Power Kite Forum

Flexi Sting 1.2...changing from 2 to 4 line.

windhunter - 25-7-2011 at 07:41 AM

Since I'm sittin round here waiting for bones to mend, I'm gonna try to take the Sting 1.2m - 2 line I just got from Opie and put brakes on it .
Found some outlets to buy bridle line and looks like my only option is 100# Big question is obviously the pattern or plan with lengths. I have emailed Flexi to see if I could buy a brake bridle set or get dimension /plan info and am awaiting a response.
Anyone out there with a sting 1.2 that could help with info/ sketch w dimensions of brake bridle would be cool in case I have to go with making one from scratch.
Otherwise I'm going to take my Beamer 3m as a model try to figure bridle dimensions from that. In other words Beamer brake bridle line is what % less than powerline, then take the powerline dim. from the sting and create the brake bridle with that same % reduction. Am I nutts or do you think I'm on the right track. This probably sounds like a shot in the dark but I ain't got nothin else to do right now anyway.

arkay - 25-7-2011 at 08:00 AM

The 1.2 already has loops on the trailing edge for brakes; but if you got it with a bar then you've got not line there! I added brakes last year for my kids; as for lengths I couldn't find anything so I just measured the distance between the tabs and cut some line to get me close. Then I centered the break line and larks headed the line onto the tabs and tied them to the break line. The I used was what came out even on the tail end :) I could measure next week... brakes worked OK but I ended up removing them for the bar. I had just stuck them in the velcro, but they pick up a lot of gunk from the beach after repeated crashing :o If you don't get the "official" lengths then you can also cut equal lengths and larks head them on the brake line and use figure 8 stoppers to control then lengths so that you can easily play around with what feels the best. The harder part for me was finding light line to use since the 1.2 is a tiny, tiny kite...

windhunter - 25-7-2011 at 10:41 AM

Arkay, Definately gonna fly it 2 line ....While in a foot cast n crutches, figured I could handle a little kite in moderate winds while maybe sittin on my backside. Not sure bout relaunches if necessary w/o moving around alot. But I'll figure it out. Thrash has offered dimension from his 1.2 if I attempt the brakes which is cool. I actually have some flying lines from a trainer kite I replaced and probably would start with them since the are pretty light. Know what you mean bout a little kite, weight and drag and all. It will give me something to do and if it don't work still got a nice kite. Thanks for everyones advice. I'll be sure to post maybe w pic's if I give this a try ( and it works out) :lol:

furbowski - 25-7-2011 at 10:59 AM

Dimensions plus photo for the layout, or just a photo with a ruler in the frame, but all the lines need to be under just a little tension so they are straight... Be excellent if you got that email from flexi.

My rebuilt sting didn't come out quite right, still works OK though. It's maybe a bit twitchier on landing than stock, otherwise it's alright. 20+ people have had their first fly on the thing in the past couple of years.

Hopefully you can get some help to spare your injury... It gets really frustrating just sitting about, but that bone has to knit!

Good luck there...

indigo_wolf - 25-7-2011 at 11:07 AM

Steve Hall at GWTW/Chico Kites has spectre-cored bridle line in 100# (available in Black, Blue, Gray, Red, or Yellow) or 170# (available in Black or White).

It is possible to relaunch the Sting II dual lines from a nose-down crash/landing, as long as you are not flying it at the very bottom of its wind range. In some respects, it's easier to do with the bar than straps. You have to turn the bar almost 180 degrees on the X-axis and tension one of the lines, and then snap it back 180 degrees in the other direction.

What you are trying to do is to get the canopy to pop a little bit off the deck and do a flat spin. Even if it settles back down to the ground after doing this, as long as you get it to complete the flat spin, it will be back in a postition where the air intakes are facing into the wind.

The reason that this works better when there is more wind is that even if you don't complete the spin, some of the cells will start inflating and as that portion of the canopy stiffens the kite will start turning to equalize the tension on the lines and then the rest of the cells will inflate.

ATB,
Sam

WELDNGOD - 25-7-2011 at 02:42 PM

when the heck did the sting become a 2 liner? This is off the webpage: "The Sting is Flexifoil’s entry level 4-line recreational kite. Available in four sizes, it is all you need to take you from a beginner to giving you your first tastes of traction kiting. You’ll need strong winds to get real thrills on a buggy or landboard, but if you’re after a relaxed way in, then look no further than the Sting." You sure you are'nt talking about the buzz and big buzz? I got a sting 1.7 and it is 4 lines all day long...

WELDNGOD - 25-7-2011 at 02:49 PM

windhunter ,put brakes on it. I fly mine like it is a stunt kite on 4 line handles .It loves to be flown by brakes,you would not be in any danger w/a 1.2m, just stay out of 30+ mph wind. 10-20 is a piece of cake w/ icing!

indigo_wolf - 25-7-2011 at 02:53 PM

They made Sting II's in both flavors.

Quad: 1.2m, 1.7m, 2.4m, 3.3m
Dual: 1.2m, 1.7m, 2.4m

As far about I know, this has been the way things have been since the inception of the Second Generation. The might have trimmed down the dual lines in the last year or two, but that still leaves a fair number floating around in dealer stock and the general ether.

ATB,
Sam

indigo_wolf - 25-7-2011 at 02:55 PM

Have family visiting and some other logistics to keep in line.... give me a few days and I will pull out the Sting II 1.2 dual and quadlines (don't ask.... have an obscene number of Stings) to get measurements and to insure there aren't any quirks. I will also compare the brake bridle lines to some bulk 170# bridle line to see how they compare.

In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure....



Probably what started me thinking about foils a few years back. Yes, they're all custom Flexfoil Sting II's and the last bit (circling Stings) is CG.

ATB,
Sam

WELDNGOD - 25-7-2011 at 02:56 PM

I got mine 4yrs ago. I never heard of the 2 line option . Brakes are a must for me, can't turbo without em'.

WELDNGOD - 25-7-2011 at 02:58 PM

you rock Sam:thumbup:

greasehopper - 25-7-2011 at 04:58 PM

Hacking in brake lines on a 2 liner ? Great idea !!!

Daniel Gagnon has put a lot of time and effort into making this entirely achievable for the novice. One can get a fairly good idea of how various parameters affect canopy shape and bridle dimensions without cutting ripstop or wasting spectra. A great modeling tool and a super tool for developing simple mod's like brake bridles.

The link below will lead you to a whole new world of entertainment and experimentation that may well last well beyond your recovery period so approach the tutorial with an eye on simply grasping the principles involved.

http://www.bicycle.eclipse.co.uk/fm/download.htm

windhunter - 25-7-2011 at 06:51 PM

Grease I did fine the Foilmaker web site software, it does look interesting and I think a guy would learn alot about foil dynamics from getting into it. I will look into it when and if I try to do this or maybe just use what ever comes up from others that have offerd help.
IW thanks too for the dealer info on the lines.

arkay - 26-7-2011 at 01:31 AM

The sting is a four line kite, however there is a two line option that you can get if you want it on the bar instead of the tiny handles. The brake mount points are still on the kite but not in use so the bridal and brake flying line are not included.