dyyylan wrote:From the description of the 2nd video: "This is a demonstration of the 2015 Slingshot RPM pulley-less bridle in action. The new kites will come with two replacements of these bridles but Slingy says testing shows you wont need either."
I'm skeptical, could they not figure out how to just make a static bridle like other kites have been doing? It would probably change the feel of the kite, but the RPMs have never had a great feel to begin with, imo.
I wouldn't worry about it. How often have you replaced the center line bungee on your Comp Stick bars? As long as they have had that thing they have always included a spare bungee in the top pocket of your kite bag, but I've never had to use it. After a couple years I sell the kites with the bungee, unopened in the plastic.
I think it is great that they include the spares, though. I'm sure there are heavy users (schools, guys that live on the beach, etc.) where the kite will be out in the UV with a lot more use then mine. They'll need to replace them. For the common rider, it likely isn't an issue.
dyyylan wrote:...I'm skeptical, could they not figure out how to just make a static bridle like other kites have been doing? It would probably change the feel of the kite. It would probably change the feel of the kite, but the RPMs have never had a great feel to begin with, imo.
They do this on the Rally. There must be something about the RPM canopy or bridle, though, that likes a little movement based on it's placement in the wind window. I think it is pretty cool they figured out how to do it without pulleys! Pulleys wear lines, get clogged up with sand, and tend to soften up the feedback from the kite. (I'm not sure how the bungees will feel, though).
I have to say I love the feel of RPMs much more than my Rallys. RPMs are light, quick & with just enough feedback to know what is going on up there. For my style of riding the Rallys are better kites for me, though I wish they felt like an RPM at the bar.