I think just about everyone knows that aluminum is advertised as the better material, but how much better is it? Aluminum is billed as having less flex and more strength. I can see this coming into play with spinning reels...with that long thin post from the body to the handle...and the rotor...lots of opportunity for flex. Now when it comes to baitcasters, I have fished with both frame materials and I can say I haven't noticed any flex...but on the contrary...all of the baitcasters I presently own have aluminum frames. I would say that aluminum should be the choice for large game, but for the average fishermen, you could save a few bucks by going with the composite frame.Thoughts?
                        

Good Q Mo...I was watching Quantum's EXO demo video...It's an aluminum frame and they say it's 38% stronger than magnesium and 6 times stronger than a graphite composite frame. In the video, they run it over with a pickup truck put it thru the stress test machine and the frame wasnt damaged. But the reality is who's going to do that to there fishing reels? LOL I really dont think theres a noticeable difference between the two in weight. It all comes down tothe anglars preference and how deep your wallet is.

Most of the composite/graphite spinning reels I have owned were less than satisfactory due to flex. The exception is the Okuma Trio that I have. It has a hybrid frame of composite and aluminum and is very solid. Most of the flex problems I have had were in the mounting 'stalk' and on the Okuma this piece is drilled aluminum. The only levelwind composite I have is a cheapo linecounter that I use for a 4 color leadcore app and it seems satisfactory but no more than that.

It depends... Is the aluminum cast or machined? If the aluminum is machined out of a single piece or billet, it will be stronger than a cast aluminum reel. The cast aluminum may be stronger than cast magnesium. The strength comes down to the mold design, any alloys that are added to the molten material prior to pouring, or the time/temperature curve of the casting process. Generally, the more expensive the reel is, the more controlled environment it will be manufactured in, and the better materials that will be used.