The Ultimate 90s Cannondale Gravel Conversion Is Finished!

After months of planning, collecting, cat treats, painting and re-painting I've FINALLY finished the gravel project!
And what a project it's been, never have I done a build this involved and there's been times I've been disheartened but it was all worth it as I think this is one of the best looking bikes I've ever had!
HUGE thanks to Lucy at Indiprint
www.indibike.co.uk/
Ande at Vandal Metalworks
www.thevandalmetalworks.com/
Wayne Walton and my sponsors Light Bicycle and Hayes for all their help getting the bike finished!
I don't plan on doing much filming on this bike as riding gravel tracks isn't the most exciting but I hope the build series has kept you entertained!
I'd love to know your thoughts, let me know below.
Thanks for watching and see you next week, I hope you have a good one!
Patreon / aliclarkson
Instagram @aliclarkson
Merch: aliclarkson.com/
Paypal: paypal.me/AliClarksonGB?local...
Sponsors: Inspired Bicycles www.inspiredbicycles.com/
Tartybikes tartybikes.com/
Ride Concepts Shoes rideconcepts.com/
Light Bicycle Carbon Rims https:bit.ly/lightbicycle_ac
Industry Nine industrynine.com/
ODI grips odigrips.com/
Rimpacts Tyre Inserts www.rimpactmtb.com/
MIX Hydration mxitup.com/
HKT frame protection and mudguard www.hktproducts.co.uk/collect...
#aliclarkson #gravelbike #bikebuild #cannondale

[@indibikegraphics6662]

Happy to help glad it’s finally done and looking so great! Beauty of our graphics are being vinyl wrap so you don’t need that much water with them. Especially with the clear application tape. Still a top job!

[@chrisbrandon833]

Tan bar tape and saddle would look sweet, great build

[@Ali_Clarkson]

That’s a good shout

[@markpeterson8978]

I agree, tan leather saddle and bar tape would look smashing. Tan and blue work fantastic together.

[@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio]

Fantastic call. That would look mint.

[@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio]

@@Ali_Clarkson If you DO make the change, would you be so kind as to do a little show and tell? I'd love to see that (as I'm sure others would). Cheers!

[@radskaters]

Y pick yellow

[@mtb717]

So good job! Respect! Hello from Ukraine

[@LongPeter]

The bike is the right colour too! 🇺🇦

[@TheBassman396]

Screw Putin much love from Canada

[@neon_necromunda]

@Rodrigo not on dude bad form

[@laszloszabo1486]

Feltétlenül ide kellett böfögni, hogy ukrajnában baszódsz... Sokat tesz a kommenthez, és nagyon releváns a tartalmat nézve. Ugyan olyan bohóc lehetsz mint az elnököd.

[@LongPeter]

@Rodrigo very uncool.

[@justinoliver7887]

You win. This is the most intelligent best build I've seen on KZbin. Thank you

[@tharunshiv]

Epic build Ali! The thing that impressed me the most is that you found a hanger for it, so hard to find hangers for retro bikes!

[@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio]

Seeing this build reminds me of flipping through bike mags decades ago. This was somewhat of an iconic colour for Cannondale back then. Nicely done, man.

[@phrixos2826]

my favourite colour scheme, however, not my fave Cannondale frame through!

[@keyshey]

that came out so well! extremely beautiful build! now don't forget to film some rides with it, we want to see that for sure!

[@TheBrokenMountainBiker]

I seriously like that! I had an Iris blue (really dark metallic blue) killer v800 from new back in 1998, kept it until the early 2000's. Fantastic bike and those headshox are very tough and long lasting as well as having incredible small bump sensitivity. To keep it smooth invert the bike, pull back the shock boot and dribble lube into the fork, those 88 needle bearings will thank you for it.

[@d4n1g63]

Sooo cool man!! Frame looks sick! A tip to avoid the 2001 vibes (which has been awesome btw, tho) is to install cups separately (and it may be painful anyway) because both together are quite impossible to get it straight

[@joshdonley2842]

Leaving another comment to make sure you see it, Cable ties on the heashok boot!

[@Ali_Clarkson]

It does have two but I need to reposition the bottom one slightly lower 👍🏻

[@ram5672]

You built a masterpiece! And what a great frame. Reminds me of the good old times of cycling. Very well done!

[@connorcampbell144]

Like sending a chav to a private school 🤣🤣 had me in stitches! I don't think a lot of chavs would be able to afford private school, however they have big TV's and iPhones on credit. (I love apple by the way) Awesome bike.

[@Metal-Possum]

For a 68mm bottom bracket shell, you need a 2.5mm spacer on each side for those XTR cranks to work. Please use the XTR cranks, Hollowtech bottom brackets are so much better than anything SRAM can do (most other bike mechanics will likely agree). Also, those bars let you run conventional grips on the "drops". My recommendations for comfort would be grips made by Oury, nice bike silicone grips, super squishy. I never get numb hands or wrists when I'm riding.

[@christopheryack580]

I had a Cannondale cross bike with the headshok in the 90's...such fun on smooth single track. The rear wishbone seatstay was brutal on my spine and I wound up buying a titanium frame. I missed the headshok though. Currently on a Slingshot cross bike as I'm a sucker for nastalgia

[@mcnab1383]

Great build and attention to detail. I have a secondhand 'dale Silkroad, which is a 700c bike they built for the Paris-Roubaix in the early 2000s I think. Same blue colour and yellow decals, and an early headshok (only 1" travel and carbon stays, and yellow boot). I hate drop bars so put an Easton carbon XC90 flat bar on it with barends and also found a Bristol bike shop which cnc'd adapters for Shimano barend shifters so they could be fitted as traditional thumbshifters. So it's a classic roadie frame and skinny tyres but setup more like retro mtb. Only 1 hr or so mins north of Glasgow if you want to see it or meet up for a gravel ride. Have 2 other classic dales from early 2000s, both CAAD4 xc bikes, no frame failures but headshoks need serviced as seals have gone now.

[@alexandrsuslov407]

I think the rear adapter for the disk brake should be okay since it gives additional thickness by itself so I don't expect cracks in the rear brake area of the frame. You have done an amazing bike build and the bike looks great! I enjoyed watching the video!

[@macsays2834]

Great build, best yet! Love the retro mod style! 👏

[@theresajv5055]

I'll always have special place in my heart for the hardtal V. I was just thinking about Headshok's earlier and how I would not be surprised if Cannondale tried to revive it for gravel, and then a couple hours later I see this.

[@richardelsdon2027]

Extra points for using yellow cable ties on the fork boot 👌

[@rediculousman]

That's sick! I love the bars. Using 90 degree hose fittings, you could tuck the hoses under the bar tape. Is there a way to get the shifter cable tucked away too? It's a very elegant solution to running drop bars with mountain bike gearing!

[@MrMichaelpaul45]

Hi there, that was a great watch and it brought back some great memories as well. You’ve done a really good job. I hope you enjoy your Cannondale, I once had a Cannondale, Delta V 700 with XT full spec could not afford XTR at the time, but was still very happy. I really liked my bike, but unfortunately it was stolen from me and I never saw it again. I wish you happy riding take care and enjoy 🙂👍.

[@draggonhedd]

So cool! I love these old cannondales. Lookin great

[@pmcmpc]

I'd suggest intertwining (double wrapping) blue and yellow bar tapes. Would look sweet IMO. Also please do a video of you riding this beast in anger on some gravel trails!

[@sgfahhdhsdhd]

Fantastic bike! God, how I miss the 90s❤

[@ericm8811]

Hey Ali Clarkson! Really resplendent retro ride! Ride ride ride!

[@keanoscarermitano619]

Great restoration build with modern componentry! It’s really nice how you put up all the transitions along the build as well. Very pleasant to watch. Stay stoked!

[@mrshaneyt4356]

Looks so good and I really like those bars . Actually look super comfortable.👍

[@gabrielefugazza5604]

Ohh man!!! That's so gorgeous!!! I live this retro build!!! You did a great job!!!

[@twinshock175]

These builds are almost magical, I love the dedication to detail, such a great build, nice one Ali !

[@seanparker5595]

I'm very envious, well done on the build.

[@MinTieS.]

Fantastic build Ali. Enjoy getting out on the gravel!

[@Bicycle_Fungi]

Great build vid, and fantastic result. The work you did on removing the v-brake mounts was particularly superb. Enjoy!

[@DeeEight]

Cannondale was the first brand to adopt the 1.5 steerer standard when Manitou revealed it with the original sherman fork specifically BECAUSE it was slightly smaller diameter than their existing headshot steerer tube size (if I remember right it was 1.56") and it only required changing the headset bearings and upper and lower steerer tube races to fit the 1.5 steerer tubes.

[@el_micha]

You're spot on with the 1.56" original steerer tube size.

[@markkruse2557]

Great bike. If the rearbrake is not completely centered you could use the half round rings/spacers that are on V-brakes. use them on the bolts that connect the brake with the pad, you should be able to centre it better. Let me know if it helps 👍

[@danhunters8226]

Tested one of those bike at the Volvo booth at the mtb world championship in åre 1999, remember being blown away with how great it was.

[@clootify]

Super nice - this was worth the wait! 🚲🔥

[@joeldriver381]

I think it looks great. Those bars are epic!

[@devononair]

It made me so happy to see you reference 2001 in detail!

[@siTTinLo]

Beautiful retro restoration. Well done. 👏

[@joegatrill6634]

Mint! Great retro colours and love the bar setup.

[@davidsnow1481]

Sweet looking bike. I’m currently doing one myself thank you for sharing yours. I will continue to watch to see what’s next.

[@crxxpslvyr7887]

OMG finaly!!!

[@frankidoodle]

very nice build. Looks so good. A looot of Work - worth it!

[@oskarstaudte]

One of the best builds you did, so cool how it came out

[@jasonbannan4024]

Great job. It looks fun.

[@adw-mtb]

Well worth the wait looks fantastic

[@thuggooch1776]

This is one wicked cool bike man. Thank you for sharing.

[@salprestige2577]

Loved your video, thanks for sharing.

[@charlieb4911]

So awesome! I recently threw together a 98’ SuperV Comp 500. With a lefty from 2012ish, with high rise bars. I use it as my commuter/town bike. This is on a whole other level than mine but it’s super inspiring. Great job, ready for a long life of rolling.

[@jensleerssen9603]

Nicely done!!! Looks gorgeous 🏆

[@rickspeight5108]

Turned out great!! looks beautiful too!

[@CalvinPuah]

Omg..stuff of dreams. Kudos, envy.

[@AndreEST]

It's awesome, Ali!

[@shottingham]

Absolutely love the 90's decal; reminds me of my friends lefty!

[@ErrybodyGetTypsy]

Looks absolutely sick!

[@nogocux]

It looks absolutely great.

[@timwhitburn6260]

Love it. Black seat and tape.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

100% agree best brake feel I've ever had

[@dub_rider]

that's a really beautiful and unique build dude. it's been great watching you create it, cheers!

[@michael_emtb]

Absolutely love it!!

[@thomasstone1363]

This is a brilliant build, nice one Ali!! I LOVE those Vandal Metalworks handlebars

[@johnoutdoorvideos]

Super great work!

[@lynxg4641]

Came out really nice in the end Ali, so well worth it, even if it did take quite a bit longer than expected. I'd love if C'dale started to offer the HeadShox forks again as after market to fit 29x3" setups, it's actually all I've ever wanted to make the bestest ever "rigid" bike - just a little travel, but the big part, adjustable dampening to help control the front end from the balloon bouncing you can get.

[@thoxson]

this was so good! satisfaction levels going off the charts!

[@florinfrunzadinu7371]

x2

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

Ali FYI: Part of the reason you may be worried about your Crescent Wrench (or maybe in UK parlance: Monkey Spanner 😂) slipping, especially tightening a BB with the large spanner, is that you are using it “reversed”. The adjustable tooth is toward the forward of turn, and fixed tooth is to the rear.... Brings back memories with that bike!!! Another FYI: When using tube tyres for touring, gravel, or ground with glass & construction debris, I always lined the inside of tyre with a strip of nylon webbing like used on backpack straps. A pain to line up when new, but literally I have had chunks of glass embedded in tyre and self tapping screws in tyre, even had somebody shoot the sidewall with a nailgun, still ride with no puncture or leak. On a road setup on downhill turn at speed - it may feel a bit ‘loose’ at wheel but never was an issue.

[@tees_trials]

Super posh rig grandmaster, truly one with the bike!!! 👊👊🙏

[@jst88]

That actually looks awesome! Good job on that.

[@jeffsparman8369]

Dude well done Star Child!

[@jensleerssen9603]

🤩 So happy to see the Dominions. I've been through many, nowhere near your experience I am sure, but sooo enjoy them too.

[@emanuelgebauer7098]

Enjoyed it a lot! Very nice result 👍

[@fairlyfunctional2236]

wow! fantastic job, it's beautiful,bro.

[@craighenry7915]

4 STAR BUILD.

[@sunreindeerfog]

Turned out so sweet 😮

[@JCZ0RR0]

I genuinely airpunched seeing the 650Bs and XTR ... super build!

[@aouric105]

Nicely done. 👍

[@jgurtz]

Man, looks great, happy riding!

[@RoyBramlowe]

looks so good and different love it

[@imstillhereileft7530]

Oooooooooofffffff , so far best retro build seen so far on you tube , very inspired to the same w/ 650 wheels , impressive & great job , subscribed

[@1nintool]

Congratulations Ali, beautiful bike...

[@paulbernard2397]

What a build. An absolute beauty. Not a huge fan of the headshock fork, but that is as good a use for one as I can imagine. Makes me think there might be a use for my old Cannondale Chase frame... hmmm!

[@louisgunstone6651]

This looks so good. Nice one, Ali!

[@roblowrie1969]

Such a sweet build. I love the 90's retro bike, especially Cannondales. I had an F800 that I rode for years, before breaking a rear axle, which pitched the wheel over and rubbed the chainstay through!! CAD5 frame tubes seem to be far too thin to repair!! Especially in a weight bearing area like that!! I'd E en replaced the knackered old Lefty, with a USE Sub fork!! Now, you don't see too many of those about these days. It's still in pristine condition in my shed, waiting for my son to be big enough for a full size bike, and for me to build him a retro 90's bike for it to go on. 😎👍🏻 I love the colours or the accessories on this build. Whatever anyone says, if it puts a smile on your face, that's all that matters. 😎🤘🏻

[@mi36812]

Awesome project! I like it 🙂

[@FarzGFX]

Looks amazing Ali!

[@raleighpurtzer4601]

It looks awesome. I like the quirky bars with the frame! Seat was a nice score.

[@drewguttormson9368]

It looks awesome, Ali ! I'm a big fan of the Cannondales of 20 years ago. I could see Tinker riding that bike at a Norba race in the USA. I look forward to videos of you exploring on that bike. Nicely done!

[@Adroit1911]

That rear hub sounds awesome!! Gotta love Chris king.

[@lgarcia67]

Looks great! I am working on a similar project with an old Trek MTB. I absolutely agree with having the shock absorber in front. Gravel produces a lot of vibrations. It feels a lot like cobblestone. So having a shock absorber helps.

[@sugilitegel6208]

Sick. Makes me want to build a vintage gravel bike as well.

[@williambowen8211]

Beautiful build!

[@NanoDex]

Good fun!

[@lukenns7856]

Looks killer. Nice build!

[@Nobody-Nowhere]

really nice build

[@pirate_duck4985]

That turned out something special didn't it!? Wow. Lucy is awesome for sure, just waiting on a couple parts to arrive before applying my custom Die-Cuts!

[@josienothanksmr.officer4031]

My top 5 favourite bikes yet

[@jairo.cabello]

Fantastic job

[@user-le4mc3gl8g]

beautiful bike,nice work.

[@damientime6604]

The graphics make the bike,top job!.

[@Chahtawarrior31]

Nice Build I like the bars!

[@Wannaridebikes]

Nice build. Ride til it cracks. If it does not then ride it more. Like the colors.