Raphael wrote: The problem is that using handles is sijmilar to riding unhooked, so it would require tremendous skill even to maintain balance on a board because the rider's upper body would be constantly pulled over the board.
Since your are an experienced rider, I'm surprised that you make this kind of comparison without proposing THE buggyist solution as old as kite-buggying itself (25+ years
) that would allow to apply 90% of the kite pull at kiteracer hips level.
Last but not least, this low & single traction point acting as chicken loop would allow the kiteracer to ride his board flat hassle free with minimum effort as with any LEI
OK, kite sining would not be as easy as with a bar but this would be outweighted by the fine tuning possibilities and "back-loop" feeling provided by a pair of handles
Safetywise, as in any kite buggy system, both front lines could be attached by transverse link just above rider's head.
Emergency depower with this gear just means releasing the handles and catching the transverse link.
In case of kite release, the leader line transverse link can be attached to harness.
This is just a new learning curve and new habits to catch ...
The Prodigy Spreader Bar is fully articulated in both the up and down as well as left-to-right axis and spins as well, so you can untwist the lines after a kiteloop, downturn, or upwind jibe. It also feature a plastic tab that helps keep the strop engaged in the pulley when spinning it around.
- StropComp2.jpg (41.09 KiB) Viewed 2769 times
I wonder how it would be riding a Cabrinha Crossbow with such linked handles + suitable spreader bar... : + innovative line length ajustment system ....
Many times, I have thought about keeping the spreader bar pulley but replacing each handle shown on above pict by a pulley and driving the kite with quarter turn individual handles embracing both rear and leader lines allowing to choose between :
Kite rotation or kite sining
- leader line handles: both turned outwards (natural position for kiter) allowing rear lines and front lines to be stuck together. Both handles travel in opposite direction.
- spreader bar pulley: in action
- front line pulley: fixed, no rotation.
Front / Rear line differential length or kite AoA adjustment
- leader line handles: turned inwards (temporary position) allowing action on front line only. Action can be performed on one handle only or on both simultaneously.
- spreader bar pulley: not used
- front line pulley: used and rotate according to handle that is in inward direction.
Picture credit (I am not affiliated):
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/servle ... ink/Detail
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/servle ... eat/Detail