L.L. Bean?

[zarky]

I'm going to check out a bike this week that the seller thinks to be a Cannondale.
Its an L.L. Bean bike, What year and model do you all think it is? Is it even a Cannondale? Sorry about the picture quality, they're the seller's pics not mine.

 

[black lightning 1987]

That's the first Bean MTB that I have seen. The others have been touring bikes, made by Cannondale, likely in 1987.

ST400 / L.L.Bean 1987 ( with a new promenade handlebar )

community.vintagecannondale.com

Search Bean on this site for a few more threads and information.

 

[zarky]

Think its worth picking up? Looks like its got sugino crankset and dia compe brakes on it.

 

[black lightning 1987]

Sure, if priced right. Looks to be in good shape, perhaps better than pictures show. I just payed $150 for a similar vintage Cannondale MTB in much rougher shape.

 

[zarky]

Sweet, Im gonna pick it up this week, they want $80 for it. Also managed to negotiate an M900 in trade for a set of speakers so that's gonna be cool.

 

[zarky]

Alright acquired the LL Bean bike yesterday, got some better pictures today.

Any idea what model frame this might be?

 

[black lightning 1987]

I think all the MTB frames were the same in 1987 but there was a choice of 24" or 26" rear wheel on certain models, which obviously made for a different frame if only in geometry. Best way to equate it with a Cannondale branded model would be to list the components and compare them to the 1987-1988 catalog specs. I can't tell much from your photos except that it's a SunTour equipped bike, so that rules out the models that came with Shimano.

 

[MEENI]

Great looking classic!

 

[rickpaulos]

I had a LL Bean bike with a steel frame. Not a Cannondale make. Many non-bike companies get bikes based solely on price. So many beer, wine, soda and bottled bikes that are mostly junk. A decent quality promotional or branded bike is the exception. It's unlikely LL Been spec'd certain parts so should match up component wise to a standard Cannondale model.

Remember the Jeep LL Bean edition?

The water proof duck boots that made them famous.

 

[Trailmix]

I know I am digging up an old thread but I am curious about this bike. I have an 87 LLBean Pathfinder which from what I can tell is nearly identical to the SM400. Interestingly, I have an 87 SM400 made on the same day as my Pathfinder and with the exception of the fork and the paint, they are the same bike. Of note, the SM400 had longer chainstays than the other models. I would be interested to see your serial number.

 

[letsbike]

Please post a picture of your Pathfinder, that sounds interesting.

 

[Trailmix]

This is a terrible photo, I have been working on this bike bit by bit and it has been a slow journey. The fork crown is very narrow and will only accommodate ~ 1.5 width tires which is the main difference between this bike and an SM400. I have replaced the derailleur with the original Alpha 3000. I need to take new pics.

 

[letsbike]

That is really a great looking bike. Other than a few small scratches the paint finish is really superb.

 

[Trailmix]

That is really a great looking bike. Other than a few small scratches the paint finish is really superb.

Yeah, it isn’t too bad. I got it from a college student so it has some rust from sitting out. Not sure if he ever rode it.

 

[letsbike]

That explains the chain condition. I see things but try not to ever make negative comments, I figure that it's not done until it's done.
That is a cool piece of Cannondale history. The double crank was also interesting. Maybe not original?

 

[letsbike]

I see that is a triple ring crank, Just missing its inner ring I imagine.

 

[Trailmix]

Yeah, I think that is another little oddity. I believe they used a triple crank with only two chainrings, similar to the ST400 of that era.