Table of Contents
Cannondale
Cannondale started selling cycling gear in 19731) and didn't start selling touring bicycles until 1983. Cannondale uniquely used oversized aluminum tubing in their American made frames which quickly became an industry standard. In 1988 Cannondale was sold to Dorel Industries, which also owns Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Charge and Caloi. Cannondale remains a successful bicycle brand today: link.
resources:
https://crankyscorner.net/tag/cannondale
Cannondale was founded in Wilton, CT, next to this train station.
1984 SM-500
All Cannondale mountain bikes had smaller 24“ rear wheels with a larger 26” front wheel, from 1984 → 1985. 2) From 1986 → 1988, Cannondale continued to sell mullet mountain bikes as an option.
The SM-500 had a Aluminum frame, 24” rear, 26“ front, bmx seatpost and rear brakes with a sprung Brooks saddle and Shimano XT derailleurs.
1984 SM-500
vintagecannondale
1985 SM600
The SM600 was an upgrade from the 1984 SM-500, with full SunTour components, including decent brakes, seatpost, better Nitto handlebars, etc. The SM500 remained with the same components, but with down-graded skinnier, smooth tires.
1985 SM600,
vintagecannondale
1986 SM600
Now with 26” wheels, but spec'd with 26 x 1 1/8“ tires 3), which are narrower than most touring tires. Swap the tires, and it was the bike to get.
1986 SM600
reddit
1987 SM900
Suntour XC 9000 (1987-88), SunTour XC Rollercams, custom factory? paint. Owned by a Canondale employee. Aluminum frame, steel fork.
1987 SM900
vintagemtbworkshop
1988 SM600
SunTour XCD 6000 (1988-89), Al frame, Tange fork, catalog spec.
1988 SM600
happyride.se
1989 SM900 Red Shred
Shimano Deore (1989), biopace cranks, catalog spec.
1989 SM900 Red Shred
retrobike
1990 SM1000
Shimano Deore DX (1990-94), oversized Al frame, Ritchey fork, catalog spec.
1990 SM1000
retrobike
1991 SE1000
Rear Cannondale E.S.T. (Elevated Suspension Technology), front Girvin flex stem, SunTour XC Comp, almost catalog spec, weird rear cable stop, Al frame, Cannondale Pepperoni fork (aluminum blades.)
1991 SE1000
mombat
1992 Delta V 2000
Full Shimano XT, front mono-shock, rear EST oil dampened shock, AL frame and fork arms, non-original cranks.
1992 Delta V 2000
ebay
1993 Delta V 1000
SunTour XC Comp MD, mono-shock front, EST rear rear, rare stock CODA XYZ super long bar ends. Al frame and fork blades. 27 pounds.
1993 Delta V 1000
retrobike
1)
Cannondale did this only to fund development of their real passion: an ammonia based internal combustion engine. Cannondale has an odd genesis: wikipedia
3)
Seriously, the catalog states this: https://vintagecannondale.com/year/1986/1986.pdf. However, all pics show fat tires.