Shimano Citica E, what can be done to increase performance??

[The Rooster]

Got a few questions about the current Shimano Citica E reel.

First, I already found out from Bantam1 that the crankshaft has a bushing that can be replaced with the same bearing that fits a Curado for smoothing out the reel. This is something I would definitely do if I got a Citica. Has anyone here did this to their Citica reel and saw any improvement in smoothness??

Second, the handle paddles do not have bearings so I'm assuming they just have nylon bushings only. I would think they would be prone to wearing out. Can the bushings be replaced and if so can they be substituted for bearings at a later time??

I'd love to get a Curado. I'm on the fence about selling all my BPS Extremes and getting different casters. But for what I believe I could sell these reels for I think that would leave me selling 4 good reels and getting only 1 Curado in return. If I get Citicas instead, I'd at least have 2 reels and could upgrade them just a little with the crankshaft bearings at a later time. I'm just not sure about the Citica though cause it seems like I'd be really missing out and always wishing I'd gotten Curados instead. So that's why I'm asking what can be done to upgrade the Citica somewhat.

[d.hark]

You don't have to do anything to a Citica its good right out the box!!!!!! Some people complain or suggest to break it down and remove the factory grease to free it up some, but just use it and it will break in just fine

[burleytog]

There are no bushings in the Citica knobs.  And no good way to add bearings unless you switched to a Curado handle.

The knob post has an integral brass bushing that supports the base of the knob.

[RippinLips86]

upgrade to a curado I did and i dont think ill ever fish anything else

[Speed_Racer]

Citica is a good reel as it is. Are you stuck on getting a Shimano. Okuma has some pretty good reels for the money. Plus they're giving $20 & $30 rebates. You can get the Cayenne for $139 less $20 rebate and you can get it for the price of a Citica. It has more bearings and also has abec 5 spool bearings. Just a thought.

http://www.***.com/Okuma_Cayenne_Casting_Reel/descpage-OCCR.html

[burleytog]

Citica is a good reel as it is. Are you stuck on getting a Shimano. Okuma has some pretty good reels for the money. Plus they're giving $20 & $30 rebates. You can get the Cayenne for $139 less $20 rebate and you can get it for the price of a Citica. It has more bearings and also has abec 5 spool bearings. Just a thought.

http://www.***.com/Okuma_Cayenne_Casting_Reel/descpage-OCCR.html

More bearings =/= better reel.

[Raul]

You can 't add bearings to the knobs in a Citica, the only upgrade is a handle change for  a Curado E handle assembly. So by doing that ( cost of the part ) + the original cost of the reel, well you could have purchased a Curado.

There 's no "improvement" in  the performance  by changing the bushing for a bearing, it will only make the reel a little smoother than it already is.

[The Rooster]

What about that bushing on the crank shaft?? Is it already metal such as brass or is it some material that will wear out fairly quickly??

[burleytog]

The Citica is the absolute best reel you can get for $120 or less.

I own 2D's and 2E's.  The E's have really surprised me this year.  They've been pretty much all I've used this year (been slinging traps and Bandit 200's) and they have surprised me.

There are four major differences.

1.  Curado has a lighter spool

2.  Curado handle has bigger knobs and 1 bearing per knob

3.  Curado has a bearing on the shaft while the Citica has a bushing.

4.  Curado has a different level-wind guide.

While I own four Curado E's, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more Citicas.  I think you can rest assured that it will not develop slop over time.

[The Rooster]

The Citica is the absolute best reel you can get for $120 or less.

I own 2D's and 2E's. The E's have really surprised me this year. They've been pretty much all I've used this year (been slinging traps and Bandit 200's) and they have surprised me.

There are four major differences.

1. Curado has a lighter spool

2. Curado handle has bigger knobs and 1 bearing per knob

3. Curado has a bearing on the shaft while the Citica has a bushing.

4. Curado has a different level-wind guide.

While I own four Curado E's, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more Citicas. I think you can rest assured that it will not develop slop over time.

Well I know this thread is about Citica upgrades but I'd like to also know if you could convert the Curado handle from having 1 bearing under each paddle to having 2, making it a 9 bearing reel??  I only ask because I'd like to have a reel that has nearly zero potential for wear development for an extended period of time. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

1 bearing in the handle will be plenty , i put 1 bearing per handle grip on my Revo Toro 51 and it spins great and doesn't wobble or flex , in my opinion it is fine with the one , i am not even concerned about adding another (if that is even possible ) . so get the citica and send it to Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle ( site sponsor) and have him super tune it and upgrade the drag , i am gonna have my Revo SX done here pretty soon (followed by my Revo Inshore and my Revo Toro) 

[bilgerat]

The Rooster; the man in search of the ultimate reel....

You need to have NASA design a reel for you.

All kidding aside, I understand your appreciation for quality. That being said, go and get yourself the Citica or a Revo. Parts will be available for years to come and they're all on the same level quality wise. Don't let something like handle knobs keep you from making the jump.

I know where you're coming from. I used to own a Toyota pickup truck that I drove for a little over 14 years.....

[Boogey Man]

Agree with others who said they're good to go out of the box. Are you worried because it only has 4 bearings it may not be "smooth" and cast well? I know before I bought my first one I thought the same thing but if you tried one not knowing how many bearings it actually has you could never tell it was only a "four bearing reel".

[dave]

I am still using Citicas B's that were made in the mid 90's. Granted I have changed bushings to bearings but, they "feel" as good as they ever did. I think that you are way over thinking this whole decision.

[zero limit]

I am still using Citicas B's that were made in the mid 90's. Granted I have changed bushings to bearings but, they "feel" as good as they ever did. I think that you are way over thinking this whole decision.

Agreed I have a Citica 100DSV, bought used , prof. cleaned IMO It's better than my Curado B AND Close to my Fuego

[Grey Wolf]

I am still using Citicas B's that were made in the mid 90's. Granted I have changed bushings to bearings but, they "feel" as good as they ever did. I think that you are way over thinking this whole decision.

X2 . Buy it and fish it.

[Daniel My Brother]

Here's what I know to be true about home buying:

The most affordable home is one that is built to the builder's specs.

The most expensive option is to buy a home that's already built and to remodel it to your specs.

It sounds like you want the best reel possible for the least money possible. But you're going the remodel route and that's a mistake. Just buy the Citica or Curado off the shelf and enjoy it.

Here's another way to think about it: modifying a Citica is like putting 20 inch rims on a Honda mini-van. The Honda's a great mini-van, but it's still a mini-van.

[Raul]

Well I know this thread is about Citica upgrades but I'd like to also know if you could convert the Curado handle from having 1 bearing under each paddle to having 2, making it a 9 bearing reel?? .

No.

[tyrius.]

If you want something better than the Citica then buy the next reel up in the line up.  You'll spend more money upgrading than you will just buying the stock reel.

That said, you've gotta be pretty picky not to be satisfied with the citica.

Me thinks that you think about things too much.   

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's a difference between what can be done vs. what needs to or should be done. The Citica is a fine reel especially at the price point. If you want to have little extras done during routine/annual maintenance the additional cost would be minimal. If the point of the original post is to decide if the Citica is a good buy, I would have to say yes.

[Dockhead]

I was sold on the old Curados, had just bought my fourth one when they decided to make the Curado differently (and boost the price) and upgrade the Citica. Everyone was saying the Citica was basically the same as the old Curado, but I didn't care, I was so miffed I swore I was done with Shimano and I was going to try something different around that price point ($120) next time I was in the market. Well, someone got me a Citica for xmas, and now I just ordered my 2nd one earlier this week. They are great, you won't be disappointed. And of course I had a notion to go for a Curado, but decided it wasn't prudent.

My only question would be if you are happy with the BPS reels you have, why switch?? If you are getting rid of 4 to get 2, won't that leave a couple rods hanging in the garage?

You might be better off keeping what you have, and down the line if you need a new reel try a Citica out.

[Simp]

I did the drive shaft upgrade a couple months ago. It's cheap and simple really. Just lay everything out and have your manual handy. I'd advise some tweezers and some decent small screw drivers. Take your time and it shouldn't be a problem. I think it took me a hour or two and it was fun to break down all the parts and build them up again. It certainly taught me allot about reels. Also if you buy two Citica's it's advantages to have the other handy in case your not sure about something.

Now in terms of performance I find it certainly is smoother but you don't notice to much until you put under a good crankbait load. Personally I can't see going from 4 reels to just one curado. I'd advise you just slowly add Citica's one at a time to your inventory. Then slowly upgrade them if you wanted to. What's nice about the Citica's is they hold there value well because they are a quality reel. So if you wanted to go to Curado's at a later time you could and come out well on the financial side still.

[The Rooster]

I did the drive shaft upgrade a couple months ago. It's cheap and simple really. Just lay everything out and have your manual handy. I'd advise some tweezers and some decent small screw drivers. Take your time and it shouldn't be a problem. I think it took me a hour or two and it was fun to break down all the parts and build them up again. It certainly taught me allot about reels. Also if you buy two Citica's it's advantages to have the other handy in case your not sure about something.

Now in terms of performance I find it certainly is smoother but you don't notice to much until you put under a good crankbait load. Personally I can't see going from 4 reels to just one curado. I'd advise you just slowly add Citica's one at a time to your inventory. Then slowly upgrade them if you wanted to. What's nice about the Citica's is they hold there value well because they are a quality reel. So if you wanted to go to Curado's at a later time you could and come out well on the financial side still.

Yeah I do not want to drop from 4 reels down to just 1 either.  I would really feel that difference.  I've been thinking about it some and the Citica is the way for me to go at this time.  I'm pretty sure I could get by with only 3 reels anyway, most times I go out I don't end up using but 3 of them.  I can get 2 Citica's immediately if I sell all the Extremes I have now, and adding one more would be a possibility since they are affordable.

Here's what I know to be true about home buying:

The most affordable home is one that is built to the builder's specs.

The most expensive option is to buy a home that's already built and to remodel it to your specs.

It sounds like you want the best reel possible for the least money possible. But you're going the remodel route and that's a mistake. Just buy the Citica or Curado off the shelf and enjoy it.

Here's another way to think about it: modifying a Citica is like putting 20 inch rims on a Honda mini-van. The Honda's a great mini-van, but it's still a mini-van.

This post makes a lot of sense.  To me the Curado is the house on the hill that I can't afford.  The Citica is the brick ranch down in the valley that's in my price range.  However I would still add the drive shaft bearing since it's not that expensive to do and would make some difference in terms of smoothness and would also protect more against wear so that it lasts longer (which is my main reason for wanting the bearings). 

[I.rar]

I did the drive shaft upgrade a couple months ago. It's cheap and simple really. Just lay everything out and have your manual handy. I'd advise some tweezers and some decent small screw drivers. Take your time and it shouldn't be a problem. I think it took me a hour or two and it was fun to break down all the parts and build them up again. It certainly taught me allot about reels. Also if you buy two Citica's it's advantages to have the other handy in case your not sure about something.

i plan on taking my reel apart for a relube/grease whenever i grow the stones to do it myself. do you have a link to the upgrade process?

btw , i have the 'D' model , is it any different?

[Grey Wolf]

The saga continues.