Fractured Axel

tspdk · Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:54 pm

Hi

I was wondering, the switchgrips that are recomended for the Airbow, what is up and down on the grips.

There is a grey and a black line to attach the flying lines to, and the have different lengh.

Wich one shall i use as breake line the black (that is long) og the grey (that is short)

Hope that some one can help me.

Best regards
Thomas

Bastiaan · Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:19 pm

http://www.wardley.org/
then check for the Airbow and Airbow website link.

tspdk · Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:24 pm

Hi Thanks

I dont find any information about the grips lines. I can see how to attach the line it is more what is up and down on the switchgrips.

//Thomas
www.DragePortal.DK

Jest_of_EVE · Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:33 am

Did your SwitchGrips not come with any instructions, or did you buy it second hand? I'm curious about this subject too as I'd like to add a Bow to my collection soon, just for the different experience. I too have never seen mention of the longer line.....I thought the Bow was entirely symetrical?

misterbleepy · Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:46 pm

I think I saw a post from ABW regarding this on the GWTW forums - some thing to do with compensating for the way your hand holds the handle naturally/comfortably - but I can't remember whether the longer line was at the top or bottom.
A search there should turn up the answer pretty quickly...

Jest_of_EVE · Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:53 pm

Ahh, that's a clue. I'm now beginning to think that you find that 'comfort' point and add some knots for the larkshead...hence the extra length. Sounds feasible.

tspdk · Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:00 pm

Wel the only "paper" that came with the handles what a piece of paper where there was written "Switchgrips"

//Thomas

tspdk · Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:01 pm

Jest_of_EVE wrote:
Ahh, that's a clue. I'm now beginning to think that you find that 'comfort' point and add some knots for the larkshead...hence the extra length. Sounds feasible.

Ahh maybe thats the way ?

//thomas

tspdk · Sun Feb 13, 2005 3:04 pm

Well i found this

http://www.chill-out.org/media/handle.png

//Thomas

misterbleepy · Sun Feb 13, 2005 6:21 pm

Here's the GWTW thread I mentioned earlier:

http://www.gwtw-kites.com/forum/topic.a ... C_ID=11845

Lots of discussion there, and ABW says shorter at the top.
Interestingly, another poster turns the handles the other way up when the wind gets stronger.

The Airbow sounds like a pretty unique kite to fly - how are you getting on with it?

BF · Sun Feb 13, 2005 7:58 pm

Whichever way you prefer.

Last year Joe used to fly to a piece of music and switch the orientation of the grips during the routine.

To start with I'd suggest the shorter ones at the top.

See:
http://www.aeolian.co.uk/kites/features/airbow.html

Brian

Jest_of_EVE · Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:10 pm

Haha. Thanks for the link BF. Now I really know I gotta git me one of these here thangs!

Jest_of_EVE · Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:35 pm

My Airbow arrived today

Can't wait to get it up and away! :inlove:

abw · Sat Feb 19, 2005 11:34 am

Jest_of_EVE wrote:
I too have never seen mention of the longer line.....I thought the Bow was entirely symetrical?

The Airbow is symetrical but your wrist isn't. From the neutral position, you have more travel pushing your hand down than you do when pulling it back. So the top line of the switch grips is slightly shorter to compensate.

http://airbow.org/flying.html

A

Jest_of_EVE · Sat Feb 19, 2005 6:03 pm

OK, now I've flown it I understand. I put a knot about 50mm in, on the bottom lines, but when I got home moved it further out as I was too much at the top of the grips. I may even end up with the knot further out. Just have to see what feels best.

BTW...a warning to Airbow virgins! Check to make sure both your line pairs are the same length. This caught me out this morning. At first I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't launch, but it turned out that one set of lines was 18 inches longer than the other!

Had great fun with it, very strange feeling at first but now the basic skills are learned I can start bashing it around a bit more.

Can't wait!

Fractured Axel

Airbow => Switchgrips

Airbow => Switchgrips