I picked-up one of these from fleabay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-MACHINED-ALUMINUM-CLASSIC-CLICK-STOP-FLY-FISHING-REEL-5-6-LIGHT-WEIGHT-86MM/223273319856?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648
I was just curious as to what makes it tick, or should that be click.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/9780_14_05_20_7_24_56_32700963.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/9780_14_05_20_7_24_59_32701166.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/9780_14_05_20_7_25_03_32700717.jpeg)
It is very light at 102 gm / 3.6 oz. 3 3/8 in diameter. This is not a heavy duty reel, it would be very easy to damage this.
The spool runs on a large diameter/ultra thin bearing in the frame - and yes there is no spindle - just a hole :-\ It's certainly a quirky design.
The spool is held in place by the large diameter thumb wheel.
The machining is fairly good for the money - I will certainly give it a try one day.
There was a hubless reel trend for awhile. Loop was one of the big ones - check out the Model 3 and Salmon 4. The Salmon 4 looks like a high tech squirrel cage :). I think Sage was even selling the Loop hubless reel under their brand.
TFO had a hubless reel too (Atoll). There are several others.
Kind of hard to find a place to put a disk drag on those reels, but sort of works if you want a super large diameter, super large arbor, very light weight, and just a clicker.
I think that this design trend has mostly died out. It s hard to build one that is rigid and durable enough for general use, as you pointed out. But it could be just the ticket for a lightweight freshwater outfit where you want an extra large arbor.
-J
Yup - totally agree Dave - but I had to have a look ;)