Compatibility of bars and kites

novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

Are most 4 line kites designed to be used with the same specifications? Specifically, can any 4 line bar and line set be used with any 4 line kite? I have Cabriha bars and picked up a Core kite. My bars and lines are trimmed correctly for cabrinha kites.

Thanks!

el_guestos · Since 08 Oct 2012 1 Posts New Member

Hi mate,

In principle yes it should be fine, just need to check that the kite it self is flyable on 4 lines of the same length, some kites (the Bandit 2 for e.g.) has much longer back lines than front lines...but this should be pretty obvious looking at the bridle. What I would suggest however is that you test the kite and bar before you buy, although in theory any 4 line bar should work with any 4 line kite we've found through experience that some kites just don't fly well on certain types of bars.

Some thing you should definitely check is that the safety release de-powers the kite 100% on the bar you're looking at using as different kites have different de-power characteristics which can be affected by using different bars so check this before you head out into the big blue!

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

...and similar bar throw helps, or you may have to use up your trim line to get the kite flyable, and then get stuck with limited ability to sheet out...
Recently that happened to me with a 14m rpm, resulted in quite a workout!
So
+1 Test before riding out...

novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

Thanks. That is what i was thinking as well. I just wasnt sure if i was missing something from my lack of experience.

Trevor

Icarus · Since 13 May 2009 27 Posts Hood River

I've used a slingshot bar on Naish cult kites, and recently switched out my F-one bars (which were terrible) for Cabrinha's fantastic bar system. Never had any problems as long as all the pigtails are compatible and the lines are all the same length.

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

I have thought on this topic a few times. I understand that if the line lengths are the same then the kite should fly OK in ideal conditions.

What I was not sure about is how mixing bars and kites would affect sheeting and depower.

Questions I couldn't answer:

Will sheeting be the same. Will sheeting out completely de-power the kite like the original bar. Maybe the original bar allows for more sheeting and a different bar may not physically allow the same amount sheeting or maybe it allowed to much.

Will the de-power strap work the same. What if the de-power strap on the new bar doesn't have the same range as the one on the original bar, I assume the de-power would be affected. What if it has more range? Would that cause the kite to fly improperly if I pull the depower all the way. I know my Airush bars pull/pull system doesn't have the same range as the F-one bar's cleat system.

Not wanting to fully research these questions has prevented me from switching/mixing bars and kites.

I had a 2009 flow when I first started and didn't like the bar or the trigger release system and wanted to upgrade to the new smart bar. I ended up just selling the kite and getting lithiums because I was not sure they were compatible. Research I did off the Airush forum was mixed. I think it could have worked but it was not direct swap. I recall something about, de-power would be affected and that it may not completely de-power when popping the chicken loop with out modifications. I believe the safety on the flow connected at one of the steering lines so maybe that was the problem. I didn't like the safety on the steering line as it seemed to flop in my face and get in the way when I was crashing a lot so I changed. Plus when testing the trigger release system it seems to require a lot of force to get it to operate and that made me nervous.

I did fly the flow with the smart bar to test out the bar and it seemed to fly ok, but that was in ideal conditions and didn't have to mess with the depower or pop the chicken loop.

Now I work in the consumer safety business so maybe I am over analyzing this.

Just my 2 cents.

John

novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

I found the manual for the bar that core makes. Line length looks like a perfect match as are pigtails. Cabrinha has great range with sheeting and their depower is great compared with some others so i think it will be fine. Just need some wind to try it in!

Nak · Mon Oct 08, 12 3:00 pm

When mixing bars you need to check the safety system and de-power length.

Safety system: Does the kite de-power safely on the safety line from the bar. Some kites use a rear line safety, some use a front. Will the kite de-power safely on either line? I don't know, the kite has to be flight tested under the worst possible conditions to know.

De-power length: Too little and you won't have full de-power. Too much and the kite may invert. If the bar has more de-power throw than the kite is designed for, you will need to modify the bar to limit de-power throw.

novocaine · Since 23 Sep 2010 79 Posts Kennewick, wa

http://corekites.com/sites/default/files/manuals/CORE_Sensor_Handbuch_Manual.pdf

So looking at this it looks like the components are essentially the same. Their bar may have more trim adjustment but im not sure thats true when you figure in all the "pulleys" in their trim.

Look it over and if you are familiar with cabrinha let me know.

Cheers!