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I'm currently on a 15'6" Carbon 185 (flex is either 16.4 or 15.4, I forget) and have been blowing through on it to where I have to jump up a pole, which is a 15'6" Pacer 190 (flex is 1cm less than carbon, either 15.4 or 14.4) and am having trouble with the timing on it through the whole vault and cannot get used to it to the point that I actually want to be on that pole. We're going to be ordering two new poles in the next few days after discussions with my coach and head coach and I'm split between getting stiffer carbons or Spirits. Consistency in the Carbon lineup is what drives me that direction, but I have always liked the timing of the Spirits and have always been comfortable on them but am wondering if I should be going from that Carbon 185 to a UCS 190 and eventually 195. When it comes to switching brands and even materials, I'm completely uneducated and would appreciate input from those who know a lot about these.

Thanks in advance!

Sounds like if you add a a Spirit you will have 3 different pole types in your rack... The sail piece is going to be in 3 different spots and that is not a great situation to be in when you're trying to tame big sticks. To have consistency among how the poles react, add in your favorite gill pole... If you go with the carbons you will have light fast reactive pole, you'll jump out of series for one stick then back onto it... If you go with the pacers, then you may have a heavier stick but at least you have 3 poles in series. If you are planning on buying more poles in the future think about what you want as a rack and start building it now.

I personally jump on Spirits because i am buying my own poles now and gill's carbons are the only poles I have seen break in the past 7 years not that a fact that means much BUT when it comes to cost and being a poor post collegiate.... Anyhoo I have PRed on all three brands Essx, gill, and UCS... all three are good brands...