Originally posted by indigo_wolf
Quote: | Originally posted by PowerwsWho sells a wide variety of harnesses? |
Most retailers carry 3-5 manufacturers and not necessarily all their harnesses (although anything can be ordered fairly quickly). It just wouldn't be
feasible from an inventory overhead standpoint to carry more.
Quote: | Originally posted by PowerwsWho sells a wide
Is there a wide variety? Kite, harness, spreader bar, anything else? |
Think we have already established that there are a wide variety of kites.
Harness Manufacturers:AirRush
Best
Cabrinha
Dakine
Gaastra
HQ
Kitelooose
Liquid Force
Maui Magic
Mystic
Naish
North
Ocean Rodeo
Ozone
Peter Lynn
ProLimit
RRD (Roberto Ricci Designs)
Slingshot
Star kites
Takoon
Underwave
Harness Types:
Waist
Seat
HybridSome harnesses come with the spreader bar as part of the package (a couple of companies have changed over to this policy in 2011).
In other cases, it must be purchased serpately. Spreader bar size is generally keyed to the (waist) size range of the harness.
Spreader bars come in several flavors: Standard hammerhead
Spinning hammerhead
Fixed pulley wheel
Pivoting pulley wheel
Pivoting, spinning pulley wheel
Some examples of these can be seen in the current Peter Lynn roster of spreader bars.
Several manufacturers make spreader bars with quick releases, so the straps don't need to be loosened to remove the harness. A few people have had
some "OS" moments due to premature release. Kind of on the fence about them. If it really becomes a WIBNI, I will probably contact the Canadian
elves and retrofit something less prone to this behaviour.
Some but not all harnesses come with a hook knife. In the event of catastrophic (safety) equipment failures, this would allow you to cut away the
lines to free yourself from the kite. Kind of a spendy way to end the relationship, but if the alternative is to lose flesh or body parts... well...
divorces (even from kites) are known to be expensive .
Hope that helps.
ATB,
Sam |