I just got me a s/h mountain board and want to get into boarding.
I have a Blade 3 and 4.9m.
Been flying 4 line power kites for over 20 years but using a bar is new to me.
I have this ancient specimen:
https://www.powerkiteshop.com/images/productimages/accessori...
I tested it yesterday in moderate winds with my Blade 3.
Control is fine and I was flying hooked into my harness.
What I can't figure out is if this bar has de-power capability.
The design is odd and the brake lines attach to a pulley that then goes through a metal ring on the bar and attach to my wrist.
Can I learn to mountain board with this bar or is there a way to mod it so that I could control power by pulling/pushing whole bar away from me?
I looked a modern de-power bar prices and they seem insane.
Thanks for any advice.

That is a standard Flexi bar for 4-line, non-depower kites. The middle line is for safety purposes not depower. I use to fly an 8.5 blade on that bar so, "yes" it is possible though you may have to fiddle with the brake leader to get the turn response you desire without killing the kite. Personally, I prefer fixed bridle kites on handles, especially if they are earlier generation Blades.

You can not make a kite depowerable just by swapping bars. The bridling is totally different. Look up "crossover" bars if you want to add more response and tuning. There use to be plans on line though I'm not sure what exists anymore. Not too difficult if you like to fiddle.

that kite should be flown w/ handles
imo

I am 45 years old and I think a bar with a harness would be a more comfortable ride. Maybe I'm wrong but I think I'd get tired quite fast boarding using handles?
The Peter Lynn crossover bar looks interesting.
Is it worth getting or do I stick with flexi bullet bar?
I imagined I could add power to a blade by pulling bar towards me. You say the blade isn't a depower kite but wouldn't the brake lines alow me to control power with bar hooked into harness.
Sorry for so many questions. Money's tight and I have kites, board and just want the best solution for controlling kite whilst on atb.
Cheers

P.S.
found this on ali free shipping :
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i have that kite for 6yrs...we are soul mates
if money is tight don't spend it on a crossover bar
take it out w/ handles homemade ones if you have to and see what it can really do
get good and comfy w/ it and then put a strop on and hook in to ease the workout
i promise you will thank me or the kite may kill you...either one
its a fb kite and no bar will depower it w/out major mods on everything (time & $$$)
i still remember when i was 45...kiddo

and buy a 3m so your not tempted to fly it when you shouldn't
imo

All I have is a proteam 8, sting 2.4 and blades 3 and 4.9.
How's that for brand loyalty
I have 3 different types of handles so that's no problem.
I can't figure out the part where you suggest a "strop and hook in". No idea what they are. I bought a nice harness with hook and safety quick release but don't see how that could be used with handles.

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

get good and comfy w/ it and then put a strop on and hook in to ease the workout i promise you will thank me

If you aren't familiar with the term, "strop" is simply a line that connects the handles together so the handles can be hooked in to your harness (like a bar) but you now have more control over the kite than a bar. I second this recommendation. The strop should never be longer than the distance between your armpit and wrist to make sure you can reach a handle if you drop it while hooked in.

This option would cost you $2-5 depending on the type of rope you use. I'd go to a climbing or sailing store and look for 5-6mm sheathed dacron. Amsteel is great but without a sheath it will wear out more quickly.

I get it now.
Actually one of the handle sets I got with my 4.9 had a strop on them.
Couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was for.
Thanks lads!

see...no $$$ down
you're gonna love this...its game changing
strop on the 3 1st and get used to this before the 4.9...really

I look forward to it imensly.
I enjoy flying all my kites but this is a new challenge for me.
Luckily there's youtube these days unlike when I started flying over 20 years ago.

100% agree. Go strop and hook harness.

I hook in when not pusshing it and unhook when feeling insicure. Being able to flop in and out of the hook at will is nice. I tried all sorts of bars but nothing beats handles for control of a FB kite.

You can feel a power boost from a FB kite when you are cruising with it at the ede of the window and add a tiny bit of brake input. Just as you imagine. Because you only bring in the back row you don't adjust the actual Angle Of Attack. Sort of like aielerons on a wing.

I have these 2 sets of handles to choose from, and a 65cm harness line.


I think the shorter padded handles might be safer for boarding with a harness as they have a loop rather than just a knot for strop attachment.

spend your $$ on a 2nd set of lines and another strop so u can keep attatched to kites all the time
small handles go on the 3, large for the 4.9
im not a fan of kite killers boarding ...they tend to get in the way
this is gonna b great:D

My board still hasn't arrived so I went flying with a buddy of mine to test the strop/harness combo.
We flew the blade 3m in winds gusting to some 15mph.
I seemed to get best control of kite by sliding the handles with strop through the harness hook left and right rather than using the handles in the usual way when you're not hooked in. Is this normal?
Quite concerned about safety. I don't know if this is because we weren't on a board and rolling.
Had a few take-offs and there simply isn't time to unhook strop or pull safety on harness hook.
I guess we will be rolling on the board so that won't be an issue?
My mate did his ankle in on a unexpected jump
Any advice or comment welcome!

Quote: Originally posted by vjanda

Quite concerned about safety. Had a few take-offs and there simply isn't time to unhook strop or pull safety on harness hook. My mate did his ankle in on a unexpected jump Any advice or comment welcome!

My advice is for you to slow down and start out in much smaller winds and learn control with a harness and when and when not to be hooked in before you hurt yourself. You can not unhook from a strop when overpowered by the wind. Things happen way too fast and you need much more strength than required to just fly the kite.

Your post is sending up numerous red flags that you don't have enough understanding, confidence or skill to be flying hooked in.

This is more advice than criticism.

if your getting hurt or unexpected jumps 1st time out your doing it wrong
i never hooked in and didn't feel confident i could get out right away...theirs no pulling safety releases
down and out w/ the handles, strop slides off the hook and let the kite go if it gets to that...
you should be learning to send the pull to your waist and relieving the stress to to the arms
learn to rest hooked in thats 1st...learn to scud controlled not looking at the kite and make this 2nd nature
you gotta be a pilot 1st...then be a landboarder or you get hurt...thats how it works
imo

I am getting mixed messages. You claim years on power kites and fly a " widow maker " and all.

Your experience with a harness is confusing. Saying you Push Pull in the harness and don't without is odd? When hooked in you want to be doing primarily Brake Turns with minimal push pull. IF you need to push pull conditions are too light or gusty. Or your brakes are not set up effectively.

YES. Being hooked in to a strop has it's dangers. That is why I unhook whenever I am pushing it.

It sounds to me like you are spending too much time flying aggresive kites hard rather than CONTROLING them. Think more about working the edge than diving the power zone. That is real control and how we ride.

DON'T stand around with your kite overhead. Get in the habit of keeping it off to one side. That way unexpected gusts are less likely to send you skyward.