What bars work with what kites?

[tulley]

Control bars work with a certain year and model of kite. check.
Kite manufactures, can usually advise, which of their control bars work with which of their kites. ok.

However, if you mix manufactures of kites and control bars... a beginner gets confused. I was advised in my lessons that you want to stick with one manufacturer of control bars. This way you have exactly how to depower, and unhook deeply engrained in your memory. You don't want to have do XYZ on your 9M kite and ABC on your 12M kite... and have to remember the difference as you are getting dragged face first down the beach... So how does one determine what bars work with what kites. I know its not as easy as just picking a 4 line bar and a 4 line kite...

Specifically, I have a 9M switchblade ('12) and 12M switchblade ('10) with the IDS bar that came complete with the kite. I'm heading to Baja in Jan for 10 days hoping to progress from a beginner to a novice. I've been advised that I'll likely miss a few days without a smaller kite. I'm 150# and I'm looking for a 7M kite. Since, on a previous thread this forum advised that I won't get much use from a 7M in the delta, I'm looking for a used kite. There are very few used 7M switchblades avail on BAK or iKite. So I'm trying to understand what kites I could buy that will work well with cabrinha IDS bars. Any advice? Are bars from other manufacturers similar enough to IDS?

Will an IDS bar work with Wainman, Slingshot, F-One, RRD, etc? If so, only specific model years?

To avoid conflicts of interest, please don't PM me that the 7M kite you are selling will work great w/ an IDS bar. Please do post that a specific year model kite will work with IDS. The forum is a much better judge of your knowledge than I will be.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[WindMuch]

I don't know about bar/kite compatibility, but I'd disagree with the idea you won't use/need a 7 (or smaller) in the delta. At 150 pounds, that may often be your go-to kite for summer sessions up there!

[sc-surfer]

Most, but not all newer kites run an equal line length setup, meaning that with the bar pulled all the way in ( as in fully powered position ) all lines will be the same length. Theoretically, any bar set up for equal line lengths will fly any kite set up for that style of bar. Som bar details will have an impact though. You will want the total throw on the bar to be as great or greater than the kites requirements. Basically, if you run a bar with quite a bit of throw, most kites will be fine. I fly a Best Redline bar because I like the trim setup and it has a lot of de power throw. I use it with a bunch of different kites. Also look at total trim adjustability range. again, if the range on the bar is as much or more than what a given kite needs, you will be fine. Again, that's why I use the bar I do. The is no real rocket science behind it. It's just 4 lines that you gain vary the length relationship of.
There are, however several brands and individual models that have line/bridle setups that are not standard equal length setups. You will either have to fly the matching bar/kite combo, or use custom pigtails on the bridle to compensate for the difference. If you figure out that pigtail length, then you could use a standard bar. Of course, no manufacturer will tell you that.
I prefer to use just one style bar. I carry a spare so that all parts are interchangeable and I am super comfortable with the operation and features.

As for specific kites and bars... Well, you will have to work that out on your own. And at your own risk. This is California after all.

Hope that helps.

[le noun]

I don't know about bar/kite compatibility, but I'd disagree with the idea you won't use/need a 7 (or smaller) in the delta. At 150 pounds, that may often be your go-to kite for summer sessions up there!

I agree with kirk, I'm 185 and my usual kite size at sherman is 9m in the summer.

[adamrod]

so, the IDS bar has the center line split that extends pretty far up from the bar right?

having the Y split further up does affect kite performance. and kites not designed for it might flare out at the wingtips.

most kite companies have the center line Y right down by the bar, but some (like North and Cab) do not. If your bar has the Y further up, stick with other kites that also run a bar with the Y further up.

soo, probably look around for a used cab switchblade, vector, drifter etc...