[stampz]

Potentially stupid question, which I think I already know the answer too.

I am looking at picking up a new winter trainer/”second” bike. My heart wants to go shiny and spend at least £1k on something…if I can even find anything in the current bike drought.

However, a friend of mine who is getting out of cycling has offered to sell me his Cannondale CAAD 8 2014 for £300.

It’s in great condition, 105 groupset, 8.6kg…he hasn’t ridden it for at least 2 years, with some new cables and a new chain it would look good as new…but it’s bugging me that it’s 7 years old and I don’t know if it should be.

So how old is too old? Should I steer clear and go with something new but less specced, or am i being stupid?

Its this version https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/CAAD8-105-Road-Bike-2014/2PHC

Thanks!

Topic

[TheBillder]

CumbrianDynamo wrote:

CumbrianDynamo wrote:

Bit of a bastard on hills though thanks to the 6-speed freewheel and the massive chainrings. Keep forgetting I can’t change gear with the brake levers too…

What a truly lovely bike, I am jealous!

You probably know already, but there’s lots you can do to soften the gearing. My 1988 bike had 52-42 rings and a 6 speed 14-28 block. I could have fitted a 14-34 block that it ran from new, but I’m a lot older now and the rear wheel was very worn out, so had my lbs get the frame cold set and put a more modern wheel on with a 10 speed 11-34 cassette. This worked very well with all the old kit – rings, mech and down tube shifters – but I still struggled with a 42-34 gear and so swapped the 42 ring for a 36 (from SJS Cycles).

Going back from brifters to down tube levers was easy on nice rural roads, but a different matter when trying my commute (added to brakes that really need some fettling)! But on a sunny day, in the countryside, in no particular hurry, there are fewer nicer places to be than a nicely rolling old bike. Thanks for sharing yours.

[CumbrianDynamo]

Cheers guys. What i know is
Cheers guys. What i know is it’s from 1979, with Gran Sport drive train and old Super Record brakes. Frame is made by Gino Milani or someone in his workshop. I picked it up for a couple of hundred but suspect it’s worth a bit more than that.

[wycombewheeler]

nothing wrong with a seven

nothing wrong with a seven year old frame. if you don’t want it, I’d be interested at that price to put on a turbo trainer (depending on size).

Is the 105 gruppo original? or later replacement?

might be worth considering a new bottom bracket as well as chain and cables

[brooksby]

That is a very nice looking

That is a very nice looking ride!

[ktache]

Fine looking bicycle, I must

Fine looking bicycle, I must agree with the pre 2014 guess.

80s perhaps.  Though that rear derallier is saying earlier, maybe 70s…

[CumbrianDynamo]

I got this one second hand.
I got this one second hand. Think it’s slightly older than 2014. Bit of a bastard on hills though thanks to the 6-speed freewheel and the massive chainrings. Keep forgetting I can’t change gear with the brake levers too…

[stampz]

Now had a spruce up. Swapped
Now had a spruce up. Swapped saddle out, new bar tape and cable inners and outers. Pretty happy with it.

[EddyBerckx]

stampz wrote:

Thanks everyone, I have indeed grabbed the bike from him, and it’s lovely.

Handed it to my lbs for a service and sanity check. I suspect it needs some new cables and a right good greasing, but other than that she seems good. I have christened her Calli 😉

 

cannot believe you needed to be convinced!!! ?

 

that’s lovely, apart from the sheer bargainicousness of it ?

[Secret_squirrel]

Simon E wrote:

For me “too old” is something like 7 speed MTB, where you can’t buy compatible wheels or shifters (which is why my old Kona hasn’t been used for 2 years). 

Apart from what others have said Retrobike.co.uk or ebay will be your friend for good condition secondhand stuff.

[Secret_squirrel]

Cracking bike for a cracking

Cracking bike for a cracking price.  A rare occasion when head overrules heart and both still win.  Well done.

[matthewn5]

I hope you’re going to post

I hope you’re going to post that in the reader’s bikes post. With the bargain price!

[trinityboy]

Simon E wrote:

Simon E wrote:

For me “too old” is something like 7 speed MTB, where you can’t buy compatible wheels or shifters (which is why my old Kona hasn’t been used for 2 years).

I’m still running 7 speed MTB and road, parts are still widely available, wider modern freehubs on newer wheels just need a £3 spacer to fit the casette. I even bought a new 8 speed cassette recently to get a 40T largest cog and was able to fit it to an old narrow 7 speed freehub through the low tech approach of missing one of the loose cogs out…

[Anonymous]

Looks like it’s running 5700
Looks like it’s running 5700 Shimano 105.
I have a number of components, including a 6700 Ultegra rear mech that I could sell if you need to replace any parts.
Feel free to contact me.

[Captain Badger]

stampz wrote:

Thanks everyone, I have indeed grabbed the bike from him, and it’s lovely.

Handed it to my lbs for a service and sanity check. I suspect it needs some new cables and a right good greasing, but other than that she seems good. I have christened her Calli 😉

 

Has your friend got any other bikes they want rid of? Asking for a badger…

What a bargain! 

[Stef Marazzi]

Wow. Looks barely ridden!
Wow. Looks barely ridden!

[Author]

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