[Urban Hawk]

i disagree with the fact you can't get a larger bumper. Although as andyb said that it must be within the bumper zone, the bumper zone is merely the the hight it has to be in, not the horizontal restriction; that horizontal restiction is defined by the definition of a pumper paramiter which is: (BUMPER PERIMETER – the polygon defined by the outer-most set of exterior vertices on the ROBOT (without the BUMPERS or Trailer Hitch attached) that are within the BUMPER ZONE.) and by rule <R08>N which states(BUMPERS may extend beyond the BUMPER PERIMETER by up to a maximum of 3-1/2 inches per side. “Hard” parts of the BUMPER (i.e. plywood backing, fastening system, and clamping angles) may extend up to a maximum of one inch beyond the BUMPER PERIMETER. Only “soft” parts of the BUMPERS (i.e. pool noodles and cloth covering) may extend more than one inch beyond the BUMPER PERIMETER.).

Yet think about it this way... what if you make the bumpers within the bumper parameter. that is to say if you have a robot smaller then the maximum size, and add another piece to the robot (such as a spring mechanism so it wouldn't be damaged). If that piece resides within the bumper zone, yet which is not part of the bumper, and that piece extends all the way out to the max dimensions then technically by the rules you can build the bumper so that the bumper starts at the normal frame of the robot and then extends out to the max parameter + 3 1/2 inches. under that method u can increase the horizontal dimensions of the bumpers by a few inches as long as it stays in the 18 pound weight limit.