Hey!
Picked up this beautiful 20" Cannondale M800 that looks almost new.
It’s tiny for me (I’m 185 cm / 6'1") and that sky-high bottom bracket doesn’t help much either…
I was thinking of turning it into a playful bike, something for park rides with my kids, maybe some pumptrack sessions or light trail fun.
What would you keep, swap, or upgrade?
Current plan is to keep it mainly original, but go 1x and throw on some riser or BMX bars.
Open to any ideas: gometry hacks, parts suggestions, or just general xbiking inspiration. Thanks!
by Federal_Flower_3849
22 Comments
I think it’s exactly my size 🤔
Do whatever takes your fancy tonit, within reason. I just threw away a very similar frame and forks made by Cannondale yesterday. Amenities chap said it couldn’t go in to the recycling bay of Amenities Sites.
Depends on budget but I’d go for a modern wide range double on the front with thumb friction shifter. A set of modern v brakes. Rear trigger shifter. Modern Tyree. Big apples probably.
Keep it as it is, maybe change the tyres and put on some racks
Wisdom is keeping it. An idea is to ship it to me. What a nice find!
Was this discovered during a routine time machine visit?
Wow! Was that bike vacuum sealed? It looks immaculate.
Sick find! I’ve always wanted a pair of those hydro rim brakes.
My first MTB was a single speed Beast of the East, it’s still in my shed, I’ve been thinking about throwing on drop bars & slicks, but I don’t know how you would do that with the hydro brakes.
What kind of bike do you need?
This could be a solid racks & fenders grocery getter, a super light urban single speed, or a fairly capable vintage single track shredder.
I just overhauled a M700, my advice would be to leave this bike as is.
It’s in beautiful condition!… I could see changing to a wider, swoopier riser bar.
Put a clutch rear mech on there. Otherwise, chain slap will nick the chainstay.
I’d also get one of the neoprene sleeves for the chain stay.
How much cash you got? Throw some coda magic motorcycle cranks on there!
This is when you thank your Lucky stars, lube and grease, new tires. And enjoy forever
Don’t fuck with it except for maybe the handlebars. That bike is a beauty. Make sure the brakes still work though.
Moto bars. I had a tiny Cdale with 24” wheels I converted to a curb hopper.
https://preview.redd.it/6tl0lh3qsvvf1.jpeg?width=3379&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93050bbc9efcebafe4dc1efde8c4583369c94f78
Would literally kill for this 😲
I think it needs more seatpost
You lucked out, what a ride! I’d say spend money on contact points and ride it more till you figure out what you want to change. Have you been able to ride it much?
If you want to do a 1x, you can get a 12 spd Deore shifter, rear derailleur, and cassette (non shimano that fits your 8 spd hub) and chain from Ali for around $100. Then grab a narrow/wide chainring to mount on the center chainring. With cables and housing, you’ve got a modern 1x for under $150.
Then get whatever handlebar you find comfortable.
Needs a Kore stem and some purple anodized parts. Add an AMP Research linkage fork and you will achieve the peak 90’s experience lol. Seriously I rode a lower spec version of this bike all over SoCal fire roads and singletrack in the 90’s. It just needs a tune up and consumables to go anywhere you want. Great bike.
Too small? High bb? Hydro rim brakes?
You got yourself a trials bike.
May need to put compression forks, they do make 20inch versions
https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/c0ZFwscooV
Rebuilt my M700 into 1×9 a few years ago, absolutely love this bike. The dad bike that dreams are made of, also handles New England single track and gravel like a champ.