If you put together 6 different engines and each had a different brand of Chinese rod I don't think you would be able to tell a difference. I don't think any of the Chinese rods are going to break. We have no idea where these things are made or if any are better than the others. They are all probably made by the same 12 year old girl in China.

The last set of rods I bought were Callies Ultras just because I wanted to buy US made rods and I didn't want to feel I cheaped out on anything since all of the other parts were so expensive.