Old Cannondale Question
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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!
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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.
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#5
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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.
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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?
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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?
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I am 6.2 and rode a 58cm 1990 Cannondale RC 800 It was a tad too small for me.
#11
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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I am 6'0'' with similar proportions and ride a 58cm Road Race 3.0 frame (same as the SR*00 series).
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