If the STRs are the new steelhead series of rods, I can confirm that they are THE shite and not shite. Schoenweiss has 2 of them now and they are incredibly light in the hand and incredibly sensitive. I was driftfishing my GL3 1025C (<-KILLER all around rod Drew) and my Sage right before picking up the STR and the STR felt noticibly lighter and more sensitive.

I can't speak to the durability of them but it wouldn't surprise me if you are correct in saying they are more fragile than a lot of other lines.