Beast of the East Bike Rebuild - Vintage Cannondale SM600 Restoration

This Vintage Cannondale SM600 is a mid 1986 rare version of the bike with the 1987 color - PINK! Perfectly matching my new Pink Rush Oury Grips! It was an awesome thrift store find from several years ago that needed the full Oldshovel treatment.
A thank you also to Oury Grips for giving me a chance to try out the new V2 single compound grips on this build. They have the feel of the original with the new look of the V2 grips.
Check them out at bit.ly/Oury-OSL
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Looking for great bike components for your next build or perhaps even a new bike; you can help support my channel by using my Jenson USA affiliate link below for all your biking needs:
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Spray.Bike - If you are considering repainting a bike you will not regret using Spray.Bike. bit.ly/SprayBike-OSL
Club Ride - Great Riding apparel that you can wear every day - even in the shop. bit.ly/ClubRide_os Use the discount code oldshovel20 to get 20% off your order at checkout.
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Music from Epidemic Sound bit.ly/30pwbOZ
Cornelia (Luwaks Remix) - by The Eastern Plain

[@kcrymble]

I restored a very similar coloured Kona a few years ago. I confused a young girl working in Superdrug when I asked her if she had any nail varnish that matched my bike. She managed to find the exact shade of pink nail varnish and I touched up a few small frame scratches with it.

[@draggonhedd]

I really REALLY love this bike, in this color. Cannondales always came in great colors.

[@catinthehat906]

I bought a Raleigh Peak in 1994 (which I still have and ride) which is a darker salmon pink - for a big discount because the bike store owner in Falmouth told me no one liked the colour. But it's been an awesome bike, with a titanium steel stem, Shimano Deore LX cranks, shifters and running gear.

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

Quality in every respect. That is one SOLID bicycle. I ride a 1989 TREK 8500. Also a 1973 Peugeot PX10e. Old school bikes are simple and tough. Thanks for making these redo movies. Very relaxing to watch.

[@leeseoWestport]

Jeez...you keep showing us that these old bikes should be kept and you keep showing us how to care for them....love this!

[@johnherzel718]

I’m not a pink bike kinda guy, but great choice keeping it original paint, as it really came out nice. I loved the sun tour thumb shifters back when I was young. That and the pedals, or I should say “shin-burgers”, boy could those babies take skin off your legs! 35 years later I can still see the scars. Wonder if the seat could be done in pink as well, but the white looks great as well. Love the old school bikes, many fond memories of a really great place in my life. Ahhh nostalgia....Thanks!

[@bradberry117]

Those early Cannondales were works of art. the SM600! The 24” rear wheel & 26” front wheel.. And the roller cam brakes. They were the biggest beautiful pain in the rear. Thank you for not painting that frame. Love your channel.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@felixjackson2670]

Brad Kaplan I have a pink SM600...24 inch rear and 26 front-from mid 1980’s...Also the only bike I ever regretted selling was the exact same 26” front and rear Cannondale as featured on this video. Brilliant bike.

[@MeNtAlmil]

Currently restoring an early 80s Schwinn Impact that my father-in-law gave me. Like this pink paint, I decided to keep the original paint on mine as well because I loved it too much and it was in pristine condition. Your videos gave me the confidence I needed to start this project, thank you! Love the Christmas give-aways you do, would love to do that for someone one day.

[@joramcm2293]

You need more subscribers man. This is quality editing and video along with the best bike restorations I've ever seen. Way to go brother 🤘🏼

[@oldshovel]

Thanks my friend.

[@leonkoo1120]

Exactly

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

Damn straight.

[@fredhollis3749]

Agreed

[@fritonevarez4405]

Leaving the original paint was the best component to this build. I find a lot of bikes at thrift shops but the cannondale was a gem.

[@timdelongchamp1597]

I picked up a 98 F2000 that I want to do a similar approach with, but upgrading all the components to modern day stuff. This has given me inspiration because I want to take this opportunity with this bike to make it a hobby. I know with older components becoming harder to come by, finding ways to incorporate modern components to vintage frames will no doubt be huge in years to come. Now if we can just make a really good adapter to switch to disc brakes with no mounts....beautiful bike too. I had one of these back in 1995. It was the first bike that sold me on Cannondales. Now with my F2000, I have the last year before the frames were no longer made in the USA.

[@andrecallison]

Hi from London mate. I restore bikes too, love your energy. Love your channel. I have been going through all your old videos, but it’s your humble approach that I most enjoy being part of. Respect to you and keep’em coming.

[@Alttabbins]

I used to go on scout trips to Moab and southern Utah all the time. It was bikes like this that got me into the sport. Its funny looking at my bikes now versus what they were like even just in the 90s. Especially when all people talk about now is modern geometry, air forks, and dropper posts. I don't know how I live without those now but back in the day you just got it done on the saddle of an old solid fork Rock Hopper.

[@oldshovel]

It’s a different way to ride but still fun.

[@dudeonbike800]

In our day, we called "dropper posts" Hite Rites, dammit! And we LIKED IT! STAY OFF MY LAWN!!!!

[@joebikeguy6669]

Really nice job. I am about 10% of the mechanic you are, but after I bought a new CAAD 12 last year, I completely disassembled my beloved CAAD 9 10 speed that I had ridden about a million miles over the previous 10 years. By coincidence, I live near a custom bike painter and I had him strip and repaint it with an updated, but mostly factory paint job. It came out beautifully. I then sourced all new 105 parts (CD Hollowgram crank though) and rebuilt the whole thing myself. Shockingly, it looks and rides great. Anyway, the little bit I know about bike mechanics I learned on KZbin from guys like you. Thanks.

[@SamanthaNickole02]

A Cannondale beauty! Normally not much for pink bikes, but man I sure am glad you kept the original color! Sheer beauty!!😍

[@rogerwelford486]

I LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS BUT THERES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THAT SCREAMS NOSTALGIA.

[@csm101000]

I found a blue 1988 one last year neglected and thrown out on the street last year, I had great fun restoring it, the only changes I made was matching blue grips and new tyres just like you did! Its my favourite old bike to ride so fun

[@felixjackson2670]

Wow. I had that exact same bike! This is 100% original. Best mtb I ever had! From early 1980’s worked in bike shop in Oxford and we changed our bikes every year or so as new tech hit the market. Was one of the first in the UK to pioneer mountain biking. Only bike I regretted selling was my pink Cannondale. As far as I know , myself and a friend had the only two 26” pink Cannondales. My good buddy who owned the shop had a pink Cannondale 24” rear and 26” front. The Suntour sealed bearing hubs,bottom bracket,roller bearing headset etc totally excellent. Remember making adapters allowing toe-clips on the bear trap pedals also....

[@bob-ny6kn]

I saw a hobby-ist use a torch (blue flame) on plastic parts to take off the scuffs and burrs while making them black again (from dull gray). I have a 1987 large-tube, aluminum SM600, but white and blue base with other pastel lines. It has plain "U" rear brake and regular cantilever front brake. It's been around the world with me, from S. Korea to Vienna. Gave it a rest in 2017 after bending the front (steel) forks out-of-parallel. Shall get back to it next year. Thanks for this video, and the component breakdown for cleaning. Always good.

[@olfoggy4889]

I "only" work on steel bikes but I've got a soft spot for those old Cannondales. I commuted on an m300 for over a year and had no complaints. Congrats on the new sponsor.

[@coolbeans123d]

ooooh the poor mans Cunningham!!! I am in love with this bike! Look at those riveted cable stops! legit roller cams too WOW. LUCKY FIND.

[@aueret]

What a georgous bike. Thnx for the video. Greets from Berlin/Germany.

[@michaelmax5161]

I have the same "problem"... I love to bring old bikes back to life. The process itself is more satisfying than riding them... Most of my bikes are from mid 90s, but they all work really fine. Keep on doing your thing! You're doing a great job!

[@dougbutcher4452]

Great restoration on a beautiful bike. What an amazing find.

[@tangelo777]

So glad this one didn't get painted! I've spent so much time watching your videos. I'm rewatching some of my favorites now. Keep up the good work. You're doing some really rad stuff here

[@williamwallace5201]

man, I love old USA made Cannondales

[@RugerTSanchez]

I recently picked up a 1986 SM500 that has essentially all the same exact components (from the original owner too). Love the bike, and having a ton of fun making it my own!

[@red_dread]

An unimaginably exotic bike to a kid in England in the 80s! I don’t know what a thrift store is but when this lockdown is over I’m buying a plane ticket and visiting every thrift store there is.

[@RuezgaDaniel]

Thrift stores/shops are second-hand stores. They are stores where people donate their used stuff and the store sells it, usually for a charity or cause. You probably have a different name for them in the UK. Have a good one!

[@Bikeops2021]

@@RuezgaDaniel Ha yes we do have similar type of charity stores where various items are donated free by the general public & resold at very reasonable prices. Unfortunately now in thr UK the unscrupulous business people have seen there is money to be mate in this market, places like "Cash Converters" who exchange cash for unwanted items at minimum value & resell for maximum value. Thankfully our local government has taken to recycling lots of items from local recycling centres, these are resold to the public at fair prices & the proceeds go back into our community's.

[@benboo6351]

The colour of these grips. Took a breath there

[@timrahto658]

What a beautiful bike! I love those old Cunningham rollercam brakes.

[@tigoat2]

Well done! Still have an early 90s M800 “Beast of The East” ,in all its purple and “ultra-violet” goodness, my daughter likes to ride! Thanks for keeping it original, man the memories 👍🏻👍🏻😃!

[@danielsoosay1772]

I just got myself a M600. Off all the bikes I have my 6 year old daughter said, dad keep this one for me when I’m big. One thing I notice the built quality of these 90s bike are awesome

[@scottsprojects658]

I'm thankful you kept the original paint 🙏

[@phamoo]

I'm in love with this. Survivors are the best.

[@seanmadill283]

She cleaned up really nice . It looks brand new again. The pink grips and the white seat really made it pop . I had a white cannondale like that one from the 80s way back in the early nineties . Thanks old shovel

[@johnnydoe66]

I am sitting here watching some of your older videos that I had missed. This one in particular brought me back to the mid 90's when I saw a Cannondale Beast of the East in Red. I dreamed of getting one, but they were out of my budget or were literally hard to get because of supply. I tried to get the newer version w/ the Lefty Fork, but once again I just couldn't find one available. Still an icon of what a purpose built hardtail should be.

[@shakedydogshake]

Beauty build and the original pink paint still looks killer! The roller cam brakes, are just plain for fun! I want those on my gray&teal ‘90 Rockhopper!

[@jeeput6155]

My first Mountain Bike was in 1986; a Schwinn High Sierra. It came with the same Roller Cam Brakes, and even back then they were a bear to adjust. Good job!

[@ramskrall]

Now thats a real classic with a high class renovation, great video and you are amazing, a true master with renovations. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@soccovitch]

That bike was pretty clean and well cared for. Perfect for what you did to it. I like that you kept it original.

[@thomreynolds1318]

I rode one, a friend owned it, back in '86. At the time it was easily one of the nicest bikes I had been on. The brakes are power cams, originally developed by WTB group of Potts and Cunningham. Great, light and powerfull, except if mud built up on the wedge. The solution was a fabric cover, but then Shimano came out with that under the chainstay u-brake. It weighed more, but folks got all worried about the mud issue. Suntour had bought it and that started the drop of XC for Deore

[@sharonknight1567]

I have that bike in my garage! Bought it in Houston 1980's brand new and it's been basically sitting ever since. Rode it a few times. It's so unique. Awesome video BTW!

[@branwerks6978]

Picked up a 1992 M800 in Blue yesterday. 100% original. Great video, great channel. Thanks for all the content.

[@marcocabral4838]

Went for a ride...came back and drank my coffee with chocolate chip banana bread muffin my wife made me on our patio and enjoyed my weekly oldshovel video 👍 good stuff brother.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome my friend

[@Adamas_83]

Amazing that the bike was preserved for so long with all the original components, truly rare. Great resto, definitely the right call with this one!

[@rekdi8048]

Nice work. I have been working on my 1993 Giant Panda 26er. It has an araya rim, shimano front and rear derailleur, suzue sealed bearing hubs made in Japan(upgraded ) shimano quick shifters 7s also made in Japan( upgraded) Shimano XT pedals again made in Japan(upgraded) and the rest are all original. The reason why I mention the uograded parts are made in Japan is because mosts parts now are either from China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand. I had to buy tools for the restoration and thanks to you video for it was a great help. Stay safe

[@iamrichrocker]

your subs have been climbing in a nice upward fashion..due to the diligence and quality of your videos..but i thiunk folks sense the good and decent character of You and why you do this...so thank you for the time and effort...

[@user-xf1qf4lg7g]

Great job. So clean. Oury grips were the icing on the cake. 👍

[@drewsenthused6079]

That shot of the brake arm @7:47 was primo! That BB scares me.

[@donaldfranklin5391]

Turned out very awesome I am a fan of the older mountain 👍

[@donaldfranklin5391]

Bikes

[@chrisbenger9517]

My favourite bike restoration of yours so far. Always look forward to all of your uploads 👍

[@-RM-]

Reminds me of my first "real" mountain bike: a 1991 Cannondale M700 in black with neon green speckles. It had a little neon green gecko painted on the stem. I miss that bike.

[@73kenright]

Was yours the "Sobe" edition?

[@sickunit2096]

Love it! So glad you stuck with the pink. My Surly Ice Cream Truck is nearly the same color.

[@oldshovel]

The ice cream truck is an awesome bike. One of my buddies has one.

[@M3LTUP]

Agree. Never re paint the bike unless the paint is totally fried.

[@aaronbehindbars]

WOW! I love these old Beast of the Easts. I have a 1986 SM600 I got for free from facebook marketplace and am slowly cleaning and reassembling it like you are doing here (but without doing all the detailed buffing and such). Mine has the 24" rear wheel which I always thought was kinda quirky and cool. I wish the paint on mine was still that nice, but I can't complain for free. It'll be a cool ratty build. Everything cleaned up so nice on yours! I especially love how high quality those Suntour XC hubs and BB are. Mine has not been treated well and they are smoother than glass! Your's has a really nice tapered roller bearing headset which is super rad! I have been going though watching some of your older videos as I have only been subscribed a short time, but your videos bring so much enjoyment and I am happy to find projects similar to my own here. Cheers!

[@JoDubHo]

You absolutely made the right choice to keep the pink! That bike is so hot to look at. A museum piece. Those welds are invisible (is that a carbon frame? HA!). Those head tube bearings, tho. I wanted to pack them grease myself. I would have went bare handed, too!

[@richardcunningham5540]

This may be one of my favourite rebuilds. Absolutely the correct call not to paint this beauty. Was intersting also to see the variation in Suntour comonents, compared to more common groupsets. Its is mesmerizing and meditative to watch you work. Thanks again for the effort you put into the bikes and documenting the project. Brilliant! Again!

[@montanaharkin]

Seriously one of the coolest bikes ever made. Great restoration. 👌🏻

[@Doggeslife]

Beautiful classic. I have a Cannondale roadie I rebuilt for making store runs.

[@mhikesadventuretime4709]

I really love watching this restoration and I felt I really need to start my own pink bike project

[@peterjv8748]

Rollerbrakes! This entire bike reminds me of my first mountain bike. A 1986 Schwinn High Sierra.

[@watchmebuildit]

What a stunning rejuvenation! This looks like a super comfy ride

[@abelarun9108]

I really love all your videos old shovel. Pls do more videos like this

[@oldshovel]

Thanks. Will do 😁

[@kevinborovsky3558]

Amazing job on another classic restoration. You really have the magic to returning these old bikes back to their glory. Cheers

[@deancurtis]

Your channel has given me interest in going through my old bike and parts to see what I can do, and an interest in restoration of what is usable. Great work!

[@mikepint587]

Wow...You do fantastic work! The time you put in and level of detail is impressive. Keep up the great work!

[@derekmosher4561]

Wow ! What a great re build , smart move on the paint that looks beautiful . I have to admit my favorite part on the bike are the brakes ,they are just bad ass .

[@01FozzyS]

Glad to see you left it pretty much oem. Nice rollercams too. I have those on an '87 Muddy Fox. Learning experience to adjust for sure.

[@oldshovel]

Totally. Once I had it figured out though it’s not bad and adjust much easier than most cantilever brakes.

[@northernairmtb4183]

I just watched a video about the history of buddy fox,really cool.

[@Joniel_Garcia]

I always love when you restoring an old bike. 🙂 It such a great content.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@johnwelch557]

Terrific. Happy to see it in the original paint! I have several similar bikes from that era. Just great bikes that are embarrassingly too much fun to ride. You do especially fine work and we thank you!!!!

[@eljangoesrandom5268]

I don't know why I get satisfy when watching a bicycle build from this channel

[@oldshovel]

Lol awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@harryo6126]

I've just bought a 22" one of these also in pink, 26/24 one owner from new, it's almost as new, I'm ....(to use an 80s word) stoked.

[@gregkellow4723]

I can't say that I've ever seen those Suntour brakes, very unique design. A very nice build of another classic bike! Thanks for sharing!

[@tecdesigns8183]

Great renovation. Watching your videos have made me more confident doing bits on my own bikes.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@WARDANT1]

Having watched a few of your vids, I've today completed my first polish - a seat post. Had a go last weekend & it came out pretty good, but had another go today & I'm really pleased with how it's come out. Keep Inspiring!

[@RyansuBike]

those pedals alone were worth $15 nice thrift shop score and gorgeous rebuild

[@scottmasker4389]

Road cannondale all my life. Love them. This was when they were made right

[@florinsgondea6124]

Wow. I am impressed: by your decision making process of preserving the old color and parts ( this is history in my mind ), by your patience assembling the bike and also by not talking more then necessary. I rely appreciate that. Being quiet, I was able to follow your thought process and understand what you were doing. It is a great pleasure to watch your videos. Also congratulations to your camera person. I am a photographer my self understand the process. Again, thank you very much and keep going. PS You said you are an amateur. No Sir, I think You are a hobbyist, which puts you on a much higher level.

[@jp93309]

Really appreciate the work you’ve taken to restore and keep the vintage parts. Just finished a GT Palomar overhaul with the same shade of pink from the Montana Gold line. Most of the parts I removed were broken or worn out so I had to scrounge for donor parts. New parts were the cheapest I could find on the internet because the spray paint was getting expensive.

[@abhiseksaha3221]

Beautiful piece of machinery. a perfect item to park in the living room too!

[@oldshovel]

Lol 😂

[@hurlburt808]

But yet another fine piece of work and thank you for keeping the original pink it takes a real man to ride a pink bike...Bob would have to agree!

[@Healthnwellness1]

One of my faves just because of how you gave life to those components, they ended up almost new.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@robinvanmullem1102]

This is really one of the nicest restorations i've seen in a long time. Keep up the good work!

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@Vapourfreak]

Another great video and restoration! Great job, really cool looking bike! All the best from Germany! Keep going with your great work!

[@nstarmore]

Stunning, easily my favourite one you've done, perfect colour and beautiful components, so glad you didn't give in to the temptation to paint it

[@oldshovel]

Thanks

[@daveplayle3789]

What a great video & bike. Excellent work👍

[@poderosasfrituras]

Oldshovel, you are a genius!!!!! I love watching your videos and restorations! keep up the job bro!!!! cheers from Uruguay

[@oldshovel]

Thanks my friend

[@MyAirsoftRealm]

My dude, it's the third time that I've watched this video - I'm just sick over that bike! And being far from liking things in pink, it suits it so well in my eyes. Kudos and a better 2021!

[@retrobikechannel2599]

. Love the brake callipers and fork crown detailing on this build. Nice job.

[@Bikeops2021]

Awesome project, never been keen on the Pink but this has made an exception, what really nice bike, great work fella.

[@badger67]

Beautiful job. They really don't make bikes like they use to do. Built to last.

[@chriswilby7679]

Beautiful bike glad you didn't change the paint and love those brakes a work of art.

[@joshuajarman]

I love your videos. I just bought a set of OURY grips for my 91' DB Apex. So glad I did!

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@charlesdudek7713]

While pink is definitely not my favorite color, being that the color is rare it was absolutely the right choice in keeping it original. Great job and very interesting video.

[@danieljan9316]

Hi old shovel i just want to say that i love your channel especially your build concept ,it was very detailed and unique bike assembling that every viewer can learn and understand what is goin on. I hope that you don't stop uploading more vids because i always watch your vids.

[@oldshovel]

Will do. Awesome

[@Crystalheard]

Beautiful and unique bike.

[@orangemjay3170]

Another Quality rebuild. Pleased that you didn't decide to re-paint. PATINA IS KING!. You should get hold of one of the UK's classic mountain bikes the Orange Clockwork, and try to re-create its classic luminescent orange and white fades.

[@rajbanssinghbhogal3325]

Before hitting the play button for your video, I actually hit like icon...

[@jvac1129]

You did a great job! Bikes got alot of new life back again. I just tore my 2004 Kona Caldera apart, powder coated, changed the headset bearings, put it back together but it wasnt jiving right so I got a friend to tune it up that has far more experience then I have considering it was my 1st restoration build. Was alot harder then I thought.

[@oldshovel]

To do it right it takes work. That’s half the fun though 😁

[@dougnevitt2257]

Beautiful! looks awesome. Nice work

[@fernandourrea3677]

As always, impeccable!

[@plutoplatters]

that's beautiful ! always loved Suntour parts

[@backcenter2]

The paintjob is so beautiful.

[@oldshovel]

Agreed