Just getting back into kiting after about 5 years off and wondering what line length people are using these days. I was using 25m back then but have just picked up a bar and it's got 20m lines. I know it's personal choice but just wondering what's the norm
Select to expand quotekitecrazy said..
Just getting back into kiting after about 5 years off and wondering what line length people are using these days. I was using 25m back then but have just picked up a bar and it's got 20m lines. I know it's personal choice but just wondering what's the norm
Depends a lot of what style of riding you are into? Most average kiters are using 22-25m lines for general twin tipping and surfboard riding in waves.
20M is fairly short, the upside is this length will give a more responsive feel, better upwind, and is better suited to advanced techniques like kite looping in strong winds, some riders go as short as 12-15m for looing where they want to get above their kite mid loop, but this is for advanced riders who are usually a lot younger than the average.
Downside is smaller wind window and less ability to generate power in lulls.
You can add line extensions though to bring that bar back to a length that will be more user friendly, most line extensions tend to come in 2-7m lengths in 1m increments (the ozone ones do)
Select to expand quotekitecrazy said..
Just getting back into kiting after about 5 years off and wondering what line length people are using these days. I was using 25m back then but have just picked up a bar and it's got 20m lines. I know it's personal choice but just wondering what's the norm
To answer your question better, It would be more useful to know what discipline, skill level and usual wind range you kite in.
Line length would vary between one brand to another even for bars coming out of the same factory.
Usual line lengths would be 22m to 24m, to which you would add about 1m of leader lines (lines that are fixed to the bar) for a total of 23 to 25m.
In strong winds for more aggressive twin tip riding (big air, freestyle) or surfboard wave riding, a bit shorter (towards 22-23m or a bit less towards 20m depending on personal preference.) would usually be best. Same goes for freestyle foiling. For foil racing or big air megaloops you would typically go much shorter.
For lighter winds, for example mowing the lawn on a twin tip or foiling in very light winds, longer lines tend to give you a slight advantage, especially for water starts. For sub 10 knots foiling I would typically use lines between 28m and 35m long.
In my opinion, given that you haven't kited in the last 5 years, you would probably notice a bigger difference switching to high quality lines rather than changing the length of your lines. 5-10 years ago, lines were typically low quality and tend to give a slower kite response with more elasticity.
It's also extremely important to tune your lines very well, especially if the bar you picked up is old and has not been maintained. This video will help you achieve that : www.kitebud.com.au/kitesurfing-online-courses/kitesurfing-line-tuning/
If you think that 20m is too short for you, which is most likely going to be the case, you can easily add 3m extensions. We sell them here: www.kitebud.com.au/product/3m-lines-extensions-4-lines/
If your lines are frayed and need replacement, you can always change them and upgrade to high quality lines. We sell those here: www.kitebud.com.au/product/2020-airush-replacement-lines-set-new/?attribute_line-type=Team+Bar
Hope this helps.
Christian - KiteBud
Duotone have this summarised in a graphic somewhere..... But basically short lines sit further towards the edge of the window so feel less powered. Long lines sit slightly deeper so will feel like there is more static pull. Long lines have a longer stroke so its easier to boost bigger. Short lines will loop lower in the window so will give you a fun yank. Pick your poison. 
Note static pull doesn't change.
But also - just go for 22m lines as this is pretty much normal for all brands.
Have a cab set of lines which are 18m with 4m extensions (for kite schools I'm told). Tried flying a bigger kite in stronger winds on the 18m lines and could not believe the lack of power, like 2-3 sizes of kite less.
