mtb-timeline

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:

• goatsurfer catalogs

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