Cannondale reborn

My beloved 1988 Cannondale has just come back from being resprayed and reborn as a touring bike. 20 odd years ago, this steed was just about one of the best mountain bikes money could buy, but it’s relaxed geometry is a million miles away from modern MTB’s and my new Marin Mount Vision.

My father in law very kindly arranged the pimp paint job for me – purple/jade/orange tri-tone – and with the ‘Dales gorgeous welds, it looks like its been poured into a mould.

I have rebuilt it from the tyres up, with Shimano SLX 28 speed drivetrain and a new Deore wheelset. The brakes are original (an XT U-Brake on the back and XT canti’s on the front). I have kept my old Pace forks and have fitted some Ergon grips to some narrow, dead straight Ti’ bars. I’ll probably change these bars for some butterfly bars in the next few weeks. Bit more upright and comfortable for taking in the views.

I’m going to be using this bike to do the 12 mile commute into work. I’ve been cycling in since Christmas on my Marin, which isn’t ideal but I’m managing to maintain my 50+ miles per week. I’m the fittest I’ve been since the Cambrian Way and my arse is a lot smaller!

Really looking forward to some Youth Hostelling with the boys as they get older. Aaron is ready for a short, flat trip this summer so I’m planning a route using the excellent Sustrans networks of cyclepaths here in Wales.

Roll on summer :)