I've heard it said that size doesn't matter (that's what all those with small *bars* say) :singing:

Why / when does one use a longer bar over a shorter bar? Is it in relation to the size of the kite? Is there any reason beyond degree of control? I would think that if you are forever overflying your kite you could switch to a shorter bar? I ask because I'm going through all the stuff I've accumulated over the past year of kiting and am thinking about culling some of it but wonder if I should keep a range of bars around.

Yes, it's in relation to the size of the kite. Bigger kites will turn much slower on smaller bars, because there isn't as much 'throw' on a small bar. People keep smaller bars for smaller kites so that they won't oversteer the small kites.

This is an extreme scenario, but for visualization purposes only:
(WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FLY YOUR POWERKITE WITH A TOOTHPICK)

Imagine having a toothpick attached to a 10m foil. The difference between turning it like this: _ and this: | isn't going to be big enough to pull one side of the kite in and let the other side out to turn it. Then replace the toothpick with a yardstick attached to the same kite. You'd be able to turn the kite on a dime because of the huge angle difference between the side of the kite you're pulling in, and the side of the kite you're letting out.


If you only have a bigger bar and wind up using it on a smaller kite, you could keep your hands close to the center of the bar to minimize oversteering. If I were you, I'd keep one big and one small- just in case

Quote:

Originally posted by burritobandit Yes, it's in relation to the size of the kite. Bigger kites will turn much slower on smaller bars, because there isn't as much 'throw' on a small bar. People keep smaller bars for smaller kites so that they won't oversteer the small kites. This is an extreme scenario, but for visualization purposes only: (WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FLY YOUR POWERKITE WITH A TOOTHPICK)

there we go once and for all size does matter and it sound like bigger the better :wow:

def a big bar player.

big kite, needs a big bar so you can get its attention.

big kite, big bar, big kite loop.

hands idle in the center

pulleys can compensate but there's no mistaking the action of a big stick.

i changed over to a 65cm bar on a 16m and gave the little bar to my daughter to swing on, now she practices invert handle passes in the living room.