On 2002-09-05 18:40, surfsteve wrote:
I saw the picture of the spreader bar but I'm not sure how it works. I'm new to kite-boarding (been windsurfing for 15 years) and did my first body drag about a month ago and I came out of the chicken loop during a squal and had to crash the kite because I couldn't get the chicken loop back into my reactor bar.
I swore after that, that I would have a secure way of hooking in before I tried it again and most of the guys are using the snap shackle which doesn't sound like it releases under panic conditions.
I live in the Columbia Gorge. Is there anyplace I can look at this new spreader bar? Right now I'm flying old junker kites and if I spend my money It will be in a secure and safe way to hook into the kite. I'm also still considering going the snap shackle route. I've read on another forum that the bigger snap shackles are easier to release. Is this true? Where can I buy or look at snap shackles in the Columbia Gorge? Do I have to go to Portland?
Bigger shackles don’t release better. It’s just the opposite of what common sense would lead you to believe. I have owned and used 4 different shackles. Bigger shackles release better with NO LOAD. In fact, they have feather light triggers, so it’s easy to understand the logic. But what happens under load is, the larger pin diameter has more surface area, which creates more drag, to which you must overcome to pull the release ring. A small shackle, with small pin, releases with far less force UNDER LOAD. Hang in your shackle and try it. We were all shocked at the results of this test when we did it in my garage. This applies to shackles with pin releases.
I’ve also tried one of the so-called great shackles for kiting. The one hundred dollar Taylaska (spelling?) copy made by Wichard. It was a nightmare to release. The trigger is a joke.
The Pro Limit isn’t perfect either. You have to get a good one that doesn’t stick.
At least with the Pro Limit you have the option to UNHOOK. It’s a real shame to limit your riding style to only hooked in stuff.