Leaderboard

You will be a bit hard pressed to find someone willing to let go of their 120's. Typically the second life for the 120's are 2 sets of shorter lines. Handles, I think you'll find numerous available and quite reasonably priced from within this community. Lines however are rarely sold second hand unless they are made from a bulk buy or nearly worn out. This is one item I'd highly advise you buy new and from a reputable dealer. Look for Laser Pro Gold or Skybond. It's worth the investment. All other things being equal, the quality of your lines is paramount in performance. Inferior line will definitely limit your ability, limit your learning curve and probably be as expensive as 1st quality gear in the long run. I use lines from 30' all the way out to 240'. As they wear or break they will become shorter lines. When testing a new kite, I use the 30'. Once proven I use 50's. Due to an promise and regulations, I can't use my longer lines at my normal flying spot.. (Max ceiling for me is 100') I typically err on half that height to be absolutely safe.

Really depends on what I'm doing: Team flying is 120' x 90/100# most times. We also use 85" x 50# in very light winds. Alone, it depends again on winds: 75/80' x 90# or the 85' x 50# mostly. Also use my 50' and 30" sets at times, usually for space reasons.

My new pro leaders came in today, after I spent 4 hours at the beach with gusts up to 18. That is I think the top end of the wind range for my reflex EXP.. I do not "own" the inverted hover yet, I am much more comfortable. I installed the new leaders, the difference from old to new between top and bottoms is A LOT. I am on the third knot from the farthest out on top and all the way out on bottom. The old difference was 3.25 inches, the new is 5.75 inches. I'll let you all know how it goes, thank you all again for so much information and encouragement!!

Christmas Day was sunny and warm-"ish" and gave us a pretty nice day to spend on the beach. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

When I'm at a regular field I use 120 foot 90#. For quad line winders I've got 15 foot, 40 foot, 50 foot, 85 foot, and 120 foot. Currently I have three winders of 120'@90# in the bag, in case some breaks and I'm flying with a friend, in addition to some dual line sets. Seconding the opinion to always buying new line, never used, either made yourself or by a reputable dealer. My family knows it, so I ended up with three new spools of line (50# and 90# LPG) under the Christmas tree. Handles are a personal thing. I would get them separate from the kite, getting a good set. There are many varieties and lengths, 13-inch is common but I prefer 15 inch, sometimes 17 inch when I'm feeling particularly lazy, because long handles mean less hand movement translates into more motion on the kite. My 15-inch set is my go-to, but I have all three of those sizes in my bag. There is a wide range of handle material, like aluminum, steel, carbon, and wood. There are various versions with metal clips or plastic clips to hold the leaders, and "snagless" varieties with caps for hollow handles or with holes drilled through, potentially with milled ends (my favorite), so there are no metal loops on the handles to snag in your bag. And that's not all! Handles come in a variety of angles, grips include fully padded nylon coatings to foam grips to rope wraps around wood, and handles come in a variety of colors.

90 lb 65 ft on the light one? I just thought I would need shorter lines. If the ones I have will work with these great. It would be nice to practice with 120 footers just in case I run across someone else that wants to fly too. It would be nice to set up two kites ready to go if the wind isn't cooperating, or my thinking I am better than I am and need to switch kites!

Thanks for all the input. I just finished a B2 sized kite and figured since they came with 11's I'd try that size. Ordered some grips for .25 & .375 tubes. I'll see what I can source locally for tubing. All so have some leaders on the way. Maybe I'll start a new thread when I get the parts. Seems to be plenty of interest and suggestions.

Or you can just extend your top lines with whatever cord you can get until they come in. All it takes is a loop and a larkshead per handle. Check out the possibilities at your local hardware store. Shouldn't cost more than a dollar. All you need is a foot or two.

One of the things @Paul LaMasters was suggesting (i think) was to take your old Bottom leaders, larks head them onto your top leaders and literally use them as an extension until your new leaders come in. attach the brakes to the bottom of the handles directly. the top will have 2 daisy chained leaders with the line attached at the end..

When your new leaders are installed, attach your lines to the furthest knot out on the bottoms and the top lines to the third knot in from the furthest out. You won't like it at first, but you will get used to it and it will do wonders for performance. To launch from an upright stance -- watch the beginner videos -- you will need to give it a good "pop" while simultaneously taking a step backwards. It will be awkward at first, but as I said, you will get used to it and it will become the norm before you know it. A good dose of patience and determination is all it takes. Take both with a glass of water when you rise. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.

After a couple yrs of me always posting kite stuff on FB, YouTube and Instagram my wonderful family have come to grips with my passion for kites. They all got together at Christmas to help me finally get my FIRST BRAND NEW kite. Custom design ordered day after Christmas. I am truly blessed. Happy flying to all. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Go ahead and add an overhand (temporary) knot into the bridle, while you wait make it behind the existing position on the brake line (bottom) portion. Place them both the same distance apart on each side and remember that the knot itself will also use up some line length inside. A knot a 1/2 inch back, on the bottom bridle attachment point will add some more "down" to you tuning and increase your control. Keep practicing inverted flight and get comfortable an inch above the ground hovering this way, until you own it!

Sale Pending Sent from my iPhone using KiteLife mobile app

take the bottom leader off entirely and additional to the top one(s), until you find something more appropriate,... you'll have to "thread" the line thru using the sleeving as the captured point on the handle doubling the difference is a start, mine are at all times at least 3X ratios of tops to bottoms send me a PM w/your street address and I'll mail you some hi-test bridle line worthy of leaders. This line can be tied & untied easily so you can put the knots whereever you need them most and remove any excess ones so nothing is dangling down to get snagged. Eventually you'll have both handles in one hand and and be throwing massive slack lined tricks at the kite whilst blindfolded, ..... you might as well set the kite up for it now and grow into those settings with additional time on the lines!