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i was just curious... i always hear how amazing carbon fiber poles are, i talked to my coach about it and he said that they are hard to get used to because they have a different kind of bend to them. i have seen other vaulters at meets jump on them and it looks to me like it launches the vaulter up really fast. is this true? how long dose it take to adjust to this bend and how is it different from a regular pole?

Try the search feature for "carbon poles", I'm pretty sure their advantages and disadvantages have been discussed in depth on here. As for a quick response. They:

Are lighter.

Have a smaller diameter.

Don't "stiffen up" as much in the cold (read: they bend in a very similar manner under hot and cold conditions).

Arguably return the energy loaded into them faster.

I like them, my vaulters have had success on them. But all the world records have been set on good old Fiberglass. Try and get your hands on one to try out and see if you like it. It's all about what works best for you.

essx poles transition from fiber to carbon easily, you just have to make sure you have a tall plant, arms extended up and jump with the pole.

OH-IOvaulter wrote:Arguably return the energy loaded into them faster.

I've heard this before. I've also heard things along the lines of "shoots you up quicker" and "unbends more forcefully." I don't believe any of those claims to be true, but rather a product of the bend characteristics of ALL Gill/Pacer poles, not just carbons. It's already been discussed that the bend in all Gill poles (except for Skypole) is situated closer toward the bottom of the pole (as opposed to in the middle or toward the top). I think this causes the illusion of the above descriptions because a vaulter bending the pole in this way will sink toward the pit at a lower plane of angle before the pole rolls to vertical, and since the vaulter is on the long side of the bend, their section of the pole travels a greater vertical distance as the pole straightens. Also, carbons don't have as much of a prebend as other brands, and their thinness makes them more susceptible to breakage. (note: this paragraph applies only to Gill CarbonFX poles, not to ESSX Carbon)

Personally I don't think the smaller diameter and lighter grip weight make them a better investment than UCS/Spirit. Never tried ESSX or Altius though so I can't comment there.

I think the weight and diameter was the best advantage... expecially for new vaulters progressing through poles quickly. If you learn on glass then transition to carbon once you get on 14'+ then it seems to make a huge diffrence in pole cary and speed.... Atleast for me it did

Other brands use carbon to make the pole come back faster? If the pole is not timed with the vaulter I am not sure how a faster pole can help the jump. Speeding your jump up sounds like defeating the purpose of the swing and double pendulum of the jump?
The perfect carbon pole will be lighter, more durable, and smaller in diameter not faster???
We have most recently developed carbon pole in sizes 12'4, 13' 1" 13'7". and 14'0" Priced the same as normal glass poles! This new technolgy will allow younger vaulters to have a pole that is thinner and lighter than standard poles made!

ESSX
http://www.officialessx.com

Unless you are jumping on a 16' (490) or longer pole (maybe 14' pole if you are female), I would save your money and skip the carbon and just buy more poles.

Thanks, Brian.

I always cringe when some parent talks about getting carbon poles so his kid can jump 11'.

"how is dose carbon fiber bend differently?"

I'm not sure I understand the question..

The rate of the energy return (speed by which you are shot in the air (hopefully towards the mat)), is a function of the mass of the vaulter and the stiffness of the pole.

So, a glass pole and a carbon pole that has the same bend and bend characteristics, will return the energy at the same rate.

If the lighter carbon pole allows you to run faster, essentially, it allows you to use a bigger pole......

Carbon poles give a louder bang when they explode.....

"Carbon poles give a louder bang when they explode....."

NICE!

I have 3 carbon fiber poles. I love them. The difference between them and my spirits are the sale pieces. On the carbon ones, the sale pieces change between the different weights. On the spirits, the sale piece stays the same as I go through poles. So on the Carbon poles the bend happens a little higher on the pole. And your right, the vault is just a little faster because the carbons release the energy a little bit quicker.