Some of you may be riding bikes equipped with Shimano Tiagra components. In the hierarchy of the world's largest component maker, it is fourth in the six levels of road components--one level below the 105 (which, along with the Deore LX, its mountain-bike counterpart, has long offered Shimano's best value for the money, in my opinion) and one level above Sora. So. if you have Tiagra, you have good stuff that functions well, though it might not last as long as Shimano's better lines--Ultegra/600 and Dura-Ace for the road and Deore XT and XTR for mountain bikes.
I have long known that, in addition to bike parts, Shimano also makes fishing equipment. Not being a fisherperson myself, I hardly paid attention. However, when looking for a diagram of a Shimano derailleur, I came across this:
It's a Tiagra, though obviously not one you're riding. Actually, there are several different models of Tiagra. Like the one in the photo, they're made for deep-sea fishing. None of them are cheap, but from what I understand, they are among the best, if not the best, deep sea fishing reels available.
And, I must say, they are beautiful, though I have to wonder how they (or any other reel used in deep sea conditions) would keep their looks. To be fair, I think most fisherpeople aren't as inclined to buy their equipment for aesthetics as some cyclists are. Or, perhaps, they define beauty in a different way.
I think it's interesting that, for one sport, Shimano gives its top-of-the-line models the same model name as the one that appears on mid-level equipment for another sport.
I have long known that, in addition to bike parts, Shimano also makes fishing equipment. Not being a fisherperson myself, I hardly paid attention. However, when looking for a diagram of a Shimano derailleur, I came across this:
It's a Tiagra, though obviously not one you're riding. Actually, there are several different models of Tiagra. Like the one in the photo, they're made for deep-sea fishing. None of them are cheap, but from what I understand, they are among the best, if not the best, deep sea fishing reels available.
And, I must say, they are beautiful, though I have to wonder how they (or any other reel used in deep sea conditions) would keep their looks. To be fair, I think most fisherpeople aren't as inclined to buy their equipment for aesthetics as some cyclists are. Or, perhaps, they define beauty in a different way.
I think it's interesting that, for one sport, Shimano gives its top-of-the-line models the same model name as the one that appears on mid-level equipment for another sport.
