Super V prototype? value

[cchulada]

Hello everyone.
I have what we believe to be an original cannondale prototype for the super V. I inherited the bike from my brother, and was told it was one of only five made for the race team before the first commercially available Super V. It is unpainted all aluminum, and a number of parts are number stamped or engraved.
All components are well worn or not original. The value would be in the unique and collectable nature of the frame.
Thanks for any info you can provide!!

Cliff
Bow, NH

 

[black lightning 1987]

I have some doubts about it being a prototype due to the January 1994 build date code. Super Vs were in the 1994 catalog and some would have to have been made in 1993 before the catalog photos were taken. My guess would be that prototypes would have been tested in 1992. Nice example of an early SV though.

 

[cchulada]

I have some doubts about it being a prototype due to the January 1994 build date code. Super Vs were in the 1994 catalog and some would have to have been made in 1993 before the catalog photos were taken. My guess would be that prototypes would have been tested in 1992. Nice example of an early SV though.

Thanks. Perhaps custom for race team? It does not seem to be production based on the catalogs available online?

 

[black lightning 1987]

I don't recall any team bikes that were unpainted but Cannondale supported lots of teams. I have road frames from two different teams but no team MTB frames. A friend raced for a Cannondale sponsored team but only on road I think. I'll try to ask what he remembers.

 

[roKWiz]

Hi everyone. Looking at that alloy tapered straight blade front fork with the number of ribs in the boot appears to be off an early 1995 V1000.

 

[JohnnyD]

Hi everyone. Looking at that alloy tapered straight blade front fork with the number of ribs in the boot appears to be off an early 1995 V1000.

I was thinking the bike is a 1995 Super V 1000 that has had the carbon swing arm replaced with a polished aluminum one, perhaps under warranty or repair since the carbon ones had some cracking issues.
It is not uncommon at all to have a bike with a previous year date code , my 2001 Jekyll 2000 has a build code from 1999! (KK) . I have seen another 2001 Jekyll with a KL on it that is still in possession of the original owner.

 

[cchulada]

Thanks all for the input! So, any value to this thing? I has been a regular rider for me, but i'd like to sell to upgrade.

 

[JohnnyD]

Depending on your area and how active the used "vintage" 26" MTB market is there, I'd say 400-500. You might get a bit more thanks to the period correct higher end parts like the XTR brakes and rear derailleur as well as the XT front derailleur and crankset.
A lot of people would much rather pay that kind of money for a new MTB vs. old since we live in a society that places more only having the latest and greatest things. This is especially prevalent in the bike market.

 

[Brian]

Hello,

The early V's had braces by the head tube. My memory of it very foggy. I think this is a standard frame. the F in SN is a 94. There are a few 93's. They are the ones with Purple headsets. Some of those have the brace.

For value. It is basically a frame/fork. And a cool XTR rear dérailleur. Somebody can restore it.

 

[cchulada]

Hi everyone. Looking at that alloy tapered straight blade front fork with the number of ribs in the boot appears to be off an early 1995 V10

Hello,

The early V's had braces by the head tube. My memory of it very foggy. I think this is a standard frame. the F in SN is a 94. There are a few 93's. They are the ones with Purple headsets. Some of those have the brace.

For value. It is basically a frame/fork. And a cool XTR rear dérailleur. Somebody can restore it.

Thank you Brian.
It is confusing.... the 94's seem to have the aluminum swing arm, but not the straight front fork (in regular production according to catalogs). The 95's have the straight fork, but the carbon swing arm. Maybe one or the other were changed at one point, or maybe this was in "in between" sample? I've tried contacting Cannondale directly with no reply. The XTR derailleur was definitely a later add as was the boot on the headshock.

 

[cchulada]

Does anyone know the code meanings of the numbers engraved to the right of the date codes: "03305 4G17" ?

 

[cchulada]

Thank you Brian.
It is confusing.... the 94's seem to have the aluminum swing arm, but not the straight front fork (in regular production according to catalogs). The 95's have the straight fork, but the carbon swing arm. Maybe one or the other were changed at one point, or maybe this was in "in between" sample? I've tried contacting Cannondale directly with no reply. The XTR derailleur was definitely a later add as was the boot on the headshock.

Hello,

The early V's had braces by the head tube. My memory of it very foggy. I think this is a standard frame. the F in SN is a 94. There are a few 93's. They are the ones with Purple headsets. Some of those have the brace.

For value. It is basically a frame/fork. And a cool XTR rear dérailleur. Somebody can restore it.

Looks like this could be my answer, a limited mid-year production in 1994 (catalog picture attached) had both the straight fork and aluminum swing arm.

 

[letsbike]

I've been waiting for a 1994 Super V to show up so I could share this.
Advertisement taken from September 20, 1993 Velonews.

 

[cchulada]

I've been waiting for a 1994 Super V to show up so I could share this.
Advertisement taken from September 20, 1993 Velonews.

 

[JohnnyD]

Hello,

The early V's had braces by the head tube. My memory of it very foggy. I think this is a standard frame. the F in SN is a 94. There are a few 93's. They are the ones with Purple headsets. Some of those have the brace.

For value. It is basically a frame/fork. And a cool XTR rear dérailleur. Somebody can restore it.

I know where one '94 Super V is... It's going to look very nicer with the Lefty DLR 100 I just bought for it. It still needs a good shock rebuild and all the bearings replaced on it.

 

[Brian]

Does anyone know the code meanings of the numbers engraved to the right of the date codes: "03305 4G17" ?

Only pre 2007 Cannondale has this info. Modern day Cannondale was purchased from the previous owner in 2022. Both companies do not can 1 thing about the past.

And I agree, looks like the red V.

 

[roKWiz]

I was thinking the bike is a 1995 Super V 1000 that has had the carbon swing arm replaced with a polished aluminum one, perhaps under warranty or repair since the carbon ones had some cracking issues.
It is not uncommon at all to have a bike with a previous year date code , my 2001 Jekyll 2000 has a build code from 1999! (KK) . I have seen another 2001 Jekyll with a KL on it that is still in possession of the original owner.

Yes I came to the same conclusion a 94 V1000 with a polished swingarm.

My own bought new in 95, V700 started out with a straight blade tapered chromoly front folk.
Don't know why but these folks came with threaded eyelets in the sides of the blade and lower threaded tangs.
It allowed me to fit lower rider front panniers to the bike, when I later did some cycle touring

 

[black lightning 1987]

I've been waiting for a 1994 Super V to show up so I could share this.
Advertisement taken from September 20, 1993 Velonews.

So some 1994 models were in production late summer of 1993. I wonder if they were in stores when the magazine was published.