One more thing I have noticed, but not sure about is how the tube and the cab is aligned.
Looking at the cab the hole / metal ring is exactly in the center.
Looking at the tube it is much more side aligned.
That was a very in depth look and this misalignment may indeed be a big reason foe the wear.
I believe it is here the wear occurs. The flag line is pulled out of the chicken loop when assembling it or connecting to the leash. I often see my line hanging maybe 20-30 cm out the CL when connecting. (I havent found anyway to avoid this - it annoys be a bit (I mean, it annoys so much a hanging line can annoy these days.. ). All the 20-30 cm line has to go back into the tube. Either manual by hands or it happens when someone lifts the kite for launch. That means at every launch the line will slide against the "sharp" edges of the tube. Maybe once again when doing a pack down after a session. That's a lot of traffic at the plastic edge for the little red line.. Maybe not an instant issue, but I believe it is a great wear over time!
Ok, the workaround to avoid this seems rather simple.
I have pulled the flag line through a small 1 cm rubber tube above the plastic tube.
The piece acts like an opposite stopper ball and disallows the suicide ring / connection to run the 20-30 cm down, as it is being block.
The rubber tube has so little tension, but just enough to the line is fixed when the ring is dangling around not connected, so it doesnt run through.
If you release the CL, the rubber tube is so soft that it will just be pushed up the line like it is not there.
I believe above avoids the friction between flag line and plastic tube as mention in previous post.
Not a solution but a workaround. From the garage and not the lab..
I believe it is here the wear occurs. The flag line is pulled out of the chicken loop when assembling it or connecting to the leash. I often see my line hanging maybe 20-30 cm out the CL when connecting. (I havent found anyway to avoid this - it annoys be a bit (I mean, it annoys so much a hanging line can annoy these days.. ). All the 20-30 cm line has to go back into the tube. Either manual by hands or it happens when someone lifts the kite for launch. That means at every launch the line will slide against the "sharp" edges of the tube. Maybe once again when doing a pack down after a session. That's a lot of traffic at the plastic edge for the little red line.. Maybe not an instant issue, but I believe it is a great wear over time!
Ok, the workaround to avoid this seems rather simple.
I have pulled the flag line through a small 1 cm rubber tube above the plastic tube.
The piece acts like an opposite stopper ball and disallows the suicide ring / connection to run the 20-30 cm down, as it is being block.
The rubber tube has so little tension, but just enough to the line is fixed when the ring is dangling around not connected, so it doesnt run through.
If you release the CL, the rubber tube is so soft that it will just be pushed up the line like it is not there.
I believe above avoids the friction between flag line and plastic tube as mention in previous post.
Not a solution but a workaround. From the garage and not the lab..
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As I said in previous comments, I avoid that using always the ring in suicide mode.
The 2018 and older click bars had an additional piece at the ring end that effectively kept the stopper in place. It was removed in 2019
I don’t think it is just the line moving when not under load because this issue existed when it didn’t move.
I do notice that keeping sand out and cleaning does prolong the life of the line.
The problem with suicide is it is not convenient with a rope slider.
Edit so I think the problem is all of the above.
1 Sand or other stuff can get inside
2 The path through the swivel is not straight and there can be burrs on either the ends of the black tube or coming out of the swivel
And Evan talked wear on bars and I think that is a factor here
3 I’ve seen go pro video from my helmet where I am deforming the black pu while turning and I suspect the depower line rubs against the inside while this happens.
My new Rebel 2021 7m bridle line snapped. It was the 2nd time I kited with the 7m, so the kite was brand new. Really weird, I never had a broken bridle line. Not sure if the new bridle line is weaker, or I just had bad luck and it is a production error.
My new Rebel 2021 7m bridle line snapped. It was the 2nd time I kited with the 7m, so the kite was brand new. Really weird, I never had a broken bridle line. Not sure if the new bridle line is weaker, or I just had bad luck and it is a production error.
Better check your bridle!
It's very strange. It's the first time I've seen this problem. Check with your dealer. It should be covered by guarantee.
I always check all the bridles of my new kites, it's a good practice.