Bike TLC

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CGSshorty
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Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:33 am

I’ve been contemplating a new MTB, but decided to give my early 90s Cannondale some maintenance TLC and a new set of tubes and tires to see if that will keep me happy for a while. She looks pretty good for her age, I think. This is from back when all Cannondale frames were made in the US.
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dukerules
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by dukerules » Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:41 am

My old Cannondale MTB is in terrible shape, and is in our crawlspace somewhere. I've thought about digging it out to start riding again during this coronacation, but figured the maintenance it needs at this point probably needs a professional shop.

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by JP Chestnut » Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:46 am

The problem with mountain bikes is their planned obsolescence. You almost can’t even buy tires for that rim size anymore.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by jeckyll » Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:55 am

That bike is in great shape Chris, looks like there's nothing wrong with it. Ride and enjoy :)
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by aikiman44 » Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:09 am

Good work. No reason to get rid of that nice bike.
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toxicavenger
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:58 am

JP Chestnut wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:46 am
The problem with mountain bikes is their planned obsolescence. You almost can’t even buy tires for that rim size anymore.
26? You can find them easily.

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toxicavenger
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:01 am

Chris there are few things you can do to make it perfect. First make sure the saddle,stem combo is still perfect for your fit. Second change out your brake/shifter cables. Next would be a new chain. They stretch over time and you can never get them adjusted right. Of course tires and tubes are a huge plus https://www.jensonusa.com/search?q=26%20tire

See if you have a local shop that can do a good tune up on it. Enjoy it.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by JP Chestnut » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:02 am

toxicavenger wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:58 am
JP Chestnut wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:46 am
The problem with mountain bikes is their planned obsolescence. You almost can’t even buy tires for that rim size anymore.
26? You can find them easily.
I was looking for some light foldable 26s recently and the options were shockingly bad.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:04 am

I had no trouble finding tires for it. I bought fairly inexpensive tires, but there were a ton of more expensive options.
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:08 am

toxicavenger wrote:Chris there are few things you can do to make it perfect. First make sure the saddle,stem combo is still perfect for your fit. Second change out your brake/shifter cables. Next would be a new chain. They stretch over time and you can never get them adjusted right. Of course tires and tubes are a huge plus https://www.jensonusa.com/search?q=26%20tire

See if you have a local shop that can do a good tune up on it. Enjoy it.
I have a bag of new cables, but everything is working great so I’m not looking to mess with it. If something breaks, I’ll replace it.
I cleaned the drivetrain and have it some fresh oil. Shifting is pretty good, and being that I live in the flattest place in Earth, I don’t need to shift too often.
I’m going to order a new pair of grips and enjoy it as is for a while.
My 12 year old likes to ride it, so I may end up having to get myself something new anyway.
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:20 am

CGSshorty wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:08 am
toxicavenger wrote:Chris there are few things you can do to make it perfect. First make sure the saddle,stem combo is still perfect for your fit. Second change out your brake/shifter cables. Next would be a new chain. They stretch over time and you can never get them adjusted right. Of course tires and tubes are a huge plus https://www.jensonusa.com/search?q=26%20tire

See if you have a local shop that can do a good tune up on it. Enjoy it.
I have a bag of new cables, but everything is working great so I’m not looking to mess with it. If something breaks, I’ll replace it.
I cleaned the drivetrain and have it some fresh oil. Shifting is pretty good, and being that I live in the flattest place in Earth, I don’t need to shift too often.
I’m going to order a new pair of grips and enjoy it as is for a while.
My 12 year old likes to ride it, so I may end up having to get myself something new anyway.
good grips are essential. I personally like oury grips.

if you do change the cables make sure to clean out the cable housing. We use to load it down with wd40 and then blow air thru the cables. wd40 will clean out some of the crude.

wd40 is a great cleaner but not a LUBE (right hoppy). i use 3 in 1 oil or pedros (when I haven't misplaced it :crybaby: )

have fun with it

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:21 am

JP Chestnut wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:02 am
toxicavenger wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:58 am
JP Chestnut wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:46 am
The problem with mountain bikes is their planned obsolescence. You almost can’t even buy tires for that rim size anymore.
26? You can find them easily.
I was looking for some light foldable 26s recently and the options were shockingly bad.
nashbar and jenson has a ton of them

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by SoCal C4S » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:22 am

Personally, I would take it to a shop. Most have fairly inexpensive tune-ups, and it will basically he as good as new once they go through it completely.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by jtbenson » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:27 am

you and your 12yo ride the same size frame? :shock:
either your 12yo is an absolute animal and future nba prospect, or you shortell are aptly last named :grin:
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by four20 » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:36 am

dukerules wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:41 am
My old Cannondale MTB is in terrible shape, and is in our crawlspace somewhere. I've thought about digging it out to start riding again during this coronacation, but figured the maintenance it needs at this point probably needs a professional shop.
if it has a Pepperoni fork, i'll buy it :cheers:

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toxicavenger
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:39 am

four20 wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:36 am
if it has a Pepperoni fork, i'll buy it :cheers:
that was a dope fork. and a cool name.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by hobbit712 » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:43 am

Nice Chris! I am loving my newest hobby. Working today but hopefully gonna ride the next three days. There is a great singletrack near here that i am really enjoying. Not a lot of roots. Most of the other around here are pretty rooty.
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:48 am

jtbenson wrote:you and your 12yo ride the same size frame? :shock:
either your 12yo is an absolute animal and future nba prospect, or you shortell are aptly last named :grin:
I’m over 6’. He’s only 5’5” or so, but he puts the seat all the way down and deals with it.
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:51 am

Check out the Oldshovel channel on YouTube. The guy reworks old bikes like this and makes them better than new.
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toxicavenger
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:08 am

CGSshorty wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:51 am
Check out the Oldshovel channel on YouTube. The guy reworks old bikes like this and makes them better than new.
damn that dude must be sponsored to put that much time into some of those bikes. he does killer work

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:08 am

toxicavenger wrote:
CGSshorty wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:51 am
Check out the Oldshovel channel on YouTube. The guy reworks old bikes like this and makes them better than new.
damn that dude must be sponsored to put that much time into some of those bikes. he does killer work
I think he gets a lot of the components for free, and he recycles what he can. He has donated several bikes to underprivileged kids who need better race bikes.
"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by SoCal C4S » Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:29 pm

I also have a Cannondale 29 hardtail. Love it!

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by toxicavenger » Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:09 pm

CGSshorty wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:08 am
toxicavenger wrote:
CGSshorty wrote:
Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:51 am
Check out the Oldshovel channel on YouTube. The guy reworks old bikes like this and makes them better than new.
damn that dude must be sponsored to put that much time into some of those bikes. he does killer work
I think he gets a lot of the components for free, and he recycles what he can. He has donated several bikes to underprivileged kids who need better race bikes.
I saw he did a video where Paul Components donated some stuff to him. That shit is pricey as hell but super nice. I like what he is doing. I am not sure about the spray panting of the bikes.

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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:18 pm

I was skeptical about the spray paint as well. They look good on my phone. I’m not sure how good they look up close.
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Re: Bike TLC

Post by CGSshorty » Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:19 pm

SoCal C4S wrote:I also have a Cannondale 29 hardtail. Love it!

Image
That’s a beauty. I’ve been looking at the Trek Marlin 6. I really don’t need anything more high performance than that.
"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
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