1993 R500 Headtube ID

[doxilia]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could confirm the ID of the 1993 R500 frame. I have a 1994 R900 and it’s ID is 37 mm needed for the SubIOne 1-1/4” steerer forks Cannondale used at the time.

The upper end 1993 models (R2000 | R900 | R800) used the same fork so presumably the same headtube specs as well but the lower R600 and R500 apparently used a lower spec (presumably) heavier fork.

If anyone has this info it would be much appreciated. Frame in question depicted below.

I basically need to confirm if I can use a CK devolution headset to run a 1-1/8” steerer fork. It’s possible on the 1994 R900 but not sure if it’s possible on the 1993 R500. Same exact 2.8 series frame FWIW.

Thanks!

PS the headset attached to the frame appears to be the same Tange Seiki HS also used the following year with SubOne 1-1/4” but can’t confirm from photo.

 

[black lightning 1987]

The 1993 R500 was a 3.0 series frame. I can't say for certain but I suspect the R500 took a standard ISO 1" headset with a 30.2 mm ID. The headset listed for the R500 was the Tange ME-SII, which was also used on the upper end hybrids, the T700, and a number of 1992 models. Fairly sure all those bikes had 1" forks.

 

[doxilia]

Hey BL1987,

Thanks for your reply. You appear to be correct as the owner of the frame in question just confirmed it. However, it seems that even the 2.8 series frames used the same 1” steerer in the lower ranks. There is a fading footnote in the 1993 catalog indicating the lower level 2.8’s used a lower level fork and corresponding HT.

Too bad as I was hoping to get my hands on this 56 cm frame and swap parts from my 1994 60 cm R900. Main difference in frames seems to be stack with the TT length difference only being about 10 mm. Easily handled with a stem swap.

I find the spec difference between the 56, 58 and 60 frame sizes to be surprisingly similar. Very little difference other than stand over height and a little bit of reach. Tube angles all about the same so they basically just dropped the TT in the weld up and adjusted angles ever so slightly.

Thanks again.

 

[doxilia]

On that note, if anyone has a 1993/1994 upper level (R800 or above) 2.8 series 56 cm frame for sale, please let me know. I’d be interested in purchasing it.

 

[doxilia]

After a little further study of the 1993 catalog I’m not sure if I’m any clearer on what models were available with what frame.

The pics below show an R600 with a 2.8 frame and what looks like a 1” fork. If that’s the case presumably there was a similar R500 (identical frame and fork) with lower spec components (Shimano 100?).

But there is also the 3.0 series mentioned with a depicted R500 frame in what looks very similar to the 2.8 save possibly for tube butting and maybe some shaping as well. Come to think of it, all the tubes look round so yes, different after all.

In short, 1993/1994 models with 2.8 frames and 1-1/4” SubOne steerers are only R800 and above. 1994 catalog confirms this (see attached).

First two pics from 1993 catalog. Second two pics (Blue fade R2000 and R800/R600) from 1994 catalog. Also see footnote in SubOne fork picture from ‘94 catalog.

 

[black lightning 1987]

It seems to me that I have one bike with the Sub1 fork, which I believe was always 1.25". Probably 58 or 60 cm though. I'll try to remember to check it.