Info about 85 Cannondale
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Info about 85 Cannondale
I bought a Cannondale in 1985, used it a lot then.... didn't. Recently moved to a biking friendly neighborhood, got new tires and a tune-up for it and have really enjoyed using this bike again. As I recall it was kind of a big deal in the day.....fat tubing OMG 😱. Does anyone have more history for me? It's 21", Shimano 600 shifters. Thanks
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Here is a link to the 1985 Cannondale catalog.
https://vintagecannondale.com/year/1985/1985.pdf
Is your bike an ST400?
https://vintagecannondale.com/year/1985/1985.pdf
Is your bike an ST400?
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I have a 1986 SR400 and an ‘88 Criterium.
If yours is a touring model (ST) it has a slightly shallower head tube angle, longer wheelbase, cantilever brakes, and a triple crankset.
Here is my readers digest history…
Originally made in USA, sued by Klein in the 80’s, Cannondale won 90% of lawsuit due to 70’s college class with oversize tubing. Lost the oval seat stays so they went to their cantilever dropouts. Had notorious issues with the design. Klein bought by Trek and had no interest in dropout lawsuit and Cannondale returned to vertical dropouts. Changed the railroad head badge to the current wrench “C”. Introduced Coda parts line. The owner, and therefore the company, got heavily involved in motorcycle racing and that put them into bankruptcy. They got bounced around to different parent companies. All frames are now imported, but they are a viable bike option.
John
Edit added: In the late 90’s/2000’s Cannondale came out with one of the most bizarre products… the Lefty fork. While it is suppose to work quite well, I could never get my head around only one fork leg.
If yours is a touring model (ST) it has a slightly shallower head tube angle, longer wheelbase, cantilever brakes, and a triple crankset.
Here is my readers digest history…
Originally made in USA, sued by Klein in the 80’s, Cannondale won 90% of lawsuit due to 70’s college class with oversize tubing. Lost the oval seat stays so they went to their cantilever dropouts. Had notorious issues with the design. Klein bought by Trek and had no interest in dropout lawsuit and Cannondale returned to vertical dropouts. Changed the railroad head badge to the current wrench “C”. Introduced Coda parts line. The owner, and therefore the company, got heavily involved in motorcycle racing and that put them into bankruptcy. They got bounced around to different parent companies. All frames are now imported, but they are a viable bike option.
John
Edit added: In the late 90’s/2000’s Cannondale came out with one of the most bizarre products… the Lefty fork. While it is suppose to work quite well, I could never get my head around only one fork leg.
Last edited by 70sSanO; 07-10-21 at 09:40 PM.
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FWIW, the earlier STs had caliper brakes and 27 inch wheels. Easy swap to long reach brakes and 700 wheels. Comfy geometry with clearance for 32s.
Last edited by shelbyfv; 07-11-21 at 06:32 AM. Reason: add pic
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The Golden Era of Dales in my opinion...the finish and care put into them was really unique...
Cantilevers were added 89. When did they end?
Cantilevers were added 89. When did they end?
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thanks for the reply - agreed, it's a great bike.....can't believe how much I'm enjoying getting back on it. Yes on the caliper brakes and shifters, they work fine for me! Reason for changing out the brake system? I'm only running a few errands and short distances on it at the moment. Any thoughts how much risk there is for theft? It's not a collector's item is it?
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thanks for the reply - agreed, it's a great bike.....can't believe how much I'm enjoying getting back on it. Yes on the caliper brakes and shifters, they work fine for me! Reason for changing out the brake system? I'm only running a few errands and short distances on it at the moment. Any thoughts how much risk there is for theft? It's not a collector's item is it?
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"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
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Not a collectors model so just use whatever lock you think is appropriate.
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The great thing about the Dales from 1984/5 to 1989, the only thing that separates the models is the component choice. Frames are identical from what I was told....
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super