The track thing is flexible. It looks to be two lengths of strong cord encased in probably high tech webbing. The secret is in the clamps that hold the handles onto the webbing.
This was discussed at length a few months ago when videos and documents were leaked, then it all disappeared. It's started leaking again. 
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..
They could have gone with a boom?
It does have a boom option, or handles, it's your choice what you fit to the tracks.
What is the purpose to have this tracks? Usually handles positions is perfectly balanced on North wings.
That is true,
+ I wonder how much weight is added with these tracks?!
Is this really usefull?
I was thinking about it too. These universal systems are an inexpensive way for the manufacturers to appeal to a wider market (boom, soft and hard handle riders), versus the higher cost of manufacturing multiple wings. The question is whether there are significant compromises in weight (and anything else). I also wonder how much a wing needs to be designed around the handle system. I would think the forces of a boom on the strut are different than the forces of soft handles and id think the design would need to address these differences. The slingshot and duotone boom wings are not the same design as the non boom wings. Is the difference between a boom wing and a soft handle wing more than just a difference in handles?
im all for customizable gear but only if it makes the gear better. I'm very curious as to whether the compromise outweighs the customization or not with this. Select to expand quotelenzilot said..
That is true,
+ I wonder how much weight is added with these tracks?!
Is this really usefull?
FYI the new (24) F-one wings can be boom, soft, semi hard, or hard handles - all the same wing.
Select to expand quotenorthy1 said..
FYI the new (24) F-one wings can be boom, soft, semi hard, or hard handles - all the same wing.
Yep. Ocean Rodeo too. I'm not saying its a bad thing. I'm just curious what the tradeoffs are and whether it benefits the manufacturer (fewer SKUs to manufacture/market/sell) or the consumer (more configurability/customization), or both.
My sense is that the industry will go this direction and while there are probably some performance tradeoffs now - the tradeoffs will diminish over time as the wings develop further.
Looks pretty gimmicky to me. I hope it's not a case of the marketing people overruling the development riders.
As Ganeshka says North handles have always been in the right place and well balanced (I say having had all three previous Nova versions)
In fact the V1 was always very comfortable and well balanced. The V2 had great hard handles with the added benefit of the long front handle allowing for super easy 1 handed powered up riding. The V3 feels great too although the front handle is shorter and 1 handed powered up riding isn't anymore possible (while Duotone made their front handle longer)
And now the v4.. maybe we're seeing a trend of decline 
Found this..
***
The Nova Pro, with our industry-first ShiftLock Modular Track Mounting system and Carbon UDi Technology, is for riders ready to crank it up a level. Riders who are bored of mowing the lawns; riders who just want to be out there carving lines in endless ocean swells, boosting or freestylin'. Designed to ignite your creativity and your desire to progress, the Nova Pro is light in your hands and efficient upwind. Its advanced materials, tighter canopy and balanced tensioning provide perfect shape-hold in the upper wind range and improved light wind performance - for the best of both worlds.
IMPORTANT: handles and boom sold separately!
Features:
Light and precise handling
Stable geometry
Active Twist wingtips
Tight and even canopy tensioning
Maximum low-end power and efficiency
Shape-hold in the upper wind range
Balanced trailering
Excels in any discipline
Stiff where it counts
Forgiving landings
Materials:
ShiftLock Modular Track Mounting System
Hybrid N-Weave45 Airframe
Hybrid Matrix Canopy
Carbon UDi Technology
Looks like it would add considerable weight. Curious about the new North Mode Ultra though......
is it just me or do the north leading edge/strut and wing tip diameters always seem large in comparison to others ?
I demoed the old model Nova and the long front handle is a joy for one-handed semi-powered riding on a wave. The Mode Pro has a slightly shorter front handle and it just misses the sweet spot. It's still pretty good though.
I am a touch sceptical about the Shiftlock thing. It seems like a bit of a compromise to have an adjustable/configurable handle system when you're likely to use that capability once when the wing is new.
The latest Foiling magazine has an ad and an article about Shiftlock. You can read it for free from your public library using the Libby app.This is a link to Bayside library. Don't know if it will work for you. libbyapp.com/open/magazine/baysidelibrary/10559842
It's a typical ad-as-article but they say a few things. The cord thing is called a "bolt-rope" which is the name for the rope reinforcing around the outside of sails. Google says bolt rope products are pretty common and the concept of clamping things onto it is old tech.
Apparently the Shiftlock makes the strut stiffer which improves handling. They say you can shift the handles around very quickly and easily. Not sure why you would want to do that once it's all set up. You can get camera and paddle mounts.
^ they say you can move the handle after one turn of the screw (I assume one for each end of each handle),and remove them with 3-4 turns.
They also say the attachment can hold more than 700kg. The earlier video that was deleted showed pictures of the load testing.
Interesting that the strut is dead straight after North was one of the earlier ones to come with the geo strut (they love names at North marketing), where the strut arcs a bit. Is the geo strut is now considered obsolete? Or to implement the shift lock bolt rope the strut needs to be straight?
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..
Interesting that the strut is dead straight after North was one of the earlier ones to come with the geo strut (they love names at North marketing), where the strut arcs a bit. Is the geo strut is now considered obsolete? Or to implement the shift lock bolt rope the strut needs to be straight?
they could at least have offered one angled handle to achieve a more ergonomic setting like NP Fly or the Unit have. Dead flat strut of course is the cheapest solution to construct and produce throughout all sizes.
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..
Interesting that the strut is dead straight after North was one of the earlier ones to come with the geo strut (they love names at North marketing), where the strut arcs a bit. Is the geo strut is now considered obsolete? Or to implement the shift lock bolt rope the strut needs to be straight?
Many other high end wings have a dead straight strut. In fact, shaping-wise, most look kinda simple, except for the fancy materials. FWIW, when I tried a (non-pro) Mode, coming off a Slick SLS, the strut felt too big and too close (I suppose it doesn't matter and it's whatever you are used to).
Man.so much negative speculation. It's up on their website w all the details. I think most of it is very smart and forward thinking. That said, I'll have to put one in my hands on the water. I think the Nova 23 was one of those wings I could hand to someone/anyone on the beach and they didn't have to figure it out, and that includes me. ?? I previously listed my personal little knit picks (flagging handle stiffness and knuckle rub, windows, I don't use them)
If the new handle system stands up, I'm in. Can't wait to hear some actually on water reviews by Average Joe's or Jan's.
Select to expand quoteShlogger said..
Man.so much negative speculation. It's up on their website w all the details. I think most of it is very smart and forward thinking. That said, I'll have to put one in my hands on the water. I think the Nova 23 was one of those wings I could hand to someone/anyone on the beach and they didn't have to figure it out, and that includes me. ?? I previously listed my personal little knit picks (flagging handle stiffness and knuckle rub, windows, I don't use them)
If the new handle system stands up, I'm in. Can't wait to hear some actually on water reviews by Average Joe's or Jan's.
What in particular did you like about Novas? It seems like a lot of people prefer Modes.
The boom and the supposedly great bottom end (unlike SLS slicks) is what has me interested.
Edit: up on the website, but weight spec missing.
Not for me. The last thing I want is to slide my handles to find a sweet spot. That should be plug and play from the factory. Swapping things out for a boom is a nice option... but those sliding things,.. no thanks.
Select to expand quotelarsdegroot said..
Not for me. The last thing I want is to slide my handles to find a sweet spot. That should be plug and play from the factory. Swapping things out for a boom is a nice option... but those sliding things,.. no thanks.
AFAIK, each wing size has suggested handle sizes and positions. But I agree, decision fatigue is real. (Sometimes I wish boards had Tuttle instead of tracks).
Select to expand quoteFaff said..Shlogger said..
Man.so much negative speculation. It's up on their website w all the details. I think most of it is very smart and forward thinking. That said, I'll have to put one in my hands on the water. I think the Nova 23 was one of those wings I could hand to someone/anyone on the beach and they didn't have to figure it out, and that includes me. ?? I previously listed my personal little knit picks (flagging handle stiffness and knuckle rub, windows, I don't use them)
If the new handle system stands up, I'm in. Can't wait to hear some actually on water reviews by Average Joe's or Jan's.
What in particular did you like about Novas? It seems like a lot of people prefer Modes.
The boom and the supposedly great bottom end (unlike SLS slicks) is what has me interested.
Edit: up on the website, but weight spec missing.
I liked how evenly balanced and powerful they were. It's one of those wings you hand to someone and there easy to pump and if you can't tack or jibe the Nova, you don't have your mechanics down yet. I also have the new Mode in a 4.2 and 6.8 and love them. However w the 4.2, the jibe has this little nuance where it whips to other side faster than usual. This is good, if you're skilled enough and ready for it. I wouldn't hand it to a beginner/int. I was actually jumping the 6.8 Mode the other day thinking this is stupid but it was really smooth, of course when you land and realize it's only 11-14 mph, it's hilarious.
I really like the Mode Pro in use. It's a bugger walking on the beach. It oscillates like mad and takes a fair bit of effort to reduce. Under the handling section on the web site it says the Nova Pro doesn't do that.
The Mode Pro also gets a bit cantankerous when over powered. They claim the Nova Pro has tips that flex to bleed off excess power.
Select to expand quoteGorgo said..
I really like the Mode Pro in use. It's a bugger walking on the beach. It oscillates like mad and takes a fair bit of effort to reduce. Under the handling section on the web site it says the Nova Pro doesn't do that.
The Mode Pro also gets a bit cantankerous when over powered. They claim the Nova Pro has tips that flex to bleed off excess power.
Yet the Modes are supposed to be top-end wings. I wonder why they oscillate - they have little dihedral.
^ the Modes were called "Race" but I suspect they thought that was a bit off putting for the regular punter. They're excellent wings, really good for fanging around on wind blown waves. I tend to use the pistol grip, or what I call "spear" grip holding mid-handle in one hand over my head. It's a heap of fun.
The wind range is excellent. Lots of bottom end, good top end and a really wide sweet spot. But the edges of the range are quite hard. They're easy to stall when under powered, and have really hard jerks when over powered.
I'm guessing all this happens because they're so stiff and so flat. A wing with a bit more dihedral and flex in the tips would sit more happily. All this is what they're offering with the Nova Pro.
