I have been on Upwings for about 6 months, and I have come across a problem with the pin (bolt) that is slotted into the footplate.

The pin that is slotted into the footplate is too weak. One of the pins has broken in half. I locked my footplate in the 0 degree position with no tilt. I believe the back screw that sets the tilt degree is the cause.

My suspicion is the manufacture or designer knew about this, as there are an additional 2 pins that came with the stilts. My conclusion is that a failure will occur in the future with the supplied additional pins.

Owners of Upwings/Elites or poweriZers generation 3 jumping stilts should check the pin for bending. You will notice if it's bent either through a visual inspection or your footplate will tilt a little despite being completely tighten with the back screw.

Use of the stilts in below freezing temperature may also have contributed to metal fatigue.

So the pins need to be made with a much stronger composite material to withstand the constant impact of the screw.  I am now looking for a stainless steel replacement.


edit: I forgot to mention, that if the pin is bent or broken, it may be dfficult to remove the pin. You will have unscrew the bottom inner hexangular column screw and nut that holds the footplate to the bottom connection ports (column supports).

Bringing this up, the standard should be however way you can clear 10ft only using bocks, like they do in the high jump.

If you use flip flops, make sure they are the hard kinds, soft ones will get squishy and cause problems with loose fitting bindings.

I happen to have an extra pair that I am willing to send and ship. Don't ask why I have an extra pair. You will need to pay all the prices. I have a paypal account that accepts Euros or BP so, PM for details.

What was the cost of the material and about how long did it take to complete the wrapping?

If I could get a pair of 2007 (advanced) poweriSers and 7 leagues to test, I could tell you how the upwings compare to them. However, I can only tell you how they compare to the poweriZers classic and pro.

The issues I have with the upwings, not in any order of preferences.

1. The foot pad. It is very thin and wears out quickly, the need for a soc is critical. Parts are very, very hard to come by at this time.

2. The foot plate design makes it very hard to add snowboard bindings.

3. For short people, under 5'6", adding flip flop mods is dangerous with the foot plate design, as your heel will slide back. The heel plate will be used up by the flip flop and your foot will slide back, potentianially giving a lot of slack to the toe binding and the ankle strap during use.

4. The lateral support on the calf culf is too soft. It flexes a bit too much. (Although with a mod, like a quick release strap that wraps all the way around the velcro straps and the plastic backing, its much more stable, over time does not seem to become an issue.)

5. The calf cuff tightening. It uses only one bolt to tighten the the cuff to the support bar. The support bar is metal, the cuff is plastic, they don't mix well. I think they should have at least two tightening bolts. I have slippage problems. I added tape below the plastic brackets to help prevent them from sliding down, but I can see they have travelled 1/8" still. I can't tighten anymore as I see hairline cracks in the plastic.

6. Currently in N.America parts are hard to come by and pretty much incompatable to other models.

Pros
1. weight, being less weight makes it a lot more responsive.
2. calf cuff, despite its weakness in the latteral support, versus fixed cuffs, you get less banging on the shins and you don't have to take your shoes off to get in and out. For performers, this is an important consideration.
3. less bulk, it's streamline design allows for better costumes.
4. A lot less squack and honk compared to the classic and pro.
5. Adjustable/fixed tilting foot plate.
6. Transporting, you can compact it.
6.1 The manual, it's actually readable english.

Compared to the classic and pro versions of the poweriZers (with a Z), I prefer the upwings. Compared to the other brands, I have no idea.

Currently, I can jump about 3 feet high, almost 1 meter (2 weight classes above my current. I am about 150lbs, or 70kg. I am using 90kg springs, I have yet to bottom out. With more experience and better technique, I believe I could get about 5-6 feet in my weight class.) Spring durability is a bit of an unknown.

I am willing to test the 2007 (Advanced) poweriSers. Ship it to me, with pre-paid return shipping, and give me 2 weeks to run it through the same evaluation.

If a re-seller won't take the the challenge. I can set up something to get the funds to purchase a 2007 model for testing purposes for the community's benefit. Kinda like Consumer Report in the U.S.

This technique for the spring protection has to be measured against time and cost. Wrapping it with sufficient tape, and I mean sufficient to the degree that these tires would protect against nicks and cuts is pretty dramatic. Now add to the cost of the tire and tapes, and the time to do it all, would be a good cost/benefit ratio.

If you can do, the entire spring and hoof in less time and cost, the additional weight might not be that much of an issue. With this kind of protection of the spring, you would never have to do a touch up on the spring protection that you have to do with tape. I still have to once in awhile even with a lot of tape.

I have read this thread.

I am glad to see you have done a re-estimate on your time frame.

It’s very ambitious goal. I would like to help you by making a few suggestions.

As to proving people, I would begin a video / word blog about your training and times. And then set milestones within your training. These milestones should be on stilts. Say, 100 miles, over x-days. And so on. As you demonstrate your determination and strength, then you will get a lot more supporters.

Stilts are going to be critical. You have two main issues, durability and weight, or getting replacement stilts along the way. The calf cuff will be an issue about comfort. The weakness in the upwing calf cuffs will not be critical for walking purposes.

As to the walking only part, I'm sure you are going to jump a few times. When you enter a new town, and the kids come out, they always say, jump, jump, do a flip, bark like a dog. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, or when you have media coverage, you probably won't want to disappoint, or can't help yourself for being in the moment.  So I would not rule out that you will be jumping sometime over the course of your walk.

The second issue, before you re-calculated your mileage / time frame, was your calorie needs. You will still be using a lot of calories, even at the slower pace. With a 1.5 years time frame, you are going to travel 10 miles a day. No rest. With your height and weight, you will need a lot of calories. Carrying that much more food will become an issue. I would strongly suggest a support vehicle.

As to your average distance travel per day. I am guessing that you could comfortably do 20 miles per day. But doing that say for 100 days straight might be a serious wear and tear on your body. Based upon you height and the additional height of the stilts, your stride probably puts you in the 4-5 mph without being too streneous. 4 hours of walking per day, even on stilts should not be terribly taxing. Without a rest day, at 20 miles per day average, you could travel 5580 miles under a year. Not knowing your weight, you probably are going to need about 3000-6000 calories per day. If you are planning to only travel 20 miles per day, you are going to have to carry all you calories you need until you reach the next town to restock. So if 60 miles, you are going to need to carry 3 days of food that meet your calorie intake. Thus my suggestion for a support vehicle or people to help you along the way.

Also, the time of year you are planning to travel through these states gives me a bit of concern. I would double check for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms along your path for the season. This could have serious consequences on your part.

I would think maybe getting 24hr fitness involved. They are already heavily tied into the biggest loser. A personal trainer and nutritionest would be a great benefit. Also, regaradless of who you go with,you should establish your current calorie needs by a professional.

Sponsorship.

My suggestion is to get tied in with a 501-c3 non-profit organization. Whatever it might be. You can get more equipment donation for tax purposes if the sponsoring company can write it off. They donate the equipment to the non-profit that then gives it to you to do the walk. Services are non-deductible. They have to be tangible items.

If you don’t want to go through a non-profit group, then people will still want to participate if you can generate a lot of news coverage, mass media. Companies are willing to pay for media coverage of the news type that provide to them a lot more eyeballs for less money. (The absolute reason why the million dollar home page was a success.  In my opinion, the owner was able to generate a lot of free publicity/news coverage that drove traffic to the website. The click through cost were exceptionally low for the "advertisers" compared to the current rate.)

If you can combine the two strategies, initially get companies to donate to a 501 c3, to get the tax write off, and then later get more companies to donate to the 501 c3 both in money and goods, because they now have a tie into a good cause and get mass media coverage, you will have the perfect formula to get all the support you need.

Because this is a walking/traveling stunt, look for 501 c3 companies with a logical tie-in.  An example could be war veterans that have been maimed and are paraplegic. You want to bring awareness and support to an underserverd, or neglected people

Breaking the world record is great, but if you can have a tie-in to a cause, you will have a lot more support.  Look up the guy that attempted to do the first double traverse across the summit of Mt. Everest in 2007. (I don't remember his name at the moment. he was unable to complete it. For his age, it was a very ambitious goal.) He also created awareness and raised funds for child abuse victims, as he himself was an abused child.

Best of luck to you.

I'm about 150lbs, near 70kg, I got the 90kg springs. At first, I had to really work on getting some spring. But, my technique is much better, and I would say the 90kg springs (2 weight classes above) is about spot on. If you are really strong and have good technique, then it might be 3 weight classes above with these springs.)

Currently, I'm getting about 3 feet (sliglty less then a meter) and I am not bottoming out.

All those challenges and hurdles people came up with, guess what, damn them. It will only make you stronger. Who cares you sweaty, who cares you have to lug around 10lbs of equipment. After a month, you would be so much stronger that stuff would not phase you.

If you are going to run more then do acrobatics with the jumping stilts, a pivoting foot plate will be much more natural then a fixed plate.

If you have not been on a fixed plate before, then it will feel very natural. But you do want to control the speed with which it may tilt. Some brands will need a mod for a rubber stopper. If you have been on a fixed plate, it will feel ackward at first. But, soon that feeling will go away.

As to the calf cuff, for running a non-fixed cuff is better. It will flex a little and getting in and out is a lot faster without the need of getting out of your shoe.

For running purposes, the lightweightness, and the control of degree for tilting, the upwings would be considered the best bran for this activity.

wow, those are really light. It's recommended that you go 2 weight classes higher. So it's going to be hard to find someone over 5'7" and weighing in the 120lbs range.

The problem with upwings are in foot plate. Moding to add snowboard bindings is a bit more work then other models and for short people 5'6" or smaller, the design of the heel plate is weird. Adding a flip flop does not work. It uses the back heel plate up, and so your heel slides back and then loosens the foot strappings.

I'm 5'6" and I just live with the banging. Doing tucks or back scrathers suck, but it's liveable. I would say, anyone below 5'5" should not get upwings, unless someone can come up with a good mod for the vertically challenged. Platform shoes that give 1-2 inches are best, but don't get the ones with a gillzion laces.  

You should do the socks on the foot pads. Getting replacements for those in n.america is like finding gold in your backyard.

I think if the weight class and height meets the person, do the few mods suggested on this board, $300 is a great price for the upwings. It's a lot more quite then the non-bearing classic powerisers. It doesn't have all that clanking and squawking on the classic models.

The light weightness and ease of the calf cuff are good points.

Officially,

If you want the stilts now in the USA, then the only option for you is the powerisers 2007 model. This is due that upwings are not available anywhere currently and 7's can not be sold directly to the USA.

Unofficially,

You have several options. I have not used Powerisers 2007 model or the 7-leagues, so cannot speak for them. I have used PoweriZers Classic, Pro, and Upwings. I can say that the Upwings are the best of the 3 models. I have reviews elsewhere on the Upwings. Just do a search. After a few mods, I am really liking the Upwings. There are still some issues I have with them, but I can live with it. However, from what I have seen currently on the net, these won't be available until November.

How to get stilts not sold in your country. I am not going to go into detail. I am sure you can easily figure it out. There is a way without breaking the patent laws and all that stuff. The only people that might be affected are the competitors that sell a rival brand in your country. But, if you compare prices and shipping charges, you will find that many of the dealers in your country are marking up at an absurd prices. (This is my own opinion.)

Pros- you get the stilts that has the highest praise from the community.
Con-getting replacement parts will take longer, and cost more. Getting the Stilts will probably cost more due to extra shipping charges.

Until we have a review of someone that has been on the Upwings, Powerisers 2007. and 7 Leagues, then anyone saying one is better then the other is only stating a limited opinion.

I have not tried flips on my bocks, but looking at your video and your landing, it looks like your are not getting enough height.
Try 2 kanga hops before going into the flip with the second one really emphasing height. Watch a spring board diver in their launch and you will see the correct technique until you develop a stronger, higher first bounce. If you can do the backflip on a trampoline, with a spotter, you should be able to do the backflip on bocks, att least attempt them. Landing probably take a bit until you get the height and rotational speed correct.

Also, wear protective gear. It's a bit odd that when trying harder stuff, you don't wear protection, but on easy stuff you do and was protected when you really do need them.

No one ever expects themselves to get hurt, but that is why they are called accidents. It happens when you least expect it.

Yes, its a lot more secure and faster to get in and out. It takes under 2 minutes to strap both on.
This mod requires sewing, so find a friend/parent that has some experience. The doubling of the webbing makes it challeng for a novice with a sewing machine to do it tight.

Snowboard binding mod for upwings.

http://www.PoweriserPages.com/forum/modifying_powerisers/powerizers_upwing_snowboard_binding_mod-t3113.0.html;new