Our take on the TRCSTG 18.5

Swapping the EVA rings supplied with soft touch grips for a machined ring shows up immediately in the final look. It is a discreet part, but it is what finishes a handle. With 19 inner diameters and 10 finishes, you have what you need to match any colour theme.

18.5 mm outer diameter, 19 inner diameters

• Outer diameter: 18.5 mm
• Inner diameter: 7.5 to 16.5 mm, in 0.5 mm steps
• Material: machined aluminium
• Weight: 1.56 g at 7.5 mm, 0.39 g at 16.5 mm
• 10 colours: Gold, Silver, Gloss Black, Matt Black, Titanium Chrome, Red, Cobalt Blue, Deep Sea, Jungle Green, Bronze
• Spinning and casting builds
• Compatible with Rodbuilders’ Republic soft touch carbon grips CSTG-IPS16, CSTG-VSS16 (butt side) and CSTG-RG18
• Compatible with Reel Seat Spinning Rodbuilders’ Republic, Fuji Skeleton 17 and Fuji TCH size 15 reel seats

On the bench: the transition between blank and handle

Replacing the EVA rings with aluminium

Rodbuilders’ Republic soft touch carbon grips come with EVA rings. They do the job, but on a carbon build they remain a visual compromise. The TRCSTG 18.5 winding check replaces them with an outer diameter that matches the butt and the rear grip exactly, so there is no step and nothing to blend at the end of the handle. It also closes a thread when you move to a split grip.

Three classic positions on a build:

• In front of the butt on a soft touch carbon grip CSTG-IPS16 or CSTG-VSS16 assembly
• Behind the rear grip, on a split grip build
• At the end of the Reel Seat Carbon Spinning Rodbuilders’ Republic or of a Fuji Skeleton 17

Choosing the right inner diameter

The outer diameter is fixed across the range. The inner diameter is therefore what you select according to the blank: measure with a caliper at the exact point where the ring will sit, then take the next size up. The 0.5 mm steps cover the whole 7.5 to 16.5 mm range, which leaves a very small residual gap on a part this visible. A slight gap is taken up by the epoxy, whereas a ring that is too tight has to be forced and marks the blank. On weight, you stay under 1.6 g, with no measurable effect on the balance of the rod. Other outer diameters are available in the winding check range if your build calls for a different reference.