Power Kite Forum

Ozone 2010 SB harness.... issues

cheezycheese - 8-6-2010 at 08:45 AM

anybody have this harness...? i have a new one and have the greatest difficulty trying to adjust the waist straps. it's almost impossible to get a tight fit when i am alone, and still pretty difficult to do with help. i know it's still pretty stiff being new and all, but i was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. also at times it feels as though i cant keep it around my waist, keeps dropping (probably cuz it's not tight enough :duh: )

suggestions anyone....?

Maven454 - 8-6-2010 at 09:03 AM

I have the older version of the Ozone harness and it has the same issue. It has become a bit better. It takes practice to get it tightened down well though and isn't something that I feel that I can describe in a useful manner in words. Too bad you came up with this issue after WW.

indigo_wolf - 8-6-2010 at 09:08 AM

This is a fore-head slap thing, but have you made sure that the elastic loops (the ones that keeps the spare webbing from flapping around) are away from the buckles when cinching down? Otherwise on the topside it is being pulled away from the buckle, but on the bottom side, you are trying to feed an extra layer of material through the buckle. You can always slide them back into place, after you have made final adjustments.

If that isn't the case....

Have you tried giving it a few washings? Either by hand or machine?

If you go the machine, no soap, cold water.... air dry or dry in machine with no heat. Use a pillow case or sneaker rack.

I haven't gotten peeved enough to go that route yet, but getting there.

I can get the harness cinched down, but it takes some time, concentration, and happy thoughts. Out of the bag, they are definitely stiff and have to work against the back slant of the middle restraining slat on the buckles. I expect in time, it will soften.

Mini-Rant: Honestly, I wish they had foregone the plastic buckles and went with stainless steel Double-D rings. I think it would have been smoother, and would have been one step closer to removing the "this is not a jumping harness" tag. How can the company that makes the Frenzy and Manta, not have a "jumping" harness.

Have you ever noticed that the harnesses are artfully obscured when you see Ozone team riders jumping?

ATB,
Sam

rdavis - 8-6-2010 at 09:11 AM

Mine was a bit stiff when I got it too (older model). It becomes easier after a while, at least mine did. Can't really think of any suggestions to make it easier. Just keep working the straps until they loosen up.

ripsessionkites - 8-6-2010 at 12:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cheezycheese
anybody have this harness...? i have a new one and have the greatest difficulty trying to adjust the waist straps. it's almost impossible to get a tight fit when i am alone, and still pretty difficult to do with help. i know it's still pretty stiff being new and all, but i was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. also at times it feels as though i cant keep it around my waist, keeps dropping (probably cuz it's not tight enough :duh: )

suggestions anyone....?


this is funny you posted this, i thought it was only TDMC96 that needed help with his harness. he has a one too, and its never tight even the spreader bar pad flips over when riding.

the webbing should get softer over time. or it would be a good come on line for on-lookers - "excuse me, could you please tighten me up"

heliboy50 - 8-6-2010 at 02:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ripsessionkites
or it would be a good come on line for on-lookers - "excuse me, could you please tighten me up"
:wow::smilegrin::smilegrin::smilegrin:

Trying to pull both straps away from you at the same time doesn't seem to work at all with this harness. I go a little at a time on each side until it is tight enough, and then rely on the leg straps to keep it in position. I can also see how the spreader could flip around when set the way I am using it, but I am using a PL pulley spreader which is very front heavy so I haven't really had that problem

shaggs2riches - 8-6-2010 at 05:32 PM

A few issues I have with mine are:

1) The leg straps don't tighten tight enough and when I do get them tight everything is bunched up and really gets in the way of the boys if you know what I mean.

2) Once everything is tight, after about ten minutes its all loose again.

3) The spreader bar always flips facing upwards when the kite is at zenith causing it to really dig into the gut.

4) Best way to tighten is to tighten one strap at a time and then re-tighten everything once each strap is adjusted.

5) retaining loops to hold back extra webbing are small sometimes making it hard to get the webbing it in.

Sometimes it seems that if the used a bit heavier material and extra padding, they could make the harness more like a one time setup and way better comfort. The added weight would be worth the extra comfort.

cheezycheese - 9-6-2010 at 05:00 PM

Thanks for all your input guys. At least I know it's not just me... :cool:

heliboy50 - 9-6-2010 at 06:38 PM

I was curious about the spreader flopping about issue- is this happening on the older model? On the 2010 there are straps going from the leg loops to the spreader itself that would make this far less apt to happen, I would think. I have a spinning leash connection on the one that I have with a normal hook spreader- maybe that is the diif. Dunno.

tdmc96 - 9-6-2010 at 06:59 PM

I thought I was the only one having issues on this harness as well.
I think the conclusion that I came to, is this harness is meant for snow kiting so the harness is meant to fit over bulky clothing when its cold and I would think then it could be tightened up enough.

The spreader flipping up was really getting to me...I am sure I had it on the correct way but as soon as I hooked in on the bug and flew the kite to the zenith, it would flip up.

I came up with an easy solution tho....I bought another harness from Rip (a PL one)
now ....I can walk without having to hold it up and no flipping up.

I am going to hang onto the SB for now and give it a try next winter with snowpants on.

Maven454 - 10-6-2010 at 02:30 AM

Hmmm... I've never had the spreader bar flip up on mine.

Kamikuza - 10-6-2010 at 04:53 AM

Every harness I've used flips up the spreader bar, digging into the flab. Maybe you got rock hard abs, Mav ...?
... tonight, my seat harness ended up almost around my ears and 65% of the way up my elementary canal. Damned seat harness ... how the hell does it ride up?!?

ripsessionkites - 11-6-2010 at 02:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tdmc96

I came up with an easy solution tho....I bought another harness from Rip (a PL one)
now ....I can walk without having to hold it up and no flipping up.


hehehe, the PL Divine Harness rocks, eh! :tumble:

powerkiter82 - 14-6-2010 at 06:33 PM

I have one of the new Ozone harnesses and have not had any issues with it.