Quote:

Originally posted by chiff I have a silly question for ya'll. Would a brand new kites lines last a year or 2 or whatever ? How often do you have before having to replace them ? Am not talking about if they break. Hopefully they won't. Smiles. Thanks heaps. Chiff.

I have linesets that I have been using for over 7-8 years now. I have also run into pilots who have just pulled their kites out of storage and the linesets are well over 15 years or more old and still work perfectly. If you take care of them they will last for an extremely long time.

Taking care of a lineset is quite simple. Other than the obvious such as ripping your lines through trees or snagging them on fences, try to keep your lines from getting snagged on small rocks, twigs or even large clumps of grass. What usually happens is that someone will have a line snagged on a clump of grass or other and think 'hey, it's a 400# line, I will just rip it off of there or yank it through". The line will normally not break when doing this but it does create an abrasion on the exterior or interior of the line that becomes a weak spot. Over time, that weak spot will begin to break down and eventually your line will break. Most people will say "Hey, it just broke in very light winds and I didn't do nothing to it". But they don't realize that the line has been breaking down over time and the light winds they were flying in was the "straw that broke the camel's back".

Also, watch out for single line kites or "cheaper" kites that use an inferior line. These cheap kites will use a cotton braid line which is ok for single line kites but can be like a knife through butter when they come into contact with your high dollar Spectra or Dyneema linesets. The reason is that cotton line is very abrasive and has a very high melting point. Spectra and Dyneema have a very low melting point and are super slick when the cotton line rubs against your Spectra line, it creates a huge amount of friction heat and it literally melts right through the Spectra line - usually in a matter of seconds.

Another thing that will slice your line into pieces is Kevlar. Kevlar was once the national standard in kite line but is not used much these days and is very rare that anyone would have a set. Some of the old school kiters may still have Kevlar linesets though as they virtually never wear out - but you do have to wax it from time to time to keep it slick. Kevlar is like flying with steel razor wire and will slice through every other line on the market with ease - including cotton braid lines. If you happen to be flying with Kevlar, please be courteous and mention it to all other kiters in your area so they can be careful when flying around you.

Hope that helps.

awindofchange,

Thank YOU so much for your very detailed notes. Am sure that many others will get the benefit of your knowledge too.

My line will be what ever comes with the kite from Peter Lynn. I don't know the brand of line that he uses for the Twister II 5.6. Someone here will know. The other thing I am unable to find out about the lines is how long they are ? I am presuming that they are 20 meters (65.62 feet). Does anyone know ?

Should I get a spare line set as I live 15 hrs drive away from the kite shop. That way if something did go wrong I got a spare set. ? Whats your opinion on my thinking ?

Kind regards to ya
Chiff.

IMO if you have UPS service where you are...a line set could be easily shipped to you at very little cost. I am with Kent that it would be VERY rare to have a problem.

Hey Drewculous,
I have (and started with..) the Twister II 4.1m . When I've started this sport, I got it cause it have so much pull and lift, which is great. But as you know, after a short session, your hands will start feel like noodles ....
After getting the hang of it, I've purchase the PL bar, that fit to this kite and flying it became so buttery, it was a dream...
Unfortunately, there is no de-power on this kite, which makes it a bit hard to fly when winds start to kick in above the 9mph.
All in all I totally agree with you, this kite does rock in so many levels, and it's what I like to call, an all season kite, from beginners to advance.

May the winds be with you...

The Twister 5.6 comes with 25m 200Kg (orange) steer & 100kg (blue) brakelines. (uhm 75ft 400lbs steering and 200 lbs brake)
Dyneema and will last, as Awindofchange mentioned, a life time.

not really relevant to the twister... but i'm impressed my review stills stands for this kite lol!

still a great kite, still fly it, flew it yesterday in fact! lol

just logged some absolutely epic jumps on this kite an hour or so ago...

this kite is still my go to in any wind, ive been overpowered a few times, but if there is any wind it will fly... love it.

winds today were too high/gusty for the charger, so i busted the twister out... hit a gust just perfectly, and man o man, never seen the fields from so high up! Heard a few cheers from the soccer complex after i landed that jump... spent the next hour or so popping jumps, and atbing till i couldnt hold the kite down at all.... lol it took an hour for the shakes to work their way out of my system.... epic kite... i recommend this kite to everyone, learn the basics on a smaller, non-lifty kite... but after that, you must buy one... thanks again Angus!

EPIC!
EPIC!
EPIC!
EPIC!
EPIC!
EPIC!

I am planning on getting 3 twisters to cover a hole bunch of wind ranges.
3m, 5.6m, 7.7m.
i will be using this what seems to be tractor for landboarding

But the more i fly my 4.5m kite from decathlon on bar the less i want to go back to handles.

I seen a few posts up that this kite is poor on the bar it came with, but on a crossover it might get better.

Questions
-is getting 3 twisters a good idea for landboarding in diferent winds?
-what is a crossover bar?
-is the bar that it comes with really that bad to not fly it with the bar/ ( i know you give up on finness but the bar i fly now actually has a set up were it brakes a little eiach side when i turn.

Regards

Turtle

That sounds like a well sized quiver for a land board. You are likely to find the 5.6 to be the most used and most versatile.

The original Twister, esp in the larger sizes, performed poorly on a bar, but the new Twister II R is said to be much improved in this area. I have not personally tested it yet though, but my sources are reliable.

I will try to find a schematic diagram of a cross-over bar. [EDIT: see link in post below] Most regular bars have a pulley in the center that the brake lines run through. The bar in the neutral position forms two right triangles with each of the main (outside) lines, the center brake lines and the bar itself. When you yank on one end of the bar to turn the kite, the geometry of the triangles changes such that the brake line in the direction of the turn is pulled.

With a crossover bar, pulleys are used on each end of the bar to introduce mechanical advantage to amplify the brake inputs in the direction of the turn.

I got the Twister II 4.1m and I got the crossover bar just a while ago. The kite is SOooo much easy to fly with it, the one problem I can point on, is the fact that if you'll fly it in high wind, the only way to depower the kite is to let go the bar and let the hand leash do the rest, not fun, but it's not a depowered kite. Other then this issue, I LOVE the twister....well worth to get the crossover bar.

The photo with the product of description of the PKD crossover bar on my web site will serve as a schematic.

The red and blue color coding will help you get it sorted in your mind. The pulleys are connected to the ends of the bar, so when you pull on the end of the bar, the pull on the respective brake line is amplified about 2:1

Scampbell, that is a good price for that bar, I bought it for $99..... still, a very good comfy bar for the Twister kite..

Twister is great.
But the larger sizes are not gust absorbers, they are gust lifters....

Bewaarrrr.


If your wind gets SUPER gusts that pound through you might wanna look at a used arc/foil.

being airborne when a 35mph gust hits, :wee::wee::wee::wee:






hospital.

try a depower before you drop a grand on twisters...
It's a great kite. When you just wanna go nuts static, be a little kid with your friends... .

This kite is bomb, uncertaintly the best kite around.
But when you start to get into grown man bidness, you're probably going to want depower..


A HUGE DEPOWR LIK..... 2000m kite.
FUXING PWN

Then you get to be extreme.

As much as I like this kite Dandre, I couldn't say it better myself. Don't get me wrong, its a good kite to start with, good for jumping...if you know what you're doing, but not so good as a depower at all....and thats coming from someone who still takes the grass out from his as.....

The selling point of the twister is you can't beat the power for the price.
Learn to wield the bokken in high winds and you will be a novice samurai of the highest caliber

Dandre has a good point about de-power if you are willing to drop a grand on Twisters. A 9.5 m Montana would be a worthwhile investment and very versatile on the 'board. Ozone base harness is less than $150.

would the 9.5 m Montana cover me in the same wind ranges as the 3 twisters.

Will be about a grand Euros if I were to get a harness and not a cheap one either.

I did think that this kite would not handle gusts nicely so a eye has to be always on the windsock

This is the bar that I fly my cheap branded 4.5 m kite on now. http://www.tribord.com/EN/4-line-handle-32563608/

should I replace her with the bar that comes with the twisters if I choose this direction.

I’m still not convinced about the D power. I will hopefully start if money is there kite boarding next April so I don’t want to invest a huge amount of money on the land side of things but also want to be able to progress and learn to jump ect (with board.)


And also land board when wind is howling and when things are dead. That why my initial idea was to get 3 fixed bridles.
If advise guys?

Regards people

Thanks for your friendly advise guys

regards

I would say it depends on your windspeeds.
If you're golden with a twister you could grab a good 9-12m depower kite used for about 450/500euros.

You'll probably need a goto kite, 9-11m and a low wind kite 15m+. If you buy both used you'll end up spending about the same amount/ less than your quiver of twisters.

The used kite market in europe is alot better than the U.S, you should have no problem finding some really good deals.


P.S. You can just use a climbing harness w/ carabiner while you're starting out.
don't spend more money than you have to.

Everyone wants to be Chasta w/ the shiny new kites, but I bet you if he didn't have those sexy kites he'd make do with what whatever came along.


Don't get fixated on a fantasy. Roll with the punches and make the best of what you've got.

Back on topic!
For a FB catered to extremeos breaking into kiting.....
You cannot beat the twister for the $$

the advise really helps guys/

Now im stuck.
If i get a twister im only going to get one size 5,6 or 7,7 ,thing is i already have the 4,5 from the brand tribord and cannot find any info of its projected area anywere. How will i know what twistyer best suits.
Does anybody use the twister while landboarding? if so what size and what is this kite capable of in good hands?
I am also looking for second hand montana as i might just go d power and i have found one on ebay for 200 pounds it is mentioned it has a few small holes but works fine and it comes with lines and bar.
what does everybody think?
to stay to the subject twister sounds like a cool kite for static flyers............
regards people

5.6. the 7.7 is HOOJ.

I thought I wanted the 7.7 at first but I'm glad I thought twice about that.

Anything over 10mph and you're gonna need clearance from the control tower (not in the fun way).

Be careful buying kites that are damaged, make sure its easily repairable... Something you feel confident doing yourself.

Or take it to a local kite shop for professional repairs.

As one that used my 4.1m Twister II with my landboard, AllI can say that it works fine, till you'll try it with gusty/high wind. The leck of depowered is really kick in and missed at those times. I whould recommend this kite for a beginner to learn how the kite acts with wind, but for the long run, do yourself a favor (especioaly on a low budget) and get a depowered kite, just so you'll be able to use it with wider rang of winds minus the risk off airborn.....The twister is NOT a stedy kite in gausty or high wind.
Hope it help

Agreed im gona go d power and keep the ordering of the 5.6 twister for emergancy if i dont find a montana fast .

Looks like a nice harness is gona be a handy accesaory afterall.

theres 20% off all harnesses in my local so i think i can go in especially with the eadded bonus of trying them on.

And yes its a bit of a tight budbet as i am going to be starting kitesurfing next aprill with the babe ( thats some serios cash needed)

Thanks again guys

As a "landboarder newbie", I can tell you that the Twister 5.6m is good for landboarding but it depends of certain factors:

1: NO gust winds. The Twister doesn't like them (and neither do I). Been rolling with 10mph steady winds and less and it pulls like a train, :D

2: If it's the 5.6m, the wind should be less than 10-15mph otherwise you'll be rolling VERY hard and VERY fast. Control is inexistent for a newbie.

3: NO Ozone Turbo Bar. It also doesn't like to be turned through the brakes although it works great with a crossover bar. (Had to trim just a little my leader lines)

4: Lot's of space around you to roam freely without hitting innocent bystanders or objects.

If you want to landboard in higher winds, it's best to find a more gentle FB than the Twister. That's why I also have a HQ Beamer V 4M. From 12mph onward, it's as smooth as silk and a whole lot more controlable than the Twister. And it works wonders with the Turbo Bar.
If you go with the Twister, get a good harness and a strop line or a crossover bar with bar strap with quick release. The Twister works very good with that one,

And the most important of all, GET YOURSELF PROTECTED, an helmet is the bare minimum. Elbow and knees should also be put on or, if you're a slow healer like me, Body Guard vest, crash shorts and good sneekers.


Just my two cents...

you mention it doesnt like to be turned through the brakes yet a crossover bar is basicly a bar that is disigned to add brake input in to the turns. sorry im confused ???
And yer i got my self some pads today almost braught a harness from decathlon but i decided that harness will only come with a dpower, untill then i stay without.
Im not sure if the twister is really going to pull alot more than my tribord 4,5? the actual size of the twister 5.6 is like 4,8 m not a lot more than the cheap branded one i have now.
speak laters people

Quote:

Originally posted by Soma As a "landboarder newbie", I can tell you that the Twister 5.6m is good for landboarding but it depends of certain factors: 3: NO Ozone Turbo Bar. It also doesn't like to be turned through the brakes although it works great with a crossover bar. (Had to trim just a little my leader ) Just my two cents...

There is something of a contradiction. The twister likes brakes in turns and the crossover bar works becuse it is there to amplify your brake inputs. The turbo bar is a crossover bar on steroids that lets you Change the tension on the brakes simultaneously as well as individually.

Quote:

Originally posted by Acro flirturtle you mention it doesnt like to be turned through the brakes yet a crossover bar is basicly a bar that is disigned to add brake input in to the turns. sorry im confused ??? And yer i got my self some pads today almost braught a harness from decathlon but i decided that harness will only come with a dpower, untill then i stay without. Im not sure if the twister is really going to pull alot more than my tribord 4,5? the actual size of the twister 5.6 is like 4,8 m not a lot more than the cheap branded one i have now. speak laters people

The crossover bar adds a bit of brake but turns the kite on the power lines. That is why you attatch the power lines to the tips of the bar and the brakes to the inside of the crossover.

I have a crossover bar from triboard (decathlon) and I hooked it to my friend's Zeruko PW 3.5 (smaller than your's) and it was amazing. Same thing with the Twister.
I believe that it's because they're both (and also your PW 4.5) high aspect ratio kites.
I've tried to fly it with handles and if I only use brake to turn, the kites simply luff and loose power.

But with the Turbo Bar, is the complete opposite. You attatch the power lines to the center pulley (and to the chicken loop) and the brake lines to the tip of the bar. Hence, when you turn, you pull the brake all the way, and then, the pulley's pull a bit of power line. The kite luffs all the time.

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell There is something of a contradiction. The twister likes brakes in turns and the crossover bar works becuse it is there to amplify your brake inputs. The turbo bar is a crossover bar on steroids that lets you Change the tension on the brakes simultaneously as well as individually.

I have to disagree on that for the reasons above. The Turbo Bar really changes the tension on the brakes but by pulling the bar to turn, you pull the brake all the way. My Beamer likes that (I trust it's because of it beeing a low/medium aspect ratio kite) and once I start moving on the board, if I pull the bar a little in (pulling just a nudge on the brakes) the kite power's up even more and keeps turning very good.
The Twister doesn't do that even if I have the bar all the way out. Every time I try to turn, even if it's a slow turn, the kite stalls.

I know, beeing who you are, you're know far more about this matters than me but this is my experience and I hope you understand it as such.

Regards...

Actually it's been a bit since I've had a Turbo Bar in my hands and, thinking further, you make a good point about the difference between the Turbo and the normal crossover. Point taken.

Original Twisters never liked a (normal) bar, so if you had good results on a cross-over, then good on you!

Soma - Sounds like you are hooking the turbo bar up like a depower? Is that what it was designed for, or just an adaptation that happens to work very well for some kites?

Have you tried hooking up the twister so the power lines go to the bar ends on the turbo and see how it does? Just curious if it is a matter of connecting the kite to the bar based on how the individual kite likes to turn. might mean more kites could work well on turbo...

@ acampbell

Yes it works. But if you have the opportunity to use one with a Beamer or any FB of the same type, try it then see for yourself. Or just ask John Holgate, (main reason I bought the Turbo Bar was his clips on the buggy with this gear, Turbo Bar and Beamer, :D )


@ lamrith

The Turbo Bar is a "pseudo" depower for FBs (or so Ozone says). That's how it's instructed to be connected.



If I connect the brake lines to the center, I'll be hooked to them through the chicken loop making the kite fall (it would never launch for that matter, :puzzled: )

From my own experience, all I've seen is low/medium aspect kites work well on it, high aspect ones don't.

I have also, a Zeruko PW 2.5 that I want to try on the Turbo but wind as been low this past weeks (10mph and below).
It might work well also since it's a low aspect kite.

As a note, my Beamer as several knots on the trail edge of the bridles and also my PW 2.5 which makes it possible to adjust the brake line's length.

Both Twister and the PW 3.5 don't. The brake lines only attatch in one point.

Maybe that's what makes several work and other's don't, :puzzled:


Regards to all...