Shimano Ultegra CI4+ XSC 5500 Reel

The Ultegra CI4+ has a very compact body design which contributes to the feel of a compact and lightweight big pit reel.

The use of CI4+ delivers a substantial weight saving on the compact Ultegra body making rod speed easier to generate when distance casting. To further increase casting performance the Ultegra uses 2 Speed Slow Oscillation line lay and an AR-C spool fitted with the Hi-Speed Drag mechanism. Cold Forged HAGANE gearing and X-Ship produce powerful winding performance and 5 Stainless A-RB bearings plus a Shimano Roller bearing deliver supreme smoothness. The reel is protected according to Shimano's latest innovation X-Protect which will guarantee to protect the reel's inner parts against intrusion from water and dirt. The G Free Body in combination with the Parallel Body will help the angler to achieve long and accurate cast without unnecessary fatigue throughout the day.

CI4+

• CI4 is a Shimano original material reinforced with carbon fiber that is lighter and has a higher strength than conventional resin material. CI4+ is an advanced version of the original CI4 material and is 2.5 x more rigid than its predecessor. While improving lightness and rigidity, reel bodies and rotors built with CI4+ are further reduced in size and weight.

G-Free Body

• G-Free Body technology has been developed to shift the reel's center of gravity closer to the rod. By moving the center of gravity closer to the angler’s hand, the G-Free Body helps to reduce fatigue and enhance casting comfort.

Hagane gear

• With amazing strength and durability, the HAGANE Gear is at the very heart of most Shimano reels. Shimano, through the application of state-of-the-art technologies, gives anglers the long-lasting smoothness and pleasure that is felt when anglers first use a reel, over and over again. No cutting work is applied to the teeth of the drive gear during fabrication, instead the entire surface is calculated in minute detail by special 3D-design and then formed by Shimano's cold-forging technology. The result is assured resilience. HAGANE Gear is the fruit of Shimano's inexhaustible pursuit for durability — the strength and power of forged metal continues to represent the fundamental concept of Shimano reels.

Hi-Speed Drag

• Hi-Speed Drag is the fastest drag function ever featured on a Shimano reel. Only a very small turn on the drag knob will transition the drag settings from free-spool mode to fight mode.

Parallel Body

• Parallel Body is designed to improve dynamic line flow from the reel to the first guide. On many reels the spool is aligned slightly upwards towards the rod blank, but reels with Parallel Body have the spool located at exactly 90° to the blank. The result: less line slapping on the blank as it travels towards the first guide during the cast, ultimately increasing performance.

Propulsion Line Management System

• The most obvious component of the Propulsion Line Management System is the new Propulsion Spool Lip design. Through tens of thousands of casting tests and computer simulations, Shimano’s new spool lip design provides longer casting distances than a standard spool lip design while also preventing backlashes and wind knots from forming.

S A-RB

• S A-RB bearings are put through the same process as Shimano’s A-RB bearings but feature shields on both sides of the bearings. These shields reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting rotation of the bearing.

Super slow oscillation 5

• Slower spool oscillation reduces the speed the line travels up and down the spool on the cast. This results in less friction as the line leaves the spool, improving casting distance and accuracy. Shimano’s Standard Oscillation — up to 20 wraps per cycle — outperforms the industry standard. Shimano’s Slow Oscillation tops that with up to 40 wraps per cycle and exceeds almost any other reel on the market. Shimano now offers two Super Slow Oscillation systems: Super Slow 5 (55 wraps) and Super Slow 10 (105 wraps).

Water resistant drag

• With the use of rubber gaskets the drag is sealed against intrusion of the elements such as water and dust.

X-Protect

• X-Protect provides high-level water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation. By combining Shimano’s water-repellent coating with a water-channeling labyrinth construction, X-Protect provides added durability in tough conditions.

X-Ship

• X-Ship provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This allows the gears to stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. The added benefit of X-Ship technology is that friction between the spool shaft and gear are eliminated. This further benefits anglers with enhanced casting performance and casting distance of lighter lures.