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Getting fed-up re harness straps loosening...help please

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Created by AquaPlow > 9 months ago, 5 Nov 2019
AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
5 Nov 2019 8:47PM
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The pure bliss of moving to a ride engine harness is wearing off fast.
First one ok major relief but 500+$ and splitting at the seams after 20 months of moderate probably modest use..
bought 2nd after requesting how to fix and informed major changes to design .. bullet proof.. have replacement @ discount...
So shelled bit under $400 from memory.. for basic model
But no point if straps loosen during session =15 minutes or less and harness rides up.. I stop drop kite and tighten 2+ times each session where/when conditions allow.
So how to setup to stop this ?
thanks
AP

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
5 Nov 2019 6:59PM
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The quick straps are the go'' the plastic crap have always done my nut I'm ' then a total pain trying to tighten them on the beach's the quick strap system hasn't budged a bit' even if it did a quick bank on the strap and it's automatically tightens

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
5 Nov 2019 10:24PM
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Can't tell from the net pics but if they've the standard nylon buckles, you can loop the tail backwards through the back of the buckle...

Think there was a thread here about it in general but the search function here isn't the greatest.

horey69
QLD, 495 posts
6 Nov 2019 6:34AM
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Kamikuza said..
Can't tell from the net pics but if they've the standard nylon buckles, you can loop the tail backwards through the back of the buckle...

Think there was a thread here about it in general but the search function here isn't the greatest.


Yep that's the answer, fold them back through. I'm still running a 2016 model and that method works well.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
7 Nov 2019 7:50AM
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horey69 said..

Kamikuza said..
Can't tell from the net pics but if they've the standard nylon buckles, you can loop the tail backwards through the back of the buckle...

Think there was a thread here about it in general but the search function here isn't the greatest.



Yep that's the answer, fold them back through. I'm still running a 2016 model and that method works well.


Only locks the strap' when wet and under load ie jumping your straps stretch also your harness ' it's when you need to do that adjustment to tighten it becomes a pain

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
9 Nov 2019 7:12PM
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Thanks for replies..
At the time of frustrated post.. camping at Sandon NSW.. recently emerged from session in surf.. bizarre wind... 1 box ticked .. kite didn't get dropped .. I felt I was going to get ring barked around the nipples foiled at foiling.. cursing didn't take surfboard consequence of no more 4wd so No take the kitchen sink mentality + 100% onshore wind..

Re.. harness design..
I have loaded some pics. Design of this version of SS harness means threading through buckle on beach is not possible. I used to with the previous harness setup. The new one when loaded has no play to slot end thru buckle.and limited space. I have tried/modified.. etc trying rubber bands now.. had hoped to get a leg up from someone else's smarts
I have one side locked and threaded thru buckle but this required pliers / screw driver and the extra play available when not attached to me.
The buckles have teeth... these are designed to sit under the elastic shroud.. this is meant to hold the strap tight when tucked under it..
FAIL.. = ring bark when trying to get thru surf In onshore wind... gggrrr..

Not doing that again.. gotta resolve.. worse than sand fly bites.. on repeat...
Will sort something and likely get stitching done at upholstery.. what a PITA.. this foiling obsession..
thanks again
AP

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
9 Nov 2019 9:13PM
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cauncy said..
Only locks the strap' when wet and under load ie jumping your straps stretch also your harness ' it's when you need to do that adjustment to tighten it becomes a pain


Depends on the design of the harness, how the buckles are laid out, thickness of the straps.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
9 Nov 2019 9:27PM
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AquaPlow said..
Thanks for replies..
At the time of frustrated post.. camping at Sandon NSW.. recently emerged from session in surf.. bizarre wind... 1 box ticked .. kite didn't get dropped .. I felt I was going to get ring barked around the nipples foiled at foiling.. cursing didn't take surfboard consequence of no more 4wd so No take the kitchen sink mentality + 100% onshore wind..

Re.. harness design..
I have loaded some pics. Design of this version of SS harness means threading through buckle on beach is not possible. I used to with the previous harness setup. The new one when loaded has no play to slot end thru buckle.and limited space. I have tried/modified.. etc trying rubber bands now.. had hoped to get a leg up from someone else's smarts
I have one side locked and threaded thru buckle but this required pliers / screw driver and the extra play available when not attached to me.
The buckles have teeth... these are designed to sit under the elastic shroud.. this is meant to hold the strap tight when tucked under it..
FAIL.. = ring bark when trying to get thru surf In onshore wind... gggrrr..

Not doing that again.. gotta resolve.. worse than sand fly bites.. on repeat...
Will sort something and likely get stitching done at upholstery.. what a PITA.. this foiling obsession..
thanks again
AP


Yeah those look like a PITA to adjust.

Are the straps really short? Or the buckles really tight to the harness? Usually you can just pull the back of the buckle up and poke a tip through, then pull the rest of the strap.

Then when you undo your straps, tuck a thumb under the loop and work it out but don't pull the tail out, obviously. Then you can work the loop for slack ... unless that strap is REALLY short. You could put a D-ring through the loop part to make it easy to work out ... but that's just too much work for me.

The straps on my Dakine harnesses and the Mystic are all stupidly long. There's literally a foot flapping around, and it'd be worse if the harness was actually on a right sized person...!

Swavek
WA, 393 posts
13 Nov 2019 5:37AM
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cauncy said..
The quick straps are the go'' the plastic crap have always done my nut I'm ' then a total pain trying to tighten them on the beach's the quick strap system hasn't budged a bit' even if it did a quick bank on the strap and it's automatically tightens


What are the 'quick straps'?

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
13 Nov 2019 9:27AM
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AquaPlow said..
The pure bliss of moving to a ride engine harness is wearing off fast.
First one ok major relief but 500+$ and splitting at the seams after 20 months of moderate probably modest use..
bought 2nd after requesting how to fix and informed major changes to design .. bullet proof.. have replacement @ discount...
So shelled bit under $400 from memory.. for basic model
But no point if straps loosen during session =15 minutes or less and harness rides up.. I stop drop kite and tighten 2+ times each session where/when conditions allow.
So how to setup to stop this ?
thanks
AP


One word - MYSTIC
Another word - WARRIOR
Da best!

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
13 Nov 2019 11:35AM
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Swavek said..

cauncy said..
The quick straps are the go'' the plastic crap have always done my nut I'm ' then a total pain trying to tighten them on the beach's the quick strap system hasn't budged a bit' even if it did a quick bank on the strap and it's automatically tightens



What are the 'quick straps'?




Simplest best way to tighten your harness ' pull on strap to tighten' press tab to loosen' I sent mystic emails to get them to manufacture a harness with these for year's ' these are now on ion harness ' I've owned approx 10/12 kite harnesses ' TBH you'd not go back to older style ' you can adjust on the go where I'd have to come I' drop the kite to take all the tension off the harness and fark around tightening' a few jumps later and do it all again


Swavek
WA, 393 posts
14 Nov 2019 7:41AM
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I see, I got quick straps on my ion harness then :-)
Got a warranty replacement of my ion harness as the stitching went. The new one has 'quick strap' buckles made of composite plastic vs old aluminium casting. It is an improvement - hold just as good and does not chew-up straps as the old one did. Glad I got a replacement - I would need new straps after less than a season of use with my old harness - no issues with the composite plastic buckles.

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
17 Nov 2019 4:34PM
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cauncy said..
The quick straps are the go'' the plastic crap have always done my nut I'm ' then a total pain trying to tighten them on the beach's the quick strap system hasn't budged a bit' even if it did a quick bank on the strap and it's automatically tightens


Thank-you Mick have ordered a set of ION Harness LeverBuckles under $20 bucks.. will attach to Ride engine on the gate side..
Without some machine work I could not get the lock down happening on existing buckles.
I got well hitched when the sea breeze went from 12-14 knots to over 20 on 10M. yesterday..

In the mean time, have decided to check-out my original WIPIKA seat harness with a Dynabar setup for foiling.. if I like C of G when using this will get ION B2 setup from George. I figure the comfort should have improved !!!

Cheers
AP (I suspect the date on AKSA Tag qualifies me as an equipment hoarder)

NB. I have an integrated impact vest harness from Dakine (see photo gallery) which was always too big especially once I dropped 15 pies in QLD heat. Need to be in the large category to fit this. Anyone interested PM me and will send your way..




dism
NSW, 660 posts
9 Jan 2020 8:50PM
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AquaPlow - did you get the ION leverbuckles setup on your Ride engine harness?

If so, how best to do/pics? Ta

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
12 Jan 2020 9:21AM
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dism said..
AquaPlow - did you get the ION leverbuckles setup on your Ride engine harness?

If so, how best to do/pics? Ta


Hi dism..
Life is in slomo on kite front.. In dry dock W bust collar bone.
I had been using ion b seat harness for 5 weeks..
Re.. Buckles.. On ride engine.. The yatch sail loft guy said happy to do but wait till NY as flatout pre..xmas.. So yet to get into it.. Plan is to cut out current buckles extend webbing a little and stitch in New ion buckles.. So same design better hardware and more adjust able..
No real brainwaves from my side.. Just industrial sowing machine.. Have had to repair domestic machine in past.. Not going there again as copped it from SWMBObeyed
Will pm once done...
Cheers
AP

dism
NSW, 660 posts
12 Jan 2020 11:12PM
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Ta AquaPlow, ordered some of those buckles, so will copy what you learn.

Sore ribs from current buckles slipping means gotta make changes, prob rope slider also

Surprised Ride Engine don't fit them out fully

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
13 Jan 2020 9:23PM
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dism said..
Ta AquaPlow, ordered some of those buckles, so will copy what you learn.

Sore ribs from current buckles slipping means gotta make changes, prob rope slider also

Surprised Ride Engine don't fit them out fully


JIC

suggest review wave harness topic by Pepperdurso it took off v.good4 sliders and ideas
AP

dism
NSW, 660 posts
14 Jan 2020 9:51PM
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Cheers AquaPlow, checked
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Wave-Harness?page=1

Ordered the rope slider bar and a Antal ring

www.deckhardware.com.au/low-friction-rings

Hope that sorts it out

Btw, ION buckles have a removable bolt, eyeballing it - I reckon can just cut plastic buckles off (cut thru buckles and leave webbing untouched). Then bolt thru ION buckles into webbing loop, done



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"Getting fed-up re harness straps loosening...help please" started by AquaPlow