Bit of a newbie question.

The lines that come off the kite that connect to the break lines (not sure what these are called). They have knots in them.

So far, I've been putting them on the first knot, in low winds. In slightly windier conditions, I've moved it up to second knot.

I can feel that I have more control, its easier to break and turn on breaks and much easier to bring down. I understand that I'm shortening the breaks n thats why this is happening.

My question is, other than my very 'see n do' experiment of moving the cable up. What effect do these knots have? how should I be using them?

Thanks

sounds like your using them correctly. Some kites do not have multiple knots on the brake bridle pig tails (I think that's what it's called but not sure). Instead, you can tie knots in the bottom leaders of the handles to tune your brakes. I pretty much keep mine tuned the same in all conditions but there are kites I've owned where it was beneficial to "tune" for the conditions.

Xanthiax - Sean (ssayre) is spot on of course and has more experience than me by a long shot. At times I've had different four line kites that I've flown on the same handles and lines. The knots I usually think of for adjusting the effective length of the break lines are the thicker lines that attach to the lower loops of the handles themselves.

By tightening the break lines (moving the kite line to knots closer to the handles) you are going to increase the sensitivity of the kite to small movements on the handles as you flex your wrists vertically. Get the brake lines too short and the kite will tend to want to back down the ground or not want to take off from the ground at all.

I've found that as much as anything that this becomes somewhat of a comfort issue. Different brake line lengths tend to cause the handles to orient themselves at different angles as the kite attempts to obtain the pitch it wants. This will force your wrists to flex in more or less comfortable positions, so in that way, fine tuning can make the handles feel better in your hands.

Bottom line, there is a basic range of brake line lengths that will work. You want to make sure there is enough tension in the brake lines such that you have some response at the kite when you try to work the brakes from the handles, but not have so much tension that the kite won't fly right or your hands end up in an uncomfortable position.

Fiddle around with things and find what works for you and your kites. Feel free to move the knots up and back a little on the handle lines. Just make sure you are symmetrical on both handles.

HAVE FUN! :karate:

Ahh.. that's great. The setting there on now works fine.

Just didn't want to make a silly mistake n end up nor getting the kite back down or something silly.

Thanks for the heads up.