Power Kite Forum

Where to buy?

atvrider - 22-2-2017 at 05:51 PM

So I'm a newbie when it comes to power kiting and have always just bought kits for flying. However, on a particularly windy day, my dad broke my flying lines and handles. I have searched and searched for both of these online and can't find any reputable places in the states that sells stuff online. I live in a small town where getting to a surf shop or kite shop physically just isn't gonna work. What're your go to places to buy things online?

indigo_wolf - 22-2-2017 at 07:20 PM

A Wind Of Change
http://www.awindofchange.com/category/line.html

Big Mikes Kites
https://www.bigmikeskites.com/products/lines-for-4-line-kite...

HardWaterKiter
http://www.hardwaterkiter.com/line-sets.html

PKS/Kiteboarding.com
https://kiteboarding.com/products.asp?cat=Fly%20Line%20Sets

Might want to provide some more info.

ATB,
Sam

acampbell - 23-2-2017 at 01:21 AM

Yeah if you can tell us what kite you have and describe the damage to the handles, we can likely get you fixed up with a reputable source in a jiffy.

B-Roc - 23-2-2017 at 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by indigo_wolf  
A Wind Of Change
http://www.awindofchange.com/category/line.html

Big Mikes Kites
https://www.bigmikeskites.com/products/lines-for-4-line-kite...

HardWaterKiter
http://www.hardwaterkiter.com/line-sets.html

PKS/Kiteboarding.com
https://kiteboarding.com/products.asp?cat=Fly%20Line%20Sets



How sad that ever shortening list has become. 10 years ago you could have filled a page with the number of online and brick and mortar retailers. Land kiting and power kiting with handles has really diminished in influence compared to Kite Surfing.

atvrider - 23-2-2017 at 03:16 PM

It is a Flexifoil Sting 3.3m (quad line) that I need gear replaced for now. The handles were the cheap ones that came with a kit. The knot holding the line to the handle slipped through, power line broke, which caused the brake line to snap. The handles were aluminum and were bent beyond repair. I want to replace them with heavier duty ones as I plan to buy bigger and bigger kites and just swap handles between them.

indigo_wolf - 23-2-2017 at 05:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc  

How sad that ever shortening list has become. 10 years ago you could have filled a page with the number of online and brick and mortar retailers. Land kiting and power kiting with handles has really diminished in influence compared to Kite Surfing.


I was thinking the exact same thing.... there was a time when it seems like I had a weekly call or order in with Angus at CWS. I miss flying at PJP and Colt State Park.

ATB,
Sam

indigo_wolf - 23-2-2017 at 05:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by atvrider  
It is a Flexifoil Sting 3.3m (quad line) that I need gear replaced for now. The handles were the cheap ones that came with a kit. The knot holding the line to the handle slipped through, power line broke, which caused the brake line to snap. The handles were aluminum and were bent beyond repair. I want to replace them with heavier duty ones as I plan to buy bigger and bigger kites and just swap handles between them.


Any of the stores I listed should be able to help you out.

Since you managed to take out both a power and brake line, if you can find lines of the same length and weight, you might want to replace the lineset outright and keep the undamaged lines you currently have as backups/replacements.

I haven't really heard of anyone breaking Ozone or Peter Lynn control handles, but that doesn't mean you have to try to prove me wrong ;) :lol:

ATB,
Sam

atvrider - 24-2-2017 at 11:23 AM

Thanks for all the input! It's MUCH appreciated.

Bladerunner - 24-2-2017 at 06:04 PM

I am pretty blown away by the bent handle thing also. Especially if your 3.3m Sting came with Flexifoil handles.

Please tell us more about how this mishap came about. I am not clear on a few things but here is how I see the sequence? You must have gotten the Sting second hand with a set of Chinese knock off handles and lines? NOT the stock Flexifoil handles and line set. Your Dad must have been flying the kite in some extremely strong wind? The leader line on the top of your handle ripped through the handle? Bending it in the process + snapping your brake line? Hopefully not too far from the end? If it played out as I picture you probably didn't brake the top line, only the leader line that ran through the handle? Repairing the line set as a back up is a good way to go.

It is amazing that your handles bent before you blew a bridle !!!!! Seems like you actually got off lucky?

I don't know how handy you are or if you want to save money over quality but it is very easy to DIY handles from PVC pipe and some leader line... You could make longer handles to help with larger kites when you buy them. Leaving you more money for quality lines. Handles aren't too expensive to buy but will add shipping cost over just fly lines.

You may want to consider creating an adjustable length set of lines to get more wind range out of your kites ? You could do this by purchasing 20m lines with 7m extensions or some similar combination. Another option along that line is purchasing something called Qline. It doesn't require a sleeve and can be cut to your choice of length.

Ask whoever you go to if they also happen to have a " sleeve kit " so you can repair your old lines. They will also best advise you on the options to create an adjustable line set that works for you and your budget.

There may not be many shops still running but the folks at those that still exist are very accommodating. Don't be shy around talking to them about options.







awindofchange - 25-2-2017 at 01:46 PM

Yes, we have lines and handles in stock. We have a few Flexifoil sets as well. The original Flexi sets can be a bit more pricey than the other models, but give us a call and we'll get you taken care of no problem. You can order directly from our website or shoot us an e-mail.

www.awindofchange.com

atvrider - 1-3-2017 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner  
I am pretty blown away by the bent handle thing also. Especially if your 3.3m Sting came with Flexifoil handles.

Please tell us more about how this mishap came about. I am not clear on a few things but here is how I see the sequence? You must have gotten the Sting second hand with a set of Chinese knock off handles and lines? NOT the stock Flexifoil handles and line set. Your Dad must have been flying the kite in some extremely strong wind? The leader line on the top of your handle ripped through the handle? Bending it in the process + snapping your brake line? Hopefully not too far from the end? If it played out as I picture you probably didn't brake the top line, only the leader line that ran through the handle? Repairing the line set as a back up is a good way to go.

It is amazing that your handles bent before you blew a bridle !!!!! Seems like you actually got off lucky?

I don't know how handy you are or if you want to save money over quality but it is very easy to DIY handles from PVC pipe and some leader line... You could make longer handles to help with larger kites when you buy them. Leaving you more money for quality lines. Handles aren't too expensive to buy but will add shipping cost over just fly lines.

You may want to consider creating an adjustable length set of lines to get more wind range out of your kites ? You could do this by purchasing 20m lines with 7m extensions or some similar combination. Another option along that line is purchasing something called Qline. It doesn't require a sleeve and can be cut to your choice of length.

Ask whoever you go to if they also happen to have a " sleeve kit " so you can repair your old lines. They will also best advise you on the options to create an adjustable line set that works for you and your budget.

There may not be many shops still running but the folks at those that still exist are very accommodating. Don't be shy around talking to them about options.









It was a freak accident. I was helping my sister fly my 2line kite at the time and didn't see what happened. All I know is I heard a yelp from my dad and next thing I knew the handle was slightly bent, knot was pulled through the handle, and my brake line had snapped. The handles were quite cheap. I had bought the kit off of Amazon from flexifoil.

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into those asap. I'm decently handy, but would need someone to show me the process and what to buy when repairing my gear. It also doesn't help that I live in NW Indiana near lake michigan and the only gear surf shops around here sell are paddleboards/longboards.

I'm only a couple years into kiting and I will admit don't know much. I'd like to eventually get into Kiteboarding (land/water) so I'm going to be keeping my eye out for products on sale to slowly build my gear (as I don't have a lot of money currently/my wife won't let me drop much money all at once on this hobby lol)

Bladerunner - 1-3-2017 at 04:44 PM

Kind of amazing that Flexifoil handles would bend like that?

If money is tight avoid impulse buying! You get what you pay for in this sport and cheap stuff usually is priced that way for a reason! Foil kites are a poor choice for learning on water. Your next kite should probably be an LEI if water is your end goal? It will fly off a bar and harness so your handles and line set won't transfer over.

It sounds like Kent from AWOC has the stuff you need. There have been a few discussions on here about building your own handles. Try the search engine. As I mentioned, lines alone should ship cheaper than lines and handles. Going DYI may also win some points with the wife? PVC handles can be pretty decent if you do a good build.