February 08, 2018
By Game & Fish Staff
Shimano has patented the technology and made it available on the Conquest line of rods.
Shimano teamed with G. Loomis to create this breakthrough new construction process for fishing rods they call Spiral X.
By Dr. Todd A. Kuhn
Fishing rods are built using cabon fiber "tape." It gives the blank's core mechanical strength. Traditionally, rod manufacturers lay the carbon fiber tape either vertically or longitudinally on a stainless mandrel.
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Both vertical and longitudinal blank-building methods have been around for decades. However, both present structural drawbacks.
Under stress (e.g., bending and twisting), the blank is prone to what engineers refer to as ovalization, or out-of-roundness, which can lead to breakage. Shimano, teaming with engineers at G. Loomis, have developed a new construction technique to eliminate this problem.
Spiral X construction uses proprietary infinity carbon tape, which Shimano winds around the mandrel. The gapless winding is laid spirally in two opposing directions, and layered, creating a unidirectionally strong blank.
Shimano has patented the technology and made it available on the Conquest line of rods. Conquest rods are advertised up to 10 percent lighter than current G. Loomis NRX models, with more accurate and longer casting capabilities and less breakage.
Conquest rods are available in eight casting models and four spinning models, in a variety of lengths and actions, for $650-$675.
