Was riding along with my 5.5 Reactor and all was going well. Until a power line snapped under load due to the aluminum handle cutting it. Good thing it wasn't in the moment of a life and death situation or a matter of the kite going down resulting in consequences.

If you have PL handles and the plastic inserts are broken; it's just a matter of usage before the tubing cuts through. The aluminum tubing situation is the exact same as Pansh has. There must be a better way to run leader line through aluminum tubing.

What life and death situation would there be? A lofting? Those usually end badly regardless. this is nothing new. File the inside of the holes and replace inserts. The aluminum is usually sharp from when they drilled.

I'm sure we've all had moments when it was all on the line and a line snapping wouldn't have been good.

Unrelated; but it shows how inoppertune a line breaking can be:

Did you damage the kite? Sounds like you got lucky not to have ripped the brake bridle loops from the kite.

No I larks headed the remaining leader through the handle onto the strop and shortened the brake line and kept flying.

I may have sounded dismissive, but I agree that pl should address the issue. The plastic inserts break within the first 10-20 hours of use and there is no effort made to round over the inside edge of the hole. The truth is they probably don't care. fixed bridle is relegated to such a niche market these days that we should probably just be happy they still make them for us. Riders who race, it's not as big of issue. If your hooked in, the leaders will last much longer as the power is going through the handle and not resting on the knot inside the handle.

And i just bought a set of PL handles to replace my old ones :/

Quote: Originally posted by SSI_Stefan

And i just bought a set of PL handles to replace my old ones :/

No worries. They are still good handles. Just keep an eye on the plastic inserts that protect the leaders from a abraiding against the aluminum. The caps pop off the top easily to inspect for wear. Leader lines are easy and inexpensive to replace when the time comes.

I'd like for the plastic inserts to be made for sale since they are a wear item.

Like how on the water kites; they often include replacement pieces of the bridle where the pulleys run. Or the pieces of bungee cord if the system has any of that in it.

It's sad you have to rebuild the new handles you just bought.
You might buy the plastic inserts in the electric department at the box store for flexible conduit. Not sure how small they get, could check an electrical store like Platts or an equivalent.
You could buy pansh handles, they were made the same way as the pl.

Have a read down the page a bit (photo) and you can see how I solved the grommet problem altogether on PL handles. Haven't had one crack on a leader line since.

http://www.extremekites.com.au/topic/16052-handles/

In only kite manufacturers would use hollow metal "pins" like knifemakers.....



ATB,
Sam

When I get a "kite only" deal I buy Prolinks by Flexifoil. At my skill level I don't yet know the fine points of handles, however they are sturdy, with long thick leaders to knot as you please.
A pin system allows a strop loop without additional knots. I don't miss the foam when I have the handlebar grip. Feels secure somehow. If these are a less than good choice tell me quick before I buy again. Thanks

All my Peter Lynn handles had brass grommets to protect the nylon insert.
It was the plastic that isn't up to the job. I drill out the brass and fit my trickle tube inserts.
My large PL handles have worn out 3 sets of lines and are still going strong with the trickle tube mod. I'm hotwired so they cop a real flogging.