Found this mixed in with some beat up Walmart bikes for $10 ea. I had never heard of Cannondale bikes but it seemed special. 1985 SC 300, little used and stored inside. Serial number says it‘s 18”. I’m pushing 70, but they say you never forget. I’ve put 10+ miles on it. Seems like it should be a collector item, but not worth much here in the north MN boonies.
letsbike
Well-Known Member
I was just looking at this bicycle, in the catalog, the other day. What struck me was the horizontal top tube as compared to a mountain bike's sloping tube. At $395 it was a pretty pricey for the time. My 1986 Schwinn Columbus tubed Voyageur cost $300 new, a 25% difference. I think that's where Cannondale struggled in the marketplace; being price competitive. The exotic materials and U.S. labor surely was the cause of that.
This is such a unique machine. I would love to see you take pictures of different angles, and any unique components, and add it to the gallery page. This might be the precursor to the modern hybrid bicycle.
With the exception of the rear rack (and maybe the tires), this bicycle seems to have 100% of its factory parts intact. Including the brake pads!! I am curious as to what brand rack that is (It looks to be a Vetta). The catalog shows a Cannondale rack. But we all know that the catalog is never gospel to the supply chain issues.
This is such a unique machine. I would love to see you take pictures of different angles, and any unique components, and add it to the gallery page. This might be the precursor to the modern hybrid bicycle.
With the exception of the rear rack (and maybe the tires), this bicycle seems to have 100% of its factory parts intact. Including the brake pads!! I am curious as to what brand rack that is (It looks to be a Vetta). The catalog shows a Cannondale rack. But we all know that the catalog is never gospel to the supply chain issues.
Attachments
Last edited:
Thanks for the kind words! I’ll work on some gallery pics. The rear rack is marked “Mtn Rack - Blackburn” but the bag itself is Cannondale. Tires are “Specialized Crossroads” made in Japan. Original tires were USA made? I found that catalog listing and guessing the fenders & Cat-Eye reflectors are generic dealer installed accessories, fenders are marked ESGE.
The CATEYEMATE thing on front wheel has a sensor & wire going up to a mount on handlebars, apparently a speedometer / odometer / trip computer but the removable unit itself is missing. High tech stuff in the 80s.
Catalog shows available sizes as 19, 21, 23, & 25”, serial number shows this one is 18”, and mfg date Sept 24, 1985. Will try adding some pics here.
Attachments
IdahoBrett
Well-Known Member
Very nice! A brand new old(er) Cannondale! Thanks for sharing!
That Cateyemate sensor ring is neat!
That Cateyemate sensor ring is neat!
letsbike
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the additional pictures.
This bike has gotten me looking looking at the City/ Urban bikes on this sites Gallery page. Using my bicycle as a commuter for so long has given me an appreciation for those that do the same, & there are some pretty cool machines displayed.
If anyone is looking for a light Summer read, I'd like to suggest a book titled Bike Tribes. It puts different people's uses of their bicycles into perspective. I found it enjoyable.
Another thing about this bicycle I found interesting was the branding of the Cannondale name on parts such as the wheel rims and rear cluster spoke protector. That's something that may be on a lot of bicycles, but I had never noticed before.
This bike has gotten me looking looking at the City/ Urban bikes on this sites Gallery page. Using my bicycle as a commuter for so long has given me an appreciation for those that do the same, & there are some pretty cool machines displayed.
If anyone is looking for a light Summer read, I'd like to suggest a book titled Bike Tribes. It puts different people's uses of their bicycles into perspective. I found it enjoyable.
Another thing about this bicycle I found interesting was the branding of the Cannondale name on parts such as the wheel rims and rear cluster spoke protector. That's something that may be on a lot of bicycles, but I had never noticed before.
Attachments
Last edited:
I can't recall seeing a size that wasn't in the catalog before. I'm thinking that the 1985 catalog has the wrong sizes listed. 1986 sizes for the same frames were all even numbers. Great bike.
Always a rush in manufacturing to submit catalog info to the printers, while sales, engineering, production, and accountants are still arguing about what will be built.