F16Driver 0 #1 February 7, 2006 I'm not interested in getting a Velo, or any X brace for that matter, for a LONG, LONG TIME, maybe never (I can't afford to bust my ass right now). I am curious, though, how long does a normal lineset last you guys/gals? With a X-brace being very sensitive to any input, how long do your lines last before you notice things going out of trim? I'm "guessing" it is less than other canopies, but I am curious as to what the average # of jumps is between changes. I tried to do a search and didn't find anything. "I promise, I will never die." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedy 0 #2 February 7, 2006 I relined mine after putting 500 jumps on it. It wasn't the out of trim aspect (vectran is not known for shrinkage) , I was more worried about line breaking. That could cause a real spinner on opening Dave Fallschirmsport Marl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #3 February 7, 2006 The lines they use on a a crossbraced canopy, like vectran on my Velo, are designed so that they do not stretch/shrink and go out of trim. A crossbraced canopy even a little out of trim is a much bigger deal than most. Problem is, these lines won't last as long because of these properties. Vectran won't go out of trim to let you know they need to be replaced, they will just break. So, it is recommended that you reline much sooner, like 400-600 jumps. Although, it is not uncommon for people to get many jumps more out of them. I personally relined my Velocity last time at about 400 jumps, but that was more because I didn't want to start a new season from that point and go til they had 700 or so on them. You can't replace them too soon, but you can certainly wait too long. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #4 February 7, 2006 When flying these canopies a good lineset is basically insurance in your pocket. I have always been proactive with changing my lines. It depends on your jumping environment too. A dirty desert environment will take more toll on your lines than a plush green golf course type landing area. Chuck Norris once round house kicked someone back into time causing Emillia Earhart to crash. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F16Driver 0 #5 February 7, 2006 Thanks for the responses, guys. I'm wondering, though, has anyone had a vectran line break during the increased G load on a swoop, or will they just break on initial canopy deployment? Any stories? "I promise, I will never die." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #6 February 7, 2006 I have milked my VX for about 950 jumps total (or may be more) on a vectran lineset :) You should have seen their condition, though LOL. I did replace brake lines and HAD to replace a couple of lines (a C and a D lines) - they were literally about to BREAK. One line was made out of thicker vectran too, rigger didnt have the right # line - it was a rainbow lineset LOL. But to answer the original posters question, i think they (lines) last as long as lines on "regular" canopies. And I really dont see why they wouldnt...SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #7 February 7, 2006 Quote But to answer the original posters question, i think they (lines) last as long as lines on "regular" canopies. And I really dont see why they wouldnt... Really? You don't? I answered that for you in my first post. Vectran does not stretch or shrink like other lines do. Part of the life a line set is it's ability to "put up with" the constant abuse. As a line wears and gets older, it's ability to stretch and shrink will let it last longer, but it will also allow it to change shape and length, thus causing trim issues. Vectran will not do this NEARLY as much, so as it wears, it loses it's abiltiy to "adapt," thus just breaking instead of wearing. Granted, you can probably push them and get 1,000 jumps out of them, but having a line break on a small crossbraced canopy is a much bigger deal than others. Personally, I don't see the need to push it. Part of the reason you don't hear of vectran lines breaking is because people change them more regularly. It is also why you hear of people breaking micro lines all the time, because they keep the lineset for a much longer time. Fortunately, it is usually not a huge deal when you break one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #8 February 7, 2006 QuoteThanks for the responses, guys. I'm wondering, though, has anyone had a vectran line break during the increased G load on a swoop, or will they just break on initial canopy deployment? Any stories? It is more likely that you would break a line on opening. However, opening can also just cause damage enough to a line so that it could break at any point of the descent. Having a vectran line break at the wrong time could be devistating. Like I said above, part of the reason you don't hear of it more often is because people change their linsets more often with vectran because of the consequences in breaking one. Pushing it and getting the most jumps you can on a lineset is never a good idea, in my opinion. It just isn't worth it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #9 February 7, 2006 long post. so... why would lines on a crossfire wear out quicker then on a VX?SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #10 February 7, 2006 If they are both vectran, they wouldn't. If one had HMA, they are two different animals. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #11 February 7, 2006 I just assumed we were not comparing apples and oranges here - so i was referring to same line type of different canopies. And as far as wear and tear on lines - i dont think x-braced canopies produce any more then regular canopies. well, these days the new (design) HMA lines will go as far as Vectran would. With proper care - may be even further?SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #12 February 7, 2006 And I assumed you knew this post was about the lines they put on a Velocity or crossbraced canopy, as in the original post. I also assumed that you would understand that I wasn't talking about a Crossfire when comparing other types of canopies with DIFFERENT types of lines. I understand that a Crossfire has vectran. If you need me to be more clear, I am talking about VECTRAN lines as opposed to other linesets typically used on non-high performance canopies. Yes, I think HMA will outlast vectran. But not possitive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #13 February 7, 2006 QuoteI have always been proactive with changing my lines. It depends on your jumping environment too. At the end of October it was pretty obvious that I was living on borrowed time with the lineset on my Velo 103 (your old canopy). The canopy had close to 500 jumps on it and some of the lines were beginning to fray. So I replaced them once I knew I wouldn't be jumping much (dang shitty Pacific Northwest winter rain). So now I've got essential a new Velo to go along with my new JVX which thanks to the shitty WX hasn't even been jumped yet. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #14 February 7, 2006 Quote And I assumed I guess we should not assume things - or you know what will happen ;) Quote you knew this post was about the lines they put on a Velocity or crossbraced canopy, as in the original post. When did they stop putting vectran on Velo? And since when is VX not a "crossbraced canopy" Quote I also assumed There you go again... Ass-you-ming Quote that you would understand that I wasn't talking about a Crossfire when comparing other types of canopies with DIFFERENT types of lines. I understand that a Crossfire has vectran. WHY, for the purpose of original post, would you compare DIFFERENT canopies with DIFFERENT type of lines? What would that prove?? Quote If you need me to be more clear, I am talking about VECTRAN lines as opposed to other linesets typically used on non-high performance canopies. why would you compare different linesets? All he asked was (and I quote): I am curious, though, how long does a normal lineset last you... what the average # of jumps is between changesSoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #15 February 7, 2006 Whatever dude. Quit being an ass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #16 February 7, 2006 LOL you started it!SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #17 February 7, 2006 QuoteThanks for the responses, guys. I'm wondering, though, has anyone had a vectran line break during the increased G load on a swoop, or will they just break on initial canopy deployment? Any stories? Yep, my friend Peter had a brake line break while flaring to land after a swoop approach. His DZ.com handle is Titaniumlegs.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #18 February 7, 2006 He's pretty good at it. Steve when you jump that JVX let me know what you think of it. Grant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntacfreefly 0 #20 February 7, 2006 Did too...To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~ Lao-Tzu It's all good, they're my brothers ~ Mariann Kramer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #22 February 7, 2006 did tooSoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #23 February 7, 2006 Unnn Uhhh DId not! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntacfreefly 0 #24 February 7, 2006 Did too!!To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~ Lao-Tzu It's all good, they're my brothers ~ Mariann Kramer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #25 February 7, 2006 DID TOO!SoFPiDaRF - School of Fast Progress in Downsizing and Radical Flying. Because nobody knows your skills better than you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
