Please help ID this Cannondale
04-08-16, 07:33 PM
#1
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Please help ID this Cannondale
Which model and year is it? Looks like 1985 ST-400 but it was equipped with Shimano 600 according to vintage cannondale. Ad states all components are original. Could it be 1983 ST-300 or ST-400 but than it should have Superbe as original RD, no?
04-08-16, 07:34 PM
#2
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If anyone has/had one like this - how was the ride? Tire clearance (looks quite generous)?
04-08-16, 08:18 PM
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It looks more like the 1983 to me, but you can tell for sure by checking the serial number. The first three years the serial numbers started with AA(1983), BB(1984), or CC(1985). After that, they used a numeric code that's pretty easy to decipher, just check the vintage cannondale site.
As to ride and tire clearance: I recently finished building up my first Cannondale - a 1986 ST500 and I love it. It has officially replaced my Trek 620 as my everyday commuter. It rides extremely well. I was bracing myself for the "harsh" aluminum ride, but that was not the case. The long chainstays and fat tires make this thing ride almost as smooth as the steel Trek. While the 620 would get the edge in pure comfort, I really like how light and responsive the Cannondale feels. As to the tires - mine has Panaracer Pasela 27x1 1/4" tires with fenders. Clearance with fenders is pretty tight, but they fit.
As to ride and tire clearance: I recently finished building up my first Cannondale - a 1986 ST500 and I love it. It has officially replaced my Trek 620 as my everyday commuter. It rides extremely well. I was bracing myself for the "harsh" aluminum ride, but that was not the case. The long chainstays and fat tires make this thing ride almost as smooth as the steel Trek. While the 620 would get the edge in pure comfort, I really like how light and responsive the Cannondale feels. As to the tires - mine has Panaracer Pasela 27x1 1/4" tires with fenders. Clearance with fenders is pretty tight, but they fit.
04-08-16, 08:44 PM
#4
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It looks more like the 1983 to me, but you can tell for sure by checking the serial number. The first three years the serial numbers started with AA(1983), BB(1984), or CC(1985). After that, they used a numeric code that's pretty easy to decipher, just check the vintage cannondale site.
As to ride and tire clearance: I recently finished building up my first Cannondale - a 1986 ST500 and I love it. It has officially replaced my Trek 620 as my everyday commuter. It rides extremely well. I was bracing myself for the "harsh" aluminum ride, but that was not the case. The long chainstays and fat tires make this thing ride almost as smooth as the steel Trek. While the 620 would get the edge in pure comfort, I really like how light and responsive the Cannondale feels. As to the tires - mine has Panaracer Pasela 27x1 1/4" tires with fenders. Clearance with fenders is pretty tight, but they fit.
As to ride and tire clearance: I recently finished building up my first Cannondale - a 1986 ST500 and I love it. It has officially replaced my Trek 620 as my everyday commuter. It rides extremely well. I was bracing myself for the "harsh" aluminum ride, but that was not the case. The long chainstays and fat tires make this thing ride almost as smooth as the steel Trek. While the 620 would get the edge in pure comfort, I really like how light and responsive the Cannondale feels. As to the tires - mine has Panaracer Pasela 27x1 1/4" tires with fenders. Clearance with fenders is pretty tight, but they fit.
I have 1993 R400 and it is my only aluminum bike. I ride it with 25s on wide Fulcrums 7 and it is not harsh at all. I replaced original fork with Ritchey carbon with alu steerer, it helped to smooth out the ride too. Mine has clearance for 28 (actual 28) but as I said - even on 25s (have Maxxis Refuse on it now) very nice ride.
04-08-16, 08:48 PM
#5
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Funny - when I was first drawn to vintage rides I immediately dismissed Cannondales. They seemed ugly to me, especially that rear dropout on mine plus reputation for punishing ride. Now that I got one - I started to really like them.
04-08-16, 09:12 PM
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I know what you mean, I felt the exact same way. The look is definitely an acquired taste, but it really grows on you. I bought my ST500 for cheap with plans to sell, but ended up really liking it and now I have two other vintage Cannondales I'm building up. Right now, I'm working on an 86 SR800 I bought as a frame and am building up with Superbe Pro.
04-08-16, 09:23 PM
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I think the harsh ride refers to the racing frames.
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04-08-16, 09:42 PM
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LOL, I just picked up an '86 ST500 a couple days ago. I'm taking it apart tonight.
@mongol777, a quick look at the catalogs suggests to me you have an '85 ST500 (your bike charcoal, not black, isn't it?) with some of the specced parts changed around, possibly at the time of the original purchase, as happens a lot in the bike shop biz.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 04-08-16 at 09:55 PM.
04-08-16, 10:05 PM
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I have an '87-88ish Cannondale Criterium that per the catalog came with Shimano 105 -- even has a Shimano 105 decal on a chainstay
----- all 600 tri color though -- even the headset --- i didt think a thing about it then -- its only a mild curiosity now
Nice bike though
----- all 600 tri color though -- even the headset --- i didt think a thing about it then -- its only a mild curiosity now
Nice bike though
04-09-16, 07:13 AM
#10
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04-09-16, 07:17 AM
#11
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I picked my r40o with exact same intentions as VictorKnx - quick flip but ended up keeping it and it fits me like a glove (which is hugely important).
Thank you everyone - I will probably go see it next week. Seller wants too much in my opinion but we'll see.
Thank you everyone - I will probably go see it next week. Seller wants too much in my opinion but we'll see.
04-09-16, 07:40 AM
#12
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From the length of that rear derailleur housing, it sure looks like it had a Superbe LE TECH originally. Of course they replaced it with another doomed derailleur, so that's odd.,,,,BD
