Cannondale Aficionados / Owners

A few weeks back I came across (what I thought) was an early 90's Cannondale track locked up in front of my local bar. When I got closer I saw it was actually one of their road bike models. Ended up finding the owner and was shocked to find he paid $250 for it....says that's what they typically go for (I believe his was a R500 with 105). The bike looked great....just like a lustworthy Track but with gears.

I was planning on buying a road bike mid-summer because I figured it would cost me $1000 for a decent aluminum 90's bike (Klein, Cannondale, Bianchi with the Pantini colors, etc..)
Now that I see road Dales are not anything like the Track prices...I'm definitely going to jump on one sooner.

This will only be used on paved roads....I have no plans to put fatter tires on/ride dirt trails.

Few questions...
-During the 90's era, was there any years that had worthwhile upgrades (I know at one point the CAAD road series got a fancier fork)
-Any issues with the 90's aluminum road frames?
-When did they transition to the wrap-around decals on the lower downtube? I prefer the simple style from the early 90's.
-Just any general advice would be awesome.

I was going to start looking for a early to mid 90's R600 or R500 but figured I would ask here for general advice.

Thanks

I have a spare (saddlebag) in same colour you want?

I would have thought anyone with your user name would be against commodity fetishism and more concerned with seizing the means of production from the bourgeoise?

I also bought one of the CAAD10 disc frames from Evans, transferred most parts from my old ATR but I've gone 1x11

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da caad does not have the same frame as 105 12? My caad12 has barely clearance for 27mm in th rear.

this is 25mm challenge on the (23 outer? 18ish inner?) maddux rims it ships out with

I got a 30 Challange Strada Bianca in the rear of a CAAD12 on an ENVE CX rim, no bother.

Maddox wheelset are fucking shit as piss.

@KarlMarx- should you decide to go down the caad disc route, I have a frame for sale. It's the blue caad10disc in54cm.

I qctually think the disc thing is not as good as many claim. My other cannondale is just as planted whilst late braking. But the disc has very very good tyre clearance for a race geo bike(I had 28s and mudguards somehow).
I enjoyed it immensely for commuting and goofing around, but it's served its primary purpose as a parts donator- so pm me if interested. And doesn't work as a race bike.

On the note of DI2, me and @branwen had identikit bikes on that trip and I fucking loved the di2. Would recommend. But I'm waiting for etap trickle down...

I know, the front was something like 1kg. Cant wait to have proper ones. But this is quite irrelevant when discussing the tire clearance.

@negaatio it's not- or at least as far as I understand (minimal).
Width of rim has major effect on height profile of tyre- which in turn limits tyre clearance.

Off topic, but is that a mackworkshop road roll? If so, how do you rate it?

I know, but those maddux rims with their 23mm outer 18ish inner put out exacly the same tyre profile as would any modern and good rim. So I do not think changing from 23mm maddux to similar size enve or another brand give me more tyre clearance.

They're decent - mine survived PR without issue.

I'm definitely more confused now than before I asked haha.

@eyebrows cheers man but I think I will need 58cm minimum

Basically you can't lose. They're exceptionally good all round bikes that take an absolute hammering.
Buy any and you'll probably be happy. Assuming it fits ;)
Or buy a supersix hi mod from a few years ago brand spanking new at a ridiculous discount....

have to agree, descending on a (working) disc setup really is great, feels far better than rim brakes - almost more "solid" with great modulation.. if that makes sense

Didnt that used to have RS685 on it?

Yeah, I agree. With hydraulics it feels like, with the lever in your hand, that you are directly controlling the friction between the tyre and the road and not the friction between rims and brake pads (rim brakes) or brake rotors and brake pads (mechanical discs)

My ideal version of this would be Red 22 with Hydraulic Disc, I think my relationship with cable pulled brakes is over

Just reading through some early posts in this thread. This amused given your current position.

Fair. I dabble though. No Bike4lyf anymore. I have a limit of 6 now. I was also 90kg then and was using Hope V twin (lol).

exactly this. its great

I'm cycling in the Rockies at the moment, I have my Serotta with calipers, I'd prefer to have discs.

It's awesome anyway.

Bit of a custom one, it's basically a Jersey Pouch with strap build on it, I find it much better than a roll as I can just unbuckle it, unzip it and remove tools instead of taking it out completely.

That's a great way of describing it, in fact exactly word for word.

I usually describe it as rims brakes, you worry about the braking limitation, whether with disc brakes, you worry about the tyres limitation, the latter is always better to worry about.