I am still waiting to get my hands on one to test.
Light weight bar - the old bull horn shape is back
Adjustable sliding stopper
Quarter turn increments take 2cm of traditional trim line depower from the kite - twist to sheet in, bump to sheet out
No swivels, trim straps or rings
Open, easily inspected and ergonomically designed U shaped bar offers maximum sand and debris flush for smooth shifting every time and easy access to all moving parts
Not game changing, but innovative. I do like that you can trim without removing your hand from the bar by bumping it with the outside of your palm. Power up is 1/4 turn.
Not sure on the RRP as yet either....
Thoughts?
Interesting to see that two companies have come up with similar (but different) concepts. How does that happen in the same season given that both would require a high level of RD and this doesn't happen overnight. Is there a level of espionage in the kiting world?
It is good to see that companies are taking a good swing at the next steps in bar development.
Have to say, I like the look of this one. Somehow it looks even cleaner with less moving parts than the Clicker.
Might be one of those "sit back and wait" purchases as v1 and v2 get picked apart by the kiting community and developments/improvements are made accordingly.
Mind you, from experience Ocean Rodeo are never an easy one to get readily accessible products from. Is there an Australian distributor?
Woot got it mostly right... we have been working on this bar for years. R3 is a combo of Rudo and our 2x designers Ross and Richard. The biggest hurdle has been the U shaped bar to allow for easy flush of all debris. This took us 3 years of design and testing to get right so that it was as strong as traditional bars. Waaaay longer than expected. In the intermittent time, North bought their patent - which we were aware of - and have brought theirs to market. BWS also has a patent on one but it is for both back lines with 2x winders.
We are incredibly proud to be able to announce this bar. I can't tell you how much of a journey this has been...
Shi thouse - I will likely get a demo bar over in Perth with someone for peeps to try when I get them.
Looks like a great bar, I was in a kite shop the other day and saw a replacement center line for almost $100 for some spliced dynema line
Out of interest what would be the price to replace the center line on this bar or the north bar?
Yeh I think on first glance and reading the stuff on KF the stopper does look better more practical. We will see. The open U at the bar... I wonder while it allows a theoretical better flush also allows more water and sand to get in their in the first place causing maybe increased wear during use. You can see the actual pics of this on the KF.
Definetly looks like it will feel more natural not having to get your hand around and across to twist the clicker as with the north one. And pushing the button for that matter to release trim.
Is it just me (looking at KF not here ) the mechanism looks more simple. Wait for the extensive vids on maintenance I suppose
How is the North one game-changing but this isn't?!
Still thinks it unnecessary complexity but I like the mode of operation much more.
Weight and price?
You have to get your thumb under the North to re power every click , the knob on the Ocean looks more user friendly and faster to re power.
Another note is you can depower with no tension in the rear lines, so you can set your trim before launching.
To completely disassemble the trim system, replace trim lines and reassemble is apparently less than 10mins, I imagine the first time may be a bit more as it goes.
The winding mechanism can also be swapped to the other side of the bar easily if you prefer/need to use your left hand.
For years imho the lesser brands have been the leaders in bar simplicity and innovation,
Bws, crazyfly, gin,wainmann, blade, liquid force,
This bar imho is and looks leagues ahead in an engineering view than most, is this the end of knots in pigtails
That looks great, Ocean Rodeo has a freaking good line-up of products this year !
I'm going to get one of these for the coming season and report back.
We'll see how it holds in the long run...
but so far my experiences with OR and Nigel have been second to none, so I'm not too worry.
Really stoked to see the positive chatter on here. I will try to answer any other questions that come up but so far it looks like between Nigel's help here and my posts on KF I've covered off all your thoughts?
We are very - very - proud of the 2017 line up, some gorgeous products and the bar is icing on the cake. I can't tell you how hard it has been to sit here for 5+ years knowing something is coming and not being able to discuss it publicly!!
JZ ~OR
I will have some demo bars being delivered in the coming weeks, anyone interested in trying this one out shoot me a PM or email and I will do my best.
My demo 7m, 9.5m and 12m Roam wave kites are in the air now so should be here end of next week, stock on the water so still a few weeks away. I got wind of the Roam a while ago and have been waiting for what seems like eternity, so keen to give them a run. Just need some wind and swell.....
Great looking bar.
Doesnt really show any pics of the safety system.
Would it be through the middle of the depower line like Cab?