X-pert Review

Mary Ellyn started this discussion · 2/18/2010

We just set up our first X-pert poles tonight. Here is my initial impression: 1. First time setting up is confusing...but then I don't really remember how confusing it was the first time with an original X but I know it was also worse the first time until I figured it out. I really don't like the written instructions and there is no longer a DVD. 2. DON'T TOUCH the adjuster rod when setting up,...the new grease they use sticks to your skin and is very difficult to remove. 3. Once you understand the basic concept of how to set it up...it's amazing! I didn't realize this but you wind up the pole by turning the pole with your hands!!! No wrench or "chopstick" to cranks...just twist the pole and set it up or untwist it and take it down. You really can do it with out a chair or ladder. It's much faster than the old design. 4. I love the smaller base....the streamlined look and functionally usable pole from top to bottom. Still just as easy to go from spin to static and back. 5. The "X-joint" is a remarkable concept and so much better than screwed together joints! No more need to disassemble your pole for regular maintainance...no more stuck pole pieces and no more need for the additional super release tools. Overall it's a winner. I'm happy we switched all our poles over to the new X-pert!!!

38 replies

Foxy_Rei · 2/18/2010
Empyrean - what did you think of the new bottom loading-ness and the cover? Just curious, I can't seem to find pictures of it to see how it works...
Mary Ellyn · 2/18/2010
Foxy I love it! It's very secure and feels good to grip so if you are gripping low (say for a handspring on a low ceiling) you have a stable hold. Here is a picture but it may still be difficult to understand: http://empowermentthroughexoticdance.com/ExpertBase.jpg onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The image on the left is actually the very TOP of the pole which inserts into the ceiling dome - which by the way it uses to old dome if anyone didn't know that. The middle image shows the base with the adjuster cover up in place and closed and the one on the right shows it with the adjuster cover open and slid to the bottom of the pole to expose the adjuster rod. The adjuster rod is also thicker than the old one making it more stable. The slide cover is threaded so it screws into place when you put it back to cover the adjuster rod. It screws onto the very bottom of the pole section ABOVE it. It's thin...though it may be a bit thicker or it's made of different materials than the old one as it doesn't feel as "light" as the old slide cover. There is a tiny bit of overlap at the very bottom end of the slide cover which I do not feel is a problem. It's so close to the floor and it's so slim it is barely noticable.
Foxy_Rei · 2/18/2010
Ahhh I see now... that's awesome! Why didn't they think of that the first time around? 😜 I've been drooling over a 45mm for a while, then they came out with the new design so I've been trying to understand how it works (I won't be able to afford one for a very long time, but I can dream...) However, at this point if someone was giving away one of the old style 45s, I'd so take it lol 😀
Sapphirecatzeye · 2/18/2010
Did my husband put mine up wrong or is the thread suppose to be exposed when the ceiling is 9 feet? I told him the cover should be over the thread but he said to get it up to 9' it wont cover it. I still like having the height and pole fully extended at the top so it doesnt get in the way for the high tricks. 😀
Mary Ellyn · 2/18/2010
To my knowledge the thread is not suppose to be exposed...but I know that with the original X it was a close fit depending on how much give your ceiling/floor has...it is really EXACTLY 9 feet...and are you on carpet which will sink in after you set up. I usually got a 100mm extension to use on the 9 foot ceilings...you may wish to do so yourself. I'm going to be setting up in one of my rooms on a 9 foot ceiling tomorrow...I'll get back toyou and let you know what happens with it for me.
Sapphirecatzeye · 2/18/2010
ok thanks let me know, i think its the 9' feet, but i want to be sure its not my husbands messy set up lol 😂
Audball · 2/19/2010
About the thread, it is technically not supposed to be exposed as it's only supposed to be wound out 5 inches, or else you need a bigger extension. However, I couldn't fit the bigger extension into my ceiling, and with the smaller extension, I need to have some of the thread exposed. I rang xpole about this and they said it's fine up to 6 inches (1 inch thread showing) as they leave a big safety margin. The only thing i'd be careful with if your using the bottom of the pole, like for a handspring mount, make sure the adjuster cover is really tight as if it loosens, you could slip i guess. (maybe that's just me being silly and not tightening it enough though!) I love my xpertm but i'm wondering about the whole putting it up without a ladder thing. Don't they say it's important to have the dome resting flat on the ceiling. How can you reliably do that without holding the dome onto the ceiling as you tighten the pole? It's not a huge problem for me as my ceilings aren't that high, but wondering if there's an easier way?
byrdgrrl · 2/19/2010
I do it by feel. I make sure that the pole is vertical, then start twisting. The pole twists pretty easily until almost the very end. Once I start to feel some resistance to the twisting, I give it a couple more twists to really secure it and to line up the screws. Before I start dancing, I make sure that I really pull and hang on it to make sure that it's solid. So far, no problems!
Louisex · 2/19/2010
iv just put my xpert up and i cant refit the adjuster cover. it just wont go on. pleaseeee help 🙂 x
Mary Ellyn · 2/20/2010
Hi Louise...same thing happened to me today. Unwind your pole so it's completely free of the ceiling...then put it back up again. Be careful not to overtighten it as it can bow which is what I believe happened with mine. Sapphire...I got my pole set up and forgot to get an exact measurement of the ceiling height. I know I had to use all extensions but it may be just a bit under 9feet. I''ll try to get it tomorrow! Sorry! Audball...I worry about the dome being flat against the ceiling too. However I think I can tell if it is by giving it a slight wiggle when it's up against the ceiling but not tightened all the way. If it doesn't "roll" around an edge then I feel pretty secure with it.
verucablue · 2/20/2010
hmmm...I need a grippier non spinning pole...but this seems like so much work LOL...how does the grip on the TG compare to say a powder coated grip?
Louisex · 2/21/2010
right lol, when assenbling the pole, the 125mm went in and then i put the dome on and it was way too close to the ceiling, one side of the dome was already touching the ceiling and the adjuster rod wasnt unwound yet. so i took the extension out and used the 2 main pieces and unwound the adjuster and the rod was out mire than 5"(125mm). when i had the old version, the 125mm fitted perfect so the rod was only unwound a little bit (a bit showing) so i didnt need the adjuster cover. now im thinking do i need to wind the adjuster rod nearly fully back into the pole to fit the 125mm on then wind back up again? (as with the old version like i said, only abit of the adjuster rod needed to be out for it to be tight).
Mary Ellyn · 2/21/2010
Hi Louis...so your ceiling is lower than 8 feet? Anyway...if your pole CAN fit with the 125 and you can get the pole in place with the dome remaining flush against the ceiling (so that that one edge of the dome is not stuck higher than the other) then I would try to set it up this way. Almost every ceiling is going to "give" a little (unless you are on a concrete ceiling) and I think you will find that your ceiling will lift a bit and you'll definitely see some of the adjuster rod being exposed. Of course. "exposing" the adjuster rod is not necessary...it's really tightening it in place so that it's firm that makes it secure...but that will likely expose some adjuster rod. THe other option is to buy a 100 mm. extension! I love those things!
Foxy_Rei · 2/21/2010
My 100mm is coming this week! I'm so excited to get that extra 4 inches of usable pole! (hey, every little bit counts when you have ceilings as low as mine 😜)
psychoholicslag · 2/23/2010
I've posted a video of how this pole is installed. Thought some might find it helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOatler1HyU
dustyfox · 2/25/2010
ok so im having a small problem i bought the new x-pert pole and the smallest size ceiling it will fit is 7 foot 4 inches...my ceilings only 7 foot everywhere in my house. My husband has measured every room to try to get me to smile due to the fact the day i got my pole i had two wisdome teeth pulled. 😢 Is there anything i can do to get my pole to work for my short ceilings?????
Mary Ellyn · 2/25/2010
Hi DustyFox...you can fit a 7 foot ceiling (or any ceiling as short at 6.5 feet) by purchasing a 750 mm extension. You would replace the Main B section (which is 1000mm) with the 750 and just use that and Main A section. If you like, instead you can purchase a 500mm extension (which is cheaper) and add your 250m to it. This way you have some flexibility if you ever want a pole slightly higher than 9 feet as a 500mm will take you up to 10.5 feet.
Louisex · 2/25/2010
Hi DustyFox...you can fit a 7 foot ceiling (or any ceiling as short at 6.5 feet) by purchasing a 750 mm extension. You would replace the Main B section (which is 1000mm) with the 750 and just use that and Main A section. If you like, instead you can purchase a 500mm extension (which is cheaper) and add your 250m to it. This way you have some flexibility if you ever want a pole slightly higher than 9 feet as a 500mm will take you up to 10.5 feet. Hi Empyrean 🙂 I tried the 125mm again tonight and the same thing happend. We tried letting the ceiling give like you said but it would not budge and i didn't want to force it. So would a 100mm fit? and do you think XPole would swap a 100mm for a 125mm? Do you have a picture of a 100mm? and what inch is the 100mm? I really hope a 100mm fits because if it doesnt i won't be able to use my xpert 🙁 because too much of the adjuster rod is out and the pole is not stable. please help 🙂 Louise
Mary Ellyn · 2/25/2010
Louisax...I am fairly certain Xpole will not swap a 100 for a 125. 🙁 I don't have a picture of it but it's honestly just like the 125 but a bit smaller. You could see a pic on their website but to give you an idea, the 125 mm is about 4.92 inches. A 100mm is 3.94 inches. So I would think this would be just right if the 125mm put it right up to the ceiling but just a bit too tight for your comfort. This gives you nearly an extra inch of clearance.
dustyfox · 2/25/2010
Thank oyu so much for your help and advice ...im just going to order both sizes 😀 ...That way i dont have to worry at all. 😉 I will have everything i need . Thanks again
Louisex · 2/26/2010
Louisax...I am fairly certain Xpole will not swap a 100 for a 125. 🙁 I don't have a picture of it but it's honestly just like the 125 but a bit smaller. You could see a pic on their website but to give you an idea, the 125 mm is about 4.92 inches. A 100mm is 3.94 inches. So I would think this would be just right if the 125mm put it right up to the ceiling but just a bit too tight for your comfort. This gives you nearly an extra inch of clearance. Ok, i'll think i'll order the 100mm. I will let you know how i get on. 🙂 thanks!
Louisex · 3/2/2010
Louisax...I am fairly certain Xpole will not swap a 100 for a 125. 🙁 I don't have a picture of it but it's honestly just like the 125 but a bit smaller. You could see a pic on their website but to give you an idea, the 125 mm is about 4.92 inches. A 100mm is 3.94 inches. So I would think this would be just right if the 125mm put it right up to the ceiling but just a bit too tight for your comfort. This gives you nearly an extra inch of clearance. I have ordered the 100mm should be here soon! hope it works lol!
Audball · 3/2/2010
Sorry I haven't been watching this topic.. but just to let you guys know I rang xpole as I used the smaller extension and there was bit of the adjustr rod showing, they said this is fine as their guidelines are leaving extra safety margin. (When I used the bigger extension, couldn't get the pole up without the dome catching) It means that on my pole you can see a teeny weeny bit of the adjuster rod but if I do grab that area, I dont even feel it. Just in case this applies to you guys!
Louisex · 3/6/2010
Hi Louis...so your ceiling is lower than 8 feet? Anyway...if your pole CAN fit with the 125 and you can get the pole in place with the dome remaining flush against the ceiling (so that that one edge of the dome is not stuck higher than the other) then I would try to set it up this way. ! I have recieved and tried the 100mm. the top adjuster unit wouldn't go all the way in the 100mm extension, it stopped half way. I cannot understand this as the top adjuster unit went in all the way on the 125mm extension so it shouldnt be any different. I have emailed xpole and sent them pictures and they say that they will get there techincal technichians to check it out to see what has happened. it has to be the xjoint. I did use the correct one - 180mm aswell. did this happen with your 100mm? does the top adjuster unit fit all the way in on the extension?
Mary Ellyn · 3/6/2010
HI! I presume you are using the correct Xjoint? There are 3 Xjoints with each pole...two are 200mm long and one is 180 mm long. The 180 MUST be used for 125mm and 100mm extensions. Now...the 180mm joint has the holes and locking pin slightly off-centered. That is - they are CLOSER to one end of the joint. THAT end must be the end that goes inside of the 125/100mm extension. Basically, if it doesn't fit, turn the Xjoint around between the top extension and the 100mm joint. NOTE: There is an arrow engraved on the side of the 180mm joint pointing in the direction of the shorter end or the end that goes into the 125/100mm extension but it is SO faint you need to look really close to see it!) (not sure about the 100mm extension but the HOLES on the 125mm extension are offset so you may need to turn that around as well)

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