Seems pretty clear that Rage is not the way to go. I'm already planning on buying a recon for a flippin stick and I guess I'll go some other direction to continue filling out my collection. It's sad that a company with a history like st. croix's would allow an inferior product to slip buy just to save a buck. I always felt that once companies start cutting corners to save money they end up costing themselves more in the end.

I will say this: I've had several in my hadns and have no issues with those. For that matter, I'll own a couple of the crank rods.