This afternoon I broke the swivel (which holds the front lines (the base of the "Y") on my Blade controller ....effectively meaning I suddenly lost both front lines with the obvious consequences. I had just landed a jump (reasonable for an old codger) and had the kite fold up, Even though I don't mega boost we kite in shallowish water and free falling even 4 metres doesn't appeal.

I replace the flying lines and the trim/depower lines regularly as soon as they show signs of wear.

Whats the consensus about part longevity - Chicken loop, cleats, swivels etc. Is replacing the whole controller every 12 months the go?

Given that the woo phenomenon is urging us all to aspire to as lofty height as we can muster -do we have the right gear for the job?

Is a "king of the air" Bar and lines just a standard of the shelf model or are there more heavy duty components available.

Just wondering - The blade one is made of plastic (as are many of the components of the whole system for many of the controllers available).

I will replace the part with a Naish metal one for now, but am interested to hear opinions on the strongest set ups that are available.

Both the Ozone and Cabrinha systems look the goods.

Blade must be crap. I've had a slingshot bar for 5 years with no issues and an ozone for 7 years, with only the depower through the bar replaced. (The stretchy bit you attach the safety to). I kite every single day in summer and 3x a week in winter.

How did the component fail? I had a blade bar for a few years and never had any issues.

You don't get champagne for beer prices!

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Spitfire said..
How did the component fail? I had a blade bar for a few years and never had any issues.

The top part of the swivel pulled out of the bottom section (pulley for trim line) this swivel was a "plastic" component. .. the only metal was a pin through pulley and a washer in the swivel mechanism ...

Just buy the new bar and forget the swivel...

Iv always thought swivels were overrated. They jam with sand half the time and dont work. below bar swivel on the QR is the go. Just convert your bar mate. Kitepower sell alot of spare parts on thier site aswell as most shops. Have a look.