John Barresi

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Ah yep, my line breaks aren't showing up either - stay tuned, low priority item for the moment, but I will look into it.

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SLEs are VERY rarely used by anyone with high range Rev skills (exception being Fabrice Baldan and a couple others), because a bone-straight leading edge (SLEs don't really flex) don't allow the kite to take it's ideal shape and airfoil... Need a little flex in there, to make everything dynamic and working together. SLEs make the kite accelerate much faster off the line, forward corners (like flying a square) exhibit oversteer, as do clock turns (can be overcome with enough practice)... All in all, I just don't feel like my kite "hugs" the wind with SLEs... On iQuad, we say "SLEs are only used for tomato stakes and corporal punishment". Again, it all comes down to taste, but you can look at what the ace fliers (anywhere) are using on average, and get a good idea of what's what. Max on a VTD sail with 4-wraps, I'd say about 25 mph, but the sail will start to stretch a after 10+ hours of that, and you'll really have to control your flight speed so it doesn't load up too fast... Breakage isn't really the concern here, it's the affect deformation of the frame has on performance. To achieve high level of performance within the kite, it comes down to a balance of the right flex, weight and spring in the frame. You can also DOUBLE your leading edge (3-wrap and 4-wrap slid in alongside each other), but it's a little rough on the sail and honestly, if the wind is that high you'll just be abusing your sail's integrity. My sweet spots, approximately (Race = black rods): STD PRO w/Race: 0-6 mph STD PRO w/3-wrap: 4-8 mph MID PRO w/ Race: 5-12 mph MID PRO w/ 3-wrap: 6-15 mph VTD PRO w/3-wrap: 10-16 mph VTD PRO w/4-wrap: 12-18 mph XTRA w/3-wrap: 15-30 mph XTRA w/4-wrap: 18-40 mph (it's pretty dumb to even be flying at 40 mph) If you don't see a sail/frame combo listed, it's probably because I don't use it.

Green race rods, imho, are "Race rods for dummies"... A *tad* heavier and more flexible, they're a little tougher than black Race rods. On iQuad, we never use the green Race rods - just not the right spring, we like the snap and pop we get from the black ones. Besides, they're STILL damned hard to break and can sustain some basic (non terminal) crashes when learning in light wind, especially if you have ANY idea where your brakes are, to soften the impact(s).

Sounding like a .22 gunshot, the verticals are the first to go under high wind pressure, LE breaks are more likely with impacts. Nice thing about breaking verticals, the go back and out, away from the sail... I once broke one spar into 5 pieces, a single high wind pressure incident. Fore! Shrapnel incoming!

Welcome to the forum Ian. We're all about supporting the kiting community, and I can guarantee you won't get knowledgable support and service from non-kite people. A good place to start is our list of advertisers on the main KiteLife site, but end of the day, just take a look at any kite shop's "about us" page to get a feel for their passion, or call and speak with someone - you'll know pretty quick if you're being handled well.

Also, handy reference by Watty... http://revkites.com/kite-product/revolution-spars-rods If I had to pick *just two frames*, I'd say Race and 3 wrap (STD and VTD sails), knowing I'd top out at around 17-18 mph. Add the 4 wrap, you're good to 25 mph or so, with a good tug on the lines.

I'd say make sure you have Race, 3-wrap and 4-wrap frames, and add the VTD sail. This gives the two sails and 3 frames, pretty full coverage.

Just to twist the knife... Good friend, Dodd Gross playing on this kite. I first met Dodd in '91 at the AKA Grand Nationals in Jacksonville (fire ants and no wind), had an AWESOME time tearing up the circuit flying Tracers with him in '92, lots of good times since - and he makes nice kites!

End of the day, it's all about taste - can't beat try and buy - good thing is Rev fliers are always happy to let you test drive.

I can't say for sure what Rev's policy or availability is now, but here is one example from within the past year or so, owned by Chun Ti Cheong (aka Daryl)... Worth a solid inquiry to Rev by way of a shop, or with a product question directly to Rev which you can share with your preferred shop.

I've seen non-white centers go out on custom Indoors in the past year, you sure about that?

Be advised though, 95% of the "pro fliers" don't use a dedicated "SUL"... Most top pilots simply have the STD, MID and VTD sails with a variety of frames and lines... Within iQuad, there is such thing as your kite being too light... There is a point, where a certain amount of weight is useful for inertia, momentum and maneuverability. Even the Zen, we use very rarely, generally favoring a STD with Race frame.

Link for the benefit of others, the Indoor tutorials here at KiteLife... http://www.kitelife.com/video-tutorials/

I'd suggest supporting your preferred Rev dealer directly... Draft up an image of what you want, and send it to the shop as any serious retailer can order your custom for you, and you end up supporting both the retail and manufacturing side... If sales go direct to the manufacturer, the stores suffer. 2 cents delivered.

Aye, as Dave said - STD and VTD is the most versatile 2-kite combination, as the wind ranges of those two do overlap, particularly if you have the three major frames to interchange (Race, 3-wrap, 4-wrap)... The MID hits the SWEET SPOT between those two and has a very real place in my bag, but pound for pound, if you want to fly with just two kites, go with the STD and VTD.

Matt, you'll want to roll #1033.

You'll either need to get WAAAAAY back on it or use the world's largest wide angle lens... 10x10 kites, 7.5' wingspan each with 5-10' between each one, you really can't yet imagine the scope of this thing. I have no doubt you'll conquer, I'm just saying.

I'm in Las Vegas for the KTAI Trade Show until Thursday night, then off to Texas, home on the 5th.

Terry is a great guy, tons of energy.

Haha, TK and I talk all the time about having a teleporter.

Dave is good people, has been supporting kiting and kiters for a very, very long time. Tell 'em "Junior says hi" next time you speak with him. <grin>

The 20' delta flying inside was so AWESOME, highlight of the finale.