edarter

crikey - I've no been for so long I don't even make the list ! must make more of an effort this year !

Not wanting this to turn into a fight of any description, but I bought my PL Comp brand new about 6 years ago - still have it and as yet (he says with fingers crossed) nothing has failed - the bearings are like new, they tyres are just about getting to the point where they need replacing due to lack of tread and there is a very slight bend in the rear axle where its carried my 13st a$$ for those 6 years. I don't jump with it but I regularly go between 20-30mph and occasionally to 35+ This is in local fields and on the beach. All I have ever really done to maintain it is make sure I hose it down thoroughly after beach use to get rid of sand and salt. I'm considering getting an XR seat as they are supposed to be light years better, but that will be the first mod in the 6 years other than fitting a speedo. I'm sure there are problems with them, a friends Flexi bug does look stronger and for SY to have had so many failures means there must have been issues with his, but all I can say is for me it has served me well for general cruising and messing around.

ah - well there you go then !!!

just echoing what most have said here - sounds like you have a line length problem, check all four are the same length and make sure you re-attach them to the same points on both sides.

I've done 35 in my PL Comp twice - once was really scarey, felt like I was in a constant power drift that I was constantly correcting on the steering and the other time was effortless and not nearly as scarey. I really can't tell you what the difference between the two sessions was, the wind was about the same and I was using the same kite. Maybe on the second I may have been going relatively down wind a bit more than the first, so the bug wasn't getting as much lateral loading. Sometimes you just seem to hit the sweet spot and it is so much easier... I suppose try not to be too over or underpowered though, you want to forget about the kite and concentrate on where you are going....

not sure about ski / snowboard goggles but for MX types you can get replacement lenses for about £12 - so when the sand has scatched the lenses you don't have to bin the whole thing. I'm sure it's probably the same for ski / board types but I don't personally know...

have a look in a local motocross bike shop (if you have one) for goggles - they are generally cheaper than Snowboard / ski goggles - I've got a pair of progrip goggles with 'reactions' lenses etc and they were about £30, replacement lenses are £12 and you can get some nice trick ones (iridium coated or mirrored etc) if thats your thing. Same for body armour tbh - I paid £50 for full upper body armour set at a MX shop (though I don't actually use it for kiting, just the bike)- yet in a kite shop almost identical stuff was between £80-£150

Will do Rob.... was hoping to fly it yesterday but no chuffin wind !!

not good at all.... still have my Hi40, I think they are a lovely kite - even these days... Hope you get it back, but unfortunately I suspect the odds are against you...

b*gger.... just bought an iPod otherwise i would snap this up.... have a free bump....

I think bearings would be stronger than bushes tbh - but take your point about them having less friction so will flop about in the air if you are doing that kind of thing. They are certainly fit and forget on the PL though.

I'm interested but depends on when you do it...I think Horsepath is still the only place allowing traction isn't it ?

why can't you replace the bushes with flanged bearings ? there must be a local bearing supplier that will have a suitable size.....or am i missing something here ??

at 25MPH it was static lifting my 14stone ass the other week, literally just parked at the zenith.... thats when I decided to put it away and watch others instead !

I thought it was now banned at Horsepath (like everywhere else in Oxford)

I see their website has 'in association with Dunstable kites'.... I wonder if DK know what the team are actually doing ?

as Tallpaul says - take kite up to zenith, wait until you are at a comfortable speed then put the turn in, about 1/2 way through the turn bring the kite down through the window in the direction you are turning and feel it acelerate you out of the turn. When you get this right at higher speeds you can really power slide through turns - it feels awesome !!

4M is probably a little small for good air (don't get too much with mine either) unless you go out in high(er) winds... but then the wind is less predictable etc anyway and it's all a much more dangerous game... 4.9 or 6.6 would be better.

there are a couple of big campsites right next to the beach at Gwithian, they do tents & caravans... not sure of the names though, local guys can probably tell you this though. Literally a 5 min walk down the dunes to the beach though...

mine was unflyable without rings... to say they transformed it is an overstatement because it certainly wasn't tamed after I fitted them, but they were the difference between not taking off, luffing to the edge of the window, smacking back down again etc etc and actually being able to fly the kite relatively normally. If you are having that much of an issue with it are you sure all is ok with the setup, all lines same length etc etc ?

I've got a Mk1 2M and it's an evil little piece of kit - but great fun to fly static when conditions are right. You definately need power rings (can't remember the dimensions though) and as already mentioned, they are chuffin' sensitive on brakes ! I did originally buy it as a high wind kite for buggying but I've only ever had one good buggy session with it, way too fast through the window and luffs really quickly if you push it just a touch too far, far more fun static flying with it.

I really should check out airjam, never been there yet but will try to pop in and have a look round this time best leave the credit card at home though !!!!

3 words - Gwithian totally rocks !! I can't understand people going to watergate bay personally - never had a good session there myself. Ripples and big holes all over the place. Gwithian is 2-3 miles of flat out sand for board or buggy. Going to be down there for the annual pilgrimage for 2 weeks from August bank holiday - hope to see some of you there.

The kites you have are fine (especially as we are coming into the autumn / winter winds). Stick with them until you have decided what you want to do longer term, they are more than adequate to keep you going for months yet though ! Buggies - I don't know what people have against the PL's mine is about 5 years old now and going strong, they aren't as strong as Libres etc but are a good alternative the the Flexi. Any of these (and by the sounds of it the RS) would be ok, but if you are going to be using it on rough terrain I would go with the RS or Libre over the Flexi or PL to be honest. hth

Don't be fooled by the pre-stretched thing. I've heard the lines are still made of knicker elastic. There is a pansh thread on the racekites website as well.