An Assistance request for help in identifying model number for 1995 (Euro?) Cannondale Racing Bicycle and locating associated Cannondale Catalog.

[JCannondale]

Hello Cannondale Forum,

I am a Cannondale enthusiast and was a licensed US Cycling Federation Category 3 Junior Racer in my teenager years in Washington DC during the early 1980s. At the time, I worked at Proteus Bicycle Shop (closed decades ago) which was an authorized Cannondale Bicycle dealership, where I worked on and sold Cannondale Bicycles. During my time at Proteus, I worked and save to buy my very own first entry level racing bicycle, a Cannondale SR300. Racing and working in that bicycle shop around Cannondale bicycles was best time of my life. I practically left my pay checks in that shop buying bicycle parts, bicycles, and apparel.

Decades later, in my 50s, as a birthday present, and several bicycles and pounds later, my brother gave me a second hand 60 CM green 1995 (?) vintage Cannondale (re-living my youth), which is missing the model number sticker. The bicycle came with Campagnolo components. I think the parts are Campagnolo C Record. I am not sure. I tried searching this bicycle on the Vintage Cannondale site to try to look up the matching bicycle catalogue for my bicycle. However, I was unable to find the specific model, year, and stock parts that match the bicycle you see in the pics provided. As per my conversation with riderssupport@cannondale.com, they believe that this bicycle was manufactured and came factory equipped with Campy Parts for the European market. Some how over decades it was brought over here from Europe. With this said, I was unable to find or download any vintage 1995 PDF European catalogs for use in historically identifying the bicycle for restoration purposes. Can you please tell me which model bicycle I have and year? Can you provide or direct me where I can find the specific catalogs for my bicycle. Are the Campagnolo components stock components for my Cannondale, or do you believe the frame was sold separately and non-stock Campagnolo components installed afterwards? Any history or information you can provide me with would be greatly appreciated. I have provided the serial number information and pictures of the bicycle for reference.

What is interesting to me is that the same Modolo brand stem and handlebars were offered on the 1990 Cannondale SR 900 (US Market) which came with Campagnolo Athena parts ( not sure if i got Campy C record or Athena parts). It would appear that the Cannondale SR 900 came in only one color scheme, blue white Campagnolo sticker on down tube. I believe that the Icelandic green, which I believe is the color of the bicycle I have (not certain) was offered in 1995 for track bicycles (?), but no specific model and parts match found in the 1995 catalog (US Market).

I look forward to your responses, thank you.

Sincerely,

John

 

[black lightning 1987]

The frame could be from 1995 or 1996 model year given the August 1995 date code. My guess is 1995 as it looks like it could be the Iceland Green paint that was on the R300 that year. Looks to have the aluminum fork that the lower to mid range road bikes came with in those years. The components are Campagnolo Athena circa 1990. I assume that it's 7 speed. That rear derailleur design may have continued through 1991, but was definitely replaced with the 8 speed group by 1993 (can't find my 1992 Campagnolo catalog). It might have been a warranty replacement frame for an earlier bike such as the Athena equipped 1990 SR900. The Modolo stem is also typical of an older bike. Cannondale used Modolo stems on many models from 1988-1991, but had moved to other brands by 1992.

 

[JCannondale]

Great thank you for the information. You are right it is 7 speed. All of the componets are campy except the front derailear ( Shimano 600 clamp on). The bicycle has team stickers.

 

[MEENI]

Nice bike, those brakehandles with good rubbers are worth a fortune these days

 

[black lightning 1987]

If all the decals are under the clear coat it could well have been a team bike. Cannondale supported a lot of regional teams through the years. I have frames from Team Riley and Helen's Cycles that appear to have been factory painted with colors that don't appear in the catalog.

 

[JCannondale]

Thank you Meeni and Ligntning. I agree with you Lightning that the frame is a replacement (95 SR300 Iceland Green Frame, hoping it was Euro issued Cannondale) but the parts probably came from a 1990 SR 900. Do you all believe that this bicycle as a whole is special and collectible aside from the Campy parts even though this is not a genuine 1990 SR900 ( more like a mix of 1995 SR300 Frame and 1990 Athena Campy parts)?

Thanks,

John

 

[JCannondale]

I am wondering what size bottom bracket does this 1995 SR300 frame use?

Thanks,

John

 

[MEENI]

It is not a mega rare bike but but the frames from this era are getting harder to find in a good original shape without dents.
The combi with the collectable campy parts make it a great peace to hold on to

 

[black lightning 1987]

I think that it would be more collectible if it had the blue and white paint of the original SR900 even though the green looks great. The bike still has practical value with a very reliable and somewhat collectible set of components.

The original 1990 bottom bracket would have been a 68 x 111 mm (British thread) loose ball Athena bottom bracket with the traditional fixed right and adjustable left side cups. The loose bearing models can still be found. Campagnolo introduced the cartridge bearing Athena bottom bracket with adjustable cups on both sides in 1992 or 1993. I like that BB because it can be fine tuned for chainline with both cups being adjustable, but that is probably not a concern for a Cannondale 2.8 or 3.0 build. There have been a number of functionally equivalent subsequent models. The best option (certainly the lightest) would be the Centaur BB with black cups, which was introduced in 2005 and was about 50 grams lighter than the earlier Daytona/Centaur AC-H model. There are a bunch of other compatible cartridge bearing options: AC-S, SC-S, Veloce, etc.