Factory Replacement (?) Cannondale CAAD3
#1
Dog Dad
Thread Starter
Factory Replacement (?) Cannondale CAAD3
I have a bit of a mystery bike. It is a Cannondale CAAD3 with no model name written on the side but stamped 98 on the bottom.
It appears to be a mix between the 1997 R800 (CAAD 3)
1997 R800 (CAAD3)
And the 1998 R300 (CAAD2) paint scheme
1998 R300 (CAAD2)
Is it possible that this is a replacement frame and Cannondale no longer had the yellow paint from 1997 model line for the Viper Red fade to Speed Yellow (YVR) and chose to paint the frame with the 1998 model line Blaze Red Fade (BLZ)?
It appears to be a mix between the 1997 R800 (CAAD 3)
1997 R800 (CAAD3)
And the 1998 R300 (CAAD2) paint scheme
1998 R300 (CAAD2)
Is it possible that this is a replacement frame and Cannondale no longer had the yellow paint from 1997 model line for the Viper Red fade to Speed Yellow (YVR) and chose to paint the frame with the 1998 model line Blaze Red Fade (BLZ)?
#2
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I'd go with the group to determine model. You can ask here...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...annondale.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...annondale.html
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#3
Dog Dad
Thread Starter
I'd go with the group to determine model. You can ask here...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...annondale.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...annondale.html
#4
Junior Member
I have a similar ~99 Cannondale (an MTB Super V), in that it has no model number on it despite being the original factory paintjob, the reason being.... it was purchased as a frameset from the dealer and built to customer spec.
I know this as the guy I bought it off was the shop owner (A 'Dale dealer) who sold it to the original owner, who then PX'd it back to the shop several years later, he told me that often frames were available to dealers this way but not advertised in the catalogues, whether they were supposed to be sold like this or whether they were pulled from spare warranty replacement stock I couldn't say.
So could yours be similar, a frameset that was purchased and built up rather than an off the peg?
I know this as the guy I bought it off was the shop owner (A 'Dale dealer) who sold it to the original owner, who then PX'd it back to the shop several years later, he told me that often frames were available to dealers this way but not advertised in the catalogues, whether they were supposed to be sold like this or whether they were pulled from spare warranty replacement stock I couldn't say.
So could yours be similar, a frameset that was purchased and built up rather than an off the peg?
#5
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Late to the party here; but, yeah, Cannondale sold a lot of bikes as bare frames; particularly the early CAAD-2/3s.
Cannondales’ practice at the time was to use the same frame on all bikes in a “series,” whether the 3.0, 2.8 or CAAD; the R-#00 model number was determined by wheels/forks/components build kit. The bare frames never got model #s because they were never complete bikes.
Cannondales’ practice at the time was to use the same frame on all bikes in a “series,” whether the 3.0, 2.8 or CAAD; the R-#00 model number was determined by wheels/forks/components build kit. The bare frames never got model #s because they were never complete bikes.
#6
Dog Dad
Thread Starter
Late to the party here; but, yeah, Cannondale sold a lot of bikes as bare frames; particularly the early CAAD-2/3s.
Cannondales’ practice at the time was to use the same frame on all bikes in a “series,” whether the 3.0, 2.8 or CAAD; the R-#00 model number was determined by wheels/forks/components build kit. The bare frames never got model #s because they were never complete bikes.
Cannondales’ practice at the time was to use the same frame on all bikes in a “series,” whether the 3.0, 2.8 or CAAD; the R-#00 model number was determined by wheels/forks/components build kit. The bare frames never got model #s because they were never complete bikes.
I appreciate the input, that seems to make the most sense given the aftermarket group set and wheels. I’d never thought of that before though