rofer - 10-2-2016 at 06:35 PM
I'm heading up to the Tug Hill Snowkite Rally, but a bit worried to here that the high on Saturday is predicted to be -9F. I plan on bringing my LEIs,
but I'm starting to worry I'm asking for something to break if I take them out in those temperatures.
Is this a legitimate worry or am I just overthinking things?
PHREERIDER - 10-2-2016 at 06:56 PM
i would not expect issues til -20F. pretty sure you will not be alone. they can tolerate lower but with what properties i do not know.
thats close and brutal cold conditons. hang with locals do as they do. just being in those conditions you should be worried. might wait til peak
day temps.
markite - 10-2-2016 at 07:03 PM
In the earlier days of LEIs there were many that issues with valves not sealing properly on the really cold days, then there was also a little more
brittleness in the bladders whe guys were finding far more leaks and then the kites took more leading edge abuse scuffing on rough snow and ice.
But in the last 5-8 years I haven't heard of too many issues and I have many friends that only use LEIs for all seasons and are out there in really
cold conditions. I think the only time there could be potential damage is if it's extremely cold when everything feels brittle and if you were to
hammer to kite down on ice or very hard pack.
Kober - 10-2-2016 at 09:01 PM
This will be my 5th Tug Hill Event ..... Every year we get one or two of those super cold days . About 90% of kiters use LEI kites there and I never
hear of any issues with newer kites . On older kites glue that holds valves let go and start small leak, but this happens all the time in warmer days
too, just from keeping kites in a car in hot days .
I look forward to meet you . I will be flying my LEI Gin kites or 18m Speed4 . There will be food truck where you can get some hot tea or coffee to
warm you up .....
rofer - 13-2-2016 at 02:54 PM
My flysurfer pump wasn't happy in this weather. Somewhere between -10 and -20 and I was getting next to nothing with each stroke. The uninflated kite
didn't spontaneously break though.
Also, I can now confirm most people are on inflatables.
windrider1 - 13-2-2016 at 04:08 PM
It will be cool if we can get some video up of the tug hill event.