sdn40

I have a 58cm in the basement - so that's my reference. Although it's a Criterium, I assume the top tube heights are the same. The photo looks to have about a 3 finger width gap at the head tube which is what mine has. The top tube on mine is 32" off the ground. If you have a 30" inseam and it's a 3 hour drive ..... well it's up to you, but I would think twice.

With the sloping top tube of the Jamis - the "feeling" is gonna be different than if that top tube was straight across.
What exactly are you looking to gain moving on from the Jamis ?

riverdrifter

Thanks!

My Jamis can fit 28s max. I'm looking for something that can fit wider tires and can handle rougher roads. Gravel, minimum maintenance dirt, and rough pavement.

ryansu

Not to muddy the waters but I also have a 30 inch inseam and ride a 58cm but I am just a shade under 5' 11" and need the top tube length of a 58cm for my freakishly long torso (for my size) so as was said above measurements are great but if you can ride it that is even better. Its always surprising how much things vary for sizing between bike brands.

sdn40

The only other piece of advice I'd have would be to set the seat on the Jamis to about 38" off the ground. See how you feel about trying to get on and off the bike. I took that approximate measurement from my bike --- without totally slamming the seat post. Being 3 hours from everywhere is a tough thing

riverdrifter

I'll try that. The top of my saddle now is exactly 37".

riverdrifter

Ok it sounds like the bike is a 23", as sdn40 suggested. The seller says the standover height is 32" and the seat tube length is 24.5". He also said the rear fender has a cut out of it, and it has typical wear and tear.

I'm sure it is too big for me. In case any one else is interested, the bike listing can be found on Facebook Marketplace, in Haven, Kansas. I'd love to see this rig back on the road!

shoota 

I knew of this bike already and contemplated the drive to get it. It's a good deal.

dddd

Coincidentally, I just bought one of these 23" ST800 bikes, but in lesser condition.

Mine (in metallic green) had some kind of failure of the paint, much of which seems raised but still intact.

The racks and Brooks are gone, the stem is a longer 10cm, and the middle ring was wrongly changed to a smaller 34t size (and with an LX derailer installed, perhaps to correct it's expectedly deficient shifting performance to and from the smaller middle ring).

It's a nice bike, with Superbe, Sugino AT and top-level (NGC cantilever) brakes, probably take a while to sell though.
Almost begs to be parted out if I needed the 27" Mod58 wheelset for another project.
I will perhaps take it for another ride, perhaps with a road double crank installed(?). Gearing is too short as it is with a 48-13 top gear, ...and I already have a couple of (user and beater) touring bikes.

riverdrifter

I sure wish it would fit, but I think I really need a 21". Interestingly, I've been looking at used touring bikes all over the place, and 90% of them seem to either be like really big or really small, nothing in the middle.

stardognine

I'm glad I'm so far away from Kansas, lol, or I'd be mighty tempted. My '85 is a little small for me, plus the bike in the ad has cantilever posts. 🤔 Plus that's just a lot of cool stuff, that goes with. 🤔😉

riverdrifter

I just came across my old thread. It took me 3 years of looking, but I finally found an ST. I wonder what became of that ST800 in Kansas. Did anyone on here buy it?

My ST600 is a 23” confirmed by the serial number, and it fits me perfect.

cyccommute 

Nice bike. Mine are newer but they are great touring bikes. I’ve had three of them…none of them “vintage” but they are classic

2010 T1. Last model year that were made in the US.


Loaded and out doing what it was designed to do.



2003 T800 in 2011. Still have the frame. Nothing wrong with it. I just wanted a different color.



2004 T800 that I bought of Fleabay. It’s my workhorse day-to-day bike.



Great bikes all.

riverdrifter

Thats awesome! Those look fantastic!

Im looking for a rear rack for mine. Something that keeps the geometry of the load above the rear axle as intended. It seems so many newer racks are designed for bikes with shorter chainstays. What rack are you using on your bikes?

cyccommute 

The T1 and gray T800 is a Tubus Cargo Classic. In fact it’s the same rack that I bought in 2003 when I got the gray T800. I think I used the standard rack stays but I may have had to get longer ones. If you need longer ones, they are available up to 350mm. The Cannondale touring bikes have really long chainstays so they might need longer rack stays.

The rack on the black Cannondale is a Tubus Vega. I definitely had to get longer stays for that one as you can see the left rack stay kind of flapping around in the wind.

The Cargo has a wider deck and is about 200g heavier. It has been tested up to 40kg (88 lbs) but the rated load is 26 kg (57 lb). It works better for larger rear panniers by keeping the bag out of the spokes. The Vega is narrower and is rated to 25 kg (55 lbs). It works well for small panniers like the front ones on the T1 but longer ones may flop around a bit. Either one is an excellent rack for everyday use with the Cargo being a little better for loaded touring.

riverdrifter

Thanks for the info. I’ve been looking at the Tubus Logo Classic. I’ll take a look at the Cargo and the Vega also.

Chuckk

My 1990 Cannondale ST600
I've never used all the baggage that I set up for.

riverdrifter

Oh wow, it’s my twin! That’s so cool!

Pompiere

Mine is an ST400, but as I understand, the frames are all the same, only the components are different. The serial number says 1989, but the equipment matches the 1990 catalog. I also have a set of Blackburn racks for the front.


1990? Cannondale ST400.

riverdrifter

That looks nice! Is it a Blackburn rack on the back too?

OTS 

Feeling a lot of ST love here.
So I gotta post mine.
Not pristine but it has provided miles of smiles.
88 Cannondale ST 600

riverdrifter

I love it! Is that a Nitto Dirt Drop stem?

OTS 

Thanks, it is.

Pompiere

Thanks! Yes the rear rack is a Blackburn. I actually bought the front racks by mistake because I didn't see they were for the custom lowrider mounts. A couple years later, I bought the Cannondale and discovered it had the correct lowrider braze-ons.

The bag is a Cannondale too. I've had the bag for a lot longer than the bike.


I've had this bag for about 35 years.

I saw in an earlier post you had a Jamis Satellite. I bought a Jamis Quest about 12 years ago. It fits me like a glove and the only change I made was to add a Brooks saddle. It was my first modern bike, but now it's halfway to being "vintage".


2011 Jamis Quest

riverdrifter

@Pompiere
Your Jamis looks great! I really enjoyed mine. It was a well thought out, solidly built bike. I eventually sold it when I started going down the rabbit hole of traditional touring bikes. 🤣