Full carbon road bike for 400 quid. What could go wrong?

[SHutchinson]

Anyone got any tips on the best way of replacing the free hub on this bike? I think mine failed in some way tonight. Getting a lot of movement in the cassette and a noise that suggests a bearing isn't doing what it should. I don't have a chain whip or a cassette socket so I imagine a LBS might be my best bet, but might it be cheaper to buy a whole new wheel?

[richardxjr]

That's not brilliant is it, one of the risks of buying cheap and direct. However it's probably shimano hub need tightening or something else simple for an LBS to diagnose and fix cheaply if you take the wheel in.

Even if you want to take the opportunity to upgrade the R500s to something lighter, you'll want this fixed to sell on or retain for winter usage.

On that subject, one of the big online retailers is selling Fulcrum Racing 5s for £140 I believe, same as what I've got, and which (together with tyre and tube swap) shaved 650g of rotating weight off mine.

[SHutchinson]

richardxjr said:

That's not brilliant is it, one of the risks of buying cheap and direct. However it's probably shimano hub need tightening or something else simple for an LBS to diagnose and fix cheaply if you take the wheel in.

Even if you want to take the opportunity to upgrade the R500s to something lighter, you'll want this fixed to sell on or retain for winter usage.

On that subject, one of the big online retailers is selling Fulcrum Racing 5s for £140 I believe, same as what I've got, and which (together with tyre and tube swap) shaved 650g of rotating weight off mine.

After having a chat with a guy at work he suspects it may be the adjustment of the rear derailleur, this is what I initially suspected as the top jockey wheel did look far too close to the cassette. Going to get it checked out before throwing any parts at it.

[hornetrider]

Quite a few on the bay now at 500-700.

Here's one starting at 400 though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/road-racer-/141418409873...

[richardxjr]

At the other end of the size scale (and ali frame but carbon fork and seat stays, Sora) Decathlon are selling off its smallest Triban 5s for £299.99. 51cm frame with the smaller 650 wheels. (will 700c's retrofit?)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-2012...

[Berz]

richardxjr said:

At the other end of the size scale (and ali frame but carbon fork and seat stays, Sora) Decathlon are selling off its smallest Triban 5s for £299.99. 51cm frame with the smaller 650 wheels. (will 700c's retrofit?)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-2012...

Looks like the old Sora with the thumb shifters. Haven't used them personally but they don't seem to be held in particularly high regard compared to the new Sora ones.

[lukeyman]

My first mechanical!

A loosening drive side crank going unnoticed has led to it no longer wanting to play nicely.

Still good excuse for an upgrade!

[CaptainSlow]

Anyone suggesting the Virago looks cheap is talking out of their backsides. It's the entry level T700 weave in a pretty good looking package, I got mine for £810 by combining discounts which doesn't compare too badly against the bike being discussed in this thread considering it has better components. I've since upgraded the Mavic rims to some bargain Ultegras...so for a total outlay of £1,100 it's not a bad package...weighing in under 7.5kg

I't amazing how many fat guys are pushing their £2k Specializeds up the hills.

[richardxjr]

lukeyman said:

My first mechanical!

A loosening drive side crank going unnoticed has led to it no longer wanting to play nicely.

Still good excuse for an upgrade!

May I recommend Shimano FC-R565 Compact chainset. It's non series almost 105 for much lower cost. English HollowtechII (105) BB is very light and fits straight in once the old boat anchor is removed. Keep the Sora front mech if you like will work fine.

[Matt_N]

The R565 chainset is an odd one, aluminium inner ring vs steel on Tiagra but it uses the same C section arms as Tiagra whereas 105 is hollow forged.

[lukeyman]

richardxjr said:

May I recommend Shimano FC-R565 Compact chainset. It's non series almost 105 for much lower cost. English HollowtechII (105) BB is very light and fits straight in once the old boat anchor is removed. Keep the Sora front mech if you like will work fine.

Of course you may...

Is it better value than a Sora one from Ribble at £40?

[Matt_N]

lukeyman said:

Of course you may...

Is it better value than a Sora one from Ribble at £40?

As said it sits between Tiagra and 105 so better than Sora.

[richardxjr]

It's a step and a half up from Sora @ £49.95 from Total Cycling on eBay [172.5 cranks]

[lestershaw]

if anyone is interested I am selling mine
its unused and has only touched the floor from the van to my house
its unmarked and its a size 58
it also has the clarks caliper and blocks which are supposed to stop it better.

I don't want to make a profit so its on offer for a cash price of £400 collected from Stansted.

for £25 I will add a brand new ritchie logic carbon seatpost

Lester :-)
im going to stick with mountain biking

[GALLARDOGUY]

What's the height range on a 58 frame?

[Fugazi]

I'm 6'4" with a 33" inside leg and the 58 size frame fits me fine. Plus good upgrade on the brake pads, the originals are shockingly bad but those Clarks pads are excellent.

[richardxjr]

I'll have the seatpost if buyer doesn't want it [cheeky/]

[tshakah]

lestershaw said:

if anyone is interested I am selling mine
its unused and has only touched the floor from the van to my house
its unmarked and its a size 58
it also has the clarks caliper and blocks which are supposed to stop it better.

I don't want to make a profit so its on offer for a cash price of £400 collected from Stansted.

for £25 I will add a brand new ritchie logic carbon seatpost

Lester :-)
im going to stick with mountain biking

Any chance you could post it to Walsall?

[lestershaw]

I am happy to post it anywhere, at your cost and after you have paid :-)
I reckon I can get it parcel forced for £30?
so that would make it £430 without the seatpost
pm if you prefer
Lester

[lukeyman]

Just a quick pic and thanks for the chainset recommendation!

I got a 105 BB to go with it. Saved enough weight over the original bits to offset the raceblades I think and they feel a lot more efficient.