What 'dale frame is this and how shall I build it up??!

[LikeClockwork]

Years ago had a mango coloured 'dale that was too big for me so used it as a road bike and just loved it and the look of the smooth welds, so have always wanted another one, but have struggled to get one at right price...until this...

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=283786

Not to doubt the seller, but is it what he thinks age and model wise? Should I worry about the paint loss, and how well do they take to resprays if done professionally?

Also, it's got the headset reducers, but how does anyone else think I should build it up, be patient for the right forks (which are what exactly headshok wise?) or put some period non 'shok ones on, and what exactly will it take travel wise??

(It's already paid for so there's no going back!)

Thanks

 

[LikeClockwork]

It's arrived!! (Thanks, David)

Quick look on vintage Cannondale site seems to point to date code of June, 1998. Can anyone shed light on the model? Do any of the other letters/numbers on the BB shell help with ID?

Also, how do people feel about the headset reducers as a long term fitting, shall I not worry about it and fit standard forks, or go for the headshok and the proper headset as 'dale intended?

 

[Scarfacexxx08]

I would imagine it would take 80-100mm forks, I'm not a fan of headshock forks! In my opinion regular forks or even a lefty would be better to run.

The standard paint is easy to strip, so aslong as you use a decent primer and paint you'll be fine

 

[amedias]

I wouldn't worry about the paint loss, unless they're mothballed most Dales suffer from that era suffer with bubbling and flaking to some degree or another, normally it's around the dropouts and BB but not always, the paintjobs weren't great and a bit of a scratch and moisture and it just starts falling off. Getting it stripped and powder coated would be relatively cheap (£40 isn) and would bring it back to looking almost new.

Model wise it's pretty much irrelevant as apart from the very very top and very ver bottom of the range all the F' series bikes shared the frame and just had different component specs.

ie: all F series with Caad3 frames were the same frame regardless of model number, the lower end ones used the older Caad2 and then when Caad4 came along it was just for the top models until that also trickled down.

I've got a lovely Caad3 in same colour but a year or two later with black decals that I've run with both Fatty Headshox and Lefty over the years, love it both ways, just depends if you want a 60-80mm short travel build or a 100mm+ build, the frames are very adaptable and work equally well.

few pics below of mine in Headshok, 100mm Left, and 140mm Left guise, all runs as SS though, head on over to Vintage Cannondale for some more period correct build ideas...

 

[amedias]

Also, should add, if you do want to find a Headshok or lefty for it then Tony at Thumbprint tuning in Devon (was Woodbury, he's now moved/ing to Exmouth) is the man to speak to for servicing them or even getting one built from his box of spares ;-)

 

[LikeClockwork]

Thank you! Helpful info and superb pics, really inspiring, think may just have a go at the paintwork myself if the weather (ever) warms up.

In the meantime, think will just get it built somehow, should have everything for it bar forks by the end of next week, and could temporarily put my long rigid forks on it (off a Carrera Subway so not light!!) Interesting that you've single speeded yours too, that was an option in the back of my mind due to it's light weight, I just don't like the aesthetics of a chain tensioner and can't afford an eccentric BB. How did you SS yours and manage to bypass the mech hanger??

 

[amedias]

White Industries ENO hub for the Singlespeed without tensioner magic ;-)

If you're stuck for a fork I have a 70mm travel red Headshok with the correct yellow and black decals and a yellow boot in the loft, I'm not going to sell it cos it belongs with a Super V that I'm planning to rebuild at some point but if you're ever down this way and want to borrow it to see if it suits then you're more than welcome!

 

[LikeClockwork]

Wow! Thank you, that's an incredibly generous offer! Though I think I'd be worried to death that it would get stolen or something, even though I live up a track in the middle of nowhere

Have a mate down your way, have been trying to meet up with him for ages to collect some bits, but flood water and work has so far prevented our best efforts... :facepalm: so I will bear it in mind...

 

[amedias]

No worries, the Super V is staying in the loft till the summer so just drop me a PM if you want to sort something out in between, I'm on and off here so sometimes take a few days to reply though!

 

[LikeClockwork]

Thank you, will do.

I've just got the frame down off the top of my wardrobe and the paint loss is about a tenth of what I remember it being, so I think a quick trip to Boots nail varnish display will sort that quite nicely ( a la Mr History Man with his Kona, lol!)

In the meantime the frame can stay on display on my floor, don't mind any black marks on the cream carpet as long as the carpet doesn't damage the frame