Cannondale H300 / Dadbike

Hi

Just fetched a Cannondale H300 with the frame in ok-condition but components and groupset (that word cant be used really) randomly put together

Plan is to use it as a winter bike without spending much dollerz on it. However, i would like to make some modifications like dynamo hub, new (used) bars, saddle

I am also thinking of making it 1x

Lastly i am thinking a used old groupset because the current stuff is far from beautiful

Any additional thoughts or maybe parts from you guys?

Thanks

Photo is taken from the seller‘s ad

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The best cannondale tourer I ever did see:
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/314654/

Yep, that's among my all-time forum favourites for sure.
@e54 1x, beefy tires, flapz if you keep the guards, and some general TLC and it should be lovely

Okay, that‘s a long shot, but really great as inspo, thx

Thanks!!

For 1x, can i use a triple crankset only using the middle ring and remove the FD?

what cassette range could i use with that stabdard deore RD?

Got some NNNOS* parts on the way

*Not Near New Old Stock

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Yes you can. You can use a 12-36 cassette which will give you plenty range. Will you re-use the shifter that's on it now?

Thanks so much

The current shifter is 8x (as the cassette) so i think i need to replace it by a 10x, no?

Ive ordered a 34 chainring for the front, does that make sense combined with a 12-36 cassette and given that I am pulling the kiddy trailer everyday through a flat city?

8 speed derailleur works fine with 10 speed as well, but same does not apply to shifter. If you want to keep your current 8x system, Shimano makes 8 speed cassettes in 11-34 range and then there is even this 11-40 cassette by never heard brand ZTTO , but I reckon the jumps are not that nice.

Thanks!

I am not keen to keep it 1x8 but just in case, would that cassette work?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183767593162

If i switch to 1x10, i could keep the RD but replace the shifter by a 10x, so that my current RD would work with the 10x shifter, correct?

Yep, it can work. I've even seen someone using an RD-M550 LX (1990-ish) derailleur on a 10 speed setup, and he claimed it was fine. :)

^^^^^ which M56x crankset is that? M560 is 110 BCD, while M563 and M567 are 94 mm. It might be hard to find a proper narrow wide chainring for the latter.

Just be wary that 10 speed shimano MTB stuff has a different pull ratio than the 8&9 speed stuff. So a 10 speed 'DynaSIS' shifter (Deore, SLX, XT, XTR Etc.) won't work with an 8 or 9 speed RD.
If you want to use your original 8 speed parts with a 10 speed cluster, you'll need to use a 10 speed 'road' flat bar shifter - available widely.

I'll drop a link to a Youtube video that is boring as hell but explains it all well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myXVbwITvNk&t=338s

I know others weld their entire frame within that time but yea.. at least its getting somewhere:

• rough clean
  
• matte SKS (destroyed the silver ones on my first ride, so great excuse to buy a black pair)
  
• Racktime top it mounted
  
• Fd and front shifter removed
  
• Bottle cages fitted
  
• Saddle protector acquired and mounted
  
  

Next is light/dynamo and 1x conversion

Oh, and a brooks cambium would be great if anyone has one knocking around

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My first 1x conversion (11-34 / 34) and i am a huge fan already

I cant even remember why you would need 2 further chainrings (for pulling kiddie trailer at least)

Even managed to get the gears right

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Frankly I havent checked the model no. but its 110bcd

Side note: As the dx pedals are worn out, i have ordered proper LX pedals

HahA very helpful but definitely far from entertaining, thansk

Okay, turned out that i will be replacing almost all parts.

Got my hands on a cheap front wheel w/ dynamo hub (and had to purchase the matching rear wheel ofc)

Also noted that the dx pedals are worn out so got some LX replacements in better conditions

Further, lights and studded winter tires incoming

Should i switch to a drop bar - which shifter could i use for the 1x8 setup? Bar end/ thumb shifters?

Anyone got cheap drop bar brake levers for sale?

Cheers

Why do you feel like switching to dropbars? Judging from the short stem you have now you'll get too much reach with dropbars or you need an ultra short stem. Especially if it's a winter bike it would make more sense to get some comfy flatbars

I don't know. Drops naturally make for a more 'aggressive'/sporty position, where you're leaning forward more. So in my eyes it makes sense to have a bigger reach with drops than with flat bars. I wouldn't assume the reach for flat bars would have to be the same as the one for drops, but I'm no bike fitter.

But usually the drops are lower than flatbars, so you need more space for a more horizontal position.
These old MTBs are usually too long and low to fit drops, but it may work with that stem.

Yea i am still undecided due to the points made above... with the current setup i am sitting very comfortable, so with a zero setback SP it would probably work..

However, firstly merry xmas to myself. Hoping to get all this mounted before january (not in a gurry coz right now it seems pretty pointless to mount studded tyres so...)

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Quick update...

-wheels incl studded tyres mounted
-rear rack repoaced by racktime stand it
-pedals, SP, seat replaced
-lights mounted

Lights still to be installed... does it make sense to drill the racks for internal cable routing?

Any recommendations for more sexi bars than moon bars?

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Enjoying the light placement, nicely nestled.

Going back a few weeks, I think drop bars would look really cool but you're going to run into issues with shifters and the brakes. Any vintage 8-speed drop bar brifter (e.g. Dura Ace) will be fine with the derailleur but I think it won't have the right pull ratio for V brakes. You could switch to a 9- or 10-speed cassette and fit a Shimano right hand road trigger shifter and it'll work with the derailleur, then drop bar levers to suit. Do 9-10-speed road brifters have the ratio switch in them?

OR, as a compromise, couldn’t I go with dropbar brake levers and an 8 speed thumb shifter?

Lots of people running their rohloffs with thumb shifters only, too (though its not the most elegant solution imho)