Zouf

I've been looking around at used C'Dale R5000 or Six13, and some come with the proprietary Si BB and crankset. Not being very familiar with this setup, and having Googled and searched the forum to no avail... I have a few questions:
1. How reliable is that BB? Is it a typical forget-it, or a nightmare that requires impossible-to-find tools, non-eixstent replacement parts, for a better-do-it-often maintenance?
2. What chainring replacement options exist on this thing? Is it standard 130mm BCD? Can I plop in any replacement rings (Shimano, Sugino, T.A., etc.)? Of course the official Cannondale answer will be "No, only Cannondale rings can be used", but what about real life?

Thanks...

corny

The BB seems to be a typically well-made cannondale jobby, but does require special tools IIRC if it does go wrong. I have heard no stories anywhere of it going wrong as yet.

As for the chainrings, I am pretty sure they are standard 130 BCD, actually made by FSA, hence one can use standard Shimano etc upon replacement.

As for the bike itself, its a beauty - well made, very stiff and very nimble, I would not hesitate to purchase it!

sch

The BB tools are sent with the bike by Cannondale. Make sure the owner provides them as they are proprietary to the SI set up. Googling around I found mention of an adapter that allows use of ISIS or Shimano BB on SI set ups. Not sure this of any real value as with the rate of change of bike tech, the SI is likely to be superceded by something else so the adapter will not last much longer in the market, as long as nobody finds a need to R&R the BB. From the write ups I have seen the BB looks pretty good. You might look into a replacement set of bearings just in case.
Steve

Zouf

Yes, I did see the "Si to Standard" insert in a C'Dale pdf somewhere. Interesting option.

Thanks for the responses, now I know a bit more.