Glass/Carbon Pole Comparison

[ClintonMagus]

Other than the weight, what are the differences between a fiberglass pole and a carbon pole of the exact same weight and flex?

[Decamouse]

Depends on how each pole is designed:

If the use of carbon is balanced, weight is the biggest difference.

Bigger question is at what point the pole starts to oval - if you are really interested in all these nuances of poles and design, let me know I can get you link or e-mail you more in depth material.

Since flex number is taken at a relatively small degree of deflection (compared to full bend during vault - pole chord shortened to aroung 70% of orignally length) it is a relative gauge measurement.

Balancing act - lots of carbon fiber in the long direction has be used to make a slightly higher end load at max bend which leads to feeling of faster return.

Made five poles all with same flex number but varying end loads at big bends -- higher level vaulters could tell the difference.

That said -- for the vast marjority -- find what works for you/your vaulters and build your series off that.

[ClintonMagus]

We have a 13-120 fiberglass and a 13-120 carbon. The carbon is noticeably lighter and the flex is within .1 of the fiberglass. We will experiment, but if the characteristics are otherwise similar, we would really like to use the carbon.

Update: we had a very successful first day on the carbon yesterday. Sweet pole!

Thanks.