Triathlon Hybrid for non- CReW use only

[reinhart36 0]

I've found a very new Triathlon "hybrid" 190 for sale. I'm trying to determine if it matters to me that the canopy is a "hybrid" as opposed to a regular.

I'm building my first rig, and presently don't plan on doing any CReW in the short term.

As far as I can tell by reading:


http://www.flyaerodyne.com/fly/products/triathlon.asp#triahyb


the leading edge is reinforced and the lines are different.

Should these things matter to me?

I did a search but I didn't find the answer to this question..

thanks!

[dragon2 2]

There are 2 things that would concern you when jumping a hybrid tri for regular freefall: it'll pack up bigger due to the dacron lines and the reinforcement and the cotton on top (not all hybrids are created equal but mine has all 3), and you probably want to change the crw bridle and pilotchute for a regular bridle & pilotchute. Both should come with your rig anyway, use those instead of the ones you may get with a crw canopy.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[dcgilbert 0]

I jumped a hybrid Tri 190 for about 350 jumps. It was manufactured around '98 and used the Gelvenor (sp?) fabric, so it may be a bit different than the canopies made with the newer fabric Aerodyne is using. Mine also had a set of rings and some canvas on the top skin for the crew style retractable pilot chute which adds slightly to the bulk.

I never used mine for anything other than a freefall rig. The canopy was fine at terminal, but did tend to open briskly. Part of this was due to the lineset that was on mine. It had the non-cascaded center lines, the center A lines were dacron and the rest were 825 (I think) spectra. This was not a good thing. The dacron stretched and the spectra shrank leading to some hard openings. The non-cascaded center lines themselves are ok, but make sure they are all of the same material.

After another reline with cascaded spectra it opened fine most of the time. And I blame the packer (me) for those bad openings. That said it was a bit faster than my Spectre is .

This was before Bushman's day; he was shocked to hear that the factory had relined the canopy with two differrent line materials when I talked to him in Tampa. But you might want to make sure that the lineset is all made of the same material before purchase. If it isn't, check (or have your rigger do it) the trim and expect it to go out of trim fast. I would personally reline it, but that is me.

edit: OK, dragon2 was faster on the rings and topskin, but I'd still check on the lines

[dragon2 2]

The different lines are fine if it's used for CRW actually. If you're gonna do CRW with spectra (and most people don't especially want to), outer lines and center lines should be Dacron. I wouldn't mind such a lineset on mine; maybe it'd fit in my rig that way I think the problem is more the linetrim.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[reinhart36 0]

This is what the seller said about the canopy:

"The Canopy is a Triathlon HYBRID, same as regular, but Center A lines are
red dacron, and the center A/B are not casaded."

This canopy is less than 3 years old, and I might get it for 350-400 if I want it...

The price sounds good, but I'm actually not a fan of the colors Perhaps, I should hold out for something a little more "perfect" ??

[dragon2 2]

How many jumps on the canopy? And is it the right size for you? Does it fit in your rig?

It's a cheap nice first starter canopy, you'll probasbly get back what you pay for it when you downsize, so if it's right for you and doesn't need an immediate reline, it sounds like a good deal to me

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[reinhart36 0]

I think it has low 100's of jumps on it. The seller thinks the lines have another 150-200 jumps on them before it will need a reline.

I was hunting for a triathlon 190, because it is the right size for me, and will fit my container.

It sure is ugly though.. Purple and orange, and my container is blue and yellow.. Ouch

Considering style might be a little silly though, if you guys think it's a good buy.

[PhreeZone 20]

Have him ship it to your rigger for an inspection. CRW canopies can some times get damage on them that regular canopies do not get. For example where the canopy rings are I've seen it pinch and rip small holes there.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[dcgilbert 0]

Quote

The different lines are fine if it's used for CRW actually. If you're gonna do CRW with spectra (and most people don't especially want to), outer lines and center lines should be Dacron. I wouldn't mind such a lineset on mine; maybe it'd fit in my rig that way I think the problem is more the linetrim.

Yep, was dedfinately a trim issue. It was OK for the first 100-150 jumps, then started to whack me a bit. Still have the canopy and would have no problems jumping it now. Just wanted the original poster to be aware of the potential need to reline more often with both Dacron and spectra lines on the same canopy. I learned the hard way!

• Quote

[reinhart36 0]

Thanks for the help everyone.

If it changes matters, the seller just informed me that the canopy has about 500 jumps on it.