Shimano chronarch construction

[DN3]

I have have always bought baitcasters with metal frames and/or sideplates....However I noticed that the chronarch ci4 and new chronarch MGL do not have either.... Obviously they get great reviews, but are there any strength issues with them under heavy use? I feel silly asking, just having a hard time hitting the purchase button when I've only known metal frames reels.

[Raul]

No matter that has SHIMANO stamped on it I will never again purchase a "composite" frame reel, that's the promise I made to myself the day my cherished Silstar Starlite Pro bc sccidentally slipped from my hands and landed from waist height and broke it's reelfoot.

[Davidhorowitzski]

34 minutes ago, Raul said:

No matter that has SHIMANO stamped on it I will never again purchase a "composite" frame reel, that's the promise I made to myself the day my cherished Silstar Starlite Pro bc sccidentally slipped from my hands and landed from waist height and broke it's reelfoot.

That's heart breaking!  It's happened to me twice now.  Same exact way.   Dropped from 30".   

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There's nothing sub par about the chronarch's construction. How it would respond to being dropped or mishandled I couldn't say. 

[craww]

The only issue you have to be concerned with is how the material effects the feel of the reel, and you're satisfaction. Nothing feels better than a well built aluminum reel to me, but they traditionally have been heavier. I went to the store ready to buy a CI4, but it felt worse than the curado so it stayed put.

 

I do think shimano needs to get with it and give us a higher end aluminum reel again.

[JDNKC]

I don't have any worries about the construction.  We might be over analyzing at this point. Fine reel and will hold up a loooong time you treat it like a 200 dollar reel.

[flechero]

If frame strength is a concern, you are fishing for something much larger than the reel was intended for. 

 

Raul's example, while real life, is not so typical... it's like the minor fender bender and a car frame ends up bent and a car is totaled when the other only has $2500 in damage. 

 

Drop an aluminum framed reel and you are as likely to bend a handle or upset the antireverse bearing and the reel is trashed anyway.  Freak accidents are just that.

 

You want a tough reel- pm me an address, I might still have some old Daiwa and Abu reels.  I couldn't sell them for pennies on the dollar 5 yrs ago. 

[Raul]

9 hours ago, Davidhorowitzski said:

That's heart breaking!  It's happened to me twice now.  Same exact way.   Dropped from 30".   

 

You bet it is specially when I worked my entire summer vacations in order to purchase it, that and a 5'6" Silstar MH rod to go along with it, my very first BC combo, caught a lot of fish with both.

[kschultz76]

Carbon composite materials are the way of the future in many industries. 

 

I have 3 Chronarch CI4s, a new Chronarch MGL, and a Straduc CI4+. Very happy with all of them and no performance or durability issues with any of them. The older ones have a few seasons on them. The material of the new one is a bit denser and very nice. 

 

I've read posts from folks fishing several CI4s hard for reds over several seasons with no issues and solid performance. If these reels were having durability issues we would be hearing about them by now. 

 

Buy with confidence if this is what you decide you want. 

[lmbfisherman]

Don't worry about durability, although respectfully to Raul that seems like a one off "freak" accident.  Although normally I agree with his assessments, just not this time.  I have many Shimano non aluminum reels and they are just fine.  I try and care no matter aluminum or composite not to drop them but it happens.  Just last week I dropped a Chronarch CI4+ landed with the top side up.  I did not see a dent or a scratch on it.  Anything though can break if it get hits at the right angle or spot. 

 

The decision though you should be basing it on is your preference.  If you want aluminum and like the feel then go buy an aluminum reel.  It's your money.

[fishballer06]

3 ci4's and 3 Chronarch MGL's and none of them have ever given me a single issue. 

 

I know people dislike the oncoming of composite materials replacing metal, but the fact of the matter is that companies are using these materials because they see an advantage to using these materials. A big company like Shimano would not use a chincy material that they know they would have to warranty out and put a bad taste in their customer's mouths. 

[DN3]

10 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

3 ci4's and 3 Chronarch MGL's and none of them have ever given me a single issue. 

 

I know people dislike the oncoming of composite materials replacing metal, but the fact of the matter is that companies are using these materials because they see an advantage to using these materials. A big company like Shimano would not use a chincy material that they know they would have to warranty out and put a bad taste in their customer's mouths. 

Yeah that's what I was thinking.... Ordered a Chronarch MGL....I'm assuming they do ok with braid? Will most likely be using 12-20lb mono though.