[numbskull]

Just a point of information, the low rider guide layout and the "new concept" layout are two different things.

The new concept system typically uses 3 standard guides (or the more streamlined BMNAG guides) to bring the line down to a choke point well short of the tip and then carry the line in a straight line through small guides to the tip. Its primary advantage is to reduce tip weight and make the rod more responsive. Supposedly it also reduces guide loops and maybe improves distance a little....but that's debatable. There is a set formula/method to follow and that method determines the guide height and placement needed. Anyone building a rod would do well to look into it and try a few test casts (you can use some of the same guides as you would use with the old cone of flight system....only you'll need a few extra 10's).

The low rider set up uses small guides (a 20mm is the largest LC guide) set to a different formula (and way out the rod) to quickly reduce line loops and channel them to the tip. For really fast line velocities with light braid (think carp fishing) this apparently has some major advantages. 40lb power pro is not "light braid" and ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g an eel or pencil popper on a Lami is not generating "really fast line velocities" for most of us. Also sounds like it is fussy enough that it often ends up reel and line specific. The fuji site does show a method to use lowriders as the first three guides in a " semi-kinda new concept layout" on shorter rods, but again that is probably meant for small reels and light braid.

Of course, after learning all this crap and building a state of the art spinning rod.....it still feels twice as heavy as a conventional outfit of equivalent power (though I admit I can outcast my conventional with it).