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this may be a dumb ?, but do the poles get more flexable as the flex# goes up, or is it the other way around. My last pole was a 18.5 and the one i just got today is a 18.7 i think.

the higher the flex # the more flexable the pole.

And remember that you can only compare flex numbers on poles that are the same length AND made by the same manufacturer.

really? that doesnt seem to smart to me!! wouldnt it make more sense for them to make a unviversal way of measuring flex#s and all of them use it. dang that blows

PCHSpolevaulter16 wrote:really? that doesnt seem to smart to me!! wouldnt it make more sense for them to make a unviversal way of measuring flex#s and all of them use it. dang that blows

Some people agree with you, but the manufacturers all prefer to do it their way.

Really the manufacturers are all fairly close. The biggest differences are in short poles (12'6" and smaller).

You still can't compare flex numbers between lengths because of the way they flex the poles.

If u want you can set up you own testing area and then do them all your self.

well i am jumping on a 14' 160 now and a 13'6" 160 before, and how would you set up a testing area?

rainbowgirl28 wrote:You still can't compare flex numbers between lengths because of the way they flex the poles.

Can you help me understand this please? For sake of discussion, if you grip near maximum on a pole that would be near where it is tested. And if you applied the same amount of force, the pole would bend a similar amount. But it would not be the same to jump on because you are gripping higher and a higher grip is as significant a change as a heavier pole. Does any of that make sense or am I all wet?

master wrote:

rainbowgirl28 wrote:You still can't compare flex numbers between lengths because of the way they flex the poles.

Can you help me understand this please? For sake of discussion, if you grip near maximum on a pole that would be near where it is tested. And if you applied the same amount of force, the pole would bend a similar amount. But it would not be the same to jump on because you are gripping higher and a higher grip is as significant a change as a heavier pole. Does any of that make sense or am I all wet?

you might try to re-phrase that????

ESSX wrote:you might try to re-phrase that????

OK. I will try a completely different way. I think you can compare a 13' 6" 165 lb rated pole and a 14' 165 lb rated pole. They are not the same, but they can be compared. Similarly I think you can compare a 13' 6" 17.6 flex Pacer FX with a 14' 17.6 flex Pacer FX. They are not the same, but I know how they are different so I know what to expect from each (in a relative sense.)

master wrote:

ESSX wrote:you might try to re-phrase that????

OK. I will try a completely different way. I think you can compare a 13' 6" 165 lb rated pole and a 14' 165 lb rated pole. They are not the same, but they can be compared. Similarly I think you can compare a 13' 6" 17.6 flex Pacer FX with a 14' 17.6 flex Pacer FX. They are not the same, but I know how they are different so I know what to expect from each (in a relative sense.)

Ok Now I know what you are trying to say and agree.
The best way to understand length increase in stiffness is this way;
a 13'6"-165 holding 6" down from the top will be the same stiffness as a 14-165 holding the same distance from the top 6"
For every inch you move your hand down the pole gets 1 lbs stiffer on the 14-165 compared to the 13'6" pole.

Most all brands compared by weight model match pretty much across the board.

master wrote:

ESSX wrote:you might try to re-phrase that????

OK. I will try a completely different way. I think you can compare a 13' 6" 165 lb rated pole and a 14' 165 lb rated pole. They are not the same, but they can be compared. Similarly I think you can compare a 13' 6" 17.6 flex Pacer FX with a 14' 17.6 flex Pacer FX. They are not the same, but I know how they are different so I know what to expect from each (in a relative sense.)

Yes, they will require about the same amount of force to bend if you're gripping both poles say 6" from the top, BUT, where people f*** this up is that they don't realize that jacking their grip up to the same distance from the top on the next length f*** up the whole pole-speed equation. Even 1 inch of grip changes the pole-speed dynamic in a jump, and when moving to the next length, you should grip the same height from the BOTTOM of the pole with your top hand, or like 1" more. If you just jack your grip up 6" to a foot, you're asking to get your dumb a** spanked back down on the runway.