15 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

We can't be comparing the color of a derailleur to a baitcaster lol. If you want to compare bikes to reels, do so with bike frames, and you will quickly notice that there are a ton of colors.

Shimano doesn't make frames though.  When I was in the cycling industry I talked to a Shimano rep about colors and it was A) easier to match other companies stuff if it was black/grey/silver.  Those colors are easier to produce durable paints/coatings.  C) The cost of short runs of color was not something they're terribly interested in doing especially if the color doesn't sell.  This would be true for all but the highest end stuff (their 25th anniversary Dura Ace group was like jewelery to bike geek dentists).  D) not so much cultural but a culture within the company is function first followed by form.

 

All those reasons seem applicable to their fishing reels.

I can't figure out why my Blueline has a black stripe.  

Shimano does make the best front derailleur, though - only one who designs lift into the cage.  

6 hours ago, webertime said:

Shimano doesn't make frames though.  When I was in the cycling industry I talked to a Shimano rep about colors and it was A) easier to match other companies stuff if it was black/grey/silver.  Those colors are easier to produce durable paints/coatings.  C) The cost of short runs of color was not something they're terribly interested in doing especially if the color doesn't sell.  This would be true for all but the highest end stuff (their 25th anniversary Dura Ace group was like jewelery to bike geek dentists).  D) not so much cultural but a culture within the company is function first followed by form.

 

All those reasons seem applicable to their fishing reels.

But color does sell. In a sea of generic colors, when one colorful reel pops up, people notice. It's not for everyone, but there are plenty that are into it, and would buy it over the standard version. Just look at the amount of TD itos that are on the used market, and still to this day people are using them a lot.

10 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

But color does sell. In a sea of generic colors, when one colorful reel pops up, people notice. It's not for everyone, but there are plenty that are into it, and would buy it over the standard version. Just look at the amount of TD itos that are on the used market, and still to this day people are using them a lot.

Generally speaking, collectors are the biggest market for different color variants.  The small Ambassadeurs in colors other than silver regularly exceed the middle to high 3 figure mark, even blemished examples.  If it's a left hand model, you're talking mid to high 4 figures, some of the 24k gold plated models can get into the 5 figure range.  Some of these reels have 30+ years of service behind them.

47 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Generally speaking, collectors are the biggest market for different color variants.  The small Ambassadeurs in colors other than silver regularly exceed the middle to high 3 figure mark, even blemished examples.  If it's a left hand model, you're talking mid to high 4 figures, some of the 24k gold plated models can get into the 5 figure range.  Some of these reels have 30+ years of service behind them.

Yup, pretty much.

6 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I can't figure out why my Blueline has a black stripe.  

Shimano does make the best front derailleur, though - only one who designs lift into the cage.  

Front Derailleur = Round Reel.

 

What frame is that?

On 5/23/2025 at 9:33 PM, ABU is overpriced said:

I have been wondering for some time on how is it that Daiwa released so many limited edition reels with a bunch of color, but Shimano has always ignored it, and only releases the plain jane reels since forever. There's no chance that people wouldn't be interested in a yellow 24 Met DC, or a chameleon green Curado. It only makes sense, but they're ignoring it like different colors of paint don't exist.

I’m down, sign me up

1 hour ago, webertime said:

Front Derailleur = Round Reel.

 

What frame is that?

'85 Mercian KOM - built half-step triple x6

New 126-mm-OLD cassette hubset came from Grand Bois in Japan. 

  

building bikes is the other thing I like...

Way better than generic black😎

Same thing with Apple products. When your products are good enough to dominate the market, you don't need other gimmicks for sales. 

Getting mad at your wife because your shirt and shorts that match your 50th anniversary limited edition Metanium weren't thrown in the dryer and you have to leave to go to the local derby.

 

Life's tough.

15 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Way better than generic black😎

Ronald McDonald would be envious.

On 5/25/2025 at 9:36 AM, bulldog1935 said:

Shimano does make the best front derailleur, though - only one who designs lift into the cage. 

Sometimes I wish the SunTours on my old bike had that feature (1975 Bridgestone Kabuki Super-Light - which I still have and am tuning up to give to the eldest grand-daughter)

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Ronald McDonald would be envious.

Its his, i stole it😁

On 5/25/2025 at 6:56 PM, ABU is overpriced said:

Way better than generic black😎

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  You have weird tastes.  🤣

 

My daughter wanted my TD ito as soon as she saw it.  Hers after I die or become unable to fish.

 

Like how my (3) Purple Alphas reels change color in sunlight.  Think the LE Tatula is prettier.

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  You have weird tastes.  🤣

 

My daughter wanted my TD ito as soon as she saw it.  Hers after I die or become unable to fish.

 

Like how my (3) Purple Alphas reels change color in sunlight.  Think the LE Tatula is prettier.

You'd surprised by the amount of people that ask me "what is this" when i am bank fishing. They're not even asking the brand or the model, but just curious on what the hell i have on my rod.

The pixy is a parrot i wanted to build, but this is of course not the norm for a reel with colors. Something that makes sense color combination wise is what we need.