This week’s Reader’s Rig is Kurt’s Cannondale M800, which he found in pieces at a local community bike shop and lovingly restored into a one-of-a-kind ride that features an eclectic mix of parts, each with a meaningful story. Learn more about Kurt and his Cannondale here…

Words and photos by Kurt

Seven years ago, this 1988 Cannondale M800 caught my eye in the back room of a local community bike shop. It had roughly half of its parts, and I paid about $75 for it. I then proceeded to gradually build it up with various parts I liked, such as the handlebars given to me by my late friend Bill who raced as a pro for Raleigh in the 70s. They resulted in an ideal reach and rise when attached to a stem that was designed 30 years ago by my friend Frank (the Welder).

  • Cannondale M800
  • Cannondale M800

I came across period-correct four-finger brake levers and seatpost QR while volunteering at my local food shelf. Then my buddy Dana powder coated a bunch of the parts white. My buddy John, who raced mountain bikes in the early 90s, confirmed that the paint on the frame is original factory tube art. The saddle is from a work trade with Frank.

Cannondale M800
  • Frame/Fork Cannondale M800
  • Rims Velo Orange polished alloy 32h
  • Hubs Electra
  • Tires GT 80s freestyle copies in 559 size
  • Handlebars Riser with old-school cruiser grips
  • Headset Stock 1”
  • Crankset Campagnolo Olympus with Rock Ring
  • Pedals Shimano M770
  • Cassette Shimano 11-34 8-speed w/SRP lockring
  • Derailleur Shimano M732 (front) / MT62 (rear)
  • Brakes Shimano cantilevers
  • Shifter(s) Shimano EM MT50 (friction)
  • Saddle 1989 Sells Italia Turbo
  • Seatpost Dunno
  • Stem Answer A-TAC (FTW design)
  • Rear bags Bikase cheeseburger
  • Other accessories Pletscher rack, Zefal pump
  • Cannondale M800
  • Cannondale M800
Cannondale M800

I found the Olympus crank on eBay for $25 and counterbored a Rock Ring to fit in the third chainring position using my neighbor’s Bridgeport. The hubs are Corsa Record high flange (sheriff) copies made by Electra roughly 10 years ago and have a Shimano cassette body. I picked up the cheeseburger seat bag when I visited my sister in Portland, Oregon, and the front derailleur while touring in Colorado. Back in the day, I worked for SRP (remember SRP?!), so there are titanium bolts scattered about, as well as an aluminum hanger bolt and cassette lockring. I hope you like it!

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