Cannondale F400
- Thread starter Peachy!
- Start date
Peachy!
Retrobike Rider
BoTM Winner
Gold Trader
rBoTM Triple Crown
rBotM Winner
98+ BoTM Winner
Claud Butler Fan
VCC Claud Butler ME
- Feedback
- View
This one’s obviously not the same as the advertised 1999 version in the Archive, I think it’s from 2000 (I’ll have a look at the Shimano codes when I pick it up) and I can see it’s 9th out of 10 in this frame range so not particularly exotic.
Were there any differences other than kit/groups? And is there anything I should be looking out for problem wise?
Were there any differences other than kit/groups? And is there anything I should be looking out for problem wise?
gtturbo
Senior Retro Guru
I think the main thing to look out for issue wise is the headshok fork. Can get expensive if that needs sorting or so I have read as some custom tools needed hence most people have to send them off for repair. I have an old SuperV with a headshok that needs attention however mine is elastomer, I'm guessing the one above is air, so I'm hoping mine should be much more straightforward. Can always get some adapters and put in a 1 1/8" fork as a worse case scenario however.
Peachy!
Retrobike Rider
BoTM Winner
Gold Trader
rBoTM Triple Crown
rBotM Winner
98+ BoTM Winner
Claud Butler Fan
VCC Claud Butler ME
- Feedback
- View
Picked it up yesterday, quick look over the LX kit and seatpost has it as an early 2001 model. Not going to go full on Peachy mental on this as it’s destined for the lads mates to borrow when required. Quick strip down, proper clean,, some new cables and outers where needed and that will be it. Oh and the shock seems to be operating just fine if a little dry sounding. Anyone got any service tips for it?
- Feedback
- View
Leave it alone! And cross everything.
Last edited:
Cannondales are great bikes, there are differences in the tubesets used but a few do share frames.
As mentioned already, the fork is the only real problem, there are a few posts on here about them and someone has the tools too from memory.
As mentioned already, the fork is the only real problem, there are a few posts on here about them and someone has the tools too from memory.
old_coyote_pedaller
MacRetro Rider
- Feedback
- View
Servicing is the same as for any bike except for the Headshok, about all you can do to that since you don't have the necessary tools, is lube the needle bearings under rubber boot which would be a good idea as this is something that gets neglected. Give it a good clean before removing cable ties as you don't want any dirt getting in. A full stripdown/rebuild if dirt gets in is only option, mega commitment if you've got tools, expensive if not. Slide the boot down and lube the exposed sliders/bearings, cycle fork up and down to move grease further up into bearings. Don't use oil, it just drains away, Cannondale specify a special grease but you're not likely to find any. I just used a decent bike grease, not too thick nor too runny.
The rubber boot does look compressed a bit, think the fork has a coil spring with an elastomer inside it, fairly sure it doesn't have anything more sophisticated. The spring should be OK but the elastomers do tend to die, they are tapered like the spring so replacement will need to be same shape as it fits inside spring. They are like rocking horse shit. You could try shaping an elastomer from something like an old Rockshok fork. Think the travel on these Headshoks is 60mm so not much, need the elastomer/spring to be OK or you'd be as well riding a rigid fork.
I took apart a similar old Headshok a couple of years ago, will have rummage in my stash of crap to see what nick the insides were. I do remember it was basically knackered, I'd got it from Edinburgh Bike Station for a tenner just to get the Headshok headset cups that it had.
Have you had the fork off the bike? Just noticed in the pic of bike stripped down that top bearing in headset seems to be partially out of top headset cup.
The rubber boot does look compressed a bit, think the fork has a coil spring with an elastomer inside it, fairly sure it doesn't have anything more sophisticated. The spring should be OK but the elastomers do tend to die, they are tapered like the spring so replacement will need to be same shape as it fits inside spring. They are like rocking horse shit. You could try shaping an elastomer from something like an old Rockshok fork. Think the travel on these Headshoks is 60mm so not much, need the elastomer/spring to be OK or you'd be as well riding a rigid fork.
I took apart a similar old Headshok a couple of years ago, will have rummage in my stash of crap to see what nick the insides were. I do remember it was basically knackered, I'd got it from Edinburgh Bike Station for a tenner just to get the Headshok headset cups that it had.
Have you had the fork off the bike? Just noticed in the pic of bike stripped down that top bearing in headset seems to be partially out of top headset cup.
