Power Kite Forum - Harness 101... please

Harness 101... please

cheezycheese - 21-9-2009 at 02:27 PM

didn't wanna hijack the thread on 'static flying with a harness', but i had these questions sooo... i am summoning the infinite knowledge of the kiting elders here. can someone please explain harnesses...:puzzled::puzzled::puzzled:

1) waist or seat... what are the intended purposes for each.?
2)what is the purpose of a spreader bar..?
3)what do rollers do...?
4)is it recomended to buggy with a harness when flying a FB ?

Drewculous - 21-9-2009 at 02:43 PM

1- depends what you are riding... seat harnesses usually work better in the buggy, while waist harnesses are usually flown on an atb board. Just a comfort thing really... and it keeps the pull in the right spot given the vehicle

2- it is the part that actually holds the kite... when you hook in, this is what you hook the kite to

strop lines hooked to a basic spreader bar

3- If you are flying handles with a strop line (line connecting the two drive lines) it tends to make the sliding action easier... hard to explain... on a basic spreader bar, you just have a hook, the roller replaces the hook and gives you a smoother action--- if you are flying a depower kite... you dont want a roller, just a hook, because nothing needs to slide on the hook (a loop just sits there)

4-yes, esp if you are planning on going fast with lots of pull! You can fly without one, but fatigue will set in quickly

hope that helps!
I can handle 101, but 102 and up, someone else will have to chime in lol

(thanks Angus for the images :smilegrin:

)

cheezycheese - 21-9-2009 at 03:05 PM

so is a spreader bar included with a harness upon puchase or a separate purchase..?
and thanks for the answers !!

bigben91682 - 21-9-2009 at 04:05 PM

Depends on the harness, a lot include the bar and most products are described well enough to let you know if it has a bar.

I have an Ozone XC harness, which is technically a seat harness but it basically a climbing harness with a lot more padding. But I've found it to be the business for static/buggy/snowkite. Another nice thing is it's one size fits all (although I've heard of people being to small for it) worth a look considering the climate 'round here.....if you are going to hit the snow an adjustable harness is good since warm clothing adds a lot of bulk...

Kamikuza - 21-9-2009 at 05:22 PM

Seat harness looks like a diaper and shifts the pull from the kite to lower down your body, taking the strain at your hips. Easier on your lower back but less movement in one - I struggled to get my knees up to put the board on my feet - and they're kind of hard to walk around in, kneel down to the kite etc. Less cool than a waist harness but I never heard of anyone breaking ribs in a seat harness.

snobdr - 21-9-2009 at 06:56 PM

When hooking into a harness like shown you have no way to release from the kite. This can be extremely dangerous. If a gust catches you it can yank you out of the buggy and drag you. It would be wise to use a system that has some kind of saftey to release if needed.

furbowski - 22-9-2009 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by snobdr

When hooking into a harness like shown you have no way to release from the kite. This can be extremely dangerous. If a gust catches you it can yank you out of the buggy and drag you. It would be wise to use a system that has some kind of saftey to release if needed.

true, but there are ways to build in releases.

I'm not good on these, I jump static with just a kite and handles on my FB's, but I spent enough time with a harness and strop to figure out I could do way better in the same winds without and nver got around to getting them rigged but there are a couple possible solutions:

1) putting a pin release at the ends of your strops (search for DIY god thread) but yes this reduces strop travel.

2) using a releasable spreader bar, but I don't know much about these, just that they exist...:P

Also you can use a closed pulley attached to a quick release on your harness / spreader bar but this captive rig does not allow you to unhook the strop, this rig is used by buggy freestylers who see the captive aspect of this rig as an advantage, however they'd be the first to tell you it's not an good option to start out with.

might be others out there, like i said i did some of the research but never got into building any of the rigs.

btw, that's one outstanding post by drewculous! :thumbup:

WadoGal - 22-9-2009 at 09:12 AM

Quote:

2) using a releasable spreader bar, but I don't know much about these, just that they exist...

This season I have been using the Slingshot Surefire spreader bar when I'm flying the fixed bridles. I do have a witchard set up, but I like the simplicity of the SS bar. I haven't really had to use release, but when I test it it works great everytime. Its very easy to reset too. Plus it has a set up so you can have a captive system or a standard hook style. I don't have the luxury of a beach to play at, so I'm not too sure how it would hold up in the sand, but in the grass and snow, it has been working great for me.

Drewculous - 22-9-2009 at 09:36 AM

for the record, im not a huge fan of the strop line... bad lofting, and subsequent dragging incident... ugh... i only fly my depower on my harness now.. has a couple of safety releases that make me feel much better about pushing the limits... but like i said, you just slide a loop over the hook, and thats all it takes... no swivel or roller needed!

Thanks for the props furb!!

cheezycheese - 22-9-2009 at 10:35 AM

thanks all for the info... certainly makes things clearer:D