Have just picked up a flexifoil 4.9 with no control bar, question is can I use a depower control bar with this kite, as in I picked up a cabrinha bar as a spare, would it be suitable or just a waste of time.

Someone tell me if I'm wrong but I think that Flexifoil only makes one 4.9 and that is the Blade, a high lift quad line fixed bridle foil that would be best suited to handles. I don't believe that a depower bar will be quite adequate.
Handles

Line if it didn't come with any.

Edit: No need to go with Ozone it is just what popped to my mind first.

I dont like to use handles am more of a bar person, is there something compatible

Maybe a quad line bar or a turbo bar not sure how well either work with the Blade, I'm positive someone has tried it and will chime in (I hope)

Quad line bar
Say its "Suitable for - Bullet, Rage, Blade and any other fixed-power 4-line traction kite. A harness is required for proper use of this bar."

Turbo bar

have a cabrinha slingshot bar do you think it will work ok.

A depower bar on a Blade won't work unless you modify the bridle on the kite for depower. The folks at Powerzone Kitesports have modified Blades this way before, but they are located on this side of the pond.

ATB,
Sam

It should be stated that you'll get a pant load more maneuverability with handles....but don't worry, it'd fly OK on a bar. Just not a depower bar. You could always fix the center depower rope with a big old knot on your side of the bar so it doesn't slide through the bar. THen, letting go of the bar would run the bar up towards the kite (might need a new, longer depower rope so the bar can go far enough to flag the kite out). You can't sheet an unmodded fixed bridle in and out so it'd be just a safety, nothing more.

(And then your back lines would go to the middle depower rope)

I would highly suggest a turbo bar, either Ozone's or make your own. You will need a harness as well to use a turbo bar, but you have so much more control over your kite. With a fixed bridle four line bar, you have no manipulation of brakes. Also, what's a cabrinha slingshot bar? Post a pic if you can.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jovver Also, what's a cabrinha slingshot bar? Post a pic if you can.

That threw me too as I thought Cabrinha and Slingshot were two different companies.

The only think that I could think of was if the sale listing had it down as "Cabrinha, Slingshot Bar" (ie a bar that was suitable for use with Cabrinha or Slingshot kites).

ATB,
Sam

go for it... yep the blade like handles more than bar. turbo bar is way better, but on yours yes powers to middle brakes to side. use the trim on your depower rope. rig / test it when the wind isn't being too frisky.

[edit] sorry wasn't thinking above... need to tie a knot in the depower rope... But the AoA on the blade can be modified into a depower rig fairly easily, you would need at least two pulleys tho. I helped a guy last year go from depower back to fixed mode, he wanted to ditch the bar LOL and go back to handles... just had a look for it, couldn't find the thread.

Depower bar will not work with the blade.

flexi's own traction "extreme" bar works well though. I would recommend getting the longer version (70cm) for high aspect kites like the Blade. (I use it on my 5.6 twister and my 6.6 blade)

A 60cm will work but the 70cm will be better and will save you having to get a longer bar if you get bigger sizes.

Also it has the best safety system of any fixed line control bar i have seen. Rotating chicken loop and push away safety release (like naish but not as slick) A high quality leash is included and it sits out of the way and and is actually better than most high end kite surf systems in the way it attaches!!

and you CAN manipulate the brakes because it has a trim strap. - ok not mid turn like you can with handles but you can tune them for your session.

I assume you have none some kitesurfing (cos you have the cabrinha bar) so I would stick with bars - Imagine trying to ride toeside with handles!!

All this will cost you of course but its well worth it. the bar is pictured in willards post.

Didn't Cabrinha make a kite called the slingshot before they made the switchblade? came out around the same time as the crossbow?

No am a newbie who has been going nuts buying kites at good prices.

This bar will now get swapped over to use with the LEIs I own

I have a flexi quad line bar just like in the picture above...

do not use a depower bar unless you have your blade fitted with a depower mixer.............................which Blade series do you own..............Ive owned the series 2, 3, and 4 series Blades.........sweet kites...........

I'll be the negative one here. You are really going to miss out on much of what makes the Blade such a fantastic kite. Man up and get some handles and learn the skills that keep you from having the confidence to fly with them. It'll work with the proper bars mentioned above but its a bit like putting snow tires on a Ferrari. Yeah it'll go better in the snow, but...............

after a few rum and cokes I deferred but since you broke the ice...................................for me flying a blade on handles would be like taking your sister to the prom.......................all about the timing you can better achieve on handles.............just wrong....................

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude for me flying a blade on handles would be like taking your sister to the prom....................................just wrong....................

Tri, these are the words that came to mind when I decided to post my opinion. Must be why we get along so well.

its a SEC thang baby................go REBS...........................hotty toddy gosh almighty..............................maybe the 10.5 on a bar but to get the full potential from a 4.9 blade handles are the order of the day...................................

SEC 3 Big 12 or whatever they claim 0 in the 09 bowls