TPS Shaft Flex Question

[Garpenlov 0]

So I own a pair of 75 flex TPS shafts. One is the Redlite non-tapered, and the other is the R2 XN10 Armor tapered shaft. I've used both for a some time (I assume enough to have fully broken them both in), but I keep going back to the redlite 'cause it seems more "flexy" than the R2 XN10. I can't explain it - I can only guess that the R2 XN10 isn't a true 75 flex, but that makes no sense.

Is this just my perception? Am I right about the XN10 not being a true 75 flex? Or is there another explanation for this?

[Rustpot 1]

The taper causes the flex point to be higher, meaning you're not going to get as much flex at your bottom hand.

The standard shaft maintains a wider box, allowing consistent flex the whole length, like a bow.

They might both flex under the same load, but the tapered shaft will stay straighter from your bottom hand to the blade, making it seem like it flexes less since that is where you load it the most.

[Cavs019 710]

Yeah thats wrong. Tapered shafts are engineered to have a lower kickpoint, that being below your bottom hand.

[Garpenlov 0]

Thanks for trying Rustpot - it sounded good!

I've heard the same thing that Cavs wrote, that being, the advantage of a tapered shaft is that the kick point is lower, so my impression was that you have more shaft that will flex. That compared to a non-tapered shaft where you lose about 3-4 inches of shaft (to the hosel on the blade) that does not flex.

Can anyone help with this?

[sabre09923 0]

EDIT: Augh, my reading has been horrible today.

I'd go with what B-Nads said.

[B-Nads 0]

The standard shaft feels like it has more flex because it flexes in the middle of the shaft, whereas the tapered design flexes just above the hosel. Just because the shaft feels more flexy doesn't mean it is getting more energy to the puck - if the flex is too high it is just wasted energy...the tapered shaft is designed to get the power where it can offer the most benefit.

[TBLfan 25]

try flexing the xn10 normally then lower your hand and do it. Also, I believe that TPS sticks have started to get a little stiffer to account for breaking in soo much, I have no other evidence besides feel.

Lastly, are they both the same length? My redlite CS2 is only 48" and I have to put a plug in it, so it's whippier.

[Garpenlov 0]

Thanks for the input B-Nads and TBLfan.

TBLfan - I'll give that a try, but yes, both shafts are same length. Also just curious, I used to live in Tampa (around USF north of Temple Terrace). I played at the Brandon Ice Rink - do you play there or someplace else?

[TBLfan 25]

I play everywhere I can, so yes. I play at ISF, TBSA, JP Igloo and I've played at sunblades a couple times too.

[Chadd 916]

The standard shaft feels like it has more flex because it flexes in the middle of the shaft, whereas the tapered design flexes just above the hosel. Just because the shaft feels more flexy doesn't mean it is getting more energy to the puck - if the flex is too high it is just wasted energy...the tapered shaft is designed to get the power where it can offer the most benefit.

umm, no

In this case, one stick broke in more than the other one. I have a number of sticks and one of them broke in way more than the others, no real rhyme or reason. Tapered sticks will feel more whippy in a given flex than a standard shaft because they load faster (less force).