Preferred difference in flex numbers?

[KYLE ELLIS]

well its the only pole i can jump on now i start with it with standards at 80 and hope that it lasts long enough so i can jump something high. But I always blow it out at 16'6. Its a little weird but hey i deal with it....lol. And I am going to transfer somewhere next year, dont know where but lots of schools around here wont buy poles unless you go to ou....

[souleman]

Becca , Dave and decamouse thanks for the explainations on the flex numbers. I had my Cat-a-pole out today using it for what I have been useing it for for the last 10 years or so, (taking the Christmas lights off the house) and low and behold, at one time there was a flex number on it. On the lower right hand corner of the painted label it says flex no____ (I can't figure out how to spell ink fade) Anyway this pole was made in 68 or 69 and I'll be darned if they didn't use flex numbers then. So,could I take that pole and suspend it between 2 saw horses and hang a 50 weight in the middle and redetermine what it's flex number is? This is all so new to me .....but fun! Later............Mike

[rainbowgirl28]

Becca , Dave and decamouse thanks for the explainations on the flex numbers. I had my Cat-a-pole out today using it for what I have been useing it for for the last 10 years or so, (taking the Christmas lights off the house) and low and behold, at one time there was a flex number on it. On the lower right hand corner of the painted label it says flex no____ (I can't figure out how to spell ink fade) Anyway this pole was made in 68 or 69 and I'll be darned if they didn't use flex numbers then. So,could I take that pole and suspend it between 2 saw horses and hang a 50 weight in the middle and redetermine what it's flex number is? This is all so new to me .....but fun! Later............Mike

You would get A flex number. It would probably not be the same as the original flex number. It would be useful if you got another pole. You could flex them both in your backyard and get a good idea what the difference is between them.

[lonestar]

You would get A flex number. It would probably not be the same as the original flex number. It would be useful if you got another pole. You could flex them both in your backyard and get a good idea what the difference is between them.

Yeah, it's pretty difficult to get the exact same factory flex number because there are so many minute variables to a flex test, most importantly where you support the pole (the spans), where you hang the weight from, lining up the soft side correctly, friction, slipping of the supports, consistency in your methods, how heavy the weight is, temperature, etc... I built my flex testing device 3 years ago and have made several upgrades and modifications, and can hit factory numbers dead on the money on certain brands and lengths, and within .3 on others. I also happen to have inside information on the spans the manufacturers use, and have consulted with their engineers to better facilitate testing.

The bottom line is that if you test all your poles on the same system with no variables, you can determine which pole is stiffer than which and approximately by how much. This is called Relative Stiffness.

[KYLE ELLIS]

well i found on old pacer carbon that had 6 inches cut off the bottom. It was a 4.90 16.6 flex so i grabbed to try sat at ou since the pole i had didnt work fri when i only jumped 16. Saturday i started on the biggest pole i had jumped on and blew it out. Then I got on the pacer carbon and it it with everything i had and cleared my opening by a foot and a half. Then I cleared 16'1 by a foot (with standards on 60). Then I made my pr of 16'7 by about 7 or 8 incges, it wasnt a great jump the pole was just launching me lol. I was too tired to have any real good shots at 17'1. But I never caught one one the pole it was running away a little everytime but hey it was slinging me. I got third to scott martin and mike westlund but for some reason i got left out of the results. But I have film proof haha

[souleman]

Based on some of the things I have read, thanks to all of you, I saw where one of the guys would rather have a flex number than a weight rating because a flex number will actually tell him more. My point is, is that when I start jumping again, if there was a way to determine the flex number of my 1550 Cat-a-pole and find that it actualy has a flex number that would be similiar to a pole that is weight rated for either higher or lower wouldn't that be helpful in determining how far I can push that pole before she goes "snap POING"? I know I won't get back under 150 pounds when the training workouts kick in but I should stay below 160. I'm figuring as long as I'm wanting to be a "Vaultin' Geezer" it would be a hoot to do it on a geezer pole. (Hey Dave that "Vaultin' Geezer" thing has a good ring to it doesn't it?

[lonestar]

Based on some of the things I have read, thanks to all of you, I saw where one of the guys would rather have a flex number than a weight rating because a flex number will actually tell him more. My point is, is that when I start jumping again, if there was a way to determine the flex number of my 1550 Cat-a-pole and find that it actualy has a flex number that would be similiar to a pole that is weight rated for either higher or lower wouldn't that be helpful in determining how far I can push that pole before she goes "snap POING"? I know I won't get back under 150 pounds when the training workouts kick in but I should stay below 160. I'm figuring as long as I'm wanting to be a "Vaultin' Geezer" it would be a hoot to do it on a geezer pole. (Hey Dave that "Vaultin' Geezer" thing has a good ring to it doesn't it?

It's fun to jump on vintage poles, I enjoy it a lot. The truth is though, that pole is probably all wrong for you. Few masters guys I know jump on 15' poles effectively, and often jump better on shorter, stiffer rated poles, like big 13's or 14's. If you want to compare that pole to something modern, borrow some newer poles relatively close to that size, and flex test those poles and yours on the same identical spans, and compare numbers. Bear in mind that 1.0cm is approximately 5lbs, and do the math to compare the weight ratings to your pole. For example, if you flex your pole as a 21.0, and you flex out a new Skypole 15' 150 as a 22.0, then your pole might actually be closer to a 155 on the modern charts. Jan Johnson has a relative weight rating chart on his website at: http://skyjumpers.com/articles/relitive ... _chart.htm A 15' 155 is comparable to a 14' 175 or 13'6 185 in relative stiffness. If your grip is only 12'6 or so, the 136 185 might be a better bet since you'd be holding higher on the sailpiece, or if you're blowing through it, a 13'6 190, or 14' 180 might be a better choice for a next pole. Good luck.

[souleman]

So more than likely, I will never hold up high enough to worry about a 160lb guy (me) breaking it because more than likely, at 12 to 13 feet, the pole would actually rate out at a higher "poundage". So next question, if that's the case, once I get competent again, how 'bout if I cut a foot or two off of the bottom to hold up more towards the top of the pole? What about that? Like I said,all of his is so new that your re-answering many of these questionsreally helps and it's the only way I can get all of this info to sink into this old mellon of mine. Thanks..........Mike

[lonestar]

So more than likely, I will never hold up high enough to worry about a 160lb guy (me) breaking it because more than likely, at 12 to 13 feet, the pole would actually rate out at a higher "poundage". So next question, if that's the case, once I get competent again, how 'bout if I cut a foot or two off of the bottom to hold up more towards the top of the pole? What about that? Like I said,all of his is so new that your re-answering many of these questionsreally helps and it's the only way I can get all of this info to sink into this old mellon of mine. Thanks..........Mike

Well of course Bruce is probably going to jump in here and say "NEVER CHOP OFF POLES," as would pvjunkie and decamouse if they still posted on here, and they have to take that stance for liability purposes as manufacturers, but I personally have and would, and have never had a pole break because we chopped it off. You're also not in high school, so it wouldn't make the pole illegal to do so, so that argument is out. I know of several elites that chop there poles off to make them work better for them. You can search for several threads on the topic of chopping poles if you want to read about that debate. Yes though, it would put your grip more above the sail and might make the pole work a little better for you.

[ladyvolspvcoach]

Mike,
Those old poles don't act like today's poles. To which I'm sure Bruce will attest. Today's athletes bring a quiver of poles to a meet for progression purposes. We used to tak a few because you might break one. Those older ones used to get softer and spongier as the season wore on. They acted differently in different temps and climates. Today's poles are unbelievely better than those of our day. You'd actually have a lot more fun using the poles of today, and relegating your 1550 to the Christmas lights on a permanent basis.. Just a thought!!!

[souleman]

Dave, that's probably what will happen. Uh,by the way..... we need to talk (e-mail) I've got an idea regarding that cloud nine. Does the name comfortrest bed conjure up any thoughts? I'll be in touch. Later..............Mike