mbondvegas 0 #1 June 5, 2006 I understand that the fabric used has changed on the Triathlon over time. Does anyone know the years of change and fabrics used? What about one made in early 1998? Thanks!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #2 June 5, 2006 The Triathlon has always been made out of zp fabric. The fabric they used to use came from a mill in South Africa; it was less slippery than the fabric they use now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #3 June 5, 2006 What are the other differences in the current Tri5.0 and one made in 1998. (other than use/age) Has the design changed and how? Deployment/glide/flare,etc... Thanks for all of your help.- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,387 #4 June 6, 2006 I am aware of three different fabrics that have been used in the Triathlon. In chronological order: 1. A non-slippery ZP that was bulky as hell. (I had one of these mfg'd in the '90's) 2. A non-slippery ZP that had bulk similar to other ZP fabrics. (I have a Triathlon and a Diablo made of this. I love it.) 3. A slippery ZP similar to what other mfgr's use. I believe #1 and #2 were two variants of "Gelvenor". #1 was about 40% bulkier than #2, but otherwise indistinguishable."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #5 June 6, 2006 QuoteWhat are the other differences in the current Tri5.0 and one made in 1998. (other than use/age) Has the design changed and how? Deployment/glide/flare,etc... The lineset has been changed a few times since 1998. The most recent ones are supposed to flare much better, but that's a qualitative claim that I don't can't support with such limited experience. My own experience however - I went from a '98 Tri220 (~70 jumps) to an '04 Tri210 (25 jumps) this spring. The fabric (new, the old one had 250 jumps when I got it) is slippery and traps the air really well, but seems to be made up for by the less bulky fabric, more than the 10ft should explain. The same d bag is easier to deal with. I have popped up on flare a few times on the new one. Like 5-6ft I think. The old one I struggled to get a plane out, and I adopted an earlier partial flare and then a main one - pretty much a 2 stage style. With the current one I'm back to the more adaptive plane out and then ride it - it will fly flat for much longer than my internal clock is used to. I've heard from GravityGirl that the older ones had a reputation for hard openings, but I didn't see that in mine. Initially it opened too slowly for me and I moved to pack it with the nose untouched, etc, to promote a more prompt open. ---- Add: I don't want to scare you off the older design. It seemed to do the job, I just think the newer ones do better. I should add that I'm not one of the natural wonders for landings. I find 9 cells let me get away better with my faults. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #6 June 6, 2006 Thanks for the input Kelp!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
