BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi,

I have been doing some readings on using a kite bar that is a different brand to the kite.

Aside from the bar width, equal line lenght, high or low Y split, the question of single line or double line flag out system were pointed out.

My question is how can I identify if a kite is designed to be flagged out by single line/dual line by just looking at the kite/bridle? If so what do I look for?

And how do I identify if the bar is set up as single or dual line flag out by looking at it?

I am riding a 12m OR Prodigy and 17M Flite with OR Fusion Bar.

Thanks.

This is sort of hard to describe without illustration but on a single flag there will be some kind of ring or rings to allow ONE of the center lines to pass through all the rest of the lines and run all the way to where your safety leash is attaching.

Your best bet is to look at the safety leash attachment and follow that attachment up its line, noting if it seems to be physically removed from the "rest of the system". Sort of like a stand-alone line that somehow is able to run along everything else through a series of relief rings.

One of the Crissy guys who used to ride Ocean Rodeo before everything became Ozone might be able to better assist tailored to knowing your setup

mf1tym wrote:My question is how can I identify if a kite is designed to be flagged out by single line/dual line by just looking at the kite/bridle? If so what do I look for?

And how do I identify if the bar is set up as single or dual line flag out by looking at it?

I am riding a 12m OR Prodigy and 17M Flite with OR Fusion Bar.

Looking at a kite will not easily allow you to identify if it's a single or 2-line safety system. Kites with pulleys can be indicative of a 2-line safety, but this is not always the case (i.e. 2015 North). The easiest/best way to identify safety systems imo is by the control bar the kite was designed around. For 2015 only Caution, F-One, Ocean Rodeo, and RRD still utilize a 2-line safety system. ALL of the other brands now utilize a single-line system. Going back to 2013 you can add Airush, Cabrinha, Core, and North kites to the list of 2-line systems. Airush and Cabrinha switched over to single-line systems for 2014 and Core and North switched over this year.

Now be aware that a bar with a single-line flag system will usually work fine with a kite designed to flag onto 2 lines. The opposite is incompatible. So with your Prodigy and Flight you have several brands to choose from that offer a bar that is either a fixed width or can be adjusted. Your 12m Prodigy and 17m Flight are both best flown on a 55/56cm size bar from what I know. The V-point on the front lines is where you will find the biggest variances between bars and this can have a negative affect if it's not close to or identical to the bar that the kite was originally tuned around. You may need to experiment or do some extensive research to see what's closest to the OR Fusion bar specs.

Here are your best options for alternative bars that are available in or can be adjusted to 55/56cm. 2015 has the largest offering of compatible bars...
Airush, Caution, Cabrinha, Crazyfly, Epic, Liquid Force, North, Ozone, RRD, Switch.

If you want single-line safety, then nix the Caution and RRD bars off the list.

From what I know the 2015 North bar has the highest V-point for a single-line system.

Yoda wrote:Here are your best options for alternative bars that are available in or can be adjusted to 55/56cm. 2015 has the largest offering of compatible bars...
Airush, Caution, Cabrinha, Crazyfly, Epic, Liquid Force, North, Ozone, RRD, Switch.

If you want single-line safety, then nix the Caution and RRD bars off the list.

From what I know the 2015 North bar has the highest V-point for a single-line system.

Thank you guys for the insightful replies. I truly appreciate the help. This is my second season kiting and still so much to learn.

On the bar side:
I took my bar and a friend's bar (single line flag system) to compare. I noticed that dual front line flag system bar's safety leash is connected to the metal ring at the Y split and does not touch either of the front lines. Single line flag out system bar the safety leaash line is connected to one of the front lines above the split.

On the kite side:
Yoda you are right, my OR kites all have pulleys on the bridles. And OR did confirm their kites are designed to flag with dual front lines. But will work well with single front line flag out bar system as well. And was told that I might have to swim a bit towards to the kite for direct de-power bridle to kick in when using a single line flag bar.

I am looking at the Switch Controller 2 or the CF sick bar. Both bars being at the sub 300 range with above the bar clamcleat dp which I think I will like. The Switch bar seem to offer more features such as the adjustable bar width, adjustable Y split high or low, and different type of flag out configurations. However, I read that the switch bar's safety leash does not pass through the swivel after punching out (under the single line flag out set up).

mf1tym wrote:The Switch bar seem to offer more features such as the adjustable bar width, adjustable Y split high or low, and different type of flag out configurations. However, I read that the switch bar's safety leash does not pass through the swivel after punching out (under the single line flag out set up).

I recently was able to confirm that the V-point on the Switch bar is not adjustable. On their website is says... "Controller2 can be used with any sheetable traction kite. Inflatable or foil, 4 or 5 line, single front line flag or 5th line flag, high or low front line Y split, wake style or wave, water or snow any one can enjoy the next generation in kite control."
The specific words "used with" verses "adjustable to" is how they confirm it on their website, but it is making the claim that their bar will be compatible with kites tuned around a high V-point (aka Y-split).
The only adjustable features of the ControllerV2 bar are the bar/line width, the line lengths, the depower throw length, and the safety system set-up.

Another thing to make life challenging is that some brands like Crazyfly, Ozone, and RRD for example have fixed depower throw lengths. Depending on the amount of depower that a kite was designed/tuned around, if an alternative bar is not about equivalent or can't be adjusted to match, then the kite may not depower enough (or too much) which can be dangerous. I'd not recommend experimenting here! You'll need to find out what the full depower length is on the Fusion bar (or recommended length if adjustable) and then find a bar that matches or can be adjusted to match. If you find a bar that comes stock with a longer throw that's non-adjustable, you can use the stopper ball or attach one to adjust the throw length correctly.

I just speced out my OR Fusion bar. Layed it out on the grass and measured it. And I think I am a bit more clear on what I am looking for in a new bar.

Bar width: 45/47cm-55cm adjustable
Bar lines: Equal line length when sheeted in
De-power: Above the bar with clamcleats (not pulleys)
Safety system: Single line flag out
Y split: High around 238cm from bar (current OR Fusion bar is 238cm from bar)
Swivel: Yes but if not then it's okay.

I am going to do some extensive research on the bars that fit these chritierias.

Any suggestion is appreciated. Thanks!