Grizz, TeeDee, Bridge Experts - Help!!!

[Jazilla]

I am not going to do any calculations for you. I will point out that much of this development has been experimental. You tried cheap hiking poles. One broke. Next step is to use spreaders with known integrity, such as 5/8" hardwood dowels. Worry about weight after you have determined the column strength needed for your spreaders. If you must use hiking poles for experimenting, try Black Diamond brand. They are made for climbers, not department store customers. They are more expensive than hardwood dowels, however.

P.S. Just noticed. You are a Steelers fan in Georgia. Does that mean you are a **** Yankee?

I noticed you just joined us 2 months ago so you may not be familiar with the practices around. This forum is about helping others.

Steeler, I have used quest .625 poles with no problem at an 80% ratio and I am 180lbs. Hope this helps.

[SteelerNation]

I noticed you just joined us 2 months ago so you may not be familiar with the practices around. This forum is about helping others.

Steeler, I have used quest .625 poles with no problem at an 80% ratio and I am 180lbs. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Jazilla, very helpful. By chance, could you let me know what the measurements that you use are and whether or not you are able to stomach sleep in that rig?

SN

[Jazilla]

My first one was 52'' head and foot and a really skinny waist. Something around 28''. I sleep on my side and it was great. When sleeping on my stomach I am still a little on my side hugging my pillow and I slept great.
My new BridgeZilla is 52'' at the head, 40 at the foot. I have not gotten a chance to sleep in it yet but I am hoping to this week.

[SteelerNation]

My first one was 52'' head and foot and a really skinny waist. Something around 28''. I sleep on my side and it was great. When sleeping on my stomach I am still a little on my side hugging my pillow and I slept great.
My new BridgeZilla is 52'' at the head, 40 at the foot. I have not gotten a chance to sleep in it yet but I am hoping to this week.

Sounds really good and is about the size that I'm looking at next. Since you said that you used an 80% ratio, I'm assuming that you used around a 42" spreader bar with a 34" triangle on the 52" side?

Thanks for the great info!

SN

[SteelerNation]

Jazilla,

Just saw your YouTube site with your bridges. Very nice!

SN

[gnome]

my bridge uses the ti goat carbon hiking poles head and foot. no dowls. hasn't let me down, (pun intended) yet. head longer than the foot. I will measure and report soon.

[Jazilla]

Sounds really good and is about the size that I'm looking at next. Since you said that you used an 80% ratio, I'm assuming that you used around a 42" spreader bar with a 34" triangle on the 52" side?

Thanks for the great info!

SN

I used 1.4 ratio for my spreaders. I like it deep and I find I get less banana shape. My head spreader is 36 and my triangle is 80% of that at 30

[Jazilla]

I really haven't tried hiking poles and I don't think I will. I like the clean look of the quest poles and the less fiddle factor. Not saying carbon poles aren't in my future but at the moment I'm good.