What size slider bumpers?

[indyz 1]

I need to buy a set of slider bumpers before I hook up my main. Paragear lists mini bumpers and regular size bumpers. Does it depend on the size of risers that I have, or is it just personal preference?

[BadDog 0]

It depends on the size of the links that the bumpers have to fit over. Usually the mini risers have small links and standard risers have large links.

[Watcher 0]

Forget the Bumpers, replace the metal links with Soft Links.

Jonathan

Jonathan Bartlett
D-24876
AFF-I

[riggerrob 643]

Look closely at your connector links. Read the little words stamped on the sides. They are probably "Maillon Rapide 3.5" and use small, silicone bumpers.
If you have "Maillon Rapide 5" then use large plastic bumpers.

[jerm 0]

Quote

Forget the Bumpers, replace the metal links with Soft Links.

Possibly a valid suggestion, but why? If you really expect someone to take your advice, some sort of information to support your position is generally warranted, polite, and (should be, anyway) customary.

That being said, i jump slinks, but i'd like to hear your reasoning.

Blue skies
-jerm

Landing without injury is not necessarily evidence that you didn't fuck up... it just means you got away with it this time

[indyz 1]

Quote

That being said, i jump slinks, but i'd like to hear your reasoning.

Me too. I was considering slinks, but I my canopy is already on rapide links (#3.5, thanks Rob), and a set of slider bumpers costs $4.00 versus $25.00 for slinks. I know I shouldn't put money before safety, but I've searched the forums and couldn't find a convincing argument as to why I should use slinks instead of rapide links. Although I have heard that I might want #5 links because the #3.5s fail more readily. Does anybody care to comment about this?

[ernokaikkonen 0]

> Although I have heard
>that I might want #5 links because the #3.5s fail more readily.
>Does anybody care to comment about this?

I don't think you should worry too much about that. Properly tightened 3.5's will be durable enough. However, I have personally noticed that the silicone bumpers used on 3.5-rapide links are not very durable. They wear out much faster than the bumpers on large rapide-links. And after they wear out, the rapide-link is exposed, and that'll damage the slider grommets which will damage the lines and so on....

> I know I shouldn't put money before safety, but I've searched
>the forums and couldn't find a convincing argument as to why I
>should use slinks instead of rapide links.

The small 3.5-rapide-links will be exposed if the silicone bumpers fail. That's not good. If you don't mind buying new bumpers every now and then it's not a problem.

The bigger rapide-links are fine, but they are big. They might not fit in your container as nicely.

And the soft-links? No hassle. Except that on some rigs I've heard the slider can come all the way during opening, knocking a brake loose... But personally, I'd go for the soft links.

Erno