Favorite bar?
- jjm
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Wondering what everyone's favorite bar is (past, present, future?) and why?
I like the "Eject" chicken loop quick release on the WW B-Safe bar. I think it's funny that it says "Eject" on it in large letters.
Every time I have had to ditch my kite, a voice in my head goes "EJECT, EJECT!".
It is very easy to find with your hand when you are underwater or flying through the air, and you don't have to look at it to activate it.
I like my other bar, a Powerlock, but the chicken loop QR is ridiculously small and not intuitive at all to use. I do wonder why other companies don't sheath their chicken loops though, as it seems like this is an easy way to prevent wear and reduce or eliminate the possibilty of the CL breaking during use.
I also prefer the Cabrinha style sheet strap to the WW/SS camcleat, although I'm sure each one has it's supporters. For me, doing minute adjustments with the Clamcleat takes way too much care. I use the sheet strap alot, changing the sheeting each time I tack to compensate for the wind/wave direction. WIth the Camcleat I just leave in a compromise position and use the sheeting on the bar.
Every time I have had to ditch my kite, a voice in my head goes "EJECT, EJECT!".
It is very easy to find with your hand when you are underwater or flying through the air, and you don't have to look at it to activate it.
I like my other bar, a Powerlock, but the chicken loop QR is ridiculously small and not intuitive at all to use. I do wonder why other companies don't sheath their chicken loops though, as it seems like this is an easy way to prevent wear and reduce or eliminate the possibilty of the CL breaking during use.
I also prefer the Cabrinha style sheet strap to the WW/SS camcleat, although I'm sure each one has it's supporters. For me, doing minute adjustments with the Clamcleat takes way too much care. I use the sheet strap alot, changing the sheeting each time I tack to compensate for the wind/wave direction. WIth the Camcleat I just leave in a compromise position and use the sheeting on the bar.
- dewey
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- OliverG
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The Slingshot bars are killer - simple, straightforward and problem-free. No twists, excellent when used with the SS Surefire spreader bar for spinning leash. The clamcleat sheeting is simple and overall it's pretty bomber.
WW CC bars are nice for fatigue-free riding, and work best with a separate spinning leash, such as the SS Surefire. Expect increased maintenance because of the pulleys and subsequent wear on the sheeting line. Great for long sessions. Also uses a clamcleat sheeting system, which I like and prefer over strap-type sheeting systems, which can be sticky, just like your harness straps. They work best when thoroughly wet.
One thing I don't like is the common setup of the leash being attached to many kites above the chicken loop release. If you come unhooked and let go of your bar, the kite's gone. I prefer having the leash attached to your spreader bar or harness, and it needs to be spinnable as well, so the ideal solution involves something like the SS Surefire or Naish UDS. Lots of manufacturers could use help in this department from what I've noticed.
Point out other good solutions I don't know of...
WW CC bars are nice for fatigue-free riding, and work best with a separate spinning leash, such as the SS Surefire. Expect increased maintenance because of the pulleys and subsequent wear on the sheeting line. Great for long sessions. Also uses a clamcleat sheeting system, which I like and prefer over strap-type sheeting systems, which can be sticky, just like your harness straps. They work best when thoroughly wet.
One thing I don't like is the common setup of the leash being attached to many kites above the chicken loop release. If you come unhooked and let go of your bar, the kite's gone. I prefer having the leash attached to your spreader bar or harness, and it needs to be spinnable as well, so the ideal solution involves something like the SS Surefire or Naish UDS. Lots of manufacturers could use help in this department from what I've noticed.
Point out other good solutions I don't know of...
- Hana
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I have a Naish basic bar and Cabrinha 05 Recon 2 bar. As I have shorter arms than most people, I have to adjust center lines otherwise I can't even reach my bar when sheeting out. My Naish bar barely has sheeting length in order for me to keep comfortable zone on my arms when I ride. But as it doesn't have any spinning attachment, when I try invert, center lines would twist each time I roll, so is safety leash. Recon 2 has its own system for the kite but I don't even use the system. What was worse, lock-in system isn't very friendly when I ride. It always locks out when I want to lock in. I think 04 bar is much better. Again I had to shorten the sheeting so that I can reach a bar when sheeting out. When I demo North kites, I really like their 5th element bar. They have nice lock-in system, plus I was very comfortable on my arms without adjusting it at all. I also liked their primary release system. I think my ideal bar set-up would be either 5th element or the combination of Cabrinha 04 bar power-lock with North primary release (chicken loop). I would also like to hear someone uses Slingshot Profire carbon bar. Does the stopper ball bother you or is it just fine?
I am still researching to find my perfect bar too. Thanks.
I am still researching to find my perfect bar too. Thanks.
- kitebored
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- KillaHz
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- elli
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Like:
Airush ñ the components are top quality. I actually replaced component of other bars with airush components because they are just nicer and work better. The quick releases I don't like that much, you need a lot of force to pull them.
Flysurfer ñ live up to their name in quality. Out of the fact that they are top manufacturing and look like $M, they are tested by the same guys that test the aviation equipment. I just trust them more.
Spinning leash on these bars is a nice and simple design, the leash is not on the chicken loop so you can fly unhooked and hook again and always be on the leash. Works with every spreader bar, No special spreader bars required thanks god.
Problem is that the stock bars are sometimes short and you have to replace them.
Unfortunately you cannot use those bars with inflateables, it's a three line kite bar with its own safety. May work with recon kites.
Sligshot ñ I like the little tube that protects the fingers from the depower line.
Don't like:
Naish ñ low quality, sheeting is too short and looks poor. The UDS bar looks like someone hacked it at home from stuff you buy at Home Depot.
Cabrinha ñ the older bars have the quality of Naish bars. The new bars are complicated.
Don't know ñ RRD, but will know soon
Airush ñ the components are top quality. I actually replaced component of other bars with airush components because they are just nicer and work better. The quick releases I don't like that much, you need a lot of force to pull them.
Flysurfer ñ live up to their name in quality. Out of the fact that they are top manufacturing and look like $M, they are tested by the same guys that test the aviation equipment. I just trust them more.
Spinning leash on these bars is a nice and simple design, the leash is not on the chicken loop so you can fly unhooked and hook again and always be on the leash. Works with every spreader bar, No special spreader bars required thanks god.
Problem is that the stock bars are sometimes short and you have to replace them.
Unfortunately you cannot use those bars with inflateables, it's a three line kite bar with its own safety. May work with recon kites.
Sligshot ñ I like the little tube that protects the fingers from the depower line.
Don't like:
Naish ñ low quality, sheeting is too short and looks poor. The UDS bar looks like someone hacked it at home from stuff you buy at Home Depot.
Cabrinha ñ the older bars have the quality of Naish bars. The new bars are complicated.
Don't know ñ RRD, but will know soon
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Ya I still love to ride my old 2003 Cabrinha bars.... simple, solid and the powerlock works like a charm. Saves a lot of energy not having to hold the bar in all the time.
But I do agree with Pablito, the chicken loop QR is way too small to find in a hurry. But the chicken loop sheathing does work wonders... I have a couple of 03 bars that have been worked hard and other than sun fading look like they are brand new.
But I do agree with Pablito, the chicken loop QR is way too small to find in a hurry. But the chicken loop sheathing does work wonders... I have a couple of 03 bars that have been worked hard and other than sun fading look like they are brand new.
- OliverG
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