Hi all, a mate has a f-one bandit x 12m, used to fly ok but back stalled - got that kinda sorted with line lengths. Next a bridal snapped and cant find bridals anywhere. Took it to a shop on GC who werent sure if they could fix but they ended up replacing both bridals because they couldn't get matching pulleys.
Anyway that was before winter and not much kiting, now back kiting when jumping the kite sits super far back in the window and takes him just of the water but super far downwind. Behaving really badly mainly when trying to jump. Anyone know any bridals that fit this kite - cant seem to find f-one bridals for that year anywhere.
Otherwise will have to take it back to the shop but they weren't even confident they could fix it the last time.
thanks
Did you try Jack from f-one in Arundel??
Hi, no, didnt even know about a rep on GC. Mate took it to surffx who gave it to a repairer. He doesnt care even if he has to pay again for bridals as it has been some time since repair, although he wasnt able to kite soon after repair. He really just wants it flying ok and F-one bridals seem so hard to find. Is there a contact for Jack?
Even any other bridal that fits or anyone with similar issue.
The interweb shows that they are still open....
3/61 Newheath Dve, Arundel
April was the instructor working out of there but she has moved away....they have fakebook page @foneaustralia....
Next port of call would be Kitethrills at Currumundi on the sunny coast, they are an f-one distributor...
Good luck!!
Hi littlewing,
Jack is no longer in Australia but you can still contact F-one Australia directly: info@f-one.com.au
The first step is to make 100% sure that all your lines are exactly the same length as per my video tutorial here: www.kitebud.com.au/kitesurfing-online-courses/kitesurfing-line-tuning/
It's possible that the bridles are causing the issue as well. You'll have a hard time finding a matching set of exactly the same bridles but you may get lucky and be able to order those through F-one Australia or F-one International. This could take some time though as it's rare that shops/distributors or even the actual Factory have those laying around in stock.
In my opinion, the best and quickest solution is to get bridles custom made based on the exact bridle measurements. F-one will be able to provide the bridle specs for you and a competent sail maker / kite repairer can assemble those for you to match the exact specs. If F-one Australia can't find the specs for you, F-one international surely can help you : www.f-one.world/contact/
It's highly likely that the bridles, just like your lines, have shrunk over time. If the kite repairer made new bridles based on the shrunken length of the previous bridles, that's unfortunately not going to solve the issue. That's why you should always make new bridles from the spec sheet and never use the lengths of used bridles as a reference.
As for the pulleys, if F-one Australia doesn't have any in stock, you can get them in Australia here: www.fixmykite.com.au/f-one-bridle-pulley-plus-pigtail
Good luck
Christian
What year model?
Some old versions of F-One bandits had longer front bridles, so that the steering lines were longer by about 50-60cm from my recollection.
I could not get rid of that kite quickly enough, it was a scary powerful kite.
If the border opens take it to Adam's Kite Repair, or just get him to courier it.
He is the repairer, knows his stuff and sells F-One gear, so he'd get you sorted.
Sounds like a good way to throw away money.
I've been down this path too many times, if there's lots of mucking around/ problems to identify etc etc could be worth getting something else for about the same price you'd pay for all the repairs
What year model?
Some old versions of F-One bandits had longer front bridles, so that the steering lines were longer by about 50-60cm from my recollection.
I could not get rid of that kite quickly enough, it was a scary powerful kite.
I believe bandit x is a 2017, will try some suggestions and see how it goes thanks for all the input
What year model?
I believe bandit x is a 2017, will try some suggestions and see how it goes thanks for all the input
yeah don't believe the naysayers, bridles are easily replaceable, best if you can get matching brand/year/kite and if not at least ensure the lengths of the bridle pigtails match the steering line pigtails, sounds like the shop in GC had NFI. Try adventure sports in Noosa or Moti replaces bridles (although they get mixed reviews).
I also reckon its a myth that bridles stretch/shrink the type of rope used is a lot different to kite lines and a lot shorter.
What year model?
I believe bandit x is a 2017, will try some suggestions and see how it goes thanks for all the input
yeah don't believe the naysayers, bridles are easily replaceable, best if you can get matching brand/year/kite and if not at least ensure the lengths of the bridle pigtails match the steering line pigtails, sounds like the shop in GC had NFI. Try adventure sports in Noosa or Moti replaces bridles (although they get mixed reviews).
I also reckon its a myth that bridles stretch/shrink the type of rope used is a lot different to kite lines and a lot shorter.
Hmmm, I wouldn't not call it a myth at all. Any time you have pullys running up and down lines do create an adverse affect over time. The last bridle kite I had were the Slingshot Revs. Great kite for the time but those p-lines would shrink and the kite would start flying like crap. I replaced those lines once a year in order for it to be flying like it should. Never had those issues on bridles without pullys.
What year model?
I believe bandit x is a 2017, will try some suggestions and see how it goes thanks for all the input
yeah don't believe the naysayers, bridles are easily replaceable, best if you can get matching brand/year/kite and if not at least ensure the lengths of the bridle pigtails match the steering line pigtails, sounds like the shop in GC had NFI. Try adventure sports in Noosa or Moti replaces bridles (although they get mixed reviews).
I also reckon its a myth that bridles stretch/shrink the type of rope used is a lot different to kite lines and a lot shorter.
Hmmm, I wouldn't not call it a myth at all. Any time you have pullys running up and down lines do create an adverse affect over time. The last bridle kite I had were the Slingshot Revs. Great kite for the time but those p-lines would shrink and the kite would start flying like crap. I replaced those lines once a year in order for it to be flying like it should. Never had those issues on bridles without pullys.
yes I hard a 2017 drifter where the covers of the bridle lines were worn off due to the pulleys didn't seem to affect the the lengths of the bridles
Seen it first hand with North kites in the past. Used to need to take them off and wash them once a year to extend the life of them. You can see maybe 5-10cm in a 3m long section between a washed and unwashed bridle. Eventually you do need a new bridle though
The f-one agent in Australia is Peter. He is on the GC and his mobile is +61 428 778 118. Feel free to contact him directly.