Crossed lines?

skent · Tue Aug 21, 12 8:46 pm **Crossed lines?**

I have just started to do back rolls and of course when you land your lines are crossed. I usually kite away with the lines still crossed until I get back up on a plane and then spin the bar to untwist them. What kind of wear gets put on the kite lines by repeatedly crossing/twisting them? Is it something I need to worry about?

forrest · Tue Aug 21, 12 8:48 pm

No need to worry. I've never experiences any problems with wear. Under really severe circumstances that will never happen kiting unless you tangle with another kiter will rubbing of lines be a problem.

wylieflyote · Wed Aug 22, 12 5:03 am

But it is best to try your back-rolls in the other direction as this will straighten the lines, and improve your skill progression.
Also, on some kites if there are multiple twists in the front lines, the quick release fails to flag to one front line and instead flags to both front lines (Naish). This isn't horrible, it just pulls a bit harder when flagged out after release.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

I have a friend who always spins his bar first, before he does the back roll... that way, the lines are uncrossed, when he lands. I wonder if that technique is better or worse for line wear?

Kruse · Since 21 Oct 2005 63 Posts

This is a timely post for me. I have always been the lawn mower extraordinaire but I am trying to add some things lately. I tried my first backroll on Tuesday evening, came very close to landing and my lines were crossed of course. I tried spinning the bar but instead of unwinding my lines my kite crashed hard. Did I spin the bar the wrong way? I have 2011 slingshot RPM bar... Does it matter what bar set up you have? I read online that a backroll in the other direction or downloop the kite on the opposite tack unwinds the lines as well if you cant pull a backroll the other direction yet.

forrest · Wed Aug 22, 12 8:37 am

Obviously it depends on the brand and design of the bar you're using, but most modern kite bars should just be unrollable by spinning the bar. You shouldn't have to loop the kite, or do a roll.

But I agree, throwing backrolls both directions is way more fun! Or doing both a backroll, and then a frontroll!

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Kruse,

basically get the kite up, sheet out or get it to a point you can sheet out, then spin.

it may help.

skent · Wed Aug 22, 12 8:46 am

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

guys? seriously?

if your worried now, then wait til you start doing back to blind and end up with two twists.
haha!

just go ride, your lines will be fine. there are a lot of guys who do 20x as many tricks as you guys in one session, with more power, going bigger, and putting more tension and wear on their lines. They seem to be doing fine...

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

I find that 3+ twists starts making steering a bit hard (eg. 720 kiteloop) but have never had a problem with premature line wear after 1000s of twists.

For doing spins, slide both hands to the middle of the bar so your thumb and index finger are touching the center line, then the kite won't turn as much if you pull harder with one hand. Fight the urge to pull with your back hand on back rolls and front hand on front roll.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

They probably get more wear from just walking out your lines than from rolls/loops, unless you constantly ride with them wrapped around each other.

skent · Wed Aug 22, 12 8:20 pm

I little video from today's backroll practice.

https://vimeo.com/48051653

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Nice! Now I'm depressed...

skent · Wed Aug 22, 12 8:46 pm

ponddog · Since 06 Nov 2010 67 Posts

Listen to wakeup, he knows what he is talking about. gear is meant to be used