Cannondale Criterium Restoration

Detailed restoration of a 1987 Cannondale Criterium SR500. In its full originally trim from factory, this Cannondale came equipped with a full Shimano 105 groupset, Vetta saddle, NITTO stem, Modolo handlebar and Wolber Alpine rims.
This particular bike had been neglected and needed a good cleanup, polish and paint touch-up to get it looking good again.

[@matthewlewis9356]

Beautiful job Cannondale s are beautiful bike 😊

[@chriswarren50]

Greetings from Australia. I like your approach. To my mind a well worn 30 year old bike should look like a well worn 30 year old bike that has been loved and well maintained, not like something that's spent it life in a glass case.

[@BikeItUK]

Love the early Cannondale's and great to see the bar tape being applied as it was in the day. Lovely restoration great work as always all the best Andy

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you Andy and thanks for the inspiration 🙏🏼

[@Elias-qw1ps]

Just bought one of these, its an amazing bike honestly, managed to get it for 100£ and it felt like a steal

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

That is a steal, it’s a lot of bike for that amount of money 👍🏼

[@joebauers3746]

Great bikes. The only problem I have with them is I would have to run a 25c or bigger tire due to the frames being so stiff (aluminum). For the money though I would recommend old Cannondale's all day long.

[@MauriceSalvo]

Light, strong, and lovely bike :-)

[@trevoroutim8519]

Great restoration. And I also agree to the importance if keeping some war wounds showing the bike's history. It tells a story.

[@efrainsantiagohernandez9535]

Nice job my friend great bike 👍👌💪🏻

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks ✌

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Excellent restoration ❤💯🎯

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼 👍🏼

[@lucastheworldis1336]

Just to think the 1990's Cannondale track version of this similar frame goes for thousands and is super rare. Love the uniqueness of this frame.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

True story, they’re hard to come by in SA as well.

[@kehlsnyder5419]

Loved this restoration, great work and agree the brushed alum. finishing vs high polish looks better here. Wish you had installed a new chain though, hate to see that old rusty thing get put back on a beauty bike!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoyed the video 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@crnkspinnr5863]

Nice thorough restoration. Doggonit now I gotta get to work on my 1987 Black Lightning

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, those Black Lightenings are always worth restoring 👌🏼👍🏼

[@felixjackson2670]

Lovely job. Have to say how well made and long lasting bike kit was in the 1980’s..I had one of the first Cannondale (made in USA) MTB’s in England 1984..came with Sun Tour Superb sealed Bearing groupo. BRILLIANT. Bombproof. Working in Walton Street Cycles Oxford through 1980’s..Bought the same frame as in this video..same color too and built with Campagnolo C Record groupo..super stiff and smooth,even with steel fork. Your attention to detail and high standard of workmanship is awesome. MANY folk starting to ride bikes would do well to buy a restored retro bike!! Especially in today’s world of so called ‘Green’ ways of thinking ( but don’t get me started on hypocricy)

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the compliment Felix 🙏🏼 I’d still love to get my hands on one of the early Cannondale Mountain bikes, they were brilliant bikes and Cannondale wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries with their frame designs 👍🏼 Mind you, they still make some really great bikes.

[@felixjackson2670]

@@BuffsVintageBikes well the early Made in USA were brilliant. Smooth junctions between the tubes. My Mountain Bike came with Roller Cam brakes and is the only bike I have ever regretted selling. Back then we would be constantly changing bikes as new tech was produced. Was one of the first people in the UK to own a Mountain Bike and our shop one of the first ever MTB specialist shop. Very small group of folks riding Mountain Bikes in Early 80’s in the UK. First saw an early MTB in California-San Luis Obispo in 1980. Later did some bike testing for MBUK magazine in 1990. Then later in the 90’s went back to being a Roadie!!

[@xXcangjieXx]

I have an alu Bianchi from the same era. These bikes are special because they aren’t vintage yet they aren’t new either. Rides great though.

[@madrabbit64]

My ‘98 CAD3 came with the dark grey Modolo stem and handlebars….great combo and very classy. Really enjoyed your restoration. I found my Cannondale thrown out in the trash, no dents, great paint and all Shimano 105 drivetrain and brakes. Rims had really bad flat spots so I upgraded to some Shimano WH-R560 wheels and they’re buttery smooth.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Robin, glad you enjoyed it. I’m rather fond of that dark grey stem and bar combo, you’re fortunate if you manage to find a set in an unmolested state 👍🏼

[@meadows408]

I love the old Cdales, they ride so smooth. I recently sold a 1990 Black Lightning that I intended to restore like you have done here. But it just didn't fit me and I couldn't justify the time and effort on a bike that I couldn't ride for me than 15 miles. Happily, the new owner is very happy. Thanks for the video, the bike looks great, nice work.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Bob, I ended up selling this one as well as it was too big for me but I had a lot of fun with the restoration 👍🏼

[@listenact]

I have this same frame and paint scheme. Ridden it since the mid 1990s. Was looking for some original parts and came across this. Nice work. I'm looking for an original white seat too. Mine got changed somewhere along the way

[@zimdollar]

Beautiful work and bicycle. Very educational but also therapeautic!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Nico van Loggerenberg Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@cantabile-cantabile]

It turned out to be a very nice unit. cool! ! I also restored the Cannondale Six13 team3 2007year model. It turned out very well. From Hokkaido, Japan

[@mikedeno3333]

wow! much appreciated work...

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@richsellona9681]

Absolutely love your video restoration! I recently found me the same model in black and in my size 50cm😊. Looking forward to restoring mines and hopefully get it looking like yours!🙌….aloha🤙🏽

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words and good luck with your restoration Rich. They really are great bikes and well worth investing some time and effort into restoring 👍🏼

[@garymitchell8335]

Just found this in my suggested feed. Great video and restoration. I love your careful but not-too-fussy approach. Also, really nice explanation as you go. Will look for more vids.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Gary Mitchell thanks for the feedback Gary, glad you enjoyed the video 👍🏼

[@soccerpro999896]

awesome job. great seeing an old bike getting a complete transformation. thank you for posting.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback, glad you enjoyed the vid 👍🏼

[@markkoussa2888]

Excellent work! Really support this kind of restoration. Love it. We need more videos!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Mark, appreciate the feedback. More vids on the way but sadly a good restoration takes time so hang in there 😉👍🏼

[@vandenbroekeengineering9312]

Have this same bike and model, assumed the initials on the dropout was the previous owner. Cool to see!

[@mauritzallberg7302]

Nice work, i learnd allot, thx

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... learned* a* lot* ...

[@davidproudfoot3424]

Just found your channel today and really enjoyed watching the detail, knowledge, skill and patience involved. Great results for the Colnago, the Cannondale and the Peugeot. Keep up the excellent work.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks David, appreciate the feedback, glad you enjoyed them 👍🏼

[@LLOPEZJF]

BEAUTIFUL WORK !

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼 👍🏼

[@KenMetcalf]

Great video and was nice chatting yesterday. Bike looked stunning 👌🏻

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Ken, glad you found the channel & lekka meeting you 👊🏼👍🏼

[@theoneandonlystork]

Much respect. Glad I found your channel! I have a 1985 SR900 that I brought back from the dead, and I love it. [Welder's mark on mine, left rear dropout, is TC.] It is light, stiff, and quick despite its age (and mine). These frames were ahead of their time - burly and beautiful, simultaneously.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the feedback and you’re right, Cannondale was pushing the boundaries at the time and building some great bikes 👍🏼

[@michaelbonade4667]

I have (2) 3.0 criterium frames that I will never relinquish…. They both have the extended rear dropouts and aluminum Sakae front forks…. Exceeding stiff and fast as all frig….I’m 140 pounds soaking wet and the harshness of the ride doesn’t bother me at all…. I’m not at all against carbon, and my first road bike from my Dad was a steel Motobecane, so I know how comfortable other materials are…even a mass produced 80s bike boom model like the Super Mirage …which was made in France though…. The Cannondale just feels like this solid, light platform for speed….and I’ll buy another if the opportunity presents itself 🙏🏼

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the feedback. They really are great frames and very underrated. When you put the power down you feel it right away 💪🏼👍🏼

[@carlchilders6069]

Just got my hands on this exact model. Same colors and et al. I did change the tape to red. Besides that? All other aspects are original and lightly used. Got from an estate. The tires and tubes are shot so just received my new Michelin tires for them…what came on it.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Awesome, I’m sure you’re going to love the bike 👍🏼

[@ronaldomartinsdossantos8282]

I love Cannondale!

[@hugosantos4187]

Your work is awesome to see. Keep up with the great videos and analysis of the history of the bikes. Cheers

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@mauricioorantes9809]

Excellent work. You did a fantastic job!! A true craftsman. I wish I had your skill set and patience.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, appreciated 👍🏼 I’m sure with some time and effort you’ll be able to master the skills 👍🏼

[@markbudd8432]

Fantastic job. Many thanks for sharing.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Mark Budd Thank you Mark, appreciated 👍🏼

[@lalolanda2220]

Great job, respect from Argentina

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@petrkosak2473]

Vzpomínky na mládí ..👍

[@derekbaldridge8245]

Very nice video! The bike looks beautiful 👍

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you Derrick, appreciated 👍🏼

[@worldofameiso5491]

Very nice job mate.

[@davidwhocares3293]

Gorgeous !! Nice Work !!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@burchds84]

great video. I just bought a very similar cannondale (same blue and white) with all of the same components except for the stem and cassette. I think it is 1991 though which the odd rear dropouts at the back.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

burchds84 thank you 👍🏼 The model after this with the longer dropout clamps were prone to cracking on the chainstays. Inspect it carefully once you've cleaned it up 👍🏼

[@mikesmit6663]

Beautiful!!

[@mattbrodbeck932]

Great restoration!

[@steelcrazy409]

great result.You're about the Shimano gear,it can take years of abuse and just keeps working.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Absolutely 👍🏼

[@antoniocorigliano68]

Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻good job...ciao da Milano Italy 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@jamieforbes2389]

Lovely job - well done

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@johns3106]

Those initials on the rear dropout are those of the painter not the welder...I believe if you read your old catalog carefully, you will discover this. It's funny what the manufacturers choose to make a selling point. The "one-of-a-kind" paint jobs (and the artist's signature) on Cannondales of this era were really played up in the advertisements.

[@rickmtbhaywood2311]

Lovely job 👍🏻

[@tmorgan911E]

Turned out great, glad I found your post on Instagram. My bike is also Blueberry with the hand painted graphics, I need to take close look and compare how the yellow varies from yours. Mine also has the sprayed JB initials, but based on what I read on Bike Forums, I think maybe that is the painter because there is a whole thread about the welders stamping the frames instead. I could be wrong about that through. Anyway, thanks for making the video, gave me some good ideas for how to fix the issues mine has too.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

tmorgan911E thanks for the support 👍🏼 The painters initials in spray paint would make more sense I guess, thanks for that. I had a closer look at mine and it has 3 initials stamped into the left wheel lug, KP and TB being two of them, I can't make the 3rd out.

[@rodcosta2345]

Amazing work!

[@HairyMTB]

Been waiting for a new vid, thanks!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

HairyMTB thanks for the continued support Hairy, hope it was worth the wait 👊🏼👍🏼

[@jonasmannberg1600]

Very nice restauration of this beautiful bike. I have an identical far up in the north of Sweden. If you do not mind me asking, what BB did you use for replacement? Standard sealed square?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼 Yes it used a standard Shimano sealed BB.

[@jonasmannberg1600]

@@BuffsVintageBikes Thank you very much for your answer. I will proceed in replacing mine. The original one have seen better days.

[@waynekuhne2508]

I had one of these Cannondales back in the day and did the Argus on it. 3hr 15 min I think I did. It was exactly this colour in fact I thought this was my old bike. Was a fantastic bike to ride. I know thisbis a long shot, but do you still have this bike? Thanks for the video Buff.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

I love hearing stories like yours Wayne, these classic bikes always invoke such great memories 👌🏼👍🏼 Unfortunately I sold this particular bike as it was too large for me.

[@branddandre]

Great restoration. What size tires did you use? and what is the max size you recon the wolber rims and frame combo can handle?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you. I can’t recall to be honest, I think those tires were 23C. It should handle 25C comfortably. I’ve since sold the bike so can’t check for you.

[@michaelc7937]

I have a set of matching Wheels from 1987 that came off my centurion. There 105 hubs with the same hoops as your front wheel. If ya need them.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Michael but I have since sold the bike on as it was too large for me 👍🏼

[@herbertpearson5665]

Lovely restoration nothing like vintage, nice job. By the way what is the background music very soothing.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 👍🏼 It’s background music available on the iMovie app 👍🏼

[@alexpreston4071]

Getting ready to restore 1987 SR600... What bottom end did you use to replace the rusted original? Love the video. Thanks!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks, the old BB was replaced with a new sealed BB unit, available at any decent bike shop 👍🏼

[@cincofr7079]

Nice 🇲🇦👏👏

[@yifanfei8277]

Just out of curiosity, how did you attach a piece of that scotchbright pad onto the drill to make that scotchbright wheel?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

You can buy an attachment piece at most good hardware stores that works for this purpose i.e. allows you to add any disk

[@slideshowking8716]

Hey for 1 I loved the video and 2 I was wondering what the name of the paint color you used for the frame was because I have one of these bikes as well and I would love to patch up a few spots on it

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 👍🏼 I mixed the colour myself using the Tamiya blue & white until I was happy with the shade required.

[@kent5589]

I have a 1990 version of this bike. It has a Modolo Anatomic Slope Tech handle bar with a sleeve. The sleeve is clamped tight and does not move however the handle bars move slightly within the sleeve. Do you have any suggestions to correct this. thanks

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Without seeing it, it’s difficult to give advice but a handlebar with a sleeve is normally indicative of bar that’s too thin or a stem that’s too large. What stem are you using?

[@kent5589]

@@BuffsVintageBikes it is a modolo as well.. the sleeve is part of the original handlebar

[@leandrobarneche9228]

how much did it cost toatlly?

[@bigjimWA77]

Nice work. I picked up one of these also just a few weeks ago in original white w/blue decals without much of the original parts - frame and fork essentially, with a hodge podge of Shimano parts. I believe the handlebars originally were "TTT" brand from Italy (still in business) ? F.Y.I. you should find the serial number along the chainwheel (drive side) chainstay towards the B.B. end, in a kind of "peppered into frame" early digital imprint. It reads backwards so for example you might have 58082487033 which would be 58" 1987 24th of August (production date), frame # 033 (whether it is frame # 033 in totality or on that day I'm not sure). So: 58 - 082487 - 033 to visually decode it. Wish I had the original bits like yours however am pretty pleased with the assortment of 105 and Ultegra parts. Nice channel and I particularly like the various Scotchbrite, alfoil & Autosol methods. Cheers!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Aussie BMW thanks for the feedback. This bike has since been sold but I was aware of the frame number on the drive side chain stay. This particular bike was a size 58 (hence the sale, I ride a 54) and built in 87. All the best with your build, if you're patient and look around I'm sure you'll be able to get that groupset close to original. Fortunately there's still quite a lot of old 105 components to be found on various websites and forums.

[@bigjimWA77]

Thanks mate. I may have found some original 105 hubs locally so that's a start. Unfortunately the frame has a rather deep 'wheel gouge' on one inner side of a chainstay which has taken away 1 to 1.5mm of material in about a 16mm x 20mm area...a tough place to weld or braze material upon. Also an integral dropout looks somewhat misaligned. Am reading up on aluminium welding, annealing & brazing with interest. I've fully stripped the bike now and my frame weighs around 2100gms...quite astounding. Will look to the forums and do enjoy the sympathtic relaxed pace of your videos. Thanks again.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Aussie BMW sorry to hear about the gouge. My suggestion would be to rather use a bonding agent like Pratley’s steel to build the gouge mark up rather than applying heat to the area through welding and thereby compromising the structural integrity of the frame. Just be careful as once it’s set hard it becomes super difficult to file down. I’ve had success in the past using this method on a Giant aluminum frame 👍🏼

[@shhhdontshout]

How did u take off the front derailleur pin?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

It had a c-clip on it.

[@earnestblofeld7905]

Al loo min yum

[@JEREMYMAGICTV]

what kind of paint do you use to restore the paint?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

For this particular bike I used blue & white Tamiya modeling enamel which I blended to get the correct shade of blue.

[@lapac1]

@@BuffsVintageBikes Fantastic restoration. I have the same bike/color, did you combine the Tamiya X-14 Sky Blue and Flat White XF-2 acrylic paints?

[@JohnHumphrey]

Awsm build, Thanks! FWIW, I find the music distracting and unnecessary.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

humphrey23 thanks for the feedback, I’ll keep that in mind. Some prefer music, others don’t so it’s always a tricky decision.