PHASE 1: BIRTH – PRODUCTION

Most kite lines are made of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), or as most of us like to call it: Dyneema. To keep it basic, it’s a thermoplastic with exceptionally long molecular chains.

Machines transform these into ultra-thin, hair-like fibers which are braided into yarns and, eventually, into kite lines. After a bath of coating and some stretching, the lines are ready to be processed by The Line Smith. With a bit more stretching, cutting, and sewing, the line is ready for your bar.

PHASE 2: LIFE – FLIGHT

Once you’ve mounted the lines to your bar, the real journey begins. The "lifestyle" given to the lines determines whether they will last a long time or a short time. Are you a laid-back weekend cruiser, or an extreme rider who puts massive stress on the lines?

UV Exposure

UV exposure is the enemy of most things on this planet, and the same applies to your lines. Because they are made of plastic, they do not like UV. Exposure to sunlight alone can result in a strength loss of about 20-40%.

Abrasion

The absolute number one thing that destroys lines is abrasion. It’s not just the obvious "line-on-line" rubbing; it’s happening on a much larger scale at microscopic levels. Dirt, salt, and sand particles penetrate your line, causing abrasion to the fibers from within. The coating applied to your line is designed to keep these elements out. However, most Dyneema lines are only coated on the exterior. Once that shield is broken, contaminants penetrate deeply, causing damage from within. Every time the line stretches and relaxes, those microscopic fibers rub against each other. Line-on-line contact remains the primary cause of abrasion, eventually destroying your coating and external fibers.

Riding Style

Just like a human, lines can only take a maximum amount of pressure for so long. Riding in extreme conditions reduces their lifespan. Add a few rotations and loops, and you have the "perfect storm" for degradation.

• Weekend Warriors who never cross their lines and only ride "back and forth" can go years before feeling a difference.

• Pro Riders can see and feel a difference within just a few dozen sessions.

  
  

MAINTENANCE

Taking care of your lines will slow down the decay. Add another layer of protection by using our line wax, Glide Stick. It prevents dirt, salt, and sand from penetrating and works as a lubricant when the lines slide over each other.

Rinsing the bar after your session helps prevent the buildup of salt crystals, but it doesn’t help against the dust and sand you pick up before your session while untangling the lines. Submerging the bar and lines in water at the start of your session will help the lifespan much more than rinsing afterward. The best approach is to do everything you can to protect them.

PHASE 3: X  – BREAKAGE

The end of your line life is ended when it's broken  or damaged beyond repair. 
When is it time to replace?

Knots that have damaged the lines
Collisions - heat, friction and your lines will never be the same.
Overstretched. When uncommon things happen to your lines this is one of the most common issues.  Crashes, deathloops, Slack and smack  (backstall and get under tension)  

THE VERDICT

Knowing all of the above, we can’t give a simple answer on exactly how long your lines will last—there are simply too many factors at play.

All we know is that you need to prevent damage as much as possible. When we test lines at The Line Smith, we don’t just look at sessions; we look at cycles. How many cycles of line-on-line before it snaps? How many rotations? How much wind and UV exposure? Eventually, it’s a combination of all these factors that determines when it's time to replace your lines.

Stay safe out there, and read our next post about the 5 common wear areas so you know exactly what to keep an eye out for!