Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 19:18:55 -1000 From: fsiegel@linet06.li.net (Frank Siegel) Message-Id: <4g917v$p00@linet06.li.net> Organization: LI Net (Long Island Network) Subject: Bridle Line Strength/Material? I had to re-bridle one of my delta stunt kites (I snapped one of the bridle lines). I have seen Spectra touted for bridles, which makes some sense, as it stretches less and is lighter than dacron. However, I'm unsure of what is the ideal bridle strength relative to line strength. Also, at the risk of starting another sleeve/no-sleeve war- what's the best way to knot bridles to control strength/weight? I did one set with 150 lb spectra unsleeved using lark's head knots (kite is usually flown on 80lb lines), and it seems much thinner than the original dacron(?) bridles, and I'm unsure if this is heavy enough. Any help here would be appreciated. TIA Frank = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 21:49:26 -1000 From: Drake Smith Message-Id: <31297D06.4FA2@cais.com> Organization: Capital Area Internet Service info@cais.com 703-448-4470 Subject: Re: Bridle Line Strength/Material? Frank Siegel wrote: > > I had to re-bridle one of my delta stunt kites (I snapped one of the > bridle lines). I have seen Spectra touted for bridles, which makes some > sense, as it stretches less and is lighter than dacron. However, I'm > unsure of what is the ideal bridle strength relative to line strength. Welp, mostly bridles are much stronger than justified by the pull of the kite -- Put on any size you want to fool with: the goal is not strength but whether you're able to tie them with your(my) pudgie little fingers..... > Also, at the risk of starting another sleeve/no-sleeve war- what's the > best way to knot bridles to control strength/weight? Quote from Felix Cartagena: "If you don't know how to tie knots, at least tie lots of them." > I did one set with 150 lb spectra unsleeved using lark's head knots (kite > is usually flown on 80lb lines), and it seems much thinner than the > original dacron(?) bridles, and I'm unsure if this is heavy enough. Any > help here would be appreciated. TIA > Frank Experiment! Rig a (psuedo-)bridle to something solid. Pull on it. Harder. See if it breaks. Adapt. Remember these things are not linear, and will fight back if over-analysed. Cheers, -=Drake=- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 02:20:48 -1000 From: ahclem0013@aol.com (AhClem0013) Message-Id: <4gceb0$l0g@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Bridle Line Strength/Material? In article <4g917v$p00@linet06.li.net>, fsiegel@newshost.li.net (Frank Siegel) writes: >I had to re-bridle one of my delta stunt kites (I snapped one of the >bridle lines). I have seen Spectra touted for bridles, which makes some >sense, as it stretches less and is lighter than dacron. However, I'm >unsure of what is the ideal bridle strength relative to line strength. >Also, at the risk of starting another sleeve/no-sleeve war- what's the >best way to knot bridles to control strength/weight? > >I did one set with 150 lb spectra unsleeved using lark's head knots (kite >is usually flown on 80lb lines), and it seems much thinner than the >original dacron(?) bridles, and I'm unsure if this is heavy enough. Any >help here would be appreciated. TIA >Frank Aw, finally a subject i can sink my teeth in. Flying on anything less than spectra is like driving a car with a worn out steering box, or a few teeth misssing from the rack and pinion. Have tried all weights and have found, in general, for light to medium winds, #80 with #50 dacron sleeving at the adjustment point, to be the optimum. You can sew the sleeving in place which is pretty clean, or you can tie a regular overhand knot at the ends to hold it. I use a piece about 6 to 7 inches long. I feel that is longer than is needed, but like it. It is also possible to do with out the sleeving, no problem, tho, some people say it is easier if the line weight is greater, not for the strength, but for the thickness. What you do, is use a double larks head to hold it in place. It works pretty darn good too. It never slips on me, and I use it for single line stuff too. Once you use it, you'll never be able to go back, there is that much difference. aoxodean = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =