Spectra Lowers

[Johnny Utah]

I gotta admit I laughed at that one

[Johnny Utah]

Johnny, could you explain what you meant about the toggle hanging up. I didnt quite visualize that.

you know how some toggles have a stiffer tab than others. On a toggle with a tight very stiff tab then I think it's no concern but on a tab that is sewn a bit loser and softer then maybe the thinner spectra line could groove into the tab a bit during a really hard opening with a standard slider-up brake setting whereby the riser loop is not used. It may be remote but the thought just crossed my mind.



On a side note, there is one reason I can think of that someone might want to use spectra on all the suspension/control lines. Can you think of what it is?

[lifewithoutanet]

you know how some toggles have a stiffer tab than others. On a toggle with a tight very stiff tab then I think it's no concern but on a tab that is sewn a bit loser and softer then maybe the thinner spectra line could groove into the tab a bit during a really hard opening with a standard slider-up brake setting whereby the riser loop is not used. It may be remote but the thought just crossed my mind.

So, what are your thoughts on LRPT-type toggles with the straight closing pin for stowing the brakes?

-C.

[Johnny Utah]

So, what are your thoughts on LRPT-type toggles with the straight closing pin for stowing the brakes?

-C.

I'm not familiar with the acronym LRPT. Does that stand for Line Release Pin Toggles? The two types of pin toggles that I have experience with are the old school vision (GS) ones whereby there is only a pin. The other version are bombproof toggles whereby there is a pin next to a toggle tab (by toggle tab I mean what you normally have at the top of a toggle). I'm not sure if Dennis invented this design too but I think he did.

The old style GS pin toggles would have the noticeable problems of when not using a riser loop the pin would cut a few fibers on the eyelet every jump like a dull knife thus wearing out the lowers quickly. That was the setup I had 2 brake-lines break on me with. The other problem was that once in a while I would get a brake release on opening because the pin would get yanked out of the retaining pocket.

So the addition of a toggle tab on the pin toggle was a huge plus. It's only purpose of being there was to hold the toggle in place and I never had them release on opening. Because of the pin part of it I never had the slightest hanging up problem with them either.

That does seem to be the benefit of the pin.... the friction is so little that it pulls out like butter.

I've jumped the WLO design when borrowing gear and I've looked at how it works but can't comment much since I've never owned a pair.

The releasable toggles that I jump were made by Colin Cox and I really like the design. The pin only holds the line to the toggle and then there is a normal style toggle tab for setting the brakes.

As far as Zoo toggles. When I hear that term I think of the zoo toggles BR use to sell as standard equipment. From what I've seen it takes a 2 step hand motion to release and therefore was deemed undesirable by many BASE jumpers. They really lost their popularity after a well known jumper hit tombstone with a toggle hang up in 97. I've never owned a pair so my experience is only observations on that particular toggle.

so anyway where did you get the LRPT terminology?

[lifewithoutanet]

Johnny,
When I refer to LRPT, I'm referring to the Bombproof Rigging-style toggles. I couldn't recall if Kevin came up with those or someone else, so I've always just referred to them in the manner in which you stowe the brakes. The loop goes through the Line, the Ring, the Pin is inserted, then the Toggle stub. Follow?

I've never had a premature brake release using these, either.
-C.

[Johnny Utah]

I couldn't recall if Kevin came up with those or someone else

I'm not sure who invented that style. I would guess Dennis or Kevin.
cool toggles though