Bad news on first Calfee: Bikefanclub.com

Hi guys, I had previously posted about my great deal on my first Calfee. Well quickness to act on a Buy it Now has gotten me one beat up Calfee. Listing advertised frame with extras, upon opening the box, I was pleasently surprised to find Ksyrium SSCs rather then Elites. That is where the good news ends. The frame was filthy, but nothing a little new bike enthusiasim could not take care of. The components that came with the bike all had salt water corrosion on them, the cable guide (barrel adjusters) on the head tube had actually snapped off, due to corrosion, forcing an easy out of the threads.

Removing the FSA carbon cranks with DA TT ring, I was happy to see they were in good condition. However, after removing the cranks I could not budge the bottom bracket. The ti shell seemed to be spinnning, upon flipping the bike over, I noticed the cable guide was sticking up, and to my horror I saw a half inch tear in the carbon. The carbon had been pushed into a little mound, hence the elevated cable guide. Looking into the gash with a light I saw the root of the bb problem... the knucklehead who had assembled the bike had used a too long screw that seemed to have slowly torn the carbon as well as dent the ti bottom bracket, evidently releasing it's bond to the carbon and allowing it to spin.

So all in all a sad story. I am seeking a refund from the seller, hopefully this goes smoothly. Calfee said this would most likely require a BB rebuild, $450 + $200 for a refinish is going to put me out another $650 for a ridable bike.

$800 Calfee sound too good, then it is... lesson learned. I guess my first Calfee is still a few years off.

Comments or condolences gladly accepted.

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