Thought I'd start a new thread on this, so that it's easier to find.

The "Z" bridle is primarily used for single skin four line kites, once fitted it holds tension on the kite brake bridle even when the brakes are released at the handle end, this reduces the need to keep constant brake pressure on at the handles. It also makes connecting the kite on to a bar easier.

Although the principle is always the same, I have tried a few different ways to make the bridle up, this is now my preferred way, as it allows me to easily add or remove in a couple of seconds. Feel free to add to the thread with other ideas / experiences.

There maybe a way to calculate the optimum size of the bridle, but I have based mine on the fact that it needs to have enough length to work with the full travel of your handles. Too small and you'll not get full braking and the separation between the power and brake bridles results in the A11 not being under tension. The smallest I've made for my 3m NPW is 20cm, the largest for my 6m is 60cm measured from knot to loop.

Here is my Z bridle in it's component parts:


The right hand side is the kite with the power line leader from the bridles and brake bridle leader with knots for adjustment.

I start by making a double over handed knot in the middle of the line, this is the power line connection point:


I then mark each line an equal distance and add for the loop.

For the bottom leg of the bridle: I make the stopper knot measure the same distance as before plus loop. Obviously extra knots can be added to the bottom leg to facilitate adjustment of brakes.

Now connect everything up :D The connection to the brake bridle I place the two loops on top of each other and make a larks head, pulling each line till it's tightened.

Complete bridle:


Should you wish to convert to a two line kite then the bottom brake leg is omitted.

If you don't want to make sewn loops then a bowline knot to make a loop works just as well.

To tune: I hold the handles like a foil, power line between top two fingers, release any brake line tension so the brake lines hang slack, if the kite takes off but the nose collapses then the bridle needs moving a knot closer to the kite, if the kite back stalls or does not reach the zenith the bridle needs moving a knot away from the kite. If a slight adjustment needs to be made then I move the knot either way by @0.5cm at a time.

Good info E!!

I used the Z bridle that came with my quiver of Nasa Star 2's. Works, ok.
With my npw's I had kitemaker 4 make me, the z bridle, not so good. I found that my PKD handles with the adjustable brake cleat work the best. I can hook into my harness and pull in the brake lines untill the kite is just short of "perfect".
I can now park and ride. Pull in the brakes a hair and its "turbo time", let go of the handles and its cruiseville.

Thanks guys, forgot to add: The line I use, 2mm sleeved dyneema line breaking load 275kg or 3mm at 380 kg. It's important to use a sleeved "static" line to ensure the stretch is an absolute minimal amount.

Thanks, I just made one for black kite. We will see how it works.

Quote:

[quote bigkid] I can now park and ride. Pull in the brakes a hair and its "turbo time", let go of the handles and its cruiseville.

I remember you mentioning that on another thread. I was hoping that when I tried mine on handles without the z bridle that I would get to experience the same thing. Unfortunately, it must work best with clean wind. I was able to successfully use them in the buggy but my wind was too variable to have that same type of feel. I found myself wanting it to just be set at it's maximum power output when I would hit frequent lulls. That's when I decided to go back to the bar so I'm always at full power with less effort. I would really like to experiment more with that if I ever make it to the beach. I imagine it would be awesome.

I made a zbridle for snake eyes.





I made some very small handles for this kite. It is only 1.2m2
so the small handle works good. I have 6 inches with full range of the handles











If the wind come up today I will try them out.


So here is the zbridles for my snake eyes

Just an observation Renny, the cross piece, it should be on the left end of the top leg, Your power line should connect to both the top leg and the cross piece. To see this if you pull both of your line connections together, then pull the bridle connection ends, all three legs should be close together. If you were to do that with yours it would not do that, the centre piece would be really slack. As it is it would result in no brakes.

Quote:

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre   [quote bigkid] I can now park and ride. Pull in the brakes a hair and its "turbo time", let go of the handles and its cruiseville. I remember you mentioning that on another thread. I was hoping that when I tried mine on handles without the z bridle that I would get to experience the same thing. Unfortunately, it must work best with clean wind. I was able to successfully use them in the buggy but my wind was too variable to have that same type of feel. I found myself wanting it to just be set at it's maximum power output when I would hit frequent lulls. That's when I decided to go back to the bar so I'm always at full power with less effort. I would really like to experiment more with that if I ever make it to the beach. I imagine it would be awesome.

I guess clean wind would make a little difference, but thats the part of this type of kite that is above the ram air foils.imoh
I originally set up the kite and handles to be at full power all the time, problem with that was if there was a lull the tip would fold over or the kite would stall and fall from the sky. As soon as the lull was over, #*"%&. Zero to full power was not fun when I was over sized with the kite for the wind.
I have the bar setup for the Nasa Stars and I think it lessons the amount of power the kite has in correlation to handles without the z-bridle.
Flying the npw kites is not something you pickup in a minute or so, you have to find the sweet spot and develop the ability to stay there for the duration of the day.
I started using the PKD handles at Ivanpah one year while everyone was sitting around waiting for wind. I setup my 15m and went out in the sucker winds and after reaching the other side of the lakebed and returning, I figured out that short of full power was the ticket to cruising the lakebed with regular winds.

Thanks Jeff, I didn't spend much time on the handles so more practice would probably change my initial opinion. They are fun kites and it's nice to have so much versatility. I did notice while flying static on handles, that they seem even more stable (than on bar) with just a touch of brake line tension. I could put it at zenith (hooked in with brakes very slightly tensioned) and it pretty much flew like a stable single line kite. When I'm flying on the bar, I need to keep it moving more.

It fly good on 2 or 4 lines:puzzled:













I am happy that z bridle work good, I need just a little more a justment and it will be perfect.

Here is a short movie, their was no wind, so I huff and puff to make it fly.


http://youtu.be/j72nOG95YXQ



I picked up a camera like Randy's, so now I can make my own movies with out help....... we will see how that works:o

Thanks for posting bigE123! I think I might try them on my NPW21.

Here is anew z bridle i made







I will try it out tomorrow.:megan:

Tried the "V" bridle today on my 2.0 M NPW 21. I was able to tune in on the two line setup for the NPW21 pretty well. I I'll add the "Z" part next time around.

Nice one Renny, now that looks the part :D

Randy: once the "Z" part is on you'll have the best of both worlds, glad you got the first part done and tuned, it's worth the effort

I flew my snake eyes with 2 lines yesterday. Z bridle works very well once you get it tuned.