1993 Giant Cadex CFM-2

Acquired this for the price of postage plus a donation to charity thanks to the very kind offer here:

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Remember these coming out so have always had a fascination - a friend bought one of the road models if memory serves and reckoned they were incredible. Seemed incredibly high tech, but also it was the first time I’d come across Giant - the idea of a Taiwanese firm making “serious” bikes was a novelty to me at the time. Little did I know.

So far I’ve stripped it to a rolling chassis and given it a wipe with an oily rag. There’s plenty of patina. Seat post and front wheel appear to be the only original parts... and the front wheel is dangerously worn. This has obviously done some miles.

Would be nice to date it before I start getting parts together. Currently torn between a period rebuild and lightweight retro mod. Or maybe something in between. In either case I won’t be worrying about the paint fish. Saying that I’d welcome advice on inspecting for damage - I’ve never had a carbon frame so pretty clueless...

Re: Giant Cadex CFM-2

Some more photos.

Re: Giant Cadex CFM-2

It’s a 1993, I had the CFM3 of that year and a friend had the CFM2...we both lusted after the CFM1 though.

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Definitely a 93 ( replicable dropouts), I thought the frames where all the same it was just colour and kit that changed. Mine is a 94 cfm3 and also doesn’t have cf seat stays like the 93. Have a search on here there are a couple of good build threads for inspiration.

Re: Giant Cadex CFM-2

Cool, thanks guys. Yeah having read the brochures 93 was my guess, also got the impression that all the frames were the same across the range.

In two minds whether to kit it out with mostly DX, as per original, or I’ve got the best part of an XT 735 / 730 drivetrain, which I think might suit it. Plan C would be a 1x9 setup to keep the weight super-low. In either case thumbies.

Also as it’s going to be a rider I’m somewhat tempted to hang on to the LX v-brakes it came with...

Decisions decisions. First steps might be to sort the headset and find a suitable stem. Frame is smallish so need to put some thought into making it fit me. Can’t work out what’s going on with the head tube/steerer... tubes look big/oversize (like 1 1/8”) but the stem insert is 1”. I guess it’s 1”. Will take it apart!

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My sister had the yellow one... suntour parts. I’ve tried for years to buy or trade something for it, it just sits in a shed. No luck, I have no idea why she won’t part with it.

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Scvintage":1yecmcxo said:

My sister had the yellow one... suntour parts. I’ve tried for years to buy or trade something for it, it just sits in a shed. No luck, I have no idea why she won’t part with it.

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Haha... she must like it!

Re: Giant Cadex CFM-2

Canny looking bike.

What's the gizmo on the bottom bracket shell?

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It'll be a nice, light and responsive bike pretty much any way you decide to go
I went with full later model XT on my CFM-3 (link to it in my signature), if you want some more inspiration.

Re: Giant Cadex CFM-2

rwm1962":ga19cm20 said:

Canny looking bike.

What's the gizmo on the bottom bracket shell?

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Anti-chainsuck plate. Rather a sensible idea on a carbon frame.