Hi, i'm a kiting newbie and just got hold of a Blade 4.9 with handles.

I've taken it out a few times in winds from 5 up to 20mph and i have to say it is an awesome sail! Very powerful but easy to control. Amazing lift too!!

I was considering getting a Flexifoil extreme control bar for use on the ATB. Stupid question, but the interweb blurbs about it say "to be used with a harness". Is it possible to fly with this bar unhooked, with a kite killer? If so how would it be set up?

Also on one site it says the 60cm bar is good for up to 5m kites, 70cm for 5m and above. Another says the 70cm is for 6.6m and above.

I know the 60cm would probably be the best length for the 4.9m Blade, but would the 70cm work well too? Then i could use the same bar when i get a bigger kite.

Any advice greatly appreciated .

Welcome!

The idea of using a bar and harness is to make it easier for you to kite for hours without the strain on your hands like handles can be. I'm sure it's possible to fly unhooked but ... do you really want to? Harnesses like the Ozone Access XC aren't that expensive.

The longer the bar, the more leverage you have to turn the kite - a long bar could make a smaller kite too twichty.

I don't know the Flexi bar at all but other bars for 4-line kites tend to put the wrist leash on the brake lines, so when you let go of the bar it works about the same as letting go handles ...

I think it should work - I have the next version down that came with my 2.5 rage and that does not have the harness option - the extreme bar is for fixed birdle kites and has a harness loop with a release safety that when activated will pull the brake lines. It is a similar release to what is on my sabre 2. Although it may look like a depower bar it is not and is meant for kites like the blade. I am not sure with bar length - I fly all my kites fixed and depower (of course) on a bar but it depends on the kite - usually a longer bar will turn the kite faster which is what you want unless you get a waay too big bar for the kite you are flying

my 2 cents

JG

before buying an expensive new bar... try a real cheap one (or a friends) out... you may find you dont like it.... fixed bridle kites are more maneuverable on handles by far

more control... easier relaunch.... faster redirect... better collapse prevention.... faster turning....

you need a bar for depower stuff... but the blade flies fine on handles, if you ask me

All good advice, thanks.

I was going for a bar to make it easier for longer flying time, one handed riding, etc. Thinking about it a harness would probably be more useful for this. I understand it's actually possible to attach handles to a harness. It looks like the Ozone Access harness with the D ring option and a handle pass line would do the trick.

I was concerned about control as i do find myself trimming with the brakes a lot. I guess a bar is a whole different flying technique.

i think i meant strop, not handle pass line, would probably have to be the spreader bar too