Little Red: 1988 24"x24" Cannondale SM700

[doctor-bond]

So, inspired by this month’s BOTM, I thought I’d dig out and dust off this old ’Dale:




I bought this as frame and wheels yonks ago from Raidan, and it’s been well enjoyed by at least two of my kids, going through a number of incarnations. It’s a double 24” wheel model with a rear roller cam and typically high BB; 86 or 88 if memory serves.



The frame is now buseifully patinated but we’ve gussied it up with some Nitto and Deerhead and the boys are trial and erroring gear ratios to see what works (the wheels are oddly euro with Maillard hubs and Sun hoops, and 5 speed even though the rear OLN is 130).

 

[raidan73]

Nice to see that again

 

[Synthiaks]

So, inspired by this month’s BOTM, I thought I’d dig out and dust off this old ’Dale:

View attachment 583352


I bought this yonks ago from Raidan, and it’s been well enjoyed by at least two of my kids, going through a number of incarnations. It’s a double 24” wheel model with a rear roller cam and typically high BB; 86 or 88 if memory serves.

View attachment 583354

The frame is now buseifully patinated but we’ve gussied it up with some Nitto and Deerhead and the boys are trial and erroring gear ratios to see what works (the wheels are oddly euro with Maillard hubs and Sun hoops, and 5 speed even though the rear OLN is 130).

View attachment 583365

View attachment 583366

you have my vote.....been trying to inport a 17" sm500 for a while from aguy on ebay, lots of back 'n' forth but too expensive with import etc....i have a 1990 SM2000, but 26"so not eligable.

 

[doctor-bond]

Looking at the serial number shows this to be a 1988 frame; which makes the wheels a bit of a puzzle; they feel original (and have a magnificent Cannondale pie plate).

Perusing the excellent https://vintagecannondale.com/ catalogues provides a few clues. In 1988 there were 3 frame options -
The All Terrain: SM1000 Red Shred (cool paint), SM700 (standard paint).
The All terrain with shorter chainstays and a 24" rear wheel, 26" front. SM600.
The SM500 with a level top tube. SM500.



The paint pins Little Red as a 16" SM700, which means it should have had RM20s and Deore 6 speed.

Going back to 1987, you find that 24x24 was available on the 16" models, but with Araya rims; yet the 'sturdy dependable' SM400 cruiser was rocking the Sun Rims and Maillard hubs with a 5 speed block ... but no 24" option.



So who knows: @raidan73 speculated that it could have been a warranty frame replacement, which sounds plausible, or maybe an odd interim unpublished spec that got through? Either way, I think the anachronistic built suits these small frames.

And it survives and thrives - here's some daylight(ish) pics.

 

[doctor-bond]

Been having a rummage in the cave and noticed some pedals that I’d assumed where generic modern budget flatties.

Turns our that they are MX15s from the M700 Deerhead XT group: who knew ....

Any way, will get the boy stripping back what looks like black paint and then try em on the Canny.

 

[DrGooGoo]

Nice little bike