Graphite reels?

[ratherbfishin1]

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought when it came to reels graphite was a negative.  If so why are higher end reels such as the shimano chronarch graphite.  Is there like a “high end” graphite that is a high quality material or what? I’m just not understanding why a $280 reel (I think that’s the price) would be made of graphite. I mean it doesn’t really effect me because I’m not planning on getting one but I was just confused when I heard it was graphite.

[Ariffy]

It's lightweight and strong material but I'm in the same camp I don't see the appeal 

[SMITTY0045]

Honestly I have both graphite and aluminum reels, and while I prefer the feel of the aluminum, I don’t really see a difference in overall performance. Just go with whatever reel you like, I can’t say one is truly better than the other at the end of the day

[ratherbfishin1]

Ok that’s kind of what I was thinking I just couldn’t get over it.  Thanks for the replies!

[OkobojiEagle]

1 hour ago, SMITTY0045 said:

I can’t say one is truly better than the other at the end of the day

Let's check back with you at the end of the decade...

 

oe

[Bluebasser86]

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/205392-are-graphite-frames-good/

[Tywithay]

3 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Let's check back with you at the end of the decade...

 

oe

I have an old Fuego A spinning reel that is going on 10 years old and it still works like the day I bought it. It is one of the earliest Zaion reels that Daiwa created. I've been through 100's of reels over the years and that is the only one that has stuck in my lineup. 

[burrows]

11 hours ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought when it came to reels graphite was a negative.  If so why are higher end reels such as the shimano chronarch graphite.  Is there like a “high end” graphite that is a high quality material or what? I’m just not understanding why a $280 reel (I think that’s the price) would be made of graphite. I mean it doesn’t really effect me because I’m not planning on getting one but I was just confused when I heard it was graphite.

Get it you won’t regret it! And ci4 doesn’t feel like your cheaper graphite it’s much more dense way stronger almost feels like aluminum almost. At 280 your getting your moneys worth although you might be able to get 40 bucks off if you shop around eBay. I just go threw TW I had a bad experience with one of my chronarcs on eBay I got my money refunded but didn’t like the hassle I haven’t completely written off eBay I still shop around for the lower end reels in the 100-150 dollar price point.

    I also have to add I’ve never had any of my cheap abugarcia graphite reels flex on Me or fail on me wile bass fishing.

[burrows]

11 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Let's check back with you at the end of the decade...

 

oe

The life of a good graphite reel can outlive a human easy.

[Boomstick]

Aluminum reels will likely last longer but as terms as far as functionality, I would think that depends on the reel itself and how it was engineered. I'm sure some better designed graphite reels also last longer than some poorly designed aluminum reels as well.

 

I try to go for aluminum personally.

[burrows]

21 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

 

 

I try to go for aluminum personally.

I prefer to utilize both I don’t see one greater than the other they have there places for the specific reasons.

[greentrout]

The best 14.99 graphite spinning reel (4000) I've ever owned...a little tank...

 

[OkobojiEagle]

1 hour ago, Burros said:

The life of a good graphite reel can outlive a human easy.

We don't know that yet...

 

oe

[Dwight Hottle]

16 hours ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought when it came to reels graphite was a negative.  If so why are higher end reels such as the shimano chronarch graphite.  Is there like a “high end” graphite that is a high quality material or what? I’m just not understanding why a $280 reel (I think that’s the price) would be made of graphite. I mean it doesn’t really effect me because I’m not planning on getting one but I was just confused when I heard it was graphite.

First off Shimano's past flagship reels & current top quality reels are all aluminium. Conquest, bantam, antare/calais. Early graphite reels were considered inferior by most manufactures. More recent renderings have improved in strength & durability but most guys in the know still prefer aluminium based reels

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Those reels are all tanks. The quest for light weight gives way to the alternative materials. Longevity wise I think they'll be fine but the sheer mass of the heavy reels renders their smoothness. 

[Boomstick]

10 hours ago, Burros said:

I prefer to utilize both I don’t see one greater than the other they have there places for the specific reasons.

I should have said I prefer aluminum because I largely know reels like the Pflueger President and Diawa BG will hold up. It's like buying a truck where you can buy one with an aluminum engine and maybe get better gas mileage, but you know that truck with the proven iron block is going to keep on ticking...

[puddlepuncher]

The biggest issue with the Chronarch CI4, the previous model was the spool (metal) corroded not the frame.

 

I also have to agree with DVT that the heavier the reel the smoother it's going to feel with the same internal components.  

 

Check out reviews of the current Chronarch MGL and I defy you to find an instance where the frame failed.  Truth is graphite is used in many other uses much more expensive than fishing reels and is considered the best of the best.  My biggest issue with the Chronarch is it scratches easily, but that's my fault.  

[puddlepuncher]

2 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Such as?  

 

High end bike frames, sports/race cars, Boeing 787 fuselage and the tiles on the original F-117 to name a few much more expensive applications.  Perhaps I should have expanded that it is the best of the best when taking weight and strength into consideration.  Obviously the grade of graphite used to make the Chronarch isn't exactly what is used for the above examples but it's high quality and certainly not defined as 'Plastic', which is what first comes to mind of many when they hear and feel graphite.

 

Same thing happened with golf clubs 20 years ago.   Retired engineers and scientists shared their knowledge of working titanium to build golf clubs.  

[puddlepuncher]

@BaitFinesse

 

Forgive me for my broad response.  I was only discussing the CI4 material that the Chronarch is made of not the earlier uses of graphite.

 

Understandably Shimano has been tight lipped about the exact makeup of this material for proprietary reasons, but one of the best explanations from them that I've been able to find is this:

 

CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. It is over one and a half times stronger than our normal XT-7 graphite and is over 20% lighter. Because it does not contain metal, it is impervious to rust. So, as a result of its strength and weight, we can create an extremely lightweight reel with very precise tolerances

 

Now I do take this statement with a grain of salt as it's Shimano's description with a definite bias on their part.

 

Ultimately the confusion in my last post was my fault for using the term 'Graphite' when discussing CI4.  I had originally planned on pointing out the differences as I understand them and gotten mentally sidetracked.

 

I wholeheartedly agree there needs to be a clear distinction between graphite and carbon fiber when discussing the differences to help consumers make decisions on the quality of the products they evaluate.