It's interesting to me how specific the bar is for its application. Some guys are talking bells and whistles and 650kg lines. This is a pic of Florian Trittel, hydrofoil pro tour racer who is using a custom setup consisting of a carbon bar, shackle instead of chicken loop and lightweight lines (typically 250kg breaking stain only). No quick release in slight, although there does appear to be a leash. I know a few guys who don't bother. I've personally been playing with the BRM Clouds and Greg's CCS setup which is pretty minimalistic. Horses for courses I guess.
If a race bar intrests you have a bit of a look around for some of the modofied bars we use for skiing then flying down mountain on the kite. An accidental quick release would kill us so we disable it completely but stronger lines are definitely more comforting in the event of some strong gusty valley winds. Not unusual to see something more robust then a caribiner for a chicken loop. Also accidently spinning out of control while under the kite is bad so we like to use big long bars which then changes the kite to be a little more flatter and snowkites are pretty flat allready. Old florian there can get away with a simple set up, but you wouldnt want to be floating down from 300m on unsheathed 250kg lines ;-)
I really like my ozone bar. Particularly the pu covered depower rope. That lasts a long time before wearing out. I also like the coloured lines. Its so much easier to sort a tangle and to see which way is which when all you have is lines coming out of the water. What don't I like? Why does the chicken loop need to be so freaken massive? its a waste of arm length also the qr Is similarly massive. A smaller one would be better.
alright, alright I'll bite. it really depends on how you are riding. I need a proper stopper, use it all the time...and a microhook, but that's by the by. If I was only wave riding. foiling...man make it as simple and clutter free as possible. If I hooked in all the time surfing wouldn't even use a damn chicken loop, hence not even a harness hook. It all depends on functionality and for what purpose. Like kites, they need their own place along the spectrum of styles.
Line wise...ozone lines (epic use the same lines) are the best I've used. Apparently Q power pro are even better. North lines, while much better on the latest incarnations, really let the damn bar down. Not sure why they've never sorted that one out completely. Fluff up real soon and nearly every session I'm swearing my box off trying to run the damn things out!!!..grrrrrrrrr
I don't have a c4 anymore. Used to have a 10m . It did great loops but I prefer the stupid lift and glide and upwind of the edge
Hey plums my chicken loop on my ozone bar is about half the size of that one in the photo. You have a massive donkey dick as well! Maybe they're just bigger in NZ!
I hate the corroding magnets on the ozone, (could just be Velcro) but otherwise they are are a simple dependable set up. If I was really picky..... Since they went to soft ends they have grown longer and a size in between the 40 & 45cm would be perfect. The crazy fly 2016 sick bar (bar only) looks great, but I have heard they have a few issues.
Plummett, you have a C4 bar hence the big CL - for ease of hooking back in. Pretty sure you can buy and fit a regular (smaller) loop from Ozone. I like that the flagging line on Ozone doesn't run through a tube - less places for sand and crud to get stuck and I can see at a glance if it is twisted or wearing. Simple simple simple.
Slingshot comp stick thumbs up
Also Ozone 4 sure
Cabrinha nah . . . . Had issues all summer. . . Has good elements but dumped it
Compstick is ok.
However you need to really keep on top of maintenance as the swivel doesn't take much to jam with a little sand. Once it is jammed its a pain to fix.
Trim ropes now cost $49 each. I'll use between 2 to 3 a year.
Sand back the hole in the bar as the edges become rather sharp.
Brummel splice does not need sewing. It's self locking. It's a bit of a brain **** when you're trying to learn it, but once you work it out it's easy.
PS Hand sewing a normal splice is pretty easy. It only takes a few stitches so the splice doesn't slip when it's not loaded. Under load it's locked solid.
This is a great topic, and something I have been thinking about for a while, from feedback about bars. let me know if you agree:
1) Soft Bar Ends ( adjustable ones are weaker, more to go wrong, very stabby if hit in the head board etc )
2) No above bar swiveling mace ( Above bar swivels dont work well, king of the air a swivel wrapped around the lines and the guy went to hospital, so swivels dont work great and are a danger )
3) Below bar swivel, above bar cleat depower with velcro to stop depower strap flapping
4) PU covered main line and saftey line ( some people dont like the feel of a pu covered line, having the saftey and main line covered makes the line last a year, or a month or 2 without )
5) thicker inside kite lines for extra strenght
So I was thinking of having a website where you can order and customize this bar, with or without PU tube, and 20m 25m 27m line lengths for about 260 USD. I wonder if people would be interested, parts brand name ronstan, cousins etc, and are from the same factories that make the other bars. Up to $700 for a bar of similar features seems a bit over the top. Ok bring on the flamers...
Final bar would be similar to the ozone bar but PU covered center line, short push away swivel velcro for depower strap
cross between the crazy fly and ozone. The crazy fly bar itself is simple. Doesn't need giant cow horns just soft ends. Outside lines need some cushioning or stiffness to prevent wrap. Colour coded bar and lines. Adjustable stopper is difficult with PU covered but would be great. Single line flag out like ozone. All those that require a knot to slide through a small opening can be unreliable. I could name a few. Some have far too many parts in their quick release with pins that can rust and fall out. The chicken loop may become obsolete, so a system that can be connected straight to shackle may be cost effective and a seller to sliding wave riders + what you already have said.
It would be good if all manufacturers used the same or similar colours for bars and lines. Or if that isn't what they want to do, have visible markings at least on one side as per maritime i.e.. left / port / red or right / starboard / green.....
Also some kind of industry standard for quick releases and that safety systems work and are tested etc. might save lives?
The fact that people get tangled up in lines (can't access or use a knife) and drown (like the double fatality recently in Tarifa) - perhaps demonstrates that steering lines should be able to be quickly disconnected at the bar? Perhaps by pulling hard outwards or something releases them???
Just a thought....
The best bar without a doubt is the Cloud bar by Board Riding Maui. It is simple, light and huge amount of depower. I would guess it is less than half the weight of the next lightest bar. He also fits it with an amazing connection system that is far superior to anything on the market. The only thing you can't do with the bar is unhooked tricks.. After a couple of years using this bar anything else seems like it is from the last century. The owner of the company operates a small business out of Maui, so it may require a call to him to get a bar, but it is worth it.