BX 400N (Jigging Special) Squeaking and Stuttering Drag

[hafnor]

I find it strange that they are using aluminum as a drag plate. It expands more under heat than steel, amd is a lot softer. I had a studio ocean mark reel that had aluminum drag plates. It work flawless with the original heat treated cork washers. Ones I hnaged the washers to carbon fiber it made grinding noise - Still smooth drag though....

Thinking of buying a valiant. Seems like a lot of grunt for the dollar at 400usd. I do not like the gear ratio though. Too high for my style. Wonder if the main and pinion gears are changable with the bx range... Would love something in the 4:1 or 5:1 range