Cannondale 2.8 Variant
11-15-21, 04:12 PM
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Cannondale 2.8 Variant
I used to own a 92 Cannondale – 2.8 R800. Loved that bike but it was stolen. Looked around for a long time for another. Bought some other bikes in the interim (a Lemond, a Specialized Allez Pro which was a great bike) and then ran into a 94 2.8 R800. I was so happy to find one I bought it without looking very close; turns out it was a lightweight variant Cannondale made with 650c sun wheels, Look pedals and some really tall gearing. Crank was 42/53 with an 11/21, 8 speed cassette. While the bike is absolutely original, light and fairly quick, it is a monster riding up a grade into the wind. I live on the SW Florida Coast, wind is a constant and my 79 year old legs have a hard time.
The folks at the local bike shop tell me I probably should change the cassette, but I am not so sure. Would that help; would it be better to change the crank; The other day I looked at a really tough looking 3.0 cannondale with a very nice 9 speed ultegra set up and thought about buying it for the parts (it was really cheap). By the time I made up my mind to do that, it was gone.
So does anyone have a suggestion? Making my legs work better is probably not going to happen. I ride 100 miles or so a week and I think my legs have got as good as they are going to get.
Bill McKay in Sarasota
The folks at the local bike shop tell me I probably should change the cassette, but I am not so sure. Would that help; would it be better to change the crank; The other day I looked at a really tough looking 3.0 cannondale with a very nice 9 speed ultegra set up and thought about buying it for the parts (it was really cheap). By the time I made up my mind to do that, it was gone.
So does anyone have a suggestion? Making my legs work better is probably not going to happen. I ride 100 miles or so a week and I think my legs have got as good as they are going to get.
Bill McKay in Sarasota
11-15-21, 04:55 PM
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I believe those were early triathlon specific variants. IIRC, in the late 80’s-early 90’s the 650B wheel sets were supposed to be the hot set-up.
You could change the rings on the crankset for lower teeth counts, just have to match the BCD for that specific model. If you change out the spider/crank arms watch the length. I’d definitely look into a lower/wider range cassette set, that shouldn’t be too difficult to find.
There are a few Cannondale gurus here, they can better address specifics about your bike, it’s geometry and tire clearance will have a big effect as to exactly what can be done.
I had a ‘92 R300 that was the best crit ride I could have asked for. Just very snappy and quick handling. I understand what you are saying about Pro range hearing, all three of my bikes are getting a bit tougher to get cranking along🥴
Nice looking ‘Dale you have there! Not one that you see every day, but this is the second one that I have read about in the past 4 days. Must be the moon phase or planetary alignment this week😏
Bill
You could change the rings on the crankset for lower teeth counts, just have to match the BCD for that specific model. If you change out the spider/crank arms watch the length. I’d definitely look into a lower/wider range cassette set, that shouldn’t be too difficult to find.
There are a few Cannondale gurus here, they can better address specifics about your bike, it’s geometry and tire clearance will have a big effect as to exactly what can be done.
I had a ‘92 R300 that was the best crit ride I could have asked for. Just very snappy and quick handling. I understand what you are saying about Pro range hearing, all three of my bikes are getting a bit tougher to get cranking along🥴
Nice looking ‘Dale you have there! Not one that you see every day, but this is the second one that I have read about in the past 4 days. Must be the moon phase or planetary alignment this week😏
Bill
Last edited by qcpmsame; 11-15-21 at 05:10 PM.
11-16-21, 06:53 AM
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Thanks for the information. I really like riding it most of the time. It is really nimble. I really want to keep it as my primary ride. Not looking forward to winter. Where I live the wind really blows from the Northeast during the winter months.
11-16-21, 09:57 AM
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Isn't changing the cassette the cheapest, least risky solution to try?
I think you can get a 28t on there, would that be low enough for the headwind?
I think you can get a 28t on there, would that be low enough for the headwind?
11-16-21, 11:44 AM
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@billmckay - I'm not too far behind you in age but don't do 100 miles a week! That is a target for me.
I have a few hills that are a bit of a challenge, requiring a level of fitness I need to get back too. Even then it was a bit of a challenge.
I have two bike I like to ride, a De Rosa and a Pinarello. The Pin is an 8v and the DR a 10v. The DR has a 25t rear vs the 23t on the Pin. The hills really show the benefit of the 25.
My solution was to convert the double on the Pin to a triple. Huge difference with the 30 vs 39 on the 23t. Much easier.
The conversion from DA740x to Campagnolo Chorus is not complete as I am still using the DA hub and cassette. The new wheels for the bike are tubular with the rear having a 9v Campagnolo cassette with a 26t. That should do the trick for longer steeper hills. What I am giving up is the 12 for the 13 along with the front ring from 53 to 52. I like to coast once in a while, no problem.
I have a few hills that are a bit of a challenge, requiring a level of fitness I need to get back too. Even then it was a bit of a challenge.
I have two bike I like to ride, a De Rosa and a Pinarello. The Pin is an 8v and the DR a 10v. The DR has a 25t rear vs the 23t on the Pin. The hills really show the benefit of the 25.
My solution was to convert the double on the Pin to a triple. Huge difference with the 30 vs 39 on the 23t. Much easier.
The conversion from DA740x to Campagnolo Chorus is not complete as I am still using the DA hub and cassette. The new wheels for the bike are tubular with the rear having a 9v Campagnolo cassette with a 26t. That should do the trick for longer steeper hills. What I am giving up is the 12 for the 13 along with the front ring from 53 to 52. I like to coast once in a while, no problem.
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11-16-21, 05:16 PM
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I second the cassette swap. It's relatively inexpensive, and pretty non-invasive, as far as the rest of the bike goes.
You probably won't be able to find much smaller than 50/39 for those old 130 BCD cranks; could be enough? But a 'compact' crank with 650 wheels, might result in a really short-geared bike.
You probably won't be able to find much smaller than 50/39 for those old 130 BCD cranks; could be enough? But a 'compact' crank with 650 wheels, might result in a really short-geared bike.
11-18-21, 07:52 AM
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Thanks all for the help. I am off to the LBS this afternoon to see what they could come up with for a cassette. They had originally suggested that when I first brought it in but as usual I had to overthink things. Will let you all know how it worked out.
Bill McKay
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11-20-21, 09:44 AM
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Put an 11/28 cassette on (along with a new chain) and it solved the problem. Into a really still Northeast wind this morning with no problem (or at least no significant problem) for these old legs.
Bill McKay
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11-21-21, 11:53 AM
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Good to hear that you got a cassette with gearing that you desire.
FYI, if you haven't figured it out yet, seems to be a 1995 R800C (Compact). For a few years CDale made a few models with 650 wheels in a modified road geometry, as well as a triathlon 650 model. The compact model in larger sizes weren't available for very long. Catalogs are available on VintageCannondale.com and should have all specs.
FYI, if you haven't figured it out yet, seems to be a 1995 R800C (Compact). For a few years CDale made a few models with 650 wheels in a modified road geometry, as well as a triathlon 650 model. The compact model in larger sizes weren't available for very long. Catalogs are available on VintageCannondale.com and should have all specs.
