Would it be possible?

[Fat-G]

Forgive me if this is just plain stupid, or if it is already happening, but could a company make a reel's frame out of carbon fiber? I held a carbon fiber handle without the knobs the other day. It was crazy light. If you can use it for a handle, couldn't you use it for the frame as well?

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Stradic CI4?

[ROCbass]

Stradic CI4?

This is the only high end carbon fiber reel that comes to mind. However, I was under the impression that carbon fiber was essentially a fancy name for graphite, and I don't know what separates a reel like the CI4 from the lower end graphite reels, though I'm sure there must be difference in the quality of the graphite or how it is constructed.

[Fat-G]

Stradic CI4?

I never made that connection ;D

I think their casting lineup will see the CI4 technology this year. It would be a very logical step for them, and would be a big leap in the industry.

[BassThumb]

I'm sure it's in development right now from numerous companies. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the next edition of the Curado were made with CI4 material after the success of the Stradic CI4. The material was first incorporated into Shimano bicycle components and has a great track record for lightness and durability, so I doubt that the use of CI4 reinforced carbon fiber is going to end with the Stradic.

[The Rooster]

Hopefully that means that all aluminum framed reels will become what's considered "cheap" and the price will come down even more. Then they could dump the common graphite framed reels totally and the world would then be a better place. ;D

[flippin and pitchin]

Carbon fiber or graphite is and has been used for reel frames for some time.  Check out he lower end reel on Pflueger's web site.  I would be hard pressed to buy any casting reel that has a frame from anything other than aircraft grade aluminum or better. I know nothing of the material Shimano uses in the c-14. The reel gets high praise from all who own it. Will it work on a BC, i'm not so sure. The stress issues are different. Delaware Tackle may need to set me straight on this topic.

[Kevinator1]

If they could make one out of titanium that would make it insanely light and indestructible. Bad thing is that titanium is expensive and probably harder to form into a reel frame.  :-/

[steezy]

Both the Daiwa Steez and Shimano Core50 are made from Magnesium, these reels weigh 5.5 oz compared to most baitcasters that weigh 8-9 oz or more.

Doesn't get much better than that! 8-)

[webertime]

If they could make one out of titanium that would make it insanely light and indestructible. Bad thing is that titanium is expensive and probably harder to form into a reel frame. :-/

It would be insanely expensive, like 4 figures...  Titanium is also a very flexible material.

Carbon Fiber, to have frame stiffness we desire, would have to be fairly large/bulky frame.  Plus with carbon fiber as soon as you damage the fibers under the epoxy kiss it good bye.  Once that sort of damage is done (dropped on a rock) the whole structure (if formed from a single piece in a mold) is compromised.  Aluminum is the best thing going from the $$$ to performance standpoint.  Magnesium and various ceramics would be where I put my $$$ as the next frame materials.

(This comes from 15+ years in the cycling/outdoor industry)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I think when we hear "Carbon Fiber" the the image that comes to mind is woven fiber like we see on crank handles and drag washers. Graphite is another form of carbon composite material. The knock against current graphite reel frames is the inherent flex. Since these are composite materials, I'm sure someone is experimenting with various combinations of fibers to get enhanced strength and rigidity while keeping price and weight to a minimum. As already mentioned, if the polymer and fibers get compromised, failure is a risk. This is what happens many times with high modulus rods.

[philsoreel]

Both the Daiwa Steez and Shimano Core50 are made from Magnesium, these reels weigh 5.5 oz compared to most baitcasters that weigh 8-9 oz or more.

Doesn't get much better than that! 8-)

No kidding! The amount of sensitivity gained by swapping my Curados out with Core50's was amazing. If they somehow shave another ounce or two off of those reels the sensitivity is going to feel like you stuck your rod tip into a light socket.

[piscicidal]

I'm surprised that more reel frames are not made from Magnesium.  Strength to weight ratio is about the same for both materials in their plateable, die-cast formulation (AC8A Aluminum: modulus= 73GPa, density = 0.00276g/mm^3, AM50 Magnesium: modulus= 44GPa, density = 0.00177g/mm^3). 

My vendors typically quote me lower prices for Magnesium parts, because the melt temp is lower which means longer tool life.  Theoretically the magnesium reels should be cheaper...

The overall size of the reel would likely have to be a little bit bigger with the mag, to allow the thicker wall sections required to get equal strength to Aluminum. Perhaps that's why most reels still have aluminum frames.

[Goose52]

I 'ain't' an engineer of any sort, but just a data point. When I serviced a BPS PQ and a Carbonlite a few weeks ago - I weighed the bare aluminum frames. Completely stripped - each weighed 1.14 ounces. Just using the specific gravity factors for aluminum and magnesium (and not factoring in dimensional changes that piscicidal mentioned that could be required by use of magnesium that may add a bit of weight back in) an identical frame in magnesium would weigh about .73 ounce. Only a .41 ounce weight saving.

Most of the savings to be had at reasonable cost are in the drive gear, crank shaft, worm shaft, handle, and sideplates. Getting lighter from there gives diminishing returns (aluminum screws and other real small parts). Going after the frame with exotic materials I guess is much tougher given material and production issues and must be why a Core and Steez are priced where they are...huh! (Well, not counting what is probably an insane profit factor... )

[bigbassctchr101]

For some reason, I feel that at a certain point it just dont matter.  Its hard for me to justify buying a reel that is 2 ounces lighter but having to spend $100 more to get it.  Maybe it does matter that much to some people??  But, I've also noticed that there are several guys out there with the huge expensive boats, with the expensive extremely light rods and reels, holding them 10ounce rods and reel combos with a nice expensive 7ounce rolex! lol  An upgrade for quality and performance YES. But, just for an ounce or two... Its not for me.