Cannondale 2.8 restoration / modern bits

I couldn't resist it after I saw it in the compact 26.0 bar thread.

Also couldn't help ordering a non-ergo compact bar while I was at it. The zipps aren't that comfy and aesthetics > ergonomics any day, right?

Oh, and in other news...

New wheels have arrived. Basically look very good, round, true etc. but the rear rim has this interesting defect at the join:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/14152507556_83e846f8fb_z.jpg

It's less than a mm deep so shouldn't matter in terms of strength but it's annoying. Especially having seen this while hunting for seller's contact details:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/11s-new-tech-Clincher-38mm-Full-carbon-UD-wheels-700C-21mm-Basalt-brake-surface-/00/s/NTY1WDgwMA==/z/~ncAAMXQLs5RsVnt/$(KGrHqFHJE!FGvm0HOzNBRsVnsyPMw~~60_12.JPG

Ok so this is pretty much the size and shape of the finished bike I think, fancy stem yet to be sourced but apart from that I'm pretty damned pleased with the outcome of this project.

Porn:) How do you like the wheels?

that looks absolutely awesome, hope you enjoy riding it

Tape looks excellent, I fancy some of that myself. Wheels are spot on too. Kudos!

Got to be happy with that :)

Thanks very much. The wheels seem ok but not great, mainly due to sloppy joins on the rims (see above). The braking surface isn't perfect on the rear either so there's a slight "fjupp-fjupp-fjupp" sound when braking lightly. Still, at £260 including postage and customs (which I basically dodged due to seller's broad view of law and moral) I don't suppose I can complain. Hasn't stopped me from doing so with the seller though, we'll see what happens.

Edit: just read that through and it sounds a bit depressing! I'll try again: the bike is a joy to ride, fits me really well and does what you tell it to. As I wrote earlier I'm impressed by the sram stuff, especially the brakes and the shifting. It's the first modern gruppo I've used for longer rides than round the block so maybe other brands would have impressed me equally, who knows. I'm just being grumpy for not getting the good+cheap equation to work fully with the wheels. They're basically fine.

dude this looks fucking ace! Tyres really set it off!

thanks.

Bloody lovely! Being familiar with compacts + SRAM set-up, I can imagine how nice that rides as well.

Flippin' yes! Looks great.

LOVE it.

That, is awesome!!

I'm in love.

Yeah that's really really beautiful

Been following this for a while and the transformation from v1.0 is impressive

Thanks again for all the kind comments. I've got to say though that Mr B is right about his comment earlier in the thread

Word of wisdom with old 'Dales (this may or may not apply to other alu frames) - they have more 'snap' when they're new [...] does mean you might get a bit more 'whip' in the BB area.

It's not completely noodly but the rear end certainly isn't as stiff as some newer bikes I've ridden. Had to set the brake blocks further from the rear rim than expected due to flex when pushing hard uphill made the rim rub on them. Time will tell how it holds up I suppose, it's not a big issue now but I can imagine if it softens up more it'll become irritating.

Hi there! Sorry to dig up this thread, I know it says it's been like 2 years since the last comment. I'm currently building up my '96 Cannondale R900, previous owner removed all of the decals. I know that vintage cannondale website sells decals, but not the 2.8 series decals, only 3 series: http://shop.vintagecannondale.com/products/1990-cannondale-decal

So may I ask, where did you find the decals for your awesome 'Dale??

Haha, good use of search function dude. I've since sold the frame on and gotten a steel rychtarski instead. I got the decals from eBay, can't recall the seller's name but try searching there. Good luck with your project!

gotcha! thanks, I'll keep looking

Here, found it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321062132078

dude you're awesome, made my day!!

Very nice! I like the colour, can't beat a bit of BLING

Thanks, not mine anymore though as I wrote earlier. Don't mind the thread dredge though, it was a fun project!