So I am a complete noob here and am looking at getting into the sport as cheaply as possible unfortunately and for me I think that means handles rather than a expensive depower bar (though I wish I could find a cheap used turbo bar) I do have a few questions about handles the big one is how to hook it in the harness using the strop line and is it possible to use kite killers when you are hooked in. It scares me to think about hooking into any kite and not have any quick way out. I searched the forum but couldn't find a good post about the proper way to use handles. Thanks for the help this has been a great site to find answers to my questions

If you are new to the sport, stay away from hooking in untill you think you know everything and then stay away for a bit longer before you decide to hook in to a ride you may not be able tp walk away from. Just my opinion.

What he ^ said.

It shouldn't really scare you about being hooked in unless you are going out in some very high winds or using a kite that is super powered up at the time. There are pros and cons to everything and much of it comes down to developing your own reactions and instincts. With handles you can hook in and out fairly easily as you go under most situations. Some things depend on hook shape or roller design and also your body position and clothing that could get in the way. Standing and flying you have a harness on and handles with a strop that goes between the tops of the handles. You lower your handles a little so the strop is below the hook and bring your handles toward you and upward so the strop swings under the hook/roller and is held in place by the tension of the kite and your arms out a little. If you pull your handles in closer to your body the strop line may fall out on it's own once there isn't any tension or you may need to bring your handles slightly closer and and a downward movement.
When you are seated in a buggy and have a lot of clothing on for colder weather you need to make sure that clothing doesn't get in the way to unhook and some people hook in and ride all the time with the strop on and some will only hook in when going for the straight cruising and unhook for turning then hook in again. Personal preference and comfort level.
When hooked into the strop you have flying off the top power lines and just manipulating the bottoms of the handles (with the pressure off your arms and wrists) and if you let go of handles the kite is flying hooked in off the tops of the handles. You need to do a quick hand push downward for quick unhook and release. Also with a bar, you have some amount of bail out from power by pushing the bar away to reduce power but if you are quickly overpowered for some reason you still need to reach down and pull some type of release. Most people will have a moment of hanging on for dear life (except for DemoKnight who is quick on the release) and will not reach for the release until the kite has stopped dragging them.
The other thing to keep in mind is that when you fly static (standing around and flying) all of the kite force is directed at you resisting and sliding, dragging and arm pressure. If you are moving in a buggy or surfing etc, all of that pressure become forward movement and there is less actual pressure you are fighting as you travel with the kite. There are times when there is a lot of pressure but usually when we are out in high winds going for it but if you don't put yourself into intense situations when learning it's all fairly easy.

But as others have mentioned, don't worry about hooking in until you fly enough and have the skills that your arms are getting tired and you are looking for a little relief. I took longer to type this answer and there weren't any responses yet. My first sentence said it shouldn't really scare you BUT if you go out in high winds or with a kite above your skill level and hook in then yes it will scare you.

PS-I was just down in your neck of the woods doing a quick run to Buffalo on saturday but didn't stay long before coming back across the border to Ontario

best part about this sport is it is scary...but you do things at the proper pace try to only bite off what you can chew..respect the kite and conditions and you will be fine for the most part ...imo do not worry about going dp or turbo bars yet...go dominate the handles, learn to strop in and be comfy and you will be better off in the long run

thanks for the input guys it really helps a lot! btw is there a good post talking about the pros and cons of handles vs bars I could read up on?

Quote:

I think that means handles rather than a expensive depower bar (though I wish I could find a cheap used turbo bar)

Also your question indicates that there may be a slight misunderstanding of the control mechanisms and the kites they are designed for... A depower bar is used for depower bridled kites. You would use Handles, a Turbo Bar or FB Bar on a fixed bridled kite.. No mix and match there... There are specific differences..

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28322

Here's a thread that talks about bar vs handle for fixed bridle kites. You'll find the general consensus is you will learn more and have better control with handles on fixed bridle kites.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28322 Here's a thread that talks about bar vs handle for fixed bridle kites. You'll find the general consensus is you will learn more and have better control with handles on fixed bridle kites.

With all the FB kites on the market, only a hand full are designed to fly with a bar, while the others will fly on a bar they are not able to fly as they were designed.
If you decide to make a bigfoot vw bug, you have to change everything. You just dont put bigfoot tires on and go out for a ride. The changes that are required are basically the same with FB kites. Not sure but designing kites isnt something we all do with any skill to the degree of quality, performance and desirability.
I know the Buster Soulfly's and the Pro's are designed to be flown on a bar or handles. Specifically the PKD handles and the PKD bar. I have a 8m blade that came with a bar and I threw it away and put handles on it, it is now a kite that is worth flying. The bar was the biggest joke of the day.

As long as there are individuals with different ideas, there will be bazillions of us that will change a good thing and tell the world about it. Some of us choose to let others spend the money and I for one play with the stuff that works the way it was designed. (did I just say that out loud?)

Strop Release is another good PFK post about strops and release...

While we are on the topic. I learned something this last weekend that most on here probably know. I usually fly in gusty winds unhooked without kite killers. If I make a mistake on a turn and get overpowered I just let go of the handles. Normally the kite drifts 20 or 30 yards and gets a couple tangles but no big deal. Last weekend I let go of the handles but the only difference was I had a strop connecting the handles. I wasn't hooked in when I let go. What surprised me was the kite went approximately 200 yards, crossed a street, and almost ended up in tree. I didn't understand why it went so far at first but then I realized the only difference was the strop. I guess that gave it just enough stability to fly much further away.

Quote: Originally posted by markite

Most people will have a moment of hanging on for dear life (except for DemoKnight who is quick on the release) and will not reach for the release until the kite has stopped dragging them.

Thanks for the props I think, lol! I prefer to fly a tad overpowered, but I don't risk getting dragged much if I lose control. It has only happened the one time so far

Quote: Originally posted by Demoknight

Thanks for the props I think, lol! I prefer to fly a tad overpowered, but I don't risk getting dragged much if I lose control. It has only happened the one time so far

It was impressive how fast you got to your release though!