Customer Reviews

Flybar 1200

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Okay, so I have been jumping on the flybar for a few months now, and in fact I demo it for the company that makes it, also called flybar. I am not going to lie to you and tell you that you'll be throwing backflips in a day on a flybar, although I wouldn't doubt the potential. Its very possible though, that you'll be flying several feet up in air. In case you're wondering how many several is, I can consistently clear five feet from the ground and the bottom of the flybar, and have a on few occasions cleared six feet. So if you want an adrenaline rush a flybar might not be a bad way to get it. And yes, you do have to work for it, but some people also realize that to get five or six feet of air off a halfpipe you're going to have to work at that too. That is a good thing though, the flybar doesn't just throw you in the air. How high you jump solely depends on your leg strength and effort. Since the flybar has so many tension settings you can go six inches in the air or six feet, all depending on what you want. And because the flybar doesn't just throw you ten feet up in the air, people aren't going to be cracking their heads open on it. You should always wear proper safety gear, but most people that have the ability to go five feet in the air have the athleticism to handle themselves coming back down. Just like anything, it is only dangerous if you want it to be. Aside from all of that, this product is a true invention, unlike anything else you've ever tried. You see it and I bet you think pogo stick, but jump on it and it feels like a trampoline. You get a nice smooth jump, unlike the pogo sticks with normal springs in them, which most people over 13 can bottom out every time they jump on it. You won't get that with a flybar, because you can adjust it any way you want. It is incredibly durable, and very good exercise. There is tons of potential for landing huge tricks on a flybar, or just to get big air. When you're going four, five, even six feet in the air, the hangtime is incredible. So bottom line, if you're lazy and don't like exercise, then don't get a flybar, but apparently there are a few of us that aren't. And if you like the feeling of flying and just hanging up in the air forever, then the flybar might not be such a bad idea. If you want more info check out flybar.com (for pics and vids) or for more independent reviews and media check out what they have to say on xpogo.com. peace

We had 3 Flybars at our action sports & gymnastics summer camp (www.woodwardwest.com) this summer. They stirred up quite an interest in everyone who saw them. Everyone, every age and size, had a great time bouncing on them. Most people's first reaction was that this can't possibly be a pogo stick, or that it can't possibly be able to handle "me," but all were soon amazed to find that not only did it work, but they could get as crazy as they wanted.

Our campers are all inline skaters, skateboarders, freestyle bikers, and gymnasts. They naturally try to do tricks on anything you put them on, but the Flybar seems to be a natural extension to some of the tricks these kids (and adults) are already doing. No-handers, no-footers, nothings, x-ups, and barspins (although on the flybar this has to be done no-footed as well) all seem to be pretty stock the first time one of our campers starts playing around on the Flybar.

Anyone who's ever had fun playing around on a traditional pogo stick, child or adult, can have a great time playing on a Flybar!

It was Christmas of 1956 when I received my first pogo stick. After presents, I went outside to join about ten other neighborhood kids who had just gotten their first sticks. What a sight-- all of us, tremendously animated, hopping around the cul-de-sac.
That memory brought me to the FlyBar1200. Dare I purchase such a thing? Wouldn't I look ridiculous? Aren't I too old? I know, I'll ask my wife to get it for my birthday, she'll say 'no way,' and that'll be the end of it. One more fantasy, like the Harley, safely down the tubes!
It came and the UPS man was eaten up with curiousity--what is this? an atomic powered pogo stick?
I've had it for about a month now, and every day go a little longer, a little higher--nowhere close to 5 feet yet! But what a blast. And it does give my ticker a pretty good workout, to say nothing of shoulders, legs, thighs!
The only thing missing? Nine 60-somethings to go boinging around the neighborhood with!

This thing is amazing!! We have been stuck to it for days.
I received a flybar a few days ago as a radio station promo giveaway. As were taking it out of the box a crowd quickly formed at the outdoor shopping mall we were at. I let just about everyone who wanted give it a try. We had about thirty guys hanging out in a circle all waiting for a turn. It's easily adjustable depending on your weight. You can increase the tension in about five seconds for the larger guys and loosen it up for the kiddies.
It gives you a huge adrenaline rush to be that high staring down at the sidewalk. I was sure someone was going to get smashed up. Even with thirty first timers nobody got hurt, not even a little. It's pretty amazing how high you can go. Our highest bounce was by a tall, skinny 24 year old that was about 120lbs. So far a few guys have really mastered the high jump. We haven't reached six feet yet but it won't be long. Some people are just naturals and could land spin tricks and no handers right off the bat.
Soon I will have to give this away to someone, as the radio station officially owns it. We will really miss it. Everyone was asking where they could get one so I'm sure we sold a few for you at the gateway mall in SLC, Utah. If you sell like twenty or thirty all from downtown SLC you'll know why. Thanks!! Rally230

I was way into pogo-sticking (and even "extreme" pogo-sticking) in the `70s. I have recently re-kindled my interest in the hobby. A friend and I both own Flybar 1200s, and I have observed a wide variety of people on the Flybars.

As pogo-stick design finds its way into the new millennium, members of Genenerations X and Y are developing bold new tricks (consistent with their X games mindset). The "sport" is progressing rapidly, and the "hobby" is becoming really enjoyable for beginners and experts alike. The Flybar is a fantastic, unique pogo stick and is at the forefront of these developments. This ain't your daddy's pogo stick.

However, I want to emphasize that the Flybar 1200 is NOT the ONLY great pogo stick, and that it is NOT the best stick for everyone. Before you spend the big bucks, you'll definitely want to familiarize yourself with other great pogo sticks currently available. These include the Vurtego Pro Series (Vurtego), the Power Pogo (Vurtego), and the Motostik MX1 (UTI, Inc.), among others. (Warning: don't bother buying one of the various crummy sticks, e.g. Razor's various products or any cheap pogo stick with a spring at its base.) There's a decent chance that you'll still settle on a Flybar, but some perspective will help.

Moreover, you may want to wait for new, improved sticks that will be released very soon. Perhaps the finest-ever classic pogo, which is highly popular with the stunt-pogo elite, is the Gravity Games "GG" Super Pogo (SBI Enterprises). The "GG" is no longer being made and is very hard to find used, but SBI (the makers of the Flybar) reportedly claims that the company will re-release this classic in the summer of '06. Additionally, a super-sturdy Vurtego "Ultra" series and a new Flybar 800 model are on their way in the next few months, reportedly. An upgrade of the Flybar 1200 is rumored to be on the way, too. One gets the sense that the new wave of pogo sticks is much like the new wave of bicycling in the early to mid 1980's that gave rise to mountain bikes. As such, big and rapid technological advancements can be expected, if all goes well.

There is a fantastic website that has reviews of all pogo sticks, tricks, events, news and more. Search for Xpogo, the Stunt Pogo website. The website is primarily for the "stunt pogo" purists and X-game crowd, but there is plenty of valuable information that anybody will find valuable. Take a look at the Stick Reviews section, and Pick Your Stick section, for highly informative reviews. For news about new, state-of-the-art pogos and other developments, see the Stick section of their Forum/message board. Keep in mind that the pogo-addicts who frequent this forum have played a big role in the new pogo craze, and they've obsessively thought about what makes for a great pogo experience. Another site containing great stick reviews is run by The Pogo Spot. Many of the people who frequent these sites are kids in their teens and twenties who have managed to provide valuable insights despite all the tattoos, ink and attitude. (I'm going to register and post at the site under the name, "notapunk")

Personally, I really like my Flybar. It is adjustable in a variety of ways, so lots of people of varying skill levels can have fun using it. I'm able to do a wide variety of tricks, and it is fun to just bounce (and get some exercise). At the same time, I'll probably snap up a durable and simple GG or Motostik (very quiet!) soon because I really like the feel and versatility of these simpler, lighter sticks. I really suggest that you try out various other models before purchasing the Flybar. You'll notice that the Flybar's trampoline-like bounce is different than the classic spring-bounce or pressurized-air bounce of other sticks.

Assembly is simple but be sure to register the product BEFORE you assemble it, or at least record the 11-digit serial number. There's a serial number on the top of the product that gets covered as soon as you screw on the handle bar. Additionally, use care in loosening the 6 lower bolts above the footpegs; they are screwed in very tightly. My friend ruined his "Flybar Tool" (curved allen-wrench) within 15 minutes of taking it out of the box, stripping it on the bolts.

Customer service for the Flybar (via their website or phone) is rumored to be excellent, and I had a great experience. I wrote customer service about the problems I had with the flybar tool. I heard back from someone named Irwin Arginsky who said "We just designed a new tool which I would like to send you. One for your friend as well." Mr Arginsky further indicated that he was going to send us t-shirts. Well, I did a Google search, and it turns out that Arginsky is the owner of SBI and a huge figure in the history of the pogo stick. The first practical and popular pogo stick was designed by George B. Hansburg (1888-1975), the founder of SBI. Arginsky bought the company from Hansburg sight unseen in 1967 in time to hook many of my generation on pogo sticks (in particular, the classic "master" pogo). It seems that he and his company are primarily responsible for keeping the pogo stick alive all these years. Arginsky has dreamed of developing something like the Flybar for many years.

Keep in mind that the novelty of the pogo stick wears off quickly for many people. If you don't spend a little time learning about pogo-stick tricks, you may end up getting bored quickly. I'm finding that the Flybar is fun at parties, especially if one is good at teaching beginners to start jumping. I think the Flybar can be a good source of cardiovascular exercise, much like a jump rope or trampoline, so some may enjoy using it to stay fit (if the noise doesn't bother you). Jumping can aggravate back injuries, as I'm finding out. Pogo-sticking is not low-impact aerobics. I should add that it is irresponsible to blame the company if you or someone you know gets hurt using a pogo stick!

The Flybar 1200 is a bit dangerous - I cannot lie. It is pretty frightening the firtst time you fly 4-5 feet up in the air, but once you get the hang of it, it is a rush. I am a very experienced person at pogo sticks - I can go behind the back, no hands etc., but it took me 2 weeks to really get the hang of this. You need to jump straight up and really time your downward push. When you do it correctly, you "trampoline" high into the air.

The thing that attracted me to the Flybar 1200 is that it is toatally adjustable - and very easy to do. I weigh 225, and I cannot bottom out when all the bands are engaged. If I go to 10 bands, I get a great lift with a lot less effort! This thing is a workout. If you can go more than a minute straight, you are in excellent shape.

The flybar 1200 is expensive but is it very well made. It weighs about 20 pounds - it is not cheap plastic. The footpegs are steel with rubber grips - very nice! The feel of the stick is solid - and I am a very big guy.

I have had some scary "almost" falls. I do not wear equipment, but it would not be a bad idea. If you come down at the slightest angle, you kinda shoot off to the side. After a while, you learn how to control it, bit it is intense initially. This is not a stick to "learn on." You need to be prepared to bail and have a plan.

I have heard claims of 6-7 feet, but I think that is pulling the stick up and to the side. I easily get my head over a 10 foot rim in my driveway. Think about falling from that high! There is a site - xpogo.com that shows actual movies of the flybar 1200 - guys jumping off roofs, doing backflips etc. The flybar is a serious piece of equipment - respect it and you will be fine.

I am going to go jump now- see ya.

Assembly: Limited assembly required. The first thing the instructions have you do is take it apart so you can see inside. Then they have you hook up the rubber bands using the included special tool. Then you adjust the piston length. Then you reattach the outer shell and put on the handlebars. This took me about 30 minutes. It teaches you how everything is adjusted from the inside, so that you can then use the special tool to adjust it from the outside any time you want, without removing the outer shell. Someone clever could probably figure out how to adjust it without removing the shell but it is definitely easier to just follow the directions.

Construction: Very well made. Strong materials. Somewhat heavy but not a problem unless you must carry it long distances. Definitely made for adults only (small children probably shouldn't attempt to use this). The platforms have rubber/hard plastic pads underneath so that you can actually jump onto curbs/rails/whatever and land on the bottom side of the platform without damaging it.

Performance: If you have pogoed at all before you will get the hang of it very quickly. Start small and work your way up. This baby will give you a FULL body workout. After only a few minutes you get pretty tired but once you have been doing it for a week or so you start to build up strength in the jumping muscles and you can go for longer. It takes a little time to get the high jumps but once you do it is worth it.

Pros? LOTS. This thing is FUN. On top of that it draws some really funny looks from people when they see you sailing through the air. Oh yah, get a helmet just in case!

Cons? Not many. Probably the two worst things about the Flybar are that it is loud and heavy. When you pogo on concrete it sounds like a hammer. I don't pogo in my apartment complex because of this. The weights not a big issue because it is still not too heavy to carry but if you had to carry it 1/4 of a mile it might get tiresome.

My Flybar 1200's adjustable piston was difficult to lengthen, so I emailed the company, explaining what I thought had happened, and asked what I could do to repair the piston. Flybar responded via email the same day, telling me that a new piston assembly had already been shipped, at no cost, to me. No Problem! The piston assembly arrived as promised, and I have nothing but praise for this company. Flybar provided me, without a doubt, with the quickest service and the best possible solution to the situation that I've ever experienced from any manufacturer, EVER! Thank you Flybar!

This is an incredible product. I disagree with the guy that said it need to be easier to setup. I think they did a fantastic job, Changing setups literally seconds to adjust the power alone and under a minute if you adjust the shaft length as well. What an awesome workout! If you think you are in decent shape then I challenge you to try this product. In 20 seconds to a minute your legs will start to fatigue until you get used to it. I play raquetball and basketball and still it made me soaking wet with sweat. Within about a half an hour I was able to get the top of my head a little over 11 feet in the air and I'm a 185lbs immature 41 year old. I wouldn't be surprised if this product started a new workout/exercise fad. All in all a superior design job. If I could I'd give it ten stars. I just hope they come out with the Flybar 2000. Really great job designing guys!

After about two hours of use, the Flybar 1200 started breaking. First, one of the plastic clips that are attached to the rubber "bands" and hold them in place when in use broke, apparently for no reason other than the plastic used just doesn't appear to be strong enough to handle the stress. Next, we noticed that the "leg" was very slightly bent which prevented it from sliding smoothly along its entire travel inside the casing. Nonetheless, the Flybar has continued to function pretty well and, with a couple of replacement bands, all should be well. All in all, it's a pretty slick piece of engineering. The manufacturer might want to re-visit the design of a few of the components just a bit and get their manufacturing quality up to a level that the Flybar deserves. It's worth the price we paid.