1999 F2000 Dream Build? Vintage w/ modern twist feedback (Cancelled)

[cannondalefanatic]

Hello fellow Cannondale owners. I recently bought an older Cannondale F2000. While it does have many of the original components, some of the parts are quite old/worn (ex. anodized parts are quite faded, plastic a getting a little brittle, etc.). So, one option I was considering was to outfit it with modern components. Thing is, there are lots of different directions one could go with this build. Do I simply update to a modern mountain bike, or perhaps create a gravel bike, commuter bike, etc.?

I thought it'd be interesting to see what others would do if they had the chance to outfit this vintage frame. Please reply with your preferred build components if you were going to build this up for yourself. Thanks!

Frame: 1999 Cannondale F2000
Fork: Headshok Fatty SL (rebuilt)
Stem:
Handlebars:
Grips:
Bar Ends (Y/N):
Brakes/Rotors:
Shifters:
Seatpost:
Saddle:
Seatpost Collar:
Bottom Bracket:
Crank:
Drivetrain config (1x/2x/3x):
Chain:
Cassette:
Rear Derailleur:
Pedals:
Wheels:
Tires:

 

[cannondalefanatic]

A few more shots of the frame:

 

[cannondalefanatic]

Current "build". This was before getting the Headshok rebuilt with Mendon Cyclesmith.

 

[Len]

Wow...that is stunning! I've always wanted one in that color.
I always like to keep my older Cannondale hardtails mostly stock, except update to modern disc brakes (if possible) and stem/handlebar. That thing would be fun as is though...

 

[black lightning 1987]

Love the Afterburner fade. If it were mine, I'd keep it as close to stock as possible. That said, I could see doing a complete modern build for riding and keeping the original bits stored away.

 

[cannondalefanatic]

Thank you both for the feedback. I'm curious actually, since you both have mentioned keeping stock, do these bikes tend to sell for more if they are kept as close to stock as possible? I'm wondering because right now my options are building for myself and riding, or fix up and sell. If it were for myself, I'd rather outfit with modern components, but my reluctance is that the frame is too large (I usually ride a 16" frame). Plus if I had a choice I'd prefer the Volvo blue color (this one was too beautiful though to pass up so that's why I bought)

If I were to try and sell, what would be your suggestion for the parts that are faded (see below)? You can see the once black parts are now almost brown. Should I just scour eBay to try and find replacements, or is there a good source for NOS parts for these type of projects?

 

[Len]

Those CODA parts always faded like that...I think I've got a few of those handlebars and seatpost clamps and all are faded.

If you were wanting it as your primary bike, I'd do some updating (brakes, wider handlebar, etc.). If you already have a modern bike as your primary, I'd keep it as close to stock as possible. Just my opinion... I have a modern bike as my primary and keep my older Cannondales mostly stock. That way when I do take them out for a ride it reminds me of riding years ago and makes me feel all nostalgic, haha.

I picked up a mint 2000 F700SX in Volvo blue fade a couple years ago and did the same thing...new brakes and slightly wider handlebar made a huge difference.

 

[black lightning 1987]

You never know where NOS parts will show up but ebay is the best bet. I bought several NOS Headshok stems from a bike shop a few years back. You could check with long time Cannondale dealers like Russell's in Washington IL and Big Shark in St. Louis. You might consider looking around Veloswap in Denver next fall.

https://www.veloswap.com/

I wouldn't worry too much about the faded parts though. I don't think demand is high enough for most older bikes to justify spending much getting them ready to sell. What size is the F2000?

 

[cannondalefanatic]

You never know where NOS parts will show up but ebay is the best bet. I bought several NOS Headshok stems from a bike shop a few years back. You could check with long time Cannondale dealers like Russell's in Washington IL and Big Shark in St. Louis. You might consider looking around Veloswap in Denver next fall.

https://www.veloswap.com/

I wouldn't worry too much about the faded parts though. I don't think demand is high enough for most older bikes to justify spending much getting them ready to sell. What size is the F2000?

It's a 20" (center of bb to top of seat tube). Classified as an X-Large in the 1999 catalog.

Thank you for the info and insight on older parts.

 

[cannondalefanatic]

I think I've convinced myself to go ahead and try to sell, but keeping the build closer to stock (if I'm going to keep one for awhile I really want to find a Volvo Blue F3000 or CAAD4 frame that's my size). I think I've been able to find a CODA handlebar in better shape, but the big question I have is tires. When I was still thinking modern build, I'd bought some Schwalbe Table Tops with the "tan" wall that I thought might go well with the paint scheme (see pics below). But if I were to keep more to stock I could try and find some redwall IRC Mythos XC or go with some newer modern IRC Mythos. Let me know which ones you think would be more appealing to a buyer:

• Schwalbe Table Tops 2.2" (Tan Walls)
• Retro IRC Mythos XC 1.95"(Red Walls)
• New IRC Mythos XC 2.25" (Black Walls)

 

[black lightning 1987]

I'd like to have vintage IRCs on my bike but they aren't cheap and may not hold up well due to sidewall dry rot. Some potential buyers might be interested in original looking tires but others may not care. Since you already have the Schwalbes, I'd sell it with them unless you want to keep them for another bike. If that's the case I would probably put something cheap on it and let the buyer pick out what they want.

 

[Zachariah]

Restore Cannondale to OEM brings absolute, best resale value. Only do resto-mod, if you plan on keeping it forever. Don't bother with the old, wire-bead IRC Mythos XC 1.95-2.10, as they dry rot badly. IRC did make a later, Kevlar/Aramid folding version too. If you want to stick with Skinwall tires.... look into Panaracer Smoke: same Japanese-made, but much better durability and foldable too.

 

[black lightning 1987]

Some models in 1999-2000 came with Ritchey, Continental, or Hutchinson tires. I have a pair of the blackwall Hutchinson Mosquitos which are probably less prone to rot than any skinwall.

 

[JimGreen]

I purchased a new F2000 almost as soon as they came out in 1999, after having my F700 stolen on it's transit back to England. My F2000 was the same color as yours and one of the first hydraulic disc braked bikes (That worked). But for some reason I just never quite fell in love with it as I had with my F700, even though the F2000 was a much more capable bike.

Having said that, I rode it around some of Alaska's best trails and it never let me down. I sold it before I was due to return to England for close to the same as I paid for it.

Looking forward to following your restoration, but the frame looks mint !!!!! someone either really looked after it, or it never went out...... LOL.

 

[Brian]

Awesome build. I would go with the "Schwalbe Table Tops 2.2". I love the red side wall. But nice new tires I feel are always the best.

I still wish I had a set of red side wall IRC. I wish they would just re-release...

and yes, the CODA bars are all like that. I am also looking for a set of bars... I have a few sets all destroyed..

 

[JimGreen]

Looking forward to your updates .....

 

[cannondalefanatic]

Looking forward to your updates .....

Sorry to disappoint, but I actually sold this one off. A size too large and wanted to find a Team Bule instead. I'll start a new post on that one though as my intention has been the same.

 

[black lightning 1987]

I thought that the frame sold pretty well. Were you happy with what it brought?

 

[cannondalefanatic]

I thought that the frame sold pretty well. Were you happy with what it brought?

The frame was a bit of a hassle to deal with but overall I was able to break even and make a little bit over what was put into it.