How to assemble new NTK Desire UL?

[gilrain]

Hello folks,

I've been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my Desire UL, and it finally arrived this afternoon. And it's been light, 1-2 MPH winds all day, so great timing, right? Yeah, well, maybe not... There are no assembly instructions or, indeed, any kind of manual or paper at all! And there are a few things very different from my only other kite, the Prism Quantum. I think it may even be broken?

I actually tried to post this over at the official NTK forums, but their boards are for some reason locked so that only moderators can post new topics. Maybe they're doing some maintenance on their forums, or something. The kite itself looks beautiful, so hopoefully I am just missing something obvious that you guys can help me with.

I removed it from the bag (love the padded, full-length bag), thought it odd that there was no manual or other instructions, but assembled the leading edges anyways. Then, I noticed that there doesn't seem to be a way to tension the leading edges. No elastic, like on my Q, and no extra line or anything else. I have no clue what to do, here. There doesn't seem to be any way to tension the leading edges, right out of the bag... do I need to buy some rubber bands, or something?

The left tip.

I next noticed that the left bridle appears to be in two parts. The right bridle appears to be whole, although I can't find a pigtail to attach lines to. That they're different indicates to me that the left one is broken right out of the bag? Is there a way for me to fix this? I don't have experience tying bridles...

The left bridle.

The right bridle.

A close-up of the left bridle, where it should probably join.

A close-up of the right bridle. Where is the pigtail?

The NTK site has downloadable assembly instructions for some kites, but not this one -- and their generic instruction set in no way resembles this kite.

I am very surprised a kite billed as a beginner's UL came in this shape! I can't wait to get it in the air, but there are no instructions, no obvious way to tension the leading edges, a probably-broken left bridle, and no clear way to attach a line to the right bridle. What the heck? On top of that, after registering on the NTK forum, I find that I can't post a new topic.

Am I missing the obvious, here? Or is this kite incomplete?

Edit: by the way, this kite is brand new from WindPower Sports, not used.

[cerfvoliste]

Here is a diagram on how to add a wing tip tensioner. If you don't have any dacron line, some thin dress shoelaces will work. At the very least I would be glad to send you some.

As for the bridle it is a little hard to see in your pictures, but I would try make the left side a copy of the completed right side.

In your last photo it looks like the Larks head knot in the middle of the picture needs to slide to the left revealing the tow point.

Rx

[gilrain]

I have some dacron sleeving material that might work to tension the edges. It seems weird to have to scrounge up my own materials to assemble a new kite, but no big deal. I think that part'll be manageable. Thanks for the diagram! Is this a common technique in more advanced kites? I'm used to the elastic on my Q.

I am much more nervous about the bridle. I can't see, off-hand, how to copy the right with what's on the left... and even if I did, I am concerned it'd be off-balance, or something. I know that bridle adjustments are very sensitive, so I can only imagine tying my own bridle would be even more sensitive.

I guess that means sending the kite off, though. I'll contact NTK support.

[windofchange]

From picture #4 in your post, it appears that the bridle line on the left has indeed been broken (looks like it has a frayed end). This would lead to think that the kite was actually flown before and damaged as it couldn't possibly be done while new in the bag or from the factory. Also the Desire UL does come with the Flight School 101 pamphlet that shows the assembly and flying instructions and the leading edge tensioning lines are of course included!!! If you purchased the kite new from a shop and if the manual and LE tension lines are not in the bag (check the bag completely) then they may have been removed, possibly taken off your kite for another kite by the store owner who forgot and sent you the kite with the pieces missing. You could contact NTK direct and I am sure they would send you another bridle and the wing tip lines but in reality, you said that you purchased a brand new kite and you shouldn't have to go through this type of BS.

I am not sure where you got the kite from but I think you would be best in returning the kite to the store you purchased it from and asking (or demanding) another new kite that is complete / not damaged. If they are unwilling to replace your kite then I would demand a refund and purchase from somewhere else that will take care of you better. If you had the kite shipped to you then your store should cover the shipping costs to have the kite returned back to them as well as having another one sent to you as a replacement.

There's nothing worse than waiting for a new kite to fly and not being able to fly it when it finally gets there.

If you have any problems and can't get them resolved with your local shop, we are a NTK dealer and I will be happy to get you the pieces you need to get your Desire UL in the air.

Good luck.

[gilrain]

Thanks for the advice and offer, windofchange! I ordered the kite from WindPower Sports (no kite shops in my town). I am pretty sure they are reputable, but am still quite new to the hobby. No doubt it was just a mistake. I have an email into them to see how they want to handle the situation. I'll keep the thread updated.

[gilrain]

No response yet to my three emails over the past three days. If there's no response today, I'll try calling tomorrow. This is very disappointing.

[gilrain]

I just wanted to let you all know that Corey, at WindPower Sports, responded and will be giving me a refund.

He says he buys all of his NTK kites new, directly from NTK. He doesn't get a chance to examine each one, which is understandable, and so it was shipped on to me in the state it came to him from NTK. In the case of my kite, that was as photographed above, and should never have made it past a thorough process of QA.

I don't hold WindPower Sports to blame for any of this, although a quicker email response would've been awesome. Corey, as I understand it, is a solid member of the community and, indeed, I have enjoyed several of his articles in Kitelife and his videos on YouTube. I want to make sure this thread doesn't reflect poorly on him or WindPower Sports.

My criticism, then, must turn toward NTK. I assume, and hope, that my kite was an unfortunate exception to a usually good track record of QA. I won't be able to help but be a little more wary about buying an NTK kite in the future, however, and that's a shame.

[windofchange]

Glad you got your kite-mare sorted out ok. Corey is a good guy and will take care of ya.