Difference between Shimano Stradic Fk and Sustain FG

[GoCougs14]

What does the sustain offer that the FK does not? Obviously not much because it looks pretty easy to find a $200 sustain FG. These reels are a few years old right? I know the Stradic FKs are loved here but if someone could sell me on what might make a Sustain FG better Id like to hear it.

[Darren.]

I have only held Sustains, I own 4 Stradics, one FK, 

one FJ, and two FI -- all 1000 size.

 

Take that back, I gave a 2500 FJ to one of my sons, 

so we have 5 Stradics in the house.

 

I have read reviews and evaluations that the Stradic,

among the Shimano upper echelon, is the "best bang

for the buck". Sustains are smooth, but some have 

said they are not worth the extra $$ for what you get

with the Stradic. So take that for what it's worth....  

[Hulkster]

I have played with the Sustain FG in the store and one thing that drives me nuts is the shape and material of the handle. its barrel shaped and EVA foam. the Stradic FK has a much nicer handle. Granted, you can always change out the handle knob on the Sustain, but I would be inclined to think that the Sustain is not worth the extra money over the stradic FK. its $100 more for an extra bearing and a crappy handle knob lol

[kroberts9]

i have 2 stradics a 2500 mgf and a 2500 ci4 .

 

the weight of the sustain is much heavier then the ci4 stradic. for the price the sustain has different shielded bearings I belive as well. so for salt water a sustain may be better but for bass fishing  stick with the 2500 series stradic.

 

take a look at tacklewarehouse.com and compare but I would lean towards the stradic.

[Sammies77]

The Sustain fg is overpriced. It's a stradic fj with the rotor from the ci4+. It's no better performance wise than those 2 reels. It does have a fancy aluminum drag knob though. 

 

People will still say how much smoother it is than those two reels though. Lol

35 minutes ago, kroberts9 said:

i have 2 stradics a 2500 mgf and a 2500 ci4 .

 

the weight of the sustain is much heavier then the ci4 stradic. for the price the sustain has different shielded bearings I belive as well. so for salt water a sustain may be better but for bass fishing  stick with the 2500 series stradic.

 

take a look at tacklewarehouse.com and compare but I would lean towards the stradic.

Nope, same bearings as the stradic fj and the ci4+ fa. 

[PatrickKnight]

The Sustain is simply outdated at this point. If you want a light weight reel go with a Ci4+ FB if you want a bullet proof machine go with the FK. If you want a high end reel go high end and look at a Stella, Twinpower, or a Daiwa Exist other wise the current Stradic lines are the best bang for the buck currently on the market imo (plan to give a Daiwa Ballistic EX a run soon to see how it compares to my FK).

[Sammies77]

6 hours ago, PatrickKnight said:

The Sustain is simply outdated at this point. If you want a light weight reel go with a Ci4+ FB if you want a bullet proof machine go with the FK. If you want a high end reel go high end and look at a Stella, Twinpower, or a Daiwa Exist other wise the current Stradic lines are the best bang for the buck currently on the market imo (plan to give a Daiwa Ballistic EX a run soon to see how it compares to my FK).

The ballistics are really nice reels, I have 2 of the 3000 size that have been solid. 

 

 

[je1946]

9 hours ago, PatrickKnight said:

The Sustain is simply outdated at this point. If you want a light weight reel go with a Ci4+ FB if you want a bullet proof machine go with the FK. If you want a high end reel go high end and look at a Stella, Twinpower, or a Daiwa Exist other wise the current Stradic lines are the best bang for the buck currently on the market imo (plan to give a Daiwa Ballistic EX a run soon to see how it compares to my FK).

I own 3 Stradic's,  2 are the Ci4 2500, They have been reliable and have given me zero issues.  I bought a new Diawa Ballistic Ex 2500 last spring and IMHO would rate it above the Stradic's.  Smooth as silk with a better drag.  I plan on getting another Ballistic in a couple of wks. 

[Sammies77]

1 hour ago, je1946 said:

I own 3 Stradic's,  2 are the Ci4 2500, They have been reliable and have given me zero issues.  I bought a new Diawa Ballistic Ex 2500 last spring and IMHO would rate it above the Stradic's.  Smooth as silk with a better drag.  I plan on getting another Ballistic in a couple of wks. 

Yep, they are really nice. The luvias is even better! I have the JDM luvias and it is basically a zion framed certate, and it's made in Japan.  The stradics are good but the ballistics and luvias are a big step up imo. 

[PatrickKnight]

You guys are terrible now I feel like I might need to get the Ballistic sooner rather than later. What about the Procyon model?

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, je1946 said:

I own 3 Stradic's,  2 are the Ci4 2500, They have been reliable and have given me zero issues.  I bought a new Diawa Ballistic Ex 2500 last spring and IMHO would rate it above the Stradic's.  Smooth as silk with a better drag.  I plan on getting another Ballistic in a couple of wks. 

 

@je1946 Well, you're gonna like this then  ..  ..  ..  ..

A-Jay

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-reels/spinning-reels|/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104837580/daiwa-ballistic-ex-spinning-reel/1885023.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fspinning-reels%2Fdaiwa%2F_%2FN-1102842%2B1000003177%2FNe-1000003177%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104837580%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

[A-Jay]

Forget the Sustain - Go for the 2016 Stradic CI4+  ..  ..  ..  .. 

I just did.

A-Jay

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Forget the Sustain - Go for the 2016 Stradic CI4+  ..  ..  ..  .. 

I just did.

A-Jay

 

Perfect for throwing wacky rigs...

But you already knew that  

[kickerfish1]

The Sustain is slowly becoming the forgotten child of the Shimano lineup for the most part. It used to have features that the various flavors of the Stradic platform didn't have but now they have started putting those on the Stradic and the Sustain hasn't been redone for several years I would expect it to get a makeover soon to help re-establish itself. Most folks are either buying the Stradics or skipping to the Stella or a JDM Shimano offering once you get to that semi-high end to high end spinning reels.

 

I am not sure I could sell you on the Sustain being a better reel by a $100 margin give or take. There are a few differences but honestly Stradics have been so solid for me over the years it is hard to justify something spendier for a spinning reel for bass.

[je1946]

11 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

@je1946 Well, you're gonna like this then  ..  ..  ..  ..

A-Jay

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-reels/spinning-reels|/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104837580/daiwa-ballistic-ex-spinning-reel/1885023.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fspinning-reels%2Fdaiwa%2F_%2FN-1102842%2B1000003177%2FNe-1000003177%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104837580%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

Not so much, they still want $199.99 for the 2500,  The 3000 is bigger than the 3000 Stradics.

[PatrickKnight]

9 hours ago, je1946 said:

Not so much, they still want $199.99 for the 2500,  The 3000 is bigger than the 3000 Stradics.

 

The 3000 is the same size as a 4000 Stradic but still for that price I might be able to find a use for one.

[Preytorien]

I've used the Stradic FJ and the Sustain FG, and I liked the FG just a tad more. But not for anything more than smoothness. Yea it's got a big handle, which felt funny at first but I grew to like it. Just feels solid and big enough that my dainty fingers won't slip off if they're sweaty or wet.

 

That said, I only bought it because I found a place in Australia selling the Sustains on clearance for US$175 and I bought one. I really like it. I probably would've stuck with my FJ if not. I liked the solid-ness of that one.

 

I've never used an FK or Stradic Ci4+ so I can't say I have any observations on that. 

[aquaholik]

The Sustain has an extra bearing in the handle and a bearing under the spool support. Both are easily swap-able with a .9mm hex tool. The Stradic FK has much better sealing in the roller bearing, anti-reverse bearing, and seal on top of the rotor and handle and seal knob.

[bassguytom]

I got a Diawa Ballistic EX 2000 off of eBay for $145.00 because of this thread. I used it today for the first time. first impression? Wow! I'll be putting it through its paces this year so I will get a better idea of endurance but if first impressions mean anything. This reel is a winner. 

[je1946]

Anyone interested in a new Diawa Ballistic, check out Cabela's sale.  Had to buy one to go with the other 2 already have.