Rider: Weight: 120 kg, Level (usually intermediate/rarely advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Distance Cruising
Weather: 8- 20 knots
Build Quality: 9/10 when new (1/10 5 months later)
Satisfaction: 9/10 when new (1/10 5 months later)
Disclosure: Pay for my stuff
My Comments:
I got the North 5 line World Cup edition bar with the kevlar lines with the idea that I pay more money for the expensive ones and with the reputation of stronger, longer lasting lines, I figured they finally made some lines that won't fail in 6 months.
I immediately loved how the lines made my Dyno 18m fly and when I put the same bar/lines on my 14m Rebel 2012, instant feedback, all of it, good or bad. With the less stretch, you feel every nuance of the kite and once you get used to it, you don't wanna go back to the springy old ones that you never new how springy they feel. I loved 'em so much, first time in my 8 years of kiting I actually would wash them in fresh water every session and dry before I put away in a bag. Treated with kid-gloves!
But just recently, I was just starting a session, and while kite climbing up on first sine, twang, all front lines snapped, two at the end of the lines and one on the y point. What the..??? Recovered kite and swapped over with standard lines, then completed the session.
I checked the lines carefully and noticed that the kevlar lines were a bit more fury than usual, almost like a heshen bag, or almost like cotton rope, the entire length. Not sure why but I think I've only had possibly 20 or so sessions on these lines and surely they should last longer than this. I know its hard to prove but I was ever so careful, infact only one other person has ever tried them and that was my missus for 20 minutes.
Anyway, does any one have any experience with these lines, can they check theirs or let me know if they have had any trouble?? Should I be looking for warranty, what do you think?
Cheers for now,
Robbie
'Apparently' as I have heard many a time and has been posted on other threads....
Aren't they for racing? maybe they don't like rubbing against one another, loops rolls passes etc? just a thought.
After busting several sets of standard north lines , most less than 1 season old . I went to a set of q power line pro' s about 3 years ago ,I have transferred these lines between bars and kites and these lines have not missed a beat they are thinner , stronger , no stretch and way more durable . By memory is was under $300 for four 55m spools I got 2 sets of 25 m lines and a set of 5 m extensions out of it .
I'm making up a custom race bar setup and I know which lines I will be using on that!
G'day guys,
thanks for your replies.
Reckon I'm gunna look into the Q lines for sure, sound good. They sound like exactly what I want.
I've given the bar to my local dealer and he is going to look into it.
I specifically wanted these lines because they had a reputation for ultra low stretch and durability, so I went out on a limb and got them anyway, even though I couldn't find any info on the durability back then. I figured kevlars low stretch would surely have performance enhancements over the standard lines and as it turned out, they did. They really let you feel every movement and adjust accordingly. Not that I wanted them for that but it was a nice benifit.
cheers,
Robbie
ps Hey Rattlehead, do you have a link on how to tie or set up the q lines? Thanks for info.
www.powerline-sports.com/knots.html
Knot link
Like I said do this knot but make the loop fairly long and put a 2nd knot in it , surprisingly the knots can be undone even after years of heavy load , this stuff is good Shyt , don't know why kite manufacturers don't use this stuff as standard , the lines would possibly far outlive the life of the kite?
G'day Rattlhead,
thanks for info again.
Oh, I see, simple figure 8, I thought there were going to be some sort of fancy knots but then I just remembered that the lines have a protective layer so no need for extra coverings, cool!
I noticed there is a few different variaties of lines available, which one do you recommend, I'd say the 1000 pound one looks like the one for me? I seem not able to find the diameter of the line, is it bigger, same or smaller than say, the North standard lines?
Many thanks,
Robbie
These are the ones I'm running.www.powerline-sports.com/pwrpro.html they are a similar thickness to the north lines only a heap stronger ( not sure about breaking strain of the north lines ,but the qpowerlines are a heap better wear /abrasion resistant , and minimal stretch ) you get really good feedback from the kite , only down side is they whistle like a bastard(sounds like a turbo or supercharger spooling up) which I believe is because they are perfectly round? , and they can be a little harder to run out on the beach because they are so stiff.
... Thanks again dude.
I'm waiting for the dealer to let me know what they are doing about the Kevlar lines but I'm really keen on the q lines now, and the cool thing to is I can make custom lengths too!
Cheers,
Robbie
Kevlar, should not ever be used for kite lines.
Its has properties that exclude it from use for kite lines.
First one is that it breaks down and is weakened by UV light, second is that it is extremely abrasive and will cut itself and almost any other known kite flying line.
Back in the day it was banned from kite festivals, to hear it is now being touted as the new gimmick to wring extra $$$ from unwitting brand loyalists is quite amusing to say the least.
Good luck with your warranty claim.
In the meantime, try Q-Power or Ozone 500kg/300kg linesets stronger, thinner and less stretchy than any on the market that I have seen.
Ozone herehttp://www.kitepower.com.au/ozone-4-5-linesets.html
Q-Power here
www.kitepower.com.au/q-powerline-pro.html
G'day all,
My dealer organised a full set of standard lines and I've now replaced the kevlar ones. All is good so atleast I have a working bar, but without the stiffness (stretchless) of the kevlar lines, oh well.
My dealer confirmed that North aren't going to make these lines, not at this stage, so I reckon it was a good experiment, just not for the normal customer like me.
Still gunna look at the Q lines though!
cheers,
Robbie
It'd be nice if manufacturers' experimenting could be done on team riders rather than on paying customers. Something like this:
Test, then, if it works, sell.
Rather than sell, then hope it works.
Simple eh!