Hey guys, first post here. Been reading for awhile though, and couldn't find this in through search.

This may be a dumb question but how easy is it to switch from handles to just a bar?

Looking into getting a kite, and it comes with handles. The only kites I have flown up until now have been with a bar, and I would like to continue using those if I could. I live at the beach so I do a small amount of kitesufing, the bar is better for that. Basically I'm looking to add that option, so that I am not constrained just to land.

Thanks,
Thad

If the kites you are talking about are depower kites then you can't exactly swap. Fixed bridle kites need a fixed bridle specific bar.

If you trim the angle on your other kites they are depower and the bar is not a simple cross.

You know you can simply put a rope " strop " from the top to top of each handle and hook in that way ? I have used bars on many fixed bridle kites and have moved back to handles for the extra control available.

Just about any fixed bridle kite can be converted over to a control bar. Like was said above, the control bar used on a fixed bridle kite is somewhat different than that used on a depowerable foil.

In most cases, just take the handles off and then connect up the bar. Usually some tweaking on the line lengths is needed but it is rather simple to do.

Remember to connect the flying lines (top lines) to the outside of the bar and the brake lines (trailing edge / bottom lines) to the center. This is completely opposite of the depowerable kites which connect top lines to the center.

Hope that helps.