thanks for all your replies, very helpfull, some of them ! 
the pole has half paid for itself already after this morning, had a full morning with it ended up taking two sections off the bottom - pleanty enough for what i had ! 
Wasn't as bad as I expected, once it's up it's ok! 
my hybrid felt well bendy , but much lighter after using the carbon !! 
slx max next, once i get enough high work to justify buying one !! 
yipee !!