with the top tube length (among other things) coming into consideration. What size is your Jamis? If you can get the geometry specs from it--that is, if you like the fit of it--then Cannondale was good about providing the geometry specs on their bikes in their catalogs.

A 21" (53cm) frame has a 73.5° seat tube angle, with a 21.75" (55.2cm) top tube.
A 23" (58cm) frame has a 73.5° seat tube angle, with a 22.25" (56.5cm) top tube.

A "51cm" 2012 Jamis Satellite Sport has a 74° seat tube angle with a 20.86" (53.0cm) top tube (effective). If that's your size, then sticking to a 21" Cannondale of this vintage may be a good idea. The other (critical) thing is, what does your stem, bar, shifters/brake lever set look like? You could have a super long stem or super short, longer reach older drop handle bars vs. modern 'compact profile' ones, etc.

riverdrifter

This is the current setup on my Jamis. Sometimes I feel like it is a bit too small, I definitely never have felt like it's too big.