1991 Cannondale SM800 Beast Of The East

[GeneralOsik]

This weekend, I'm cleaning up the wheels!

Before:





After:







These are LX M550 laced to Ritchey Vantage Comp rims, and they came with steel Ringle Cam Twists in black. This is one of the reasons I was so excited to buy this bike. I knew the wheels were sweet, bomb proof, 36 spoke, yet still pretty light weight. I'm surprised at how well they clean up! I was also able to snag the last pair of decals that @oldefortran had for sale. Thanks Peer!

The rear wheel was already missing it's decal, so I had that one cleaned up most of the way already. I rebuilt the hub and freehub during the week, and today I finished off with a 0000 steel wool polish on the spokes, and some Scotch Brite 7447 on the braking surfaces. I'm also fitting a pair of tan wall Smoke Classics, per the original catalog specs.

 

[GeneralOsik]

All done, besides a front QR O-ring. These look so good now, I can't wait to finish the rest of the bike!

 

[Cengiz03069]

Verkaufen sie ?|

 

[larslaxen]

How is the bike coming along?

 

[GeneralOsik]

How is the bike coming along?

I haven't touched it since last update. It's pretty much ready to be rebuilt, I'm just waiting to find matching paint for a frame restoration. I like to take my time with that part.

I have found a less than perfect Cannondale branded TaperLite, and I'm still hunting for a ControlTech seatpost.

 

[GeneralOsik]

Frame: 1991 Cannondale SM800 "Beast of the East" in Black w/ Hunter Orange splatter
Fork: Cannondale Pepperoni

Headset: Tange 1" in black
Stem: ControlStem with noodle in black
Handlebar: Cannondale Competition TaperLite
Grips: ESI Chunky in white
Bar Ends: ControlStix in black

Brakes: Shimano Deore DX BR-M650
Brake Pads: Kool Stop Eagle II
Brake Levers/Shifters: Shimano Deore DX MT-071

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX FD-M550
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX RD-M550
Cassette: Shimano Deore LX 13-30t
Chain: Sachs Sedis
Cranks: Shimano Deore XT FC-M730
Chainrings: Shimano SG-X 46/36/24
Bottom Bracket: Shimano
Pedals: Shimano Deore DX PD-MT60

Hub Skewers: Shimano LX
Rims: Ritchey Vantage Compe
Hubs: Shimano LX HB-M550 36h
Tires: Panaracer Smoke 2.1 in tanwall

Saddle: Selle Italia Turbo in white
Seatpost: ControlTech 27.2 in black

Bottle Cage: Cannondale Aluminum in white



I finally put this bike back together. Per usual, project creep and budget constrains reduced the scope of the build. However, I know I'm going to be selling this bike soon, so I didn't feel bad about skipping the frame restoration. I was tired of moving around an incomplete frame and a box of shiny parts. I am so glad I get to ride this bike now! It's quite responsive, and has an interesting turning center of balance. I can tell this would be great downhill. It is also very light, probably the lightest bike I currently own.

 

[JCS]

What’s the origin of the ‘Beast of the East’ name?

 

[Mod-Master]

What’s the origin of the ‘Beast of the East’ name?

I think it’s because it has a 13in high bb and sloping top tube. The reason they named it that I’ve no idea.

 

[GeneralOsik]

What’s the origin of the ‘Beast of the East’ name?

The marketing story I've heard from a few guys who sold these new back in the day, was this frame design was better suited for the East Coast US style mountain biking.

 

[15fsport_350]

Incredible build! I inherited the same bike from my brother. It’s a time capsule, probably has under 50 miles on it total