I have been using Minima guides on all my recent builds. Very happy with them I can see that they might be a little less durable than some options. I recently bent during a run through the jungle trout adventure. Bent it back hardly noticeable. Anyways I am planning a rod for my sister inlaw. She is not a fisherman, loves to go, a fishing rod is tool and shes a clutz. So I am leaning towards a little more durable components. I typically run a 16 8 5 reduction of minima m then size 4 or 5 f runners. What guide will give me a similar reduction and offer a sturdier frame. I looked at the standard M guides. Height wise they are identical. I cannot tell if the guide frame is built any heavier.

Still might go with minimas. So hard for me not to build the best performing rod I can which to me is as light as possible. Just want to know an option to compare the minimas to. Thanks.

For high match type frames with a more robust frame, look at the Fuji K series and Kigan ZH series guides. Their frames are cut and shaped so the widest part of the frame runs parallel to the blank to help reduce bending. Otherwise, I find the Y-frame 20-10-5 reduction train will get the job done and those frames are a bit more durable than the M-frames.

The PacBay ceramic M guides are more durable than the Minimas. As Joe suggests the Fuji KL16H, KL8H, and KL5.5M reduction train coupled with KB/KT 4.5 or 5 runners are an excellent choice. Fuji is the company that started the KR concept, so you can’t go wrong using them.
Norm

Was thinking fuji but want black frames. Looks like I will go ceramic type m. Still like to lean lighter weight which these will give me than the fuji, while offering a bit more durability than minimas.

The PacBay ceramic M guides are similar in weight to the Fuji KR guides. Not much of a weight savings, if any. Could also use the SeaGude XOHG guides, problem is they don’t make a size XO8HG to paiir with the XO16H and the XO5.5M for the reduction train. Could use an XO20H based reduction train. You can get them in black, with either a Zirconia or silicon nitride (RS) ring. They are a little lighter than the Fuji KRs, and are approximately the same height.
Norm

Michael,
Go with the pac bay minimas except for the first taller guide. You can use a ceramic - tougher guide for that guide. I am assuming that the tall guide is the one that is more likely to be bent than any of the others.

Or go with all minimas. A guide can be bent back a few times. Or, if you want a black guide, you can use a recoil black guide for the first guide and then use inexpensive minimas for the rest. The recoil guides can be bent back and forth many times with no damage.

Hence the reason for the naming of the gude family - Recoil.

Good luck

I got both ceramic pac bay m and minima m ordered. I will compare the two and go from there. Been happy with the minimas. Just unsure of the abuse this particular rod might take.