Line weight and length by KiteLife

Transcript

1. ›

   Introduction

   0:00

   In this video I'm going to go through some of the line weights and lengths you can use with the Revolution, and some reasons you might choose one over another depending on the wind, the kite, or what you're trying to get from it. It's a free-form subject, so I'll cover the basics and a bit of theory as we go.

2. ›

   Line weights

   0:25

   The basic line weights we use are 50 pound, 90 pound and 150 pound. The brand doesn't matter much as long as it's high quality. Side by side, the 50 pound is quite thin, almost like dental floss, compared with the 150, which is really stiff and almost stands up on its own when new.

3. ›

   50 lb

   1:08

   50 pound is superb for very light or zero wind, for two reasons: the line is light, so there's little weight draping between you and the kite, and it's thin, so there's less wind drag as the kite travels through the sky. The connection feels very direct, because the lines stay straight and taut between you and the kite. The trade-off is a little sponginess, not so much while flying as when you snap the end of the line on axels, flic flacs or hard turns — a little give at the critical moment. In the lightest winds, I think the trade-off is well worth it, so if you're often in light wind, I definitely recommend having a set in your bag.

4. ›

   90 lb

   2:34

   90 pound is good for just about any wind condition. With a little technique, I could use it all the time, from zero to two miles an hour, where I'm really working, up to about 20 miles an hour. It's thick enough to take minor impacts when team flying and strong enough that you're unlikely to break it, since the load is spread over four lines.

5. ›

   150 lb

   3:13

   150 pound is probably the most rarely used line weight in our bags on iQuad. But when the wind gets toward the top of the range and the kites start to feel unruly — jumping and accelerating into every turn — that's when we switch to 150, especially when flying team. It's a bit like putting ankle weights on your kite: we don't switch for the strength so much as for the extra line drag that mutes the kite's speed and power. With a vented 1.5 on a 4-wrap frame, for example, going from 90 pound to 150 pound will noticeably calm the kite. A rarely used weight, but a useful tool if you fly in a wide range of conditions.

6. ›

   Short lines

   4:31

   Line length is a bit more variable. The shortest I use outdoors is about 30 to 35 feet, what I call my street lines, usually in 50 pound because I'm often in very light, variable wind — though the same principles apply with heavier short lines. Short lines give an immediate connection with the kite: almost no drape, almost no drag, so the kite loads up and moves quickly. The trade-off is that the wind window, the space you have to fly in, is much smaller, so you need to know where you're going, or have enough wind to hover consistently.

7. ›

   75 to 85 ft

   6:08

   The next common length is 75 to 85 feet, often the standard length sold by Revolution. With a bit more line, there's a bit more drape and wind resistance, which doesn't matter if you have enough wind to drive the kite but starts to show in lighter winds. You gain a bigger window and trade off a little line tension: short lines for direct tension, long lines for a larger window, and this all-purpose range sits in between, fitting a lot of flying spots.

8. ›

   120 ft

   7:24

   The usual next step is 120 feet. It's a big jump, but it's commonplace now because teams use it as the international standard: wherever you go, teams that meet up for megaflies are almost all on the same length within a few feet, which is ideal for team flying. Having 120 foot lines in your bag means you can meet any flyer anywhere and get up in the air together, all the way up to team flying, which is much easier than it looks. It also gives an enormous window, which you need with more kites in the sky.

9. ›

   Closing thoughts

   8:41

   I encourage you to experiment with all of them if you can — you can always cut up old lines to try shorter lengths. In my philosophy, trying every variation that's the least bit interesting only enriches your experience and builds muscle memory, as you discover the different personalities the kite takes on with each setup. Try it all, have fun, and share your experiences with the community. We'll see you in the next tutorial.