Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Was My Bike - Now Back to Me - Off to Someone Else

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle After
Overhaul

This Cannondale H400 was mine for a fall roughly ten years ago.  At the time I needed to work early morning hours at Menards to help get the business off the ground.  I worked the 5 am shift.  Of course I commuted to work by bike, about 16 miles round trip but more like 45 miles because I usually took a very long way home.  For a short time I commuted on this Cannondale because I didn't like my old Trek race bike sitting out side Menards.  

I did not like working at Menards but I did love those early morning commutes.  Racine was so quiet riding in the dark.  Usually no wind and plenty of stars to look at.  I especially liked that most of the way was on unlighted path which made the stars extra bright.  Well extra bright for one of those most light polluted areas in the world.

I rode the Cannondale H400 for just a fall, not even into the winter.  It was just too small for me but it worked for the commute for a little while.  If I remember right the bike I commuted on next was a Trek 560.  I sold the Cannondale to a customer who became a biking friend who commuted on the H400 on nice weather days.  I have been doing all the mechanical work and tune ups every year since.  Recently the Cannondale H400 has come back to me.

The Cannondale was and still is in incredible shape! The paint is perfect, no chips or scuffs at all.  The paint is dull and will get polished out though.  Everything else is in great shape, even in great shape everything will still get the deep cleaning and polishing and rebuilding.  New cables and cable housings will be installed.  New tire tubes and tires will be installed.  Of course all new bearings all around and I think that is about it.  It had a new chain and cassette installed last Spring and after measuring has no wear at all.  If the H400 was bigger I might keep it or myself but at its size it will make a great bike for someone for a long time to come.  

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Front Cantilever Brakes

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Stem

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Top Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Saddle

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Seat Binder

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Crank

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Rear Cantilever Brake

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Before
Rear Bontragger Rack

Like I mentioned before the frame is in incredible shape, just dirty and dull with no chips or scratches at all.  I gave the frame a deep cleaning and worked through the polishing grits.  The frame polished beautifully!  Like brand new.  

I forgot to take after polishing photos but in the rebuild process you can see how nice the frame turned out!

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Top Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Down Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Seat Area

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Seat Tube Decal

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Seat Stay

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Cantilever Studs

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Chain Stays

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Drop Outs

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Fork

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Fork Studs

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

The bottom bracket is a modern cartridge bracket that we replaced two years ago so I am just going to leave it in the frame, no reason to take it out just to put it back.

The headset is dirty and dull and the grease is old.  I cleaned all the pieces in the crock pot and then worked through the polishing wheels.  the headset polished beautifully and with new bearings and grease it spins perfect!

Take note of that polished frame, beautiful if I do say so myself!

     

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Polished

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Pressing Headset Cups

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Cups Pressed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - New Headset Bearings Packed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Headset Complete

The handlebars are in fantastic shape, just dirty and dull.  My friend turned the handlebars down for a more aggressive riding position.  They will be turned back up.

I cleaned the handlebars and stem and polished the paint.  Took just some light polishing. The handlebars look great installed!

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Handlebars Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Handlebars Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Stem & Handlebars Polished

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Stem & Handlebars
Installed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

I am a huge fan of cantilever brakes, I always have been.  I like them so much better then the V-brakes that are on everything now.  I broke down the brake calipers and gave them a deep cleaning through the sonic cleaner.  With everything clean I did some light polishing on the polishing wheels.  Installed the calipers look great and function perfect.  New brake pads where installed last year and are still very good.  Check out that polished paint!!

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Cantilever Brakes Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Cantilever Brakes After

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Cantilever Brakes
Installed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Cantilever Brakes
Installed

The crank is in great shape.  I gave it a good cleaning and a little hand polishing.  Installed the crank looks great!

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Crank Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Crank After

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Crank Installed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Crank Installed

The derailleurs are in great shape, just dirty and gritty.  I gave the derailleurs a good cleaning and then ran them through the sonic cleaner.  I gave the derailleurs some light hand polishing and lubricated all the pivot points and jockey wheels.  the derailleurs look great and better yet function perfect!

I forgot to take a photo of the rear derailleur, when I get into overhaul mode I just go and get in a good work groove and sometimes the photos are forgotten.

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Derailleurs Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
After

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
After

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Derailleur
Installed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Derailleur
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Derailleur - Polished

I am not exactly sure what photos are before and what are after on the seat post, saddle and binder clamp.  That is how good of shape they are in.  I just gave everything a good cleaning and greases the seat post.  The saddle I installed ten years ago and it is still in great shape and very comfortable!

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Seat Post & Saddle
BEfore

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Seat Binder Clamp

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Seat Post & Saddle
Installed

 The brake levers and twist grip snifters are in great shape. I cleaned and polished the brake levers and they look great installed.  I missed the photo of the brake levers polished.  The shift elvers work great and with new cables work even better.

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Brake Levers Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Brake Levers Installed

I am sorry, I really did a horrible job on taking all the photos along the way.

The wheels are in really great shape, just dirty and dull.  Last spring the wheel hubs where rebuilt and bearings replaced.  The photos of the old grease show how much dirt and grime get into a hub in a year of riding.  That is why I say its a good idea to rebuild the hubs every season if lots of miles are rode and every two years either way.

I broke down the wheel hubs and cleaned all the pieces.  The wheel hubs polished beautifully.  New bearings and grease and the wheels spin perfect!  The rims and hubs look brand new!  I am very happy with the results of the wheels!

I installed new tire tubes and new Panaracer 700x32 tires.   I love Panaracers and I think the 32 mm are a perfect in between for road and the gravel paths we have around here.

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Hub
Polished

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Axle Pieces Ready

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Hub
Bearings Packed

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Rear Wheel
Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Hub
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Rim
Before

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Hub
Old Grease

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Rim
After

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Front Wheel
Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Wheels Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - New Panaracer
Tires

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - New Panaracer Tires Installed

That completes the Cannondale H400.  A few photos I missed where the rear derailleur installed.  Wiring of the Cannondale with new cables and cable housings.  And installation of the rack.

The rear rack is in perfect shape.  It is a Bontragger rack designed for heavy loads.  I have a messenger bag that fits the rack but that is my bag and have been using it for 12 years so it is not going with the Cannondale.  I installed the rack new ten years ago and is still perfect.

I gave the Cannondale a good test ride and road tuning.  The H400 rides beautifully and is very comfortable.  I wish it was bigger for me.  The shifting is smooth and easy, the braking is great.  I am still amazed at the condition of the H400 since it has so many miles on it and has spent so much time commuting.  My dad even road the H400 the other day when he helped me shop for a used but new to me shop vehicle for hauling bikes.  He loved the Cannondale but he already has two bikes.  

It was fun when we car shopping.  We went to an area that has many car places in an area and rode bikes from one to the the other and so on.  The sales men thought it was strange but I love it.  I got to figure out how to haul 5 or 6 bikes on a bike.  

I am very happy with the appearance of the Cannondale.  It looks like it just came out of it original box.  Very cool!

The Cannondale will be going up for sale.  I will be adding all the statistics and vitals soon when I get my tape measure out.

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Front Cantilever Brakes

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Stem

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Top Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Down Tube

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
H400

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
USA Decal

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Bottom Bracket

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Crank

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Front Derailleur

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Rear Cantilever Brake

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Rear Derailleur

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Rim

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete
Rear Rack

Cannondale H400 Overhaul - Bicycle Complete

Thank you for looking!

John Z