I was impressed with the write up on the Ozone Turbo bar and I understand you need a belt to use it. Since I'm a newbie to this sport I don't know which is harder on the body.

Having a death grip on handles using a FB kite.
or
Getting pulled at the waist with the Ozone Turbo bar using a FB kite.

Age is not my best friend and I am looking for ways to make this sport more enjoyable.

I would have to answer that hands down the easiest on the body will be the Turbo bar. It takes much less effort to turn the kite or apply full brakes.

The Turbo Bar requires a lot less arm input. But you lose fine control of the brakes.
You can still attach your handles to a harness though with a strop and carabiner and some form of quick release.

I personally like to fly unhooked on handles; a good full body workout. Keeps me from getting cold!

In terms of hard on the body though, nothing is hard on the body like getting spanked by the kite! I feel I have more control on the handles and am less likely to take an unwanted flight. Easier to let go of, too.

man up and fly your handles..become a pilot...months from now you’ll be a better flyer in better shape...you'll strop in to rest at first and then to fly for longer periods...no shortcuts here..your welcome.

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

man up and fly your handles..become a pilot...months from now you’ll be a better flyer in better shape...you'll strop in to rest at first and then to fly for longer periods...no shortcuts here..your welcome.

LMAO - Its not a matter of manning up, its a matter of pain when my body gets twisted a certain way when I am on the handles.

this sport hurts no matter what..the pain is coming for sure so be a better pilot, put in your hours, and it will hurt less..if it wasn't like this you wouldn't be attracted to it :D
i started @ 51 w/ a real bad back..no more bad back

It's true, I solved my sore back and damaged shoulder from a car accident through getting heavily into archery - a lot more fun to take 100 shots than 100 pulls on cable machine - kiting does the same thing.

However if the torque is a big issue I encourage you to try the bar or strop. Totally different feel, much more centred. With a hook or open pulley type of attachment you can hook and unhook at will to work your upper body and then take a break and fly from the hips - this will be better for advancing your flying career than switching to a bar.

I never understood the attraction of the Turbo bar.

Turbo bar is far easier on the bod. Unless of course you put a strop on your handles and hook into that which is cheaper and does give you a bit more control. Speaking of control with the turbo bar, I've used it a hell of a lot and there has never been anything that I needed to do with the kite that I couldn't do with the turbo bar - although I don't race nor do freestyle. And I also find it's easier to hit the primary safety on a turbo bar than it is to hit the quick release on a strop and pulley if using handles....but that's probably cos I was using depowers with the same safety as the turbo bar.

Buy a harness, put a strop/pulley/quick release on your handles (make sure you're confident with your kite first) and see what you think. You can always try a turbo bar later on.

I like the turbo bar, especially riding long distances. but prefer handles when static flying. Both have safeties. kite killers for handles (if you use them) and the quick release on the turbo bar.

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky

I never understood the attraction of the Turbo bar.

Errr...ummm.... it has the word Turbo in the name.



ATB,
Sam

IMHO, your big concern should be with attaching yourself to the kite. I've met a few people that have had serious life changing injuries by being dragged around while harnessed to a kite. Don't get me wrong, I always fly with a harness but I recognize the risk and mitigate it by only flying in appropriate conditions, choosing the kite correctly, etc.

Eventually you will decide to harness up so that you can fly longer, in that case the turbo bar will serve you well as it has all the safety releases that come with Ozone depower kites. Of course, you can harness up and fly with handles and a strop as well.

Are you planning on riding something down the road?

Turbo bar will be easier on your body but less fun to static fly with. Using a strop is something to consider. Either way, getting a harness is a good move.

Quote: Originally posted by indigo_wolf

Quote: Originally posted by RedSky   I never understood the attraction of the Turbo bar. Errr...ummm.... it has the word Turbo in the name. ATB, Sam

I guess the Turbo comes from the ability to apply the brakes evenly but I still don't get 'em and I bought two because of the hype.

If my memory serves me, I sold one to jimbocz^

Did someone say they fly depower and also fly with the Turbo? That's got to be counter intuitive because of the way they work. (edit, no, nobody said that. I'm just reading stuff that isn't there. Ignore me.)

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Are you planning on riding something down the road? Turbo bar will be easier on your body but less fun to static fly with. Using a strop is something to consider. Either way, getting a harness is a good move.

I never though about a strop. I'm going to give that a try before I go with the turbo bar. I hate to spend all that money only to find out there's no benefit.

Quote:

Did someone say they fly depower and also fly with the Turbo? That's got to be counter intuitive because of the way they work. (edit, no, nobody said that. I'm just reading stuff that isn't there. Ignore me

Static flying, they do work very differently. A few times now, when flying the TB static, I've thrown the kite over my head, pulled the bar in and promptly landed on my bum which quickly reminds me that it's not a depower!!

At speed though, pulling the bar in usually results in the kite sitting back a little further in the window with a bit more grunt...quite similar to a depower.

I wouldn't buy one just to static fly though - handles are much more fun for that but for cruising in the bug, they're great.

Hi Dan,
If you have a death grip on the handles, you're probably overpowered. Relax - use a smaller kite or wait for less wind. This is supposed to be fun! I have a Turbo Bar and found that the handles were a better option for me. The bar is nice, but I like the option of adjusting brake input that only handles allow (too much time with the Rev.). YMMV. Also, in the gusts that we tend to have around here (I'm also in the 905), the 'Bar doesn't absorb the same way that a de-power does - I don't like the added risk.

Like several of the others here, I've found that the core workout available when flying has helped my back. It doesn't have to be hard work to be good for you - remember ripped abs in our teens:-)

One of the greatest resources I have had in learning this sport has been the help available from other members. This forum has been a huge help to me, and meeting other pilots and having their "hands on" help has made me a better/happier flyer. Mark is our local guru (sorry Mark); try and tag up with him if you can.

Then put April 23-27 on your calendar. :wee:

If you are going to buy a harness I suggest you consider a seat harness with good back support. I like my Mystic very much. I got it at coastalwindsports.

Mark probably has or can get a harness for you ?

^^ +1 for the seat harness. Getting the pressure off my back and lowering the pull on my body made a huge difference in both back comfort and a feeling of security in the buggy.

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy

Hi Dan, If you have a death grip on the handles, you're probably overpowered. Relax - use a smaller kite or wait for less wind. This is supposed to be fun! I have a Turbo Bar and found that the handles were a better option for me. The bar is nice, but I like the option of adjusting brake input that only handles allow (too much time with the Rev.). YMMV. Also, in the gusts that we tend to have around here (I'm also in the 905), the 'Bar doesn't absorb the same way that a de-power does - I don't like the added risk. Like several of the others here, I've found that the core workout available when flying has helped my back. It doesn't have to be hard work to be good for you - remember ripped abs in our teens:-) One of the greatest resources I have had in learning this sport has been the help available from other members. This forum has been a huge help to me, and meeting other pilots and having their "hands on" help has made me a better/happier flyer. Mark is our local guru (sorry Mark); try and tag up with him if you can. Then put April 23-27 on your calendar. :wee:

I'm already on Marks Email list and I missed him last week at Luther. Get better Mark. One of these days we will meet.
For the time being I will fly handles till I have the chance to talk to Mark about it, but from the responses I am getting here, a turbo bar is used mainly for buggies which I don't have.