main vs reserve sizing?

[ridebmxbikes 0]

As of now im jumping a micro raven 150 with a sabre 135 main. Im about to buy a sabre 120. I was wondering what some of yalls opinion might be about having a 120 main with a 150 reserve. Is that close enough in size?

[pchapman 279]

Not an issue overall.
Yes there is the idea that having a similar sized main and reserve would make them fly better together during a two out.

That may be true, but there are so many other issues involved in sizing canopies, that that factor isn't usually the dominant one in choice of reserve. That includes the simple economics of switching reserves every time one changes the size of the main. Generally people don't want a reserve that is too big or bulky, and not too small either -- Although there's a large variation in what a given jumper considers too small.

I've jumped rigs with a PD 143 reserve, a conservative size for me, whether it was a rig with a Parafoil 282, or a Cobalt 75. In both cases, I felt comfortable with that choice of reserve.

[CSpenceFLY 1]

I flew a 129 as my last main and had a 200 reserve. The reason I never bought a smaller container is I didn't want to down size my reserve. Many people are carrying reserves that will only insure an open casket if they ever have a landing where they are incapacitated and don't flare the reserve.

[popsjumper 2]

I see no problem with that at all.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[ridebmxbikes 0]

Thanks guys, i thought it would be alright but extra opinions never hurt!

[toolbox 0]

I think that loading a reserve greater than 1.2 to 1 is not a good deal no matter what experience level.
That being said,I load mine at 1.4 to 1 because my container is sized for a 120-150 main and the biggest reserve I could shoe horn in at the time was a 181.
I would use a 218 reserve if it fit, and my main is a 135.
You should think about landing your reserve unconscious,down wind,or into a tight little backyard.
Fly the biggest reserve you can squeeze in,regardless of the main,and don't suck it into the dirt at pull time.

[Andy9o8 2]

Quote

Many people are carrying reserves that will only insure an open casket if they ever have a landing where they are incapacitated and don't flare the reserve.

This.

[sundevil777 102]

Quote

I think that loading a reserve greater than 1.2 to 1 is not a good deal no matter what experience level.
That being said,I load mine at 1.4 to 1 because my container is sized for a 120-150 main and the biggest reserve I could shoe horn in at the time was a 181.
I would use a 218 reserve if it fit, and my main is a 135.
You should think about landing your reserve unconscious,down wind,or into a tight little backyard.
Fly the biggest reserve you can squeeze in,regardless of the main,and don't suck it into the dirt at pull time.

Shoe horn/Squeezing in - bad ideas for various reasons including if you want a prompt deployment. Much better to get a container correctly sized for the reserve you should have. Of course I know this is easier to do when buying new.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[toolbox 0]

My container is actually built to take a 181-M as I had it custom built.
The manufacturer would not make the reserve container any bigger since the main container would be sized down to 120.
So my 181 is snug but it has worked just fine the one time it was used.

[toolbox 0]

>Many people are carrying reserves that will only insure an open casket if they ever have a landing where they are incapacitated and don't flare the reserve.

Yep,and I've seen a few injuries even when they did flare their tiny reserves.

[DocPop 1]

Quote

As of now im jumping a micro raven 150 with a sabre 135 main. Im about to buy a sabre 120. I was wondering what some of yalls opinion might be about having a 120 main with a 150 reserve. Is that close enough in size?

I would take the view that the chances of a two out are much less than a regular reserve ride and are largely controllable (gear maintenance, pin-checks, don't pull dirty-low).

Therefore you should size your reserve for a regular reserve ride and make it a size that you are comfortable with in an emergency situation. Get the biggest one you can for your rig and, if at all possible, jump one as a main a few times (do NOT hook up your actual reserve for this!!)

"The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls."

~ CanuckInUSA

[ridebmxbikes 0]

Haha, well i do have 1 ride on my reserve so i at least know what to expect when it comes out now.

[IJskonijn 45]

As others have said, shouldn't be a problem.

Personally, I would rather have a larger reserve since getting a reserve ride is never going to be your most relaxing jump, and I prefer something more docile when I'm already stressed due to chopping my main. To me, incompatibility in a two-out situation is the lesser issue.

I'm jumping a Raven II (218 sqft) with a Silhouette 190 or Lightning 176 main.