Need help tuning my kites

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

After 1 season of riding, I have come to realize I need a little help. Yes, I have taking classes out at the Gorge, the problem is I need some help tuning my kite Confused

. So, if there is someone out here (preferably someone who really rips and understands how kites work) that wants to ride a Liquid Force Spectrum II, send me a PM. I have a full quiver consisting of a 10m, 14m, and 17m. So, given the day, we can pump up whatever we need.

So, what do I mean by tuning. Well, here are my thoughts. You can take out one of my kites for 10 minutes or so, give it a working, and tell me what you think and how you adjusted it while you were riding. I think this would help me greatly! Only condition is you dont wreck it and you give me some honest feedback. Very Happy

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2575 Posts The 503 METAL

JB, let me throw this out for simplicity and we'll see what others say.

For any 4 line kite, for a given size:

Power = about right = back lines slightly longer than the front lines
Power = more than desired = add slack to back lines
Power = less than desired = shorten back lines (but only to a point)

So what is this "Bar pressure" that everyone's always talking about these days. Isn't it just a function of your line lengths? Rolling Eyes

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Yah, thats what I thought. One other problem I am having is when I launch, sometimes the kite just drifts back into the center of the window. Does this happen when your back lines are way to short? Should I be adding lengh to the back lines when launching? Confused

Onad · Fri Apr 07, 06 9:43 am

Most likely, Yes. That’s called “back-flying” and is most often caused by over-sheeting (back lines to short and/or bar sheeted in to far)

Agree with Slither’s simplified explanation (generally speaking)

~D Cool

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

With your lines all equal (if you have the kite ends all fixed) and your depower all the way out, where does your bar stop at? Generally ~2/3rds of the way down (between the upper stopper ball and bottoming out on either a lower stopper ball or your chicken loop) works pretty well. Then as you start to trim in your depower, you still have some room for responsive control (bar sheeted in), before depowering all the way and only having that responsiveness when the kite is super far ahead in the window, in power...

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

ahh I get what you mean. thanks!

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

This is all great advice! I think I need to hook all of my lines to a tree or something to see where my bar sits.

If anyone has anymore tips, please add them on. Very Happy

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

thats what i did,

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

a trick someone showed me

put all four lines in a carabiner and attach the 'biner to a tree or something-i use a chainline fence- to ensure equal line length. then do as the other dudes say: power strap all the way out-fully powered- and trim bar in about 2/3, all lines should be about equal.

i've been looking at kites alot (its been too cold to fly em much), and even in the mags, you see a lot of rigs with too much front line length, so check your flying lines often. mine stretched about 6-8 inches last year, and most of you guys get to ride a lot more than i do.

and nothing takes care of line length issues (within reason) like a fully powered up kite!
jim

NaishUSA · Since 07 Jul 2005 53 Posts HR OR

And remember: Full power can be anywhere on the chicken loop throw that you want it, so the best first step is to decide where you want the bar to be at full power (and what suits your riding style) and tune from there.

As metioned before generally if your kite is backing down in the window you have too much back line tension (back lines too short or front lines too long). Are you trying to launch unhooked?

~Matt

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

No, I am launching hooked in.

As for the rest of the advice, I didnt realize lines could stretch out that much. Once the suns back out, I will have to try the hooked-up technique.....which is always fun Laughing