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Sk8 kite size
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jac1313

Since 10 Nov 2007
36 Posts
Gresham
 



PostMon Jan 05, 09 8:36 pm    Sk8 kite size Reply with quote

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I can't seem to find it in the old posts. What one size kite works best for skate-kiting? 3m?
I just want to play around in some parking lots on my longboard during the colder months.

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Moto

Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth



PostMon Jan 05, 09 8:41 pm     Reply with quote

16M Vegas!!!

(OK - I'm kidding - MonkeyBoy should be able to chime in here and let you know).

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Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights!

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Kataku2k3

Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
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PostMon Jan 05, 09 9:03 pm     Reply with quote

Not an expert by any means, but we used to use B2s for anything ~15+. Anything less and the B3s are good.

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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostMon Jan 05, 09 10:13 pm     Reply with quote

Like Adam said, the b2's are good when it starts blowing in the 20's. They can work in less wind for sure but sometimes you really have to coax them. I used a B2 almost exclusively two years ago. They are nice because no matter how windy it is they never really pull you THAT much. The down side is that when it gets windy they fly around like a bee on a string. Adam made a custom bar that is quite small to chill out the steering a bit.

Now I have a B3 and really dig it. You don't get skunked as much and you can sk8 around with the kite "parked" in position much better, thus concentrating on skating and carving. When the wind picks up however, the B3 has some respectable power that can instigate a Gman like drag session and sanding of your platela.

If your going to get a B3..which I would recomend unless you weigh like 150 or something, then rig up a third line on the rear of the kite so you cna kill the power. Youi can also use it to relaunch if you need to.

Cheers,
Brian

Last edited by pdxmonkeyboy on Mon Jan 05, 09 10:24 pm; edited 1 time in total

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Kataku2k3

Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer



PostMon Jan 05, 09 10:20 pm     Reply with quote

Here's my 10.5" B2 bar with 500lbs, 16m lines and reverse relaunch!

   B2.jpg 

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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostMon Jan 05, 09 10:24 pm     Reply with quote

nice pic. gotta love those blue bird sk8 kite days!!

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jac1313

Since 10 Nov 2007
36 Posts
Gresham
 



PostMon Jan 05, 09 10:33 pm     Reply with quote

sweet. Thanks guys.
lol. I do only weigh 150 lbs so I'll probably pick up a b2 and see how I like it.
Nice job on the custom bar. good idea

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Kataku2k3

Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer



PostMon Jan 05, 09 10:41 pm     Reply with quote

Just so you know, the B2s factory lines are like 200lbs, so be careful. Obviously it's not a hard fix, but I've seen quite a few people break their shit. Pretty sure the B3s come with 300s, which is why they'll hold a bit more.

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chanson

Since 31 Jan 2006
1874 Posts
WISCONSIN
Chimey



PostTue Jan 06, 09 8:58 am     Reply with quote

yep...what they said..

3.3m is my size of choice... if you get overpowered its really fun to park and ride with short lines too..

and don't forget about the 1.5m Easterly days when its nuking.. Wink

2-3m is just right.. Start with either, or start with both.....
have fun!

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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostTue Jan 06, 09 9:48 am     Reply with quote

One other thing, it is nice to have the ability to lengthen or shorten your lines. I have 5 meter extensions that i put on when its light out. It can really make a difference. If you get a B2, hit me up and I'll tie you a pair. i've got a bunch of used line lying around.

sk8ing weather is just around the corner!!

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Gman

Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped



PostTue Jan 06, 09 11:52 am     Reply with quote

Kataku2k3 wrote:
Here's my 10.5" B2 bar with 500lbs, 16m lines and reverse relaunch!



That short bar is supercool - can the mechanically impaired make one of those - hacksaw and gorilla glue?

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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master



PostTue Jan 06, 09 12:04 pm     Reply with quote

Gman wrote:
Kataku2k3 wrote:
Here's my 10.5" B2 bar with 500lbs, 16m lines and reverse relaunch!



That short bar is supercool - can the mechanically impaired make one of those - hacksaw and gorilla glue?


Your going to end up cutting your finger off and then we are going to call you kiteme.

Why don't you see if you can write some code that will shorten it. Very Happy

PS gorilla glue won't work because it is designed for wood (it needs moisture to initiate the chemical reaction). two part epoxy is what your looking for. JB weld would probably work as well and less messy.

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Kataku2k3

Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer



PostTue Jan 06, 09 12:49 pm     Reply with quote

For sure! As Brian said, just use an epoxy. I measured everything ('cause I have super-OCD), cut it down, then filled each cap with a 5 min epoxy before popping back onto the ends.

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Gman

Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped



PostTue Jan 06, 09 1:03 pm     Reply with quote

thx
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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4316 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey

CGKA Member


PostTue Jan 06, 09 9:39 pm     Reply with quote

Kataku2k3 wrote:
Here's my 10.5" B2 bar with 500lbs, 16m lines and reverse relaunch!


How did you add the reverse relaunch??? I assume that's what the center line is for... What do you attach it to?

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Kataku2k3

Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer



PostTue Jan 06, 09 10:04 pm     Reply with quote

On my B3 the bridle attaches to the trailing edge via the little loops (that I actually don't know what were originally designed for).

The B2 I have, however, doesn't have them so I had my gf's mom sew on nylon linking points with her machines. I originally tried connecting them to the rearmost points on the actual bridle (that are ~2/3 of the way down), but that didn't work so well.

My reverse relaunch setups are a little more custom (though obviously not all that complicated) than the OEM SS setups, but the concept is all the same. Used 500lbs line for everything, added a Lock-N-Load chicken loop on my 17" B3 bar, made super-shorter leader lines (less drag on the center line - has to be quite a bit longer to not make the kite back fly), and added stopper balls to keep the bar from running.

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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4316 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey

CGKA Member


PostTue Jan 06, 09 10:07 pm     Reply with quote

Very cool Adam, I have to see your setup sometime, if you don't mind me copying! Does it work pretty well?

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