Hey guys, I’m brand new to touring and just picked up this pretty sweet 1988 Cannondale SM500 for only $100 off Facebook Marketplace! I wouldn’t consider it completely ready-to-ride when I got it, but I fixed it up to be mechanically sound and have been adding more upgrades and features as I see fit. It’s been about 2 weeks since I got it and I’ve been really loving riding it. I say all that to say, I feel there is still a lot of improvement/potential for this bike but I’m kind of trying to figure out what that improvement is. My plan is to take it to the PNW this Summer on a bus and ride around Oregon, Washington, and NorCal area until I have to go back to school basically. I have a new brake cable/shifter cable kit I have to install and a new freewheel coming in later this week. Besides that I’ve had a brake light, headlight, bar ends, new handlebar grips, new chain, new tires and tubes, mirrors, and a frame bag. I know I need panniers and some other bags obviously as well as a new seat but other than the stuff I’ve mentioned idk where to go next. I’m just riding it around town right now and my goal is about 100 miles a week. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Even looking for pointers, heads-ups, or things you would’ve liked to know when you started. (Before and after pictures posted)
by Dependent-Run-5502
2 Comments
Sweet! Looks good and with the maintenance you already have completed it’s probably ready to go! I would check the wheel bearings and maybe consider a repack, and a close inspection of the bottom bracket as well/possibly replace with a modern sealed one. The pedals you can probably do a little better but if those are working for you maybe not bother. Load it up with stuff and go ride some distances and some hills – you will learn a lot from that alone and be able to determine other changes (such as if your gearing is low enough to climb hills loaded, comfortably). Do a few short trips close to home to get things dialed-in before a big trip.
As you plan the trip be realistic – about everything from daily miles, to rest days, to budget. Go slow and see more! Enjoy your new (to you) bike, planning, and the trip itself!
You doing it right imo. I used to tour around there on a canti LHT and then one nighters on a little road bike strapped down with 30lbs of gear. Pack light dont worry about bringing crazy amounts of extra gear or food. there are subways and backwoods groc stores all over. Plan a route, beef up your tools and repair knowledge have fun enjoy the ride you can never prepare for the unexpected only figure it out. I miss my touring days around Portland and the pnw coast. Check the rack mounts they vibrate or loosen up over time. Buy once cry once with the bags, Ortleib or Jandd are my votes.