Has Anyone Used Rigid Bridle Legs?

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[chilese]

When a 3 point bridle is under tension, all the legs are rigid.
But that tow point shifts all over the place during slack line moves.

Has anyone played with having 1, 2, or even all 3 lines as inflexible links?

With 3 solid bridle links, dead launches should be easy.

With 2 solid bridle links, the bridle could still collapse, allowing fade tricks to work.

I can't think of a benefit to having 1 solid bridle link.

Just wondering...... 

[Allen Carter]

As with any kite mod I start with a clear understanding of what I'm trying to fix, or improve. Other than sitting like a hang glider ready to launch, what's the goal?

[chilese]

Goal:

An increased understanding of all things kite related.

For a guy who walks around barefoot all the time, you are such the pragmatist.

[fidelio]

wouldn't it be the case on a 3 point bridle, the lower legs alternate being slack when you make a turn? so when turning 2 of the 4 lower legs are slack or 'not under full load', one on each side?

allen has a point though.

[AKA_MrBill]

There is a simple way to test this out, although, any damage it might cause to your kite is not my probem. 

Cut a length of, say 5mm puldrude, to the length of each leg of the bridal you want to make rigid. Now thread those legs through their respective pieces of rod and re-attach the bridal to the frame.

This will add weight to the kite, but it will give you a quick idea if this mod will work or not.

With the wind we have today, you might be able to make a shoe fly if you hold it just right. 

[ae]

not directly a rigid bridle, but a variation there off. A control bar between the tow points and hold in place by the bridle and two sticks running from the control bar to the kit itself. So it is firmly in place. the main advantage i see is having a more solid feel for the kite during speed flying and of course a different center of mass for the kite, in front of the sail. Can be beneficial in high aspect kites.
Another old variant is the ghost frame, basically a really sturdy triangle inserted into the bridle or in front of it to help spreading the load across the kite better, popular in large trains. like 50+ Peter Powells.
I used a ghost frame in my old 10 Spin-off train. Works like a charm.
Of course one could argue that the old Flexifoil stacker do have a solid bridle, the frontal spare.

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