Have always bought my kites complete for years but now as the money gets a little bit tighter have been thinking of getting 3 new kites with just the one bar. Does anyone else do this to save some money? Planning on keeping the kites 3 to 4 years and was wondering if you end up perhaps loosing more money down the track as nobody really buys second hand kites 'kite only'? Mostly thinking in terms of resale value i guess...
Thoughts?
Mate,
I buy kites "kite only", no drama.
I update the bar when I need to, or recondition with new lines. (Although there are great deals on older unused bars vs the cost of a full set of lines)
I suppose the only issue is for someone wanting to change brand, but there are many of us that are a little brand-loyal.
In 3 years your bound to find a secondhand bar at a reasonable cost no need to spend 600 x3 for new bars imo.
I don't think i have ever purchased a new lei with bar and lines. I have bought some new kites, kite only.
It is good to have more than one bar however. I have a brand new bar/line set that only comes out in extreme conditions and another normal set.
If anything happens to either set you have a spare.
PS I think its easier to sell a kite without bar and lines.
I'd also recommend 2 bars 3 kites. I always like to have a spare bar just in case something brakes, especially if/when you travel. 2 bars will also make it easier to sell your kites and you won't put too much wear on a single bar. If you choose a single bar I'd make sure you can get some spare parts easily, sometimes spares can be hard to find as the bar gets older.
Select to expand quotecbulota said..
... sometimes spares can be hard to find as the bar gets older.
True that. My Epic/Blade bar out of action due to parts having to come from the US. Luckily I have a spare bar.
Having the same model kite but in different sizes with a common bar works well for me. Trimming is easier, eg 2nd knot = more power for all kites rather than being different for different kites. Just something to think about.
When I've bought 2 or 3 kites of the same brand/model, I got the matching bars too, but that was largely because kite shops and dealers used to heavily discount the bar if you bought it at the same time as the kite.
In practice, I'd end up using one bar and the others would sit in the shed with tags on until I sold the gear. That definitely felt like a waste of money as you don't get the value back when sold used. Not sure whether resale is better with or without a bar however...
Given bars are now more expensive (or not being discounted) and I'm pickier about which bars I like, I'm starting to just go with one bar across multiple kites (and not necessarily the same brands). That said, I always have have a spare.
At least get a second set. I have a bar for each kite but that is more out of habit than actual need.
But it is great to have the backup and choice of having a few spares. Multiple line lengths is nice too, I have 20, 22, and 25M lines.
Buy what works best for you, resale is a long way off, having the right (and safe) gear when you need it is what counts. Having a nearly new bar and lines for storm winds is a good thing.
When you guys talk about getting 3 kites and 2 bars are we all assuming the 3 kites are the same brand and the 2 bars work with all three kites. I've always been under the impression that certain bars are only compatible with certain kites.
Are you guys just talking about different bars and using the lines that are compatible with the kite. For example: Ozone lines used with a Naish Bar???
I'm a bit confused and would love if someone could re-lay me some kiting knowledge!
Cheers :D
Most kites these days use a 4 line bar with equal line lengths and similar depower throw with a single line flag out. So a lot of kites/bars are compatible.
I use a Select to expand quotePaulyOS said..
When you guys talk about getting 3 kites and 2 bars are we all assuming the 3 kites are the same brand and the 2 bars work with all three kites. I've always been under the impression that certain bars are only compatible with certain kites.
Are you guys just talking about different bars and using the lines that are compatible with the kite. For example: Ozone lines used with a Naish Bar???
I'm a bit confused and would love if someone could re-lay me some kiting knowledge!
Cheers :D
I use a slingshot bar and/or a cabrinha bar with ozone edges. Works a treat.
yep same for me buy kite only.
Dont think where far from seeing a non kite company marketing a compatable production "Bar Only".
Select to expand quotePaulyOS said..
...
Are you guys just talking about different bars and using the lines that are compatible with the kite. For example: Ozone lines used with a Naish Bar???
Um, not quite. To clarify I have a spare bar and lines set which I can swap between kites as they are all 4 line setups.
To keep the same lines and swap only the bar can be really easy or a PITA depending on the set up.
With my Epic kites system you can just slip the knot off to seperate the bar and lines. However with my Slingshot system I have to totally deconstruct the safety and depower systems to seperate them. It's possible but not something you want to do often. Not sure about Ozone vs Naish.
