Are aftermarket carbon fiber handles 'significantly' lighter than stock aluminum handles...?

 

Or is the weight difference pretty insignificant and you will not gain much in terms of shedding weight for better performance or ergonomics...? If that is the case...are aftermarket carbon fiber handles purely for 'aesthetics' only...?

 

Kind of want to get into the reel modding scene and start changing out or upgrading parts with better ones. 

Mostly just for looks. Some older reels benefit in that they're typically longer than stock. Weight differences are generally minor except for some older or cheaper reels. I've noticed that they're not as big a deal as they were a few years ago. Stock handles have improved a lot. Some carbon fiber handles are actually heavier than stock ones.

All of this?

I swapped some of mines and like them but one of the recent el-cheapo chinese reel I ordered had one lighter than the aftermarket one for the exact same lenght so I kept it.

Edited May 11, 20197 yr by GeekFisher

17 hours ago, GeekFisher said:

All of this?

I swapped some of mines and like them but one of the recent el-cheapo chinese reel I ordered had one lighter than the aftermarket one for the exact same lenght so I kept it.

Where would you get those ? I m looking upgrade mine as well. 

 

I swapped out the stock handles and drag stars on my Daiwa Sols for swept carbon fiber  As stated, weight reduction was minimal, but the addition of bearings and the swept design added to the overall smoothness of the reel, not to mention the looks.

Most of the mods you make to a reel, with the exception of a lightweight spool, will make very little, noticeable difference. Having the gears and spool shaft ends polished by someone that knows what they're doing is, IMO, the most noticeable improvement in performance that you can do.