Interesting thread. Lee (Backshall) and I often fish together and we are both thinking about a float rod to use for barbel. However, we fish the Ribble which is (a) snaggy and (b) has big barbel.
I see a few recommend power match type rods, but I would be concerned with using them, although to be fair I have never caught a barbel on a float so don't know how they fight on a longer rod. I have a 15/17' Dave Harrell rod and whilst I have had carp to almost double figures on it I think an angry barbel would be totally different.
I guess it will always be a compromise between rod power and weight. I know the (expensive......and maybe fragile
) Acolyte Specimen probably fits the bill, but see that Free Spirit do a Tamer Power Float (£126) and Daiwa have their new Theory specialist float, (£120) but they may be similar to a Korum Glide Power which hasn't had great reviews in other similar threads on here!
Suppose I am looking for a cheaper alternative to an Acolyte as I can't justify the cost for something I might not use that often.....and I'm swayed by their reputation for breakages.