Is it normal for Shimano reels to eventually become slighty geary?

[Outdoors]

Mine was so smooth out of the box that it felt like there was no spool on it... Now, even after oiling and greasing it, and sending it to a professional to be serviced, it's still somewhat has a geary feeling. The handle still turns easy, it doesn't lock up, and it casts just fine, but I can now feel a slight feeling of the gears working when turning the handle. Only way I can get that spool-less feeling again now is to actually to remove the spool... Haha.

[burrows]

How long have you owned it? And what reel specifically are you using?

[roadwarrior]

My experience has been quite the contrary. All of the Shimano reels I have ever owned have

improved over time.

 

 

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

My experience has been quite the contrary. All of the Shimano reels I have ever owned have

improved over time.

 

 

X2

 

[mattkenzer]

Just like fine wine .....

 

PS: You can wear out the lower priced spinning reels if you fish a lot.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Many modern reels have more feel and sound once they free up. I believe it's the result of light weight rigid materials transmitting vibration , same as a high end rod. Factories tend to pack reels with grease which initially masks some of this. I doubt there's anything wrong with your reel   

[JustJames]

Yup it happens to all my curado 70. As long as it doesn't effect casting and reeling in fish, you should be fine. 

[FishTank]

I have had several Shimanos over the years and none of them have been geary.  This doesn't mean that I have not had parts wear out or go bad.  If I did experience any thing like that, it may have been after a lot of abuse and a general lack of care and cleaning. 

[puddlepuncher]

I'm not a Shimano fanboy....I'm a Shimano fanman.  That said I own 2 Mets 2 Chronarchs and a Curado I.  The Mets are still smooth as silk just like out of the box.  The Curado I became a little noisier but nothing I'd complain about.  Now the Chronarchs which are still my favorite of all time are developing differently.  The first one I bought is from the European market and is 7.1.1, the second is JDM and is 6.2.1.  The first one is becoming slightly more 'geary' than the second one which is still buttery smooth as the day I bought it.  Each has equal fishing time and exact maintenance regimen.  I don't know if it's the different gear ratio or the different markets but there is a slight difference.  Does it bother me?...no.  I've just been a bit more heavy handed with the grease during breakdown and that seems to make the difference.

[burrows]

On 8/13/2018 at 9:42 PM, Outdoors said:

Mine was so smooth out of the box that it felt like there was no spool on it... Now, even after oiling and greasing it, and sending it to a professional to be serviced, it's still somewhat has a geary feeling. The handle still turns easy, it doesn't lock up, and it casts just fine, but I can now feel a slight feeling of the gears working when turning the handle. Only way I can get that spool-less feeling again now is to actually to remove the spool... Haha.

What reel we talking about here ? Just curious?

[Spankey]

20 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

X2

 

X3

 

Not to say I've never had a Shimano issue but am a satisfied user. 

[OnthePotomac]

Try Shimano ACT 2 grease on your drive gear teeth.  It is their drag grease and they recommend it for smooth gear operation.  Especially for their microgears.

[Raul]

On 8/14/2018 at 9:56 AM, roadwarrior said:

My experience has been quite the contrary. All of the Shimano reels I have ever owned have

improved over time.

 

 

x3

[JustJames]

To all of you guys, Which reel are we talking here? There are such a wide range from 70 dollars reels to 500 or more reels. You just can't say Shimano is smooth but if you say Daiwa is smoother than Shimano I totally agree.

2 of my curado 70 and 1 scorpion 70 develop geary feel and noise (my everyday reel), 1 has not but it is still pretty much new.

My curado 200IPG is still smooth but I don't use this reel very often (it is my medium swimbait reel)

Chornarch 50e also had some geary feel before I sold it but Aldebaran MG7 is still super smooth same as Scorpion XT1000, but I don't use Scorpion often enough.

Bantam MGL, the smooth of them all,   Caught quite a few fish with it, and every time I use this reel still surprise me of how smooth it feel, I don't feel a darn thing.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Shouldn't the professional you sent it to for cleaning and maintenance be able to tell you why it's doing what it's doing?