Talk to me about Cannondales & headshock

Dickyboy

Senior Retro Guru
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Quite fancy the idea of getting a Cannondale with fatty fork & headshock but don't know the first thing about them, anyone care to educate me? Will be looking for a disc only version in approx 19" size.

what sort of weight are they for starters, any any difference in the F700, F800, F*** frames, anyone in particular to go for? Does the grade of aluminium improve / frame weight reduce further up the food chain?

what are the differences between the various headshocks? and is there anything in particular to look out for?

thanks :)
 
Have a look here

http://www.vintagecannondale.com/

I wouldn't worry too much about the frame, the most important part is that the headshok works. I have an ancient delta v with basic spring and elastomer internals and it rides really well. I was also lucky to get a good working air fork on ebay. I have mates however that have bought 3 sets of forks to get a working one. Taking them apart requires specialist tools and experience and repairs can cost a lot. For a basic service I was quoted more than I paid for frame and forks.
Frames are basically just a nice alloy hardtail, nothing more or less. Also remember you'll be stuck with cannondale specific parts for headset, stem etc.
I love mine, it rides really well for a 20 year old bike and weight about 25lb.
Seen a few on here recently and usually a few on ebay, jut make sure you get assurances the fork works.
My story here

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=215248
 
Cheers Clubby, been delving into that vintage cannondale site & narrowing my plans :)

Double thanks to clubby, been through the vintage cannondale site & am a lot clearer about what I am looking for in both frame & forks dept.
 
Any views on Cannondale sizing?, at 6ft I normally ride a 19" genesis altitude & cannodales sizes are either 18" or 19.75" :?
 
Dickyboy":3qllkmdm said:
Any views on Cannondale sizing?, at 6ft I normally ride a 19" genesis altitude & cannodales sizes are either 18" or 19.75" :?

Personally I'd go for the 18" frame with a slightly longer stem if needed, to give you the extra room.

A smaller frame will handle better, plus a smaller frame with slightly more seatpost always looks better!
 
Personally I'd go for the 18" frame with a slightly longer stem if needed, to give you the extra room.

Kind of what I was reconning, plus it will be too small for any of my boys to "borrow" ;)

Think I've narrowed my plans down to an optimo framed F****SL model from 2003 to 2006 with super fatty ultra DL or DLR fork, now the search begins :)
 
I was offered a Caffine frame and forks. Headshok needed a service. But it may have been a 20" though.
 
thanks for the offer, I think the Caffeine geometry is different again - 18.7" & 20.7" by all accounts, so only any good it were the smaller of the two.
 
Barneyballbags":2en8anu9 said:
Dickyboy":2en8anu9 said:
Any views on Cannondale sizing?, at 6ft I normally ride a 19" genesis altitude & cannodales sizes are either 18" or 19.75" :?

Personally I'd go for the 18" frame with a slightly longer stem if needed, to give you the extra room.

A smaller frame will handle better, plus a smaller frame with slightly more seatpost always looks better!

Couldn't disagree more. A bigger frame with a shorter stem will handle better than a small frame with a longer stem.

Measure your Genesis top tube and compare it with the 2 sizes you're looking at and then decide. The way bikes are sized has changed a lot. I'm 5'9 with a 30" inside leg and in modern bikes I ride a 17.5 to 18, but my 93 dale is a 19 and fits perfectly and my 2006 sts is a 16.5. The common factor is that the top tube of them all is very similar.
 
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