So I bought a yellow r300 cannondale when I was 21 back in the late 90s, and I’d like some advice on recommissioning it. I’ve not used it for 15 years but it’s in very good shape. Just needs some TLC and some adjustments for me being an older rider!!
I want to be able to use the bike for ~20km road rides with my family at the weekend.
I’ve added a picture below of the bike (I used AI to clean the picture up a bit but it’s 95% accurate)
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It’s got look pedals and they’re great but I would like to be able to use this with regular shoes/sneakers. What would people recommend for something that’s practical and also fits in with the look of the bike? I’m torn with flats or having straps? Or something else?
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I’m 90kgs and 20 kgs heavier than I was at 21 so that seat isn’t going to be comfortable. Maybe a brooks saddle … or won’t that suit it. I’d like something very comfortable, but maybe I just need to get back into it and get used to it. What saddle would people recommend ?
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Tyres. So the wheels are mavic kryserium elites (?) – not bad at the time and from memory I think the tyres are 700c 22. What would be the biggest tyre I could run with these … 26’s? Also a black tyre? What do people suggest?
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Bar tape – it’s got cinelli now and it’s lasted forever, so I’ll get some more of that. Stay black or go yellow? Or something else?
Any other suggestions welcome
Many thanks if you read all of this.
by No_Republic_8799
5 Comments
That was my dream bike back then. They are a very stiff ride as I recall. Maybe upgrade to a tubeless rim brake rim?
1. I really like the Shimano PD-EH500, which is a double-sided pedal that works with SPD but isn’t big and chunky like some others. I have them on my randonneur bike and it rides nicely with regular shoes as well as clipless.
2. You could try a Brooks Cambium, which would be a little more fitting with the look than a leather one, and they come with a cutaway center as well. I like mine a lot, and I’m a Brooks leather devotee ordinarily.
3. My guess is 700×25, *possibly* 28 but unlikely. Buy the nicest tire with as supple sidewalls as you can afford, because it will be a pretty harsh ride anyway at the pressures you’ll need to run.
4. I love the Zipp Service Course CX bar tape. Only comes in black, white, and red, but stays clean, is grippy, and wraps nicely. Match the tape to the saddle!
1. if going flats or toe clip, any shiny silver aluminum pedal will looks most aesthetically matching
2. honestly get some shorts with a butt pad. Saddle that on there looks as comfy as any, and saddles with foam or squish generally stop being comfy after a while
3. 700 x 25 conti gatorskins
4. black
I would go with 25mm continental gp 5000, fits like a 26 from many other cos. Should not have any problems with fit and they are great all around. You could try a 28mm tire if you have one on hand.
Shimano dual sided flat/clipless pedals would be a good option if you want it to (look like it) works with clipless but be fine as a flat pedal
1. You could get some combined SPD/platform pedals, my experience is that straps quickly destroy the top part of sneakers
2. I really don’t like the look of the Brooks leather saddles, especially on a non-British bike, there are a bunch of good and more modern alternatives out there. The Selle Italia SLRs actually look surprisingly nice on this era of bike (subjective opinion)
3. I fitted 28s to an R?00 from this generation if I remember things correctly
4. I vote for black saddle and black bar tape to keep things clean and stylish, the frame already provides enough color