It doesn't seem to make sense to me that one can adjust the length of the lines (with the knots) to compensate for a shrunken p-line. It may help but after looking at the diagram I'm unsure if it would be a solution.

I have had the same issue all season.

Last november my Rev 2 was flying like a dog and pulling to one side. Ordered p lines from the slingshot website and replaced the lines. It then flew amazingly good. Problem solved with great results I thought.

Within 1 month both the p lines had noticably twisted and shrunk again. By 2 months the kite flew real bad again and was retired to the shed.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Another set of P-lines was ordered. 2 pulleys were also ordered.


In the time (around 2 weeks) that I spent on the internet finding out why my rev 2 was flying bad, checking the line lengths, pumping it up in the backyard to walk around and around the kite in an attempt to understand the kite and connect with its inner chi, the possible reasons why the p-lines were twisting and shrinking so quickly, finding out what do about it and the possible solutions, and the time waiting for the order I bought a different small kite without a bridle.

I have been very happy flying this 'other' kite and maintenance of the rev2 has been put on the backburner.

My only solution would be to always have a spare set of p-lines in your kite kit. Replace them as soon as it becomes obvious that the kite starts to pull to one side and/or flys bad. Flying the rev with shrunken p lines while waiting for a new set is very frustrating.

pulleys people! get pulleys that are bigger and the wheel on the pulley has to be a more open shape unlike the "U" shape ones they come with a more open shape puts less stress on the p lines and reduces twisting and wear. any good boat shop will have them

This is what I know.

Bridles twist and shorten at quite a rate. One side twists at 3 times the rate of the other.

SS fix was to remove neoprene pulley cover but this does not help. SS used to send replacements free of charge but no longer do, they now want close to $40 for a set. I used to go thru 5 sets a year per kite size.

Constantly have to compare length and make a little tag on bridle so know how many knots to compensate. Currently compensate when connecting BACK lines.

REv 1 and Rev 2 have the same twisting.

REVs are great SLE kites overall but this bridle thing is a pain and now expensive.

Did not buy an Octane because sus about this problem.

Have replaced a pulley or two but never has SS suggested replace with wider pulley.

Hmmm. That means Slingy sent me REV 1 P lines for my REV 2.
Can't quite read your chart. Pls let me know correct length for 11m REV 2 P lines

Do you trick and jump equally hard and often in both directions?
I assume this effects how fast Left and Right P lines twist but not really sure

Rob S said...

Do you trick and jump equally hard and often in both directions?
I assume this effects how fast Left and Right P lines twist but not really sure

No- one tack Pony. You are probably right.

Rotate bridles and even use 11m bridles on 9m when they shorten enough.

Been thru about 5-6 depower ropes and bearings at the same time.

Amazed the grip on the bar still hanging in there

Hey Guys,

As Rumblefish says, come along to our DIY repair night, I'm sure we can give you some useful tips you didn't already know. We stock the Ronstan Orbit block pulleys with pigtails attached. They are $29.95 ea but will be cheaper than two sets of P-lines.





DM

kitelooper1 said...

When hooking lines to kite do you compensate for this on the back or front lines?

I would suggest neither.

As the safety sheriff I would suggest you get the bridle fixed. That way you won't forget to adjust or adjust the wrong way on that epic day when you are itching to get out for that long awaited overpowered session...

GalahOnTheBay said...

kitelooper1 said...

When hooking lines to kite do you compensate for this on the back or front lines?

I would suggest neither.

As the safety sheriff I would suggest you get the bridle fixed. That way you won't forget to adjust or adjust the wrong way on that epic day when you are itching to get out for that long awaited overpowered session...

I reckon the kite flies more on its front lines so any diff in P line would be more noticed on back lines effecting steering. Therefore attach up the knots on the back line on the side of the longer bridle to even out back line length.

Posters have reminded me that with shortening of bridle -assuming the solution is to compensate on back lines, the front line length also needs to be reduced by hooking up the knots on both front lines by an amount equal to the shortening of the P line relative to the P line length as specified on Slingshot US website.

Amazing to think so many people have had a blast on the REvs when most of them would be flying with bridles and lines all out of whack most of the time.

How many complicated replies ?What a hassle . Just get rid of it

kitelooper1 said...
I reckon the kite flies more on its front lines so any diff in P line would be more noticed on back lines effecting steering. Therefore attach up the knots on the back line on the side of the longer bridle to even out back line length.

Posters have reminded me that with shortening of bridle -assuming the solution is to compensate on back lines, the front line length also needs to be reduced by hooking up the knots on both front lines by an amount equal to the shortening of the P line relative to the P line length as specified on Slingshot US website.

Of course, a bit of a blonde moment there, the kite will be flying on the front lines so the short P lines will mostly pull down the back of the kite, so steering lines need to be lengthened (via knots). But not by the full amount of the P line shortening. (trigonometry of the sideways pull). The rest of the effect will be seen as a bit of canopy distortion at the wing tips I think.

I can't see the logic with the second suggestion to shorten the front lines.

The only exact fix is to have the correct P line length. I have ordered the orbit pulleys and will fit new P lines. Again!

graceful said...

Very surprising!!
I've flown both rev 1 and 2s for a season each (and bought them 2nd hand ) and they have always flown straight and true

If you mostly kitesurf you probably will not see the problem as much as those who load the lines a lot wilth continuous tricks and boosts. But measure your P lines anyway

You need to connect up the knots on the front lines to depower the kite and counteract the powering up from the shortening P line

Since you have already lengthened the back lines (reducing the kites angle of attack) I don't see the need to pull the front down as well.

I think you can compensate for back line shortening by all back line lengthening
Or
by all front line shortening
Or
Half and half if you want

peanuticus said...

AKSonline said...

Hey Guys,

As Rumblefish says, come along to our DIY repair night, I'm sure we can give you some useful tips you didn't already know. We stock the Ronstan Orbit block pulleys with pigtails attached. They are $29.95 ea but will be cheaper than two sets of P-lines.





DM

Now that is a quality pully!! and I can spot a good pully when I see one.. Basically the P line rope is **. I would go and get a bunch of different types as one will not twist or wear through. better pullys will stop the wear of outer sheeths

Forget the pulley replacement. will not solve the problem.
The worst culprit out of the REV Octane range was the REV2, I presume because it had the highest bar pressure out of the lot, and therefore put the most strain on the P-lines., you can buy the line off the roll in some yacht shops, and make your own p-lines but this wont stop the wear. I actually had a set totally twist up at kite stock two years back, after 3days of hard riding in 25 knots ++ including a 20k down winder they were stuffed.
BWS has the same bridle setup without the pulley on the P-lines, instead they use a metal ring through which the line runs, my 6m BWS still looks ok, its flattening out the lines to certain degree, but they are not twisting and dont bunch up like on the rev.
you can buy an oval shaped ring with a screw lock, may be worth while to try out and replace the pulleys with that

Remove them and throw them away.
A good kite doesn't need bridles to fly.