Spars
Kite spars are by no means indestructible and do break from time to time, no matter how good you are. For this reason we carry a very wide range of spars in a variety of different materials for such emergencies. If you do not know which spar you require for any kite simply give us a call or send us an e-mail and we will advise you of it's type and any alternatives.
We try to hold spars in stock for all of the kites we currently sell (our Bluewater store does not hold many spars but can order them in from Brighton - please ask in advance of your visit, or we can mail them to you). We will always endeavour to get a spar for any kite, or provide you with an alternative.As you will notice many of the spars we sell are in quite long
lengths, these can be sent out whole if required,
but it is generally cheaper to post if we can cut anything over 1.25 meters
down. We will only cut on request and require you to submit such a
request with your order. Please note there will be a cutting charge of £0.25/cut added to your order.
If we can cut 2.5m spars down to shorter lengths (1m or less) then they can be sent in a
tube through Royal Mail at a reduced postage rate, providing the package is not too heavy. Otherwise remember £8.00 will
be the maximum postage you will pay.
SAFETY:
Always wear gloves when cutting or handling spars. If not,
always wash your hands afterwards to help prevent any
fibres bedding in your skin. If such fibres do bed into your skin try
to draw them out by bathing that part of your body in fairly hot
salt water (must not burn) & using a sterile neddle to remove the
splinter. If this does not completely remove the splinter wear a
plaster smeared with magnesium
sulphate over the wound & hopefully this will over a day or two.
This is a good precautionary measure anyway.
Please dispose of any broken kite spars appropriately. Do not
leave them broken in fields where others may injure themselves on them.
It is also important to prevent carbon getting into the food chain.
GRP: (Glass Reinforced Plastic)
Most of our GRP is white. GRP is heavy and very flexible, but quite inexpensive, for this reason it is found in many beginner kites (although, it may be black mixed with carbon in many). Its flexibility means that below 5mm you can wrap it up on it's self, to be honest GRP finds its way into more non-kite projects than kites, with many customers upgrading to carbon in their kites. All GRP is sold in 2.5 meter lengths, please specify if require it cut, smaller diameters will be sent rolled up. Please be aware that GRP must be handled with a pair of good quality, thick gloves as there are often small splinters on the surface of the spar that can embed themselves into your skin. Lightly "sanding down" the spar may help to reduce the amount of splinters on the surface of the spar.
Bulk Carbon Fibre:
Carbon fibre is what generally finds its way into sport kites, being light and rigid, although it comes in many different forms, what is listed here is known as bulk carbon which is general the best value, although it must be brought in 2.5 meter lengths. Please specify if you require it cut.
Exel (and exel strong) carbon fibre:
Very good strength, although a little at the expense of rigidly. Used in many of today's sport kites by manufactures such as Flexifoil, perfect for replacing bulk carbon or GRP - sold in 82.5cm lengths.
Hi-modulus Carbon Fibre:
As the name suggests a great standard looking carbon used in Tim Bensons kites - all lengths 82.5cm.
Avia Carbon Fibre:
Avia carbon has similar properties to Excel and is generally found in American kites such as the Prism range. All Avia spars are sold in 82.5cm lengths apart from Avia 196.
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Avia G-Force:
Avia G-Force are tapered carbon fibre tubes with a graphite spiral wrapping them. The are rated as the best, not only because they are the very light and incredibly stiff, but their tapered nature means you have strength were you need it (in the centre of the spine and leading edges) and low weight in areas with little sail area to support them, i.e. the wing tips. A Skinny is a lighter weight version (very light) used in various ultra light kites. A G-Force UL despite its name is quite strong and a standard spar (G-Force standard and strong are available special order). These spars are however a little breakable and more expensive than your standard carbon - but what a difference they make to a kite.
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Sky Shark:
Similar to Avia G-Force, however not tapered. Very high rigidly to weight ratio, used in kites such as the Matrix and older ultra lights.
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