I got my older 2.5m Rage out to see if it had that much bridle to it also. Being that it uses a darker color bridle line; it made it not stand out
like it does in the new model. For some reason; those pictures make it look like it has an excessive bridle? Maybe it's just the line type and size?
I think it being setup for the AAA adjuster makes that junction look more bulky? It looks like it's installed in some of those pics?rtz - 5-12-2015 at 10:11 PM
Basically I saw those pics and it reminded me of my Pansh and older kites that had that style of bridle before companies started to reduce the bridle.
Surprised the new model still had that bridle is all.IFlyKites - 5-12-2015 at 10:43 PM
Seems to me that there is more. I think this might have to do with the Triple A Bridle Adjuster they added, (at least it would make sense). Could be
wrong though.
indigo_wolf - 6-12-2015 at 07:15 PM
While the AAA adds some bulk to the Rage bridle layout, I think most of it comes from the fact that the Rage still uses vertical internal ribs.
A lot of newer kites have been able simplify their bridle layout by employing diagonal internal ribs, which act like a hidden bridle cascade.
Is there anything wrong with a lot of bridles? I've heard people say different kites here and there are bridle heavy. Particularly single skin. In
reality, out of the different kites of owned, my blade III 8.5 seemed to have more bridle lines than any kite I've owned thus far. I didn't count
them so it's not proven but more of just my impression when packing and unpacking. Also, the number of bridles hasn't hindered the kite in any way
that I can tell in the environments that I fly in. The one place I've flown that bridles were an issue was montrose beach, chicago when it's frozen.
Little sharp frozen objects formed barbs that would snag any bridle in site. Aside from that spot, I really don't care if a kite is bridle heavy or
not.rectifier - 7-12-2015 at 11:54 AM
Like you mention, early freezing conditions without snow can result in annoying things sticking through the ice to catch bridles occasionally. Also we
sometimes get micro snowdrifts on the lakes, sculpted in such a way to catch lines and bridles.
It's not really an issue, though I do remember a time the wind shifted heavily while I had a kite parked on the brakes ready to launch. As the kite
skidded on the ice to the new downwind location, a bridle caught one of those little drifts, which flipped the kite over and caused an unexpected
reverse launch. I wouldn't say this was caused by "too much bridle" though, it could happen to any kite.
I do agree, that Rage looks like it's heavily bridled for a modern FB foil.rtz - 7-12-2015 at 07:41 PM
Now I know what was throwing me off. My Sting has very little bridle to it. Which made the new Rage seem odd in comparison.
It will only make a differences at the edges of performance.
Sleeved bridles and a lot of bridles add to the drag quotient of a wing.
So it you are trying to flying in "butterfly fart" winds or trying the eke out the very last bit of performance in a kite chasing a record it will
make a difference. Otherwise, not so much.
Is there anything
I've heard people say different kites here and there are bridle heavy. Particularly single skin.
Single skins have more bridles because they don't have another entire layer giving the kite shape/structure it depends more heavily on the bridle
system to maintain it's designed profile.
Now I know what was throwing me off. My Sting has very little bridle to it. Which made the new Rage seem odd in comparison.
The Sting is a rung or two down on the performance ladder. The reduced bridles make it a "softer" kite with a bit more power bleeding off the
trailing edge. On the plus side, it results in a kite that is a lot more gust-tolerant.
By comparison, the one of the Sting's predecessors, the SkyTiger was an absolute bridle party....
A Sting and SkyTiger of comparable sizes were two totally different characters..... very Jekyll and Hyde. The multitude of bridles on the SkyTiger
made for a decidely "tighter" canopy with almost no trailing edge bleed of power, no tolerance for gusts, and a very on-off power ramp. On a windy
day, it was like being tied to a bullmastiff chasing a squirrel. In short order, you were missing the beagle-like sensibilities of the Sting.
