Shimano Biomaster ra/sra reels wanted

[Alec Hague]

I am a big fan of these reels, missed them when they were in production, ignorance probably. I had been graduated thro the rear drag shims to the white Stradic when I came across a new 3k BIo. It seems they were originally on sale here under the name Aspire and whether they were altered in any way I don't know but they were re launched with the twin/tri power. I have the page from the catalogue which I will add. I traced some new bios in Italy and bought some .Since I have only seen 2 on EBay/Marketplace and bought both so I have a few now, all used, though rarely. But I would like to collect them in a modest way. I really enjoyed collecting the first range of J W Young rods , so would like to have something to look out for. If anyone has a nice example no longer required please give me a call.

 

[Alec Hague]

Bump

 

[Alec Hague]

I am a big fan of these reels, missed them when they were in production, ignorance probably. I had been graduated thro the rear drag shims to the white Stradic when I came across a new 3k BIo. It seems they were originally on sale here under the name Aspire and whether they were altered in any way I don't know but they were re launched with the twin/tri power. I have the page from the catalogue which I will add. I traced some new bios in Italy and bought some .Since I have only seen 2 on EBay/Marketplace and bought both so I have a few now, all used, though rarely. But I would like to collect them in a modest way. I really enjoyed collecting the first range of J W Young rods , so would like to have something to look out for. If anyone has a nice example no longer required please give me a call.

still looking and my need increasing.

 

[Chris Jones]

As far as I can tell from the minimal information I can find, The Biomaster was not simply a rebadged Aspire. Almost all of the modern rear drag Shimano spinning reels have at least something in common, but that doesn't make them just a relabelling of predecessors. The most obvious differences between the Aspire and Biomaster are that the later Biomaster featured the chamfered lip AR-C Spool, the older Aspire did not. There are also subtle differences in the mouldings at the rear of the reels and in the anodizing colours of the handle and spool.

Sadly, though I do have quite a few old printed Shimano catalogues, including a 2014 one featuring the Biomaster, I can't find anything earlier than 2010 that might feature the Aspire. Shame, but I simply can't find the earlier ones I know I once had. However, I do have four years (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) of catalogue PDFs that feature the Biomaster. By 2015, both of the range toppers (Twin Power RA and Biomaster RA) were dropped to leave the former third in the range (Stradic GTM RC) as the new range topper. Unfortunately, these PDFs are too large to attach in this post.

 

[Alec Hague]

As far as I can tell from the minimal information I can find, The Biomaster was not simply a rebadged Aspire. Almost all of the modern rear drag Shimano spinning reels have at least something in common, but that doesn't make them just a relabelling of predecessors. The most obvious differences between the Aspire and Biomaster are that the later Biomaster featured the chamfered lip AR-C Spool, the older Aspire did not. There are also subtle differences in the mouldings at the rear of the reels and in the anodizing colours of the handle and spool.

Sadly, though I do have quite a few old printed Shimano catalogues, including a 2014 one featuring the Biomaster, I can't find anything earlier than 2010 that might feature the Aspire. Shame, but I simply can't find the earlier ones I know I once had. However, I do have four years (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) of catalogue PDFs that feature the Biomaster. By 2015, both of the range toppers (Twin Power RA and Biomaster RA) were dropped to leave the former third in the range (Stradic GTM RC) as the new range topper. Unfortunately, these PDFs are too large to attach in this post.

That's a very welcome informative response Chris. I falsely obviously assumed as they looked similar perhaps the rename was for a poor selling product. Strangely enough I have just downloaded the 13 and 14 catalogue as I have at last secured an aspire ultra, new would you believe too, 8? Years after they were discontinued. As they were dearer that the top of the range hardy marksman at that time perhaps not a suprise not many were sold.

 

[Chris Jones]

I have at last secured an aspire ultra, new would you believe too, 8? Years after they were discontinued. As they were dearer that the top of the range hardy marksman at that time perhaps not a suprise not many were sold.

2015 onwards saw off a whole raft of high price Shimano products. In the 2014 catalogue, they had Aspire Ultra, Fireblood, Speedcast, Super Ultegra and Beastmaster match rods (in that order, high to lower price). The following 2015 catalogue, it was Speedcast, Super Ultegra and Beastmaster.

 

[Alec Hague]

2015 onwards saw off a whole raft of high price Shimano products. In the 2014 catalogue, they had Aspire Ultra, Fireblood, Speedcast, Super Ultegra and Beastmaster match rods (in that order, high to lower price). The following 2015 catalogue, it was Speedcast, Super Ultegra and Beastmaster.

Yes I noticed that Chris. Around that time I was into Hardy marksman rods. Couldn't run to an aspire ultra as well which I really wanted to get to compare with the ultra. Hardy's went after lockdown but always had the feeling of " wonder what they are like?". May find out shortly. In hope to not be disappointed. What can I look for now I wonder? Ha!

 

[Alec Hague]

Yes I noticed that Chris. Around that time I was into Hardy marksman rods. Couldn't run to an aspire ultra as well which I really wanted to get to compare with the ultra. Hardy's went after lockdown but always had the feeling of " wonder what they are like?". May find out shortly. In hope to not be disappointed. What can I look for now I wonder? Ha!

Ps. I have the printed '16 and 17 paper catalogues.