Convertion 4.60 to 4.90 poles, need some help

[lars]

Hello, I have a little problem, I usually jump with 4.60 spirit pole, 195 pound. But in my club back home, we only have some 4.90 poles. If my grip is at 4.45m(14foot 7inch) what kind of flex 490 pole give me about the same stiffness?

[Divalent]

the general rule of thumb is that a 6 inch (15 cm) lower grip adds about 10 lbs of stiffness. So the same grip height on a 30 cm longer pole means (roughly) that the longer pole will behave approximately 20 lbs stiffer.

So a 175 4.90 would be close to a 195 4.60.

[IAmTheWalrus]

I find with 4.90 poles, possibly due to the change in sailpiece position, that when you hold down that low its closer to a 10lb jump, meaning that a 16' 185 would be more appropriate. I vault primarily on either a 16 180 or a 15' 190 and find them to be pretty similar in stiffness with the 190 being perhaps a bit stiffer at the 14'7" handhold. A 16' 175 would be way to soft for you if u jump on a 15' 195

[lars]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys, this will help me finding something that works!!

[AVC Coach]

You really need to consider flex numbers! Going by pounds only, or even at all, can cost you a lot of time and money.

[bel142]

I am some one who grips down a whole lot on 4.90s. The relative transition chart is real accurate when you want to think about these things. I agree with the above you need to deal with flex numbers. I would recommend doing your own flex comparison.

I disagree with walrus, without knowing the flex numbers, I think that a 490 - 75 would probably work well when compared to a 460 - 95... The biggest issue is the sail piece, I really enjoy holding down 12 inches on a 490, I like the way it reacts. That may be a way weird jump for you if you have never done it or used a 490 before... I would think a 75 would do you well, but if it were me, i would find a 490 - 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, rack to play with and train with the them because the timing is going to be way different, specifically if you match grips.

Just some thoughts,
bel