|
|
|
Shimano's new Carbon based Stradic CI4 is a
Winner
|
Date: |
7/15/09 |
|
Location: |
Orlando,
Florida |
|
Admission: |
Buyers &
Press only |
|
Manufacturer: |
Shimano |
|
Reviewer: |
Team
TackleTour |
Introduction:
Shimano had a big presence
at the show and a bustling booth filled with buyers and media looking for
information about the company’s new offerings. Jeremy Sweet was on hand to walk
us through what he has been working on over the past year and this show the
offerings were pretty balanced when it came to both fresh and saltwater
releases. Most exciting to us were the new Core Mg and carbon fiber based
Stradic reels as well as the brand new Talica II and modernized Baitrunner.
Shimano's Reel Product Manager
Jeremy Sweet showed us the new TalicaII and completely redesigned Stradic
Core Mg:
When Shimano Japan debuted the Aldebaran we knew it wasn’t going to be long
until this lightweight reel made it over to the US, but what we didn’t know is
just where in the lineup the new reel would reside. This ICAST that question was
answered with the newest addition to the Core series.
The new Core 50Mg is the US
version of the JDM Aldebaran
The Core Mg will be
available in a 50 size and features the same lightweight magnesium frame and
handle side sideplate as the Aldebaran, but in the Core grey and red motif. The
non-handle sideplate is made out of graphite and the spool is the company’s
Magnumlite design. Though small in size the Core Mg is designed to be powerful
and comes equipped with HEG (High Efficiency Gearing) and comes loaded with
seven S A-RB ball bearings plus one A-RB bearing.
The Core 50Mg is the smallest
baitcaster Shimano US has debuted to date, the red highlights look quite
"enthusiast"
The Core 50Mg will be
available in both right and left hand retrieves and is designed for light line
finesse fishing. The right hand retrieve should make it to market next month
while the left hand retrieve will follow in September. It officially will be the
smallest profile ever in a Shimano reel, but will have the same capacity as the
CH50Mg. The reel weighs in at only 5.5oz, and cast control is courtesy of the
proven VBS system beneath a 1/8th turn easy access sideplate. There
are a number of nice ergonomic details including the cold forged and drilled
aluminum handle shank and septon handle grips. Overall the Core Mg looks quite
“enthusiast” in appearance with the red highlights both on the spool and cast
control knob. At time of launch the reel will only be available in an ultra fast
7.0:1 retrieve ratio and will retail for $369.99.
Under the sidecover is the
familiar VBS lo-mass hub mounted on the Core 50mg's red magnumlite spool
Stradic CI4F:
The Stradic gets a major makeover this year and when we say “major” we really
mean it. From the very base materials on up the Stradic has been modernized.
Making use of CI4 material the Stradic is made both lighter and stronger. So
what exactly is CI4? Here is where Shimano is able to leverage their expertise
in biking component design. CI4 is “Carbon Interfusion” and the “4” represents
the number of electrons in the carbon atom itself. This material is
significantly stronger than XT-7 graphite and was originally developed for the
brake calipers on Shimano’s top end “Dura-Ace” road groupo as well as the front
chainring of their XTR premium mountain bike groupo. These were the very
components chosen for use by Lance Armstrong during his seven year dominance
over Le Tour de France!
The Core50mg looks more aggressive
than the original Core
The Stradic CI4F makes use
of the carbon fiber material on both the frame and sideplate and the internals
feature all the latest designs including Paladin gear durability enhancement.
The reel also makes use to the complete spectrum of features within the
company’s propulsion line management system as well as the Aerowrap II
Oscillation. The Stradic features a waterproof drag and there are a number of
features designed to make maintenance both quicker and easier including the
maintenance port and a repairable clicker.
Shimano redesigns the Stradic, and
in coloration it matches the Core
In terms of cosmetics the
Stradic CI4F is a stark contrast from the Stradics of the past and features a
much darker and more aggressive look and feel. The red spool is a nice highlight
and instead of a traditional knob the reel features a round EVA handle grip that
both looks and feels modern as well as matches the grips found on many higher
end US and JDM rod offerings, including the company’s own Cumara series.
What is CI4? Shimano now uses
carbon fiber to build a lighter and stronger Stradic than ever before
The Stradic will be
available in two sizes, a 1000 and 2500 size, and is designed to focus on
lightweight finesse fishing applications including shakey head, drop shot, and
light Texas rigs. Both sizes feature a 6.0:1 gear ratio and the smaller 1000
size weighs in at 6.2oz while the 2500 size is 7.0oz., both reels will retail
for $199.99. So how much did the buyers and press like the new Stradic? Quite a
bit it seems, as the Stradic walked away with yet another ICAST win for Shimano
in the “Best of Show - Freshwater Reel” category!
The new Stradic will only be
available in 1000 and 2500 sizes at time of launch and is designed to focus on
lightweight finesse fishing applications
Shimano’s lower end
spinning reels also get a redesign and the Sienna D and Syncopate D continue the
strategy of moving the company’s higher end features and technologies down the
line. The key improvement to both reels is the inclusion of the propulsion line
management system which improves casting performance while reducing tangles.
Very-very cool, Shimano implements
a EVA handle that matches many premium JDM rods as well as the company's own
Cumara rods
Next Section: Bring on the salt, the Baitrunner D and TalicaII
|
|
|
|
