Cycle Fan

Hey OneTime - was just kidding.... I know it wasn't malicious.... Just hope no-one else has a bad experience with this guy...

OK, so it's official - I have been shafted!!! I took the replacement BB to the mechanic and he's confirmed that it's not much better than the previous one. In the interests of other Hubbers (and to avoid the wrath of OneTime) the Hubber I dealt with is 'Hill Climber'. I've asked for a refund for the BB and would've asked for a refund for the crank as well if it wasn't on my bike already and I didn't have to pay again to have a new crank installed! Whether I get a refund or not - only time will tell! Such a pity to have a bad experience spoil the otherwise fantastic forum that is the Hub. Guess I'll have to be more careful in future!!

What about Admin setting up a Poll for Buyers and one for Sellers. Something that you can add to and where you can vote for the buyer or seller you've dealt with. It's not ideal but at least a Hubber looking to buy can view the poll and see if the seller is listed and how many votes he has. Simple solution for now until there's a rating system in place...

I'm all for the second hand market and think the Hub is a fantastic forum to find really good bargains. That being said, a rating system would be great. I've bought a number of items off eBay over the years and their feedback system is fantastic. Before you buy, you can check the sellers feedback and rating and make an informed decision about your purchase. In my recent purchase, I'd be able to leave feedback and comment on my transaction which would affect the sellers future feedback and dealings on the Hub. If you're serious about doing business on the hub, you'll value your rating and ensure that your feedback, service and products are all inline. Then this sort of thing with products described as 'new' won't happen. And if it does, at least there'll be some sort of recourse with negative feedback.

Just bought a crank & BB from a Hubber that he claimed was 'new'. When I received the crank there were scratches and scrapes all over it. After I got the bike back from the mechanic who fitted it, he told me that that the BB had been overhauled 'at home', the bearings were extremely rough and that I should consider changing it as soon as possible. Definitely not 'new'! When I asked the Hubber about it, he said he mjust have sent me the wrong BB and would send another one. I've just received it and it looks worse than the previous one! I need to take my bike back to the mechanic to see if it's even worth fitting!!! I wonder how far admin is with setting up the rating system... Anyway, my rant for the day!

Don't think it's a Tiagra - the Tiagra's got it's name on side. Was thinking maybe FC-600 maybe? Were there any 105 cranks without 105 written on them?

Any other comments? What's a fair price to pay for them?

Can anyone help me identify this crank? I'm considering buying it but I'm a bit unsure as to the model. The seller says it's a 105 but it doesn't say 105. he says the code stamped on the crank is 5600 which is a 105 code but based on the picture it looks more like a non-series R550 crank. Can anyone help?

Anyone got any feedback or suggestions on Compact Cranks? Good vs Bad?Do you need a different derailleur for a Compact set-up or is it a case of just changing the crankset?

Thanks Johan, sheds some light on the confusing world of the BB...

I'm wanting to upgrade my crankset & BB and would like to try and do it myself. Can anyone tell me how to ensure I buy the correct BB for the correct crankset. What is the difference between English and Italian thread? Does the frame determine the BB size or the crankset? Lots of newbie questions - but its the only way you learn! Thanks in advance for the advice...

Thanks for the advice guys. I've tried to measure my inseam and it looks to be 89cm. I feel fine on the bike - so I'm not sure if I need to bother with a bigger frame?

Hi clever hubbers. I recently had my bike set-up (after months of fiddling with it myself) and the guy who set it up (an Ironman athlete and biokinetist) said that the frame was too small for me. I'm ?1.8m and the bike is a Raleigh RC4500 (2006) 51cm - medium. The LBS that sold it to me said that because it was a compact frame it was equivilent to a 56cm (confirmed by Raleigh's website). So is the frame too small for me? If it is, what are the consequences? Thanks for the advice....

That makes sense - thanks for all the advice guys. Appreciate it!!!

you probably right - that's why I'm asking all you clever people for the advice...

Hi guys, need some advice on best upgrade option. I currently have a 2006 Raleigh RC4500. Has a mix of 105 (STI's + Rear derailleur) and Tiagra parts, Shimano WH550 wheels, Shimano pedals, Selle Italia seat. Done around 1200km. I'm wanting to upgrade without spending a fortune. Here's the question: Do I look at upgrading frame to maybe carbon for around R2k and then slowly upgrade all parts to 105 OR Do I sell the whole bike and put the cash to buy a good second hand bike? What would a reasonable price be for my bike? Thanks in advance for the advice....