Abu cardinal 54 question

[Rob Linwood]

what is the size difference between the Abu cardinal 54 compared to the 55 and what is the better of the 2 reels for barbel fishing any information would be great chaps

 

[Chris Thomson]

Pm for you

 

[Rob Linwood]

thanks Chris top man

 

[Mike Hodgkiss]

I use both for Barbel fishing and have no issues with either , they are beautifully engineered and robust reels , clutches are pretty good as well , although can get a little snatchy if not serviced . The 55 is not massively bigger than the 54 , back in the day the 55 was seen as the reel for carp and pike fishing , the 54 for lighter duties . Both reels supposedly had issues with the plastic spools on occasion 'exploding ', never really knew what this meant and certainly has never happened to me , however it was a real enough issue for people to purchase replacement alloy reels which apparently eliminated the issue . The ABU Sweden reels are better quality than the later ABU Garcia reels , cost cutting compromised , to some extent, the build quality of the Garcia reels with cheaper internal components being used , that said the Garcia reels are still pretty good . If you look at 2nd hand prices the pre Garcia ABU Sweden reels command a much higher price than the later ABU Garcia reels . Hope this helps

 

[Jim Brook]

I use both for Barbel fishing and have no issues with either , they are beautifully engineered and robust reels , clutches are pretty good as well , although can get a little snatchy if not serviced . The 55 is not massively bigger than the 54 , back in the day the 55 was seen as the reel for carp and pike fishing , the 54 for lighter duties . Both reels supposedly had issues with the plastic spools on occasion 'exploding ', never really knew what this meant and certainly has never happened to me , however it was a real enough issue for people to purchase replacement alloy reels which apparently eliminated the issue . The ABU Sweden reels are better quality than the later ABU Garcia reels , cost cutting compromised , to some extent, the build quality of the Garcia reels with cheaper internal components being used , that said the Garcia reels are still pretty good . If you look at 2nd hand prices the pre Garcia ABU Sweden reels command a much higher price than the later ABU Garcia reels . Hope this helps

I bought one a good few years ago, obviously second hand and both spools broke easily one when I knocked it lightly the other with my fingers trying to take out the line spacer, I think the plastic just deteriorated over time.

 

[Jim Brook]

I’ve still got the reel body and spool reducer if it’s any good to any body? Just make me an offer?

 

[Jim Brook]

I bought one a good few years ago, obviously second hand and both spools broke easily one when I knocked it lightly the other with my fingers trying to take out the line spacer, I think the plastic just deteriorated over time.

I meant spool reducer and not line spacer!

 

[Julian Griffiths]

Still got an cardinal 54 that my uncle gave me, boxed unused....seen one on ebay being advertised for £300

 

[Jim Brook]

Still got a cardinal 54 that my uncle gave me, boxed unused....seen one on ebay being advertised for £300.

Still got an cardinal 54 that my uncle gave me, boxed unused....seen one on ebay being advertised for £300

I wonder if it sold? not fishing gear but I remember when the band, “the stone roses” reformed and there was all the hype, someone was selling some top quality signed limited edition John Squire prints for £500 a piece!!?? I have 3 on my walls and that’s where they stayed! They only cost £150.00 ish? New

 

[Jim Brook]

Don’t what I did there? I’ve somehow added my post on to Julian’s

 

[Jim Brook]

admin, please delete last post