23 replies to this topic

[DWayne]

I was wondering which handles are your favorites and why.

[FortFlyer]

I prefer the 15"-17" custom extended handles, as i dont grip them like handlebars on a bicycle i pretty much hang them on my forfingers and tap with my pinky's to turn.

the slightly longer handles for me makes inverted flying easier and less movement to control therfore less oversteer and very quick clock turns.

now those Italians they fly with ski poles

[monkey]

I'm a nearly 10 year guy on 13s. I've tried longer ones but, it didn't give me anything new or improved.

[RevWizard]

I prefer my extended 15" handles. Most of the Italians also use 15" or 16", an idea adapted from me.
I have been using them since about 1995.
I find I can do much more with longer handles, in particular in the tricks area.
Once you are in depth used to 15" handles, using shorter handles can be a slight problem.

[Kitelife]

I'm a 13" handle kind of guy...

They're long enough to get strong movements out of the kite and provide the sensitivity I need, but they don't over control the kite like I find with longer "ski pole" handles.

I use the same handles for all my Revs... II, 1.5 and 1.

[Watty]

13" All the way. They are just the right length where I have penty of control, and it's easier to do axels and ground pancakes and such. Plus it doesn't overcontrol the kite as much as some longer handles would. And another bonus, it's easier to fly in lighter winds.

[jburka]

Depends on the kite and the type of flying. I've been using my custom 16" handles (stock handles extended with scrap Easton AC 330) since '94, mostly for bridleless RevII flying, though I also used them for my 1 back when I used to fly it regularly.

When I built my first 1.5 back in '95, I found I wasn't crazy about my custom handles with it, but my extended wooden handles built by Mike Van Meers were perfect -- they happen to be 13s. I still really like 13s with a 1.5, though I'm as likely to be using a set that came with a B-series as I am to use my wooden set.

[RevWizard]

13" All the way. They are just the right length where I have penty of control, and it's easier to do axels and ground pancakes and such. Plus it doesn't overcontrol the kite as much as some longer handles would. And another bonus, it's easier to fly in lighter winds.

Just curious, have you flown a lot with long handles or was it just a once try it and didn't like them?

[RevWizard]

I prefer my extended 15" handles. Most of the Italians also use 15" or 16", an idea adapted from me.
I have been using them since about 1995.
I find I can do much more with longer handles, in particular in the tricks area.
Once you are in depth used to 15" handles, using shorter handles can be a slight problem.

Another thing, for a REV II they are too long. I prefer a 13" or shorter for a REV II.
For my Indoor REV, I use the aluminum carbon wrapped handles that came with it.
For all of my REV Is and REV 1.5s I prefer the 15".
For trains I preferred the longer carbon wrapped handles I got from REV years ago. I really don't remember their length.

[DWayne]

I picked up a set of 11" handles last week and really like them for the most part. With my vented in lighter wind they aren't as responsive as the 13" handles are though. After seeing the poll results I guess I should spend more time with my 13" handles.

Denny

[Watty]

Just curious, have you flown a lot with long handles or was it just a once try it and didn't like them?

What do you mean???

I've always flown on 13" Handles. I tried shorter once, but I didn't like them as much. I've also tried longer, and I didn't like them as much either.

[RevWizard]

What do you mean???

I've always flown on 13" Handles. I tried shorter once, but I didn't like them as much. I've also tried longer, and I didn't like them as much either.

Sorry, I was referring to 15" handles.

When you get time spend a few hours with longer 15" handles.
Try the tricks and light wind flying.

[antman]

13 inches is the way to go

[RevWizard]

It is all in personal preference.

After winning 35.1% of my quad line competitions, placing 2nd 32.4% of the time, my preference is 15" handles for both the REV I and REV 1.5.

Even the 5 time European quad line champion Guido Maiocchi of Italy prefers these long handles.

[stroke survivor]

Really like the 13" handles that came with my 1.5 vented, but I flew a long time on my old Rev 1 handles that are 11"! Even liked them flying my son's Rev 2!! Never tried any of the longer handles!

Edited by stroke victim, 07 July 2010 - 10:00 PM.

[REVflyer]

A favorite topic of mine!

I use long throw handles whenever possible, I like 'em best on the tricks end and low-wind flying efforts though. For team flying/120s I'll go to shorter, otherwise people get stabbed in the ribs if they stand too close to me<HA!> I have handles from 17 inches, measured across the gap between the two attachment points, down to 10 inch gaps in different materials aluminum tubes (and rods), steel tubes, wrapped graphite tubes and titanium tubes.

I probably reach for the titanium handles the most often, they are very long throws and so light in weight, it's almost as if the mass were missing entirely. A thumb flick down on the top of the handle moves the bottom leader backwards over a foot of distance, that's how you dump the air and flick the thing around!

I was instructed with long throw by Jeff Burka, blame him, I'm just following along with the crowd.
-plm

[quaa714]

I switched over to 15 inch handles almost 2 years ago and have never looked back.
In light wind I'll move over to my 17s.

[Aerochic]

I definitely prefer 13" handles (clipless pro handles hands down). I do however like to use my 15" for light winds. I need those in pros now...

[SynTaks]

The common denominator in our bag seems to be the standard 13"s. Last summer I made some aluminum 15"s and find them quite enjoyable on a bridleless 1.5 SUL. Haven't quite wrapped my mind around using indoor handles on that kite instead of the indoor.

One time I got a hairbrained idea to use Blast handles on the shockwave... what that little bit of an angle can make a difference.

[JD]

I prefer my standard set of 13's triangle clips and all

I've tried longer ones and they felt awkward and even other 13's the grips feel different..I like MINE lol