Where is the best source to purchase replacement Ronstan pulleys?
John repaired my Pulse and mentioned that the pulleys were shot. Now that I understand how important it is to replace them as necessary, I just
inspected the pulleys on my Best Nemesis 08 and they are in need of replacement.
Are there any good tricks to getting the sand out of them?
Wash them under a tap ... not much you can do really. There's a bit of a trick to replacing the pulleys on the FSer mixer ... you don't have to pull
the whole thing to bits. I'll try to find the video ...Jaymz - 1-8-2011 at 07:42 PM
I got Ronstan pullies at my local West Marine which is one of their bigger stores in the area. The smaller stores didn't have much stock.
After using the Ronstan pullies I found out they were no better then the stock pullies on my Gin and PL kites, the coarse local sand here jammed them
just as easy...if not easier. I check and work the sand out of any stuck pullies before a session. Any other ideas?PHREERIDER - 2-8-2011 at 06:16 AM
its a problem for sure. a locked pulley is gone after about an hour, plastics gets cuts and grooved and the line breaks.
dry and sand free is ideal...in some dream land! before launch get them rolling smooth. a splash from your water bottle roll it and thats it.
maybe a SMALL shot of silicone if its super crunchy. NO oil or petrol lubes
assisted launch/land helps but its gonna happen.
plastic bush or SS ball bearing they all go down. if i feel theres a problem, after a launch, i usually dip the tip in the water and it frees it
up. bar feedback should tell you immediately ratchet like or sticky.
the plastics bushed really seem to last longer, the BB just have more space to hold sand. I prefer BB the feel is apparent.arkay - 2-8-2011 at 10:01 PM
I tried a semi-sealed ronstan on on eof my kites. works great. before I go out I just roll the pulley to break up the sand. it seems to roll much
smoother than then the all plastic ones.
they have a metal exterior but the corners are softened and rolled so I don't think there is any danger of it catching the line or fabric.
These are also on my montana... anyone else use these?
metal bearing
full plastic/metal post joedy - 3-8-2011 at 02:39 AM
Good information, guys. Thanks for the tips. It sounds like I need to pick up and keep some spare pulleys in the kite bag.
-joedyKamikuza - 3-8-2011 at 03:04 AM
I swapped out the pulleys on my 19m Synergy for Ronstan Orbit pulleys - dunno how they worked cos I sold it to Mark joedy - 3-8-2011 at 07:04 AM
Kami,
Did you use the basic block from Ronstan or did you purchase the pigtail'ed assembly ones from one of the kite vendors?
-joedyPHREERIDER - 3-8-2011 at 07:05 AM
arkay, i have been through both of the series, the plastic with perpendicular loop through is the OME for most. the parallel attachment is a small
tweaking twist and rotate 180 if grooving on one side is apparent. i use a dacron line thru them, not amsteel braid, it may cut more esp, with sand.
actually X 2 on the metal, they are smoother , now i have the swivel tops series 16mm ronstan SS BB.
and the same ROLL FREE check before launch is gonna make them last longer.
a bag of the plastic ones, with associated line replacement is a MUST in the bag !
i will post some of the failures pics .PHREERIDER - 3-8-2011 at 08:04 AM
the grooving sets in and the sharp edge of the pulley starts to cut the lines.
then theres the complete crushing melted down
kitesurfer - 4-8-2011 at 03:55 AM
i replaced the pullys on my 15 charger with stainless rings. working good so far Kamikuza - 4-8-2011 at 05:12 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by joedy
Kami,
Did you use the basic block from Ronstan or did you purchase the pigtail'ed assembly ones from one of the kite vendors?
-joedy
Basic blocks - got them here in Japan and made my own VERY short pigtail so as not to alter the Synergy bridle dimensions too much ...
I'd try those Antal rings too, they look good.joedy - 4-8-2011 at 11:49 AM
Quote:
they have a metal exterior but the corners are softened and rolled so I don't think there is any danger of it catching the line or fabric.
How has the metal held up in the salt water, by the way?
-joedyPHREERIDER - 4-8-2011 at 12:31 PM
its stainless steel. pics above, these pulleys where on the ocean 1000hours=3 sets , the plastic fails not the alloy.TEDWESLEY - 4-8-2011 at 02:36 PM
You might also look at the Wichard pulleys like the 60113. As others have stated, you got to keep them clean as the sand can destroy anything.
Unfortunately pulleys in that size don't usually have advanced bearings in them. If you use a lubricant make it a dry one.
There are several on the market, the one I use is made by Tri-Flow and can be found at bicycle shops. It has a liquid carrier that flashes off to
leave a dry film that won't tend to
hold the sand. Keep spares and keep checking that operation!Kamikuza - 22-1-2012 at 05:34 PM
More on the Antal things... Gigi makes his own kites for sure, dunno if it's his
job or anything but he is a consumate DIYer
I ended up getting a pair of the Epic Sliders from Dimitri. They appear to be a drop-in replacement for the Ronstan pulleys. I've got a Best Nemesis
10m that is due for an upgrade.
Dimitri plans on selling them for around 12 dollars a pair. No pigtails - just the slider rings.
Bill Hansen (kite designer for Switch kites) confirmed that these slider rings are being sourced directly from an Asia source on an OEM basis. I've
searched and inquired with the US marine suppliers and none of them are planning on obtaining these rings for the marine industry. They universally
referred me to the Antal rings which are more practical for marine applications.
-joedyKamikuza - 22-1-2012 at 06:39 PM
You can get the Antal's in different diameters.
My Cabrinha kites have pulleys and the sliders - but they're only on the lines that don't do a lot of moving... I'd be wary of putting them in place
of high-load and travel. But that's just me :D
$12 and y'all are moaning about the Peter Lynn LEI mark-ups - he probably gets
the slider for a few cents a pair!
... of course, setting up the mold probably cost $30,000 but that doesn't count
makes his own kites for sure, dunno if it's his
job or anything but he is a consumate DIYer 