foxyh - 2-2-2011 at 03:54 AM
Hi guys,
I'm fairly new to powerkite landboarding and I'm enjoying using handles on my quadline flexifoil bullet.
So just a quick question really for a bit of guideance.
I see most people use the bar and saftey system, do you think I will be loosing out using handles when I try to perform certain tricks or manouvers?
I'm so use to the handles now that I feel I get more feel from the kite
Is it down to personal prefernece on what you use or is the bar system the way forward?
Is it safer to use a bar system - and also how do I connect my handles to a harness what type of cord do people use ??
Regards 
H
acampbell - 2-2-2011 at 06:06 AM
It is a matter of preference. Bars are not not safer; just different. You give up the finesse offered by application of brakes but gain the
occasional use of a free hand.
Not all kites do well on a bar.
To hook in to a harness with handles, you use a strop, a line connected between the tops of the handles. That's what the leaders or loops on the tops
of the back of the handles are for.
Do not hook in to to a harness until you have mastered the kite and know what it will do next in all conditions. That is because you will not be able
to unhook when things go south, when you need to the most. There has been much talk here recently about quick releases. Do a search on "Wichard
2375"
Bladerunner - 2-2-2011 at 07:34 AM
I spent a bunch of time playing with bars and Fixed Bridle kites with mixed results.
The 2:1 Crossover setup for the bar was best ( pre Turbo bar )
My 4.5m Bullet was awful on a bar. My 7m Bullet was the kite that took to one best ?
Bottom line . EVERY kite I had flew much better on handles . + I was truly controling the kite . Not just steering it.
I think I was going to the bar to make up for lack of fly skills ????
Most of us flying with a bar are on depower kites. Stick with the handles and become master of break control. FAR better experience and will make you
a much better flier !
awindofchange - 2-2-2011 at 11:12 AM
Depowerable kites such as most surf kites, Frenzy, Access, Montana, Apex, Neo, Peter Lynn Twinskins i.e. Chargers, Venoms, Synergys etc... and others
must be flown on a control bar for the depower system to work. These types of kites are designed around a control bar system and will not really fly
very well (or at all) on handles. I don't recommend converting the depowerable kites to handles.
Fixed bridle kites can be flown on handles or control bar and I fully agree with the comments made above regarding the differences.
Most of the video's of jumping high or surfing are all made with people flying depowerable kites. Depowerable kites are normally preferred for those
wanting to get big airs and for board style riding. Fixed bridle kites are normally preferred for land flying and buggy style riding. This is the
norm, you can use basically any kite for either activity.
I posted a blog regarding Handles vs. Control bars if you want more in depth information. The blog post can be found here:
http://kitethoughtsfromthefield.blogspot.com/2010/03/power-k...
Hope this helps.
foxyh - 2-2-2011 at 12:07 PM
cheers guys,
This is very helpful information, I agree with every post, for now I think I will stick with the handles and ensure Im always in control firstly
before I hook up to a harness for sure. Thanks for the blog awindofchange that was good reading.
I will just keep practising when the weather gets a bit better here and when I have time, hopefully by summer I will be on youtube with my own videos
:D
Bladerunner - 2-2-2011 at 05:20 PM
What size of Bullet are you flying ?
A word of warning. The Bullet is designed with PULL in mind rather than lift. I have seen both the 4.5 and 5.5m turn on skilled pilots when trying to
jump with them. They have a bad habit of taking you and slamming you into the ground when you think you are setting up for a jump. It happens very
fast and is pretty violent. Never hesitate to let go with these kites.
Great kite for learning but not so much for jumping.
Hook in and learn to fly using the brakes. See how flying on the front ( harness lines ) speeds the kite up through the window. See how applying even
the brakes slows it down. See how speed equals power. See how you can steer properly by using only brake action on each side. When hooked in hold your
han dles straight horizontal like a bar. Perfect this style of flying and moving to depower will be easier. Riding with fixed bridle will be better
using this style as well.
Jumping is best done unhooked + using more of a push , pull technique.
foxyh - 3-2-2011 at 03:20 AM
4.5 bullet it's deffinately got the pull granted. I havent tryed jumping with it yet, Im in no rush.
whats the push pull technique?
Bladerunner - 3-2-2011 at 06:35 AM
Like flying 2 line.
Pull left to turn left....
Doing brake turns it is apply left brake to turn left without pulling in the handle....
foxyh - 5-2-2011 at 10:54 AM
oh right . well weather is dreadful here in Manchester UK, so the kite is sitting
pretty for now its soannoying im desperate to get out and start building my confidence :D
Bladerunner - 6-2-2011 at 09:19 AM
Do you have a harness yet ?
People have different opininions but I think hooking into the harness early is good. Tie a rope ( strop ) to the top back side of your handles. Just
for resting up, walking upwind etc. at 1st. You can fly more in a session and it's all about putting in fly time. You should obviously unhook when
trying anything that makes you uncomfortable but will find you stay hooked in more and more as you progress.
I like flying on a bar still but with a depower kite. If you are riding ATB you may prefer depower to?
BigSiler - 26-2-2011 at 02:04 AM
The area you fly in too matters to me.. alot of time on the beach I need to work a small area and Handles Rock.. But when I have Long Runs I love the
bar and just lay back and enjoy... :wee: