Cannondale Tandem questions

estjguardin

Active Member
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estjguardin

Active Member
Can you help identify any specific information on this bike from the serial number please. I believe it's a 1997-1999 from the head decal. Thanks!
 
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letsbike

Well-Known Member
Your pictures are not showing the complete serial number. Remove the Philips head screw that is holding the cable guide in place to reveal the whole bottom bracket shell. The serial number will look like the attached picture.
Please let us know what you find.

Based on the color (Iris Blue) and those distinctive hydraulic brakes I'd say you have a 1998 RT3000.
 

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letsbike

Well-Known Member
Do you know anything about the Texas State (college I presume) decal on the bike?

And thanks for sharing. In my opinion we don't see enough tandems on this website. :cool: They're cool.
 

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letsbike

Well-Known Member
Also: If you are new to tandeming, I would suggest getting tires that will hold 120psi and keeping them at pressure (28mm width minimum). With the weight of two riders, tandems are prone to pinch flats.
 
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estjguardin

Active Member
Your pictures are not showing the complete serial number. Remove the Philips head screw that is holding the cable guide in place to reveal the whole bottom bracket shell. The serial number will look like the attached picture.
Please let us know what you find.

Based on the color (Iris Blue) and those distinctive hydraulic brakes I'd say you have a 1998 RT3000.
Excellent information. Exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks so much. I’ll pull that screw and post pictures.
 

estjguardin

Active Member
First! I am IMPRESSED! I searched all over for the information you gave me already. Thank you. Next, can't believe I didn't know to remove the cable guide to find more serial numbers. Kind of embarrassed! I'll download the complete serial numbers following this post, although I'm still not absolutely positive what one of the digits is. Apparently in 1998, they didn't have a machine to stamp the serial numbers legibly, lol. So about the "Texas State University Nutrition" decal. The guy I bought it from said his son raced for Texas State University Racing Team. I contacted TSU and asked for information, specifically, if they had a TANDEM Race Team, but haven't heard back from them. Their current website does show both a current road and mountain bike racing team, but not Tandem. If/when I hear back, I'll update you. If you can decipher the actual serial number from the pictures, please add it, so I can keep it for my records.
 
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estjguardin

Active Member
Looks like the numbers/letters on the left side top are... "H B1 0". (H (space) B1 (space) 0)
 
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letsbike

Well-Known Member
Ha, ha. Sometimes the easy ones aren't so easy. Could you provide a picture of the bike's drivetrain? I am still thinking that it is a 1998 build. Go to the home page, look up the 1998 catalog and go to the end for bike specifications. If your components mostly match what the catalog says, it's a 1998. Meanwhile look to the left of the "H" for another letter. I'm thinking that there is one yet unseen.
 

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estjguardin

Active Member
Ha, ha. Sometimes the easy ones aren't so easy. Could you provide a picture of the bike's drivetrain? I am still thinking that it is a 1998 build. I once bought a three year old NOS tandem from Trek that the factory just couldn't sell without discounting it 50%.
Will do when I get back home. Thank.
 

estjguardin

Active Member
Ha, ha. Sometimes the easy ones aren't so easy. Could you provide a picture of the bike's drivetrain? I am still thinking that it is a 1998 build. Go to the home page, look up the 1998 catalog and go to the end for bike specifications. If your components mostly match what the catalog says, it's a 1998. Meanwhile look to the left of the "H" for another letter. I'm thinking that there is one yet unseen.
lol. I missed ANOTHER ONE! lol. Posting drivetrain pictures now. Sheesh. Looks like they used a hammer and chisel to stamp these numbers. We’ve come a long way some then. It’s an ”I” or a “1”, prolly an “I”, my guess.
 

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estjguardin

Active Member
Looks like I have a 1997 built in August. Not sure the other numbers really mean much. FYI, I paid $650 for it. Its in GREAT shape and everything works perfectly. Thanks so much for your guidance. If you know/find more please send it my direction. I’ve really enjoyed the journey so far. I’ve ridden my old Santana Sovereign from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Victorville 3 times. Once with my daughter, once with my ex, and once by myself. (the first time with my with, she wasn't ready and blew out her knee, so I sent the back seat assemby, her pedals AND HER home on a plane! That was the fastest trip. lol.
 

letsbike

Well-Known Member
Yes, a August 1997 frame built for a 1998 model.

I'm glad you got to the bottom of your query. I like to ask members with yet to be cleaned, and/or restored bikes to consider putting them in the Gallery when they see fit. It's a great resource for us bike Oglers and those who come after us.

I have owned two tandems over the years as an equalizer in my wife's and mine power levels, a Trek, and a Santa Team Niobium. The Santana saw service in many century rides, a 5300 mile bike tour, and a few shorter tours. Then it was quickly disposed of. A time and place for everything.

You sound like a very accomplished rider, and I look forward to seeing and reading whatever you may post in the future.

That is really a funky rear derailleur. Innovation, good and bad, really abounds in the bike industry.

I did my best on the picture. It was hard to make it very clear.
 

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estjguardin

Active Member
Thanks for all the information! Another question, back then, did they still measure frame sizes from the center of the crank bolt to the top of the top tube, just in front of where the top tube meets to seat tube? I get a 22/20" measurement. Or is it to the very TOP of the seat tube? Inquiring minds want to know!
 
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letsbike

Well-Known Member
Since the catalog lists a 23/21 size, I'd say that's your answer.

It looks like the San Francisco to Victorville ride is about 474 miles. Would you say that's accurate? Or did you follow the coast?
 
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estjguardin

Active Member
Perfect size for us! and yes almost 500 miles over 6 days. Nothing like your 5,300 ride!!! That's impressive! We followed the coast all the way down to Santa Monica, where we turned inland! Camped along the way. I also rode from the San Fran to LA civic Center in a weekend race called "The Great California land Rush" Tough, because it was a TON of climbing!
My big "claim to fame" was finishing "The Furnace Creek 508" to qualify for the Race Across America. I was an "Official Finisher" but finished just outside the "Qualify" time margin. There was 35,000 feet of climbing. I had to "finish" in under 48 hours just to get an "Official Finisher" designation. That was my goal since I was competing against professional riders. Now, at my age, I just ride to try to "keep my belly from sticking out farther than my dickey do" lol
 
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