Big Easy Kites M2 Upper Spreader

[Welcome to the GWTW Forum]

Welcome to the GWTW Forum.
Guests (non-registered users) can view the forum but are unable to post.  If you don't have anything to say then why would you bother to register?
One of the most popular sections of the GWTW Forum has long been the Swap Meet.  A great place to sell old, seldom flown kites or to get great deals on used (gently flown) kites.  Only registered users can see the Swap Meet section, let alone wheel and deal.  1000's (literally) of kites have changed hands thanks to the Swap Meet.
There are several more benefits to being a registered user, but you'll have to join our little community to find out all the "secrets".
Questions or concerns?  forum.gwtwkites@gmail.com

[Michel]

Hi all,

I noticed that the upper spreader of my Big Easy Kites M2 is .156" (4 mm) solid carbon.

Do you know the reason for using a solid carbon rod instead hollow spar for an SUL kite... framed with full (very light) Avia Skinny UL ?

The weight of a hollow pultruded .156" Upper Spreader would be 6 g instead 11 g for a solid Upper Spreader.

Perhaps that 4 mm hollow carbon did'nt exist when the M2 was built by Ray Bordelon (1994-1995) ?

Thanks in advance ! 

[Ca Ike]

Hollow tubes existed back then but the solid rod was preferred for strength and mass.  157 tube tends to split lengthwise rather easily in some applications.  The spreaders on my Wala XL were always failing like that.

[ndcmpc]

BTW, if you check your upper LE, it should be Skinny SUL, not UL.

Don't know on the solid upper spreader.  Mine is solid as well.  I am guessing the mass for flat spins would be the reason.

[Michel]

Thanks for your answers my friends.

Hollow tubes existed back then but the solid rod was preferred for strength and mass.[...]

Maybe but 5 g more for this SUL and a hollow carbon Upper Spreader is stiffer than a solid carbon rod.
 

BTW, if you check your upper LE, it should be Skinny SUL, not UL.

I knew that Doug, thanks. And what about the spine  ? I have read Skinny UL and Skinny SUL too ?

[Ca Ike]

The Skinny ul was the lighter of the two rods.  For AVIA SUL stood for Superior Ultra Light which was one step above,  stronger and stiffer than the Skinny UL.

Maybe but 5 g more for this SUL and a hollow carbon Upper Spreader is stiffer than a solid carbon rod.
 

That all depends on materials.  I have solid rod thats really stiff and some thats more flexible that FG just because of differences in the resin used to make them.  Really though only Ray would know the real reason he chose that rod and IMO I've never flown a bad kite from his line up.

Our forum is made possible by the good folks whose ads appear in the right margin of the forum and by the members of our community (PayPal donation button at bottom of the page)
In case you missed it each ad is linked to the sponsors web site.  So please, take a moment and visit our sponsors sites as this forum wouldn't be possible with out them. >>>
Interested in running an ad for your business or kiting event?  Contact Steve at advertise.gwtwkites@gmail.com for a quote.