Kite tuning/bridle questions....
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:09 pm
Hi guys,
I have a couple of technical questions for you rigging experts out there.
I'm flying a quiver of bow kites that have a lot of characteristics I really like but a couple I don't. Wondering how to approach making changes to improve them.
What I want to accomplish: more direct feel at the bar, quicker turning.
After flying other kites I find that I really like the direct bar input and quick response of a bridled hybrid C kite. While I don't expect to get the exact same feel and response from a bow, I hope I can get closer than I am now. After returning to my own kites they feel sluggish and unresponsive.
My current kites have a bridle that has 3 atatchment points on each side of the LE, and then is linked to the rear line pigtail via a short bridal that runs through a pulley on the LE between the farthest out front bridal and the rear steering line attatchment point. (I know, a picture is worth 1K words! I'll try for one shortly.)
Questions:
Have any of you modified your bridle to improve flying?
If I remove the whole pulley/rear-front line setup and just run a pigtail straight to the wingtip, and assuming I keep the AOA range the same as it is now, will I get a more direct feel and perhaps a faster turning kite? Or is the pulley and front/back line link crucial to the bow kite function?
In exchange for the desired improvements I'm willing to give up some depower range (the kites have a HUGE range now) if I can gain performance.
Any ideas? Anyone tried anything similar? I've read of pros riding moded setups for similar improvements. Just don't know any of them to ask.
Thanks in advance.
p.s. Not to start a shit storm or anything, but can we skip all the 'don't mess with the manufacturers magic setup' and 'you'll poke your eye out' comments. I understand the inherent risks of moding my gear and accept fully the possible outcomes. Small children my die, the earth will enter nuclear winter, etc...
I have a couple of technical questions for you rigging experts out there.
I'm flying a quiver of bow kites that have a lot of characteristics I really like but a couple I don't. Wondering how to approach making changes to improve them.
What I want to accomplish: more direct feel at the bar, quicker turning.
After flying other kites I find that I really like the direct bar input and quick response of a bridled hybrid C kite. While I don't expect to get the exact same feel and response from a bow, I hope I can get closer than I am now. After returning to my own kites they feel sluggish and unresponsive.
My current kites have a bridle that has 3 atatchment points on each side of the LE, and then is linked to the rear line pigtail via a short bridal that runs through a pulley on the LE between the farthest out front bridal and the rear steering line attatchment point. (I know, a picture is worth 1K words! I'll try for one shortly.)
Questions:
Have any of you modified your bridle to improve flying?
If I remove the whole pulley/rear-front line setup and just run a pigtail straight to the wingtip, and assuming I keep the AOA range the same as it is now, will I get a more direct feel and perhaps a faster turning kite? Or is the pulley and front/back line link crucial to the bow kite function?
In exchange for the desired improvements I'm willing to give up some depower range (the kites have a HUGE range now) if I can gain performance.
Any ideas? Anyone tried anything similar? I've read of pros riding moded setups for similar improvements. Just don't know any of them to ask.
Thanks in advance.
p.s. Not to start a shit storm or anything, but can we skip all the 'don't mess with the manufacturers magic setup' and 'you'll poke your eye out' comments. I understand the inherent risks of moding my gear and accept fully the possible outcomes. Small children my die, the earth will enter nuclear winter, etc...