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Reels with ball bearings

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:26 am
by mark poulson
This is not a attack post. It is prompted by Zander's preview of the SLX baitcaster.
I am wondering why Shimano doesn't put more bearings in most of their reels?
For years I have read where they have said their tolerances are so close that they don't need more bearings, but their top of the line reels have more bearings. The Aldebaran has 10 bearings, and the Antares has 11.
I'm pretty sure those reels aren't built to lesser tolerances, so I'm left wondering if there's another reason, like saving weight, or money? The Aldebaran weight 4.7 oz, so, to me, it's not a weight issue.

Re: Reels with ball bearings

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:29 am
by LgMouthGambler
Probably weight and money, but lets be real, how much does 1 bearing cost?

Re: Reels with ball bearings

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 11:53 am
by DirtyD64
I feel that they focus more on key location. From my understanding there are 7 key locations. 2 on the pinion, 2 on the spool, 2 on the mainshaft and the anti-reverse bearing itself. Extra spots include 2 on the levelwind (if possible) and 4 in the handle knobs. This gives an absolute maxed out bearing casting reel a count of 13. More bearings than 13 is total overkill (13 is still a lot) and you normally only see it in the cheap reel companies that stuff 5 in each knob and skip key locations.

Back to Shimano though, I agree with the tolerance thing. If you have a super sturdy frame and good precise tolerances lacking a key bearing wouldn't affect much. Either way it is still nice to always know you have extra smooth/strong support. This is why I was so OCD about the Bantam MGL bearing count. For a reel that solid it shouldn't matter, but I just wanted to know. I know as already mentioned that the 13 Metanium, Curado 70, Aldebaran 50 and 30MGL all lack dual supported main gears.

Re: Reels with ball bearings

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 5:20 pm
by mark poulson
Why is a bearing directly over the anti reverse bearing, just beneath the drag star clicker, not more common? It seems to me that there's a lot of uneven pressure put on the handle shaft when you're winching a fish in and only holding one knob.

Re: Reels with ball bearings

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:23 pm
by Kurt L
Most of this revolves around maintenance lets face it most people never service or take care of their reels, and one of the first things to fail is a bearing, some of the most bullet proof old school reels ever built were low bearing count. I'm a bearing and Tech. freak but I see guys drop their reels in the water and lay them on the ground covered in dirt and dry as a bone and they grind away with them day after day. I'm sure all of the manufacturers see horrible examples show up at their service centers day after day with some guy complaining. I get it I've had to repair a lot reels over the years and bushings no matter how crude they are will just keep going and going wet dry or full of mud :shock:
Like mentioned above they are in the important places.

Kurt