Lines question

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I have a Turbo 2 and when I'm out riding I can't ride fully sheeted out ever. Even if I straighten out my arms and hold the bar in my fingertips I can only sheet out to about 50%.

Is that normal? If not what can I do about it?

Someone at SI recently mentioned a Slingshot helpline but I looked on their site and didn't see it. Does anybody have that number?

Bettyboarder · Mon Jul 19, 10 10:48 am

You can cut your chicken loop down if it's big that will bring the bar in a bit

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 19, 10 11:17 am

just call the main number and you will get connected to who you need to talk to.

I don't know why you need more throw. I saw you kiting and you were tearing it up out there. Didn't get any action shots but snapped a picture while you were on the beach...

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

The main thing I'm concerned about is that I can't fully depower without letting the bar go. The slingshot people gave me some advice ill try and hopefully that will help.

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

Come on, what did they say? I have a T2 and can see what you're talking about. Question

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 439 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

What did they say?

On a Rampage · Since 19 Dec 2007 17 Posts Florida Keys

Pretty hard to believe that none of the kiters in your area or on this forum have told you to just add line extentions which will make your back lines a little longer and bring your bar closer to you. Simple 5 dollar and 1 minute fix.

Nak · Tue Jul 20, 10 6:39 am

On a Rampage · Since 19 Dec 2007 17 Posts Florida Keys

Gonna have to disagree as I have been teaching with TDs for years. TD2s didn't have the extra heavy duty front lines like the new SS kites have and the front lines have most likely stretched. It is hard to adjust the lines to equal length due to the 2:1 ratio. All the extensions will do is make the lines equal again. Plus you can't put a smaller c-loop on that bar.(that I know of) The harness idea is a good idea but your not teaching him how to take proper care of his equipment by suggesting this. Too many people don't adjust their lines after they stretch and they should learn how to do this.

Nak · Tue Jul 20, 10 7:08 am

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

They just told me to shorten the chicken loop and to fly with it sheeted in a few inches which will bring the stopper in some. He said that I pretty much always want to be flying with it pulled in and if you need a little more reach to just pull it in a little farther. I haven't been able to do that though because every time I pull on the rope to sheet it in some my kite wants to fall out of the sky. Maybe one of these days when there is more wind I can get it to work. Sorry if I used incorrect terminology here I still don't know what that darn line is called (the big white one that runs through the handle).

Nak · Tue Jul 20, 10 7:23 am

No worries Youkai! Very Happy

Most people call it the depower rope/line or the chickenloop rope/line. I'm not sure why you're having a problem with the kite when you trim the kite. (Pull in on the depower rope.) That shouldn't be happening. Maybe have somebody watch what you're doing at Sauvies... Also, check the link in my post above and check the tune on your bar.

Good luck!

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

My best guess is that I was trying to do this in really light wind so when I pulled in on it my kite just took a nose dive because it was too flat. Anyway the gist of what he told me is that I basically never want to be flying with the stopper of the depower line butted up against the harness. Some time when I'm out ill have another kiter take a look and see what they think but for whatever reason I can't get my kite to stay in the air unless I don't have it completely let out.

Thanks for the help. Ill check out your link when I have some time.

On a Rampage · Since 19 Dec 2007 17 Posts Florida Keys

I agree that pulling in the depower line is not the best idea as now you will have a limited amount of depower if the wind picks up more. SS said to pull in the depower strap which will shorten the front lines. This is the same as adding small extensions to the back lines making them longer. By doing this the bar will move closer to the rider giving him more throw or depower on the bar. I'm talking about small extensions. (1-2 inches) Same as pulling the depower strap in 1-2 inches which is what SS told him to do.

Nak · Tue Jul 20, 10 7:45 am

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

It sounds like you need to bring the whole bar control system closer to your body.

One way to do that would involve some tinkering.

Here is a system I used for a couple of years.

Nitrous harness...Slingshot Surefire release spreader bar...2 inch welded ring substituted for the chicken loop.

This combination brings everything about 5 inches closer to your body and allows you the normal length of bar "throw". This keeps you from having to kite in the bent-forward-from-the-waist "toilet position", and allows the normal amount of depower of the kite from the normal "travel" of the bar.

The "cons" are:

(1) No unhooked riding possible
(2) Accidental unhooking while carelessly riding "toeside".

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I checked my lines and they are even so maybe I just need to get used to not being able to fully depower. Shortening the chickenloop really isn't much of an option and even if I did it it would not get me even close to how far in I would need it to come.