Shimano Spinner Progression

[Recoil Rob]

Does anyone know of a webpage that delineates the evolution of successive Shimano models, i.e what changed from the Stradic 4000FG, FH, FI, FJ, FK?


thanks,

Rob

[Rancanfish]

Maybe philaroman knows, but I don't know of a website.  I still have my old ones, and an old Sustain. Never felt the need to upgrade so didn't keep up.

[philaroman]

I can do Stradics, maybe F to FH w/ some FI verbal abuse on top

[philaroman]

why do you ask?

if, like me, you like a nice frankenreel w/ different features yanked from different eras,
(heck, I'm not satisfied w/ my StradiSymeHara...  I'm goin' cross-brand to make a ShimAbuKuma. LOL)

it might be easier to ask about specific features/characteristics

& I/others may have ideas where to look

[alantani]

you'd have to plow through the schematics......   

[Recoil Rob]

I thought there might be some significant changes through the the models, better gearing, drag system, things that might make one preferable over another, especially on the "pre-fished" market.

[Gfish]

Only 2 things I dislike on my fj's(circa 2011-2012?): two saltwater corrosion magnets; the alum. sleeve in the line roller assembly and the AR bearing on-off shaft(called by Shimano a "cam", connects to the AR on-off switch to the AR). Both have been replaced, are difficult to get to, and need to be checked every couple of uses.

[boon]

The entire chain works in a lock-step progression from the top down. Same as their bicycle parts. Each time the flagship Stella steps forward, there's a trickle-down of parts and ways of assembling things. As a result the Stradic FK is quite probably on par with a pre-2008 Stella, and the current Saragosa SW is arguably not far from a post 2008 one.

[CapeFish]

Does anyone know of a webpage that delineates the evolution of successive Shimano models, i.e what changed from the Stradic 4000FG, FH, FI, FJ, FK?


thanks,

Rob

Have you looked at Alan Hawk site? By trawling through the site you may find a lot of the answers you are looking for. He recently for example did a very good review of all the various versions of the Daiwa BG and related series

[philaroman]

that's good advice: whatever high-end Shimano's AH reviews, he does a thorough discussion of individual features/systems that span many models

The entire chain works in a lock-step progression from the top down. Same as their bicycle parts. Each time the flagship Stella steps forward, there's a trickle-down of parts and ways of assembling things. As a result the Stradic FK is quite probably on par with a pre-2008 Stella, and the current Saragosa SW is arguably not far from a post 2008 one.

however right you may be about those particular models, "beneficial trickle-down" is NOT "in a lock-step progression from the top down."  there are plenty examples of inferior systems trickling UP from older/cheaper platforms, as cost-cutting measures...  you have to pore over schematics, reviews, Forums, etc. IN ADVANCE, to take full advantage of the "beneficial trickle-down" -- otherwise, you get TRICKLED ON by the marketing spin-doctors

[Recoil Rob]

that's good advice: whatever high-end Shimano's AH reviews, he does a thorough discussion of individual features/systems that span many models

The entire chain works in a lock-step progression from the top down. Same as their bicycle parts. Each time the flagship Stella steps forward, there's a trickle-down of parts and ways of assembling things. As a result the Stradic FK is quite probably on par with a pre-2008 Stella, and the current Saragosa SW is arguably not far from a post 2008 one.

however right you may be about those particular models, "beneficial trickle-down" is NOT "in a lock-step progression from the top down."  there are plenty examples of inferior systems trickling UP from older/cheaper platforms, as cost-cutting measures...  you have to pore over schematics, reviews, Forums, etc. IN ADVANCE, to take full advantage of the "beneficial trickle-down" -- otherwise, you get TRICKLED ON by the marketing spin-doctors

I have referenced Alan Hawke a few times but he hasn't reviewed a Stradic in a while. And Philaroman is right about so called "Improvements", the new Spheros being an example that has suffered from cost cutting.

[Recoil Rob]

that's good advice: whatever high-end Shimano's AH reviews, he does a thorough discussion of individual features/systems that span many models

The entire chain works in a lock-step progression from the top down. Same as their bicycle parts. Each time the flagship Stella steps forward, there's a trickle-down of parts and ways of assembling things. As a result the Stradic FK is quite probably on par with a pre-2008 Stella, and the current Saragosa SW is arguably not far from a post 2008 one.

however right you may be about those particular models, "beneficial trickle-down" is NOT "in a lock-step progression from the top down."  there are plenty examples of inferior systems trickling UP from older/cheaper platforms, as cost-cutting measures...  you have to pore over schematics, reviews, Forums, etc. IN ADVANCE, to take full advantage of the "beneficial trickle-down" -- otherwise, you get TRICKLED ON by the marketing spin-doctors

I have referenced Alan Hawke a few times but he hasn't reviewed a Stradic in a while. And Philaroman is right about so called "Improvements", the later Spheros models being an example that have suffered from cost cutting.

[philaroman]

furthermore,  the "beneficial trickle-down" applies to design...  execution & materials -- not so much

the Japanese bronze main gear has not trickled anywhere out of the $500+/reel ballpark 

[philaroman]

Rob,

I think I know what info would be useful to you from "my older era":

StradicFH/FI(CuradoG) are Shimano's BAD YEARS: instead of raising prices, they downgraded bread-n-butter models

crappy handles are easy to swap, but a rollback to an older, cheaper, inferior bail return mechanism is significant

if you close the bail by cranking the handle -- STAY AWAY!!!  go w/ older Japanese, or later Malaysian starting w/ FJ

if you close the bail manually, for better braid line-lay -- it doesn't matter as much...  might actually be an opportunity for bargains

personally, I would avoid FI gearbox, or any "Malaysian first" (in this case, 1st spinner w/ worm oscillation)

FH, on the other hand, is VERY interesting: last & arguably best Japan-made body/gearbox + good spools/drag

atrocious handle is easily upgraded from MANY later models & there's an endless source of identical downgraded rotors

w/ fully compatible spools/knobs from less-desirable, cheaper Stradic FI; concurrent Symetre(FJ?); concurrent Sahara(FD?);

and other later cheap models (w/ ST-2500FH, all later 3000-size stuff ALSO fits -- higher capacity / smaller drag)

the trick is to find replacement FH main gears (or baby the one you have)

[MarkT]

My Stradic 4000 is an FI model and has given me no problems over the years.  But then I only paid $60 for it new so I couldn't complain even if there was something to complain about!