Youngbreezy said..

I like the sounds of it

is the QR, CL and swivel nice and compact? I would like an ultra small CL for direct connection to my rope slider (I currently connect Cl to stainless ring on the rope) and then have a longer bar throw- more depower at the bar, all the standard setups out there ( except BRM Cloud bar) the chicken loop and QR take up too much room which is just wasted space when not unhooking and riding with a rope slider

If you have solved this issue I will be a happy customer

The below bar release/swivle is short campared to some other releases, great for short arms, about 19cm

Just curious, what is the industry standard strength of kite lines?

shi thouse said...
Just curious, what is the industry standard strength of kite lines?

Depends on the brand. Many use 200kg or 250kg lines for inside and outside lines. They are about 2mm thick and are used a fair amount. Some use 200KG on the outside and 350 or 400 or 450kg on the inside 2 lines. The 450kg lines are thicker than the 200kg lines.

The 450kg lines have less stretch. Give a solid connect feel to the kite.

I tell you what would be game changing, the ability to change from high to low turn pressure, the ability to tune from high depower to pop and slack low depower, From the bar, while riding, without needing a relaunch !

What actually has been a game changer?

4 line kites
inflatable kites
depower
quick releases systems
flag out systems
depower trim
TT boards
hydrofoil boards
stupid high aspect foils for racing.
one pump system
big pump valves
harnesses
sle kites

what else?

KiteDesigner said..

dracop said..
A bar with lines that wont break on me every other session, easy to use and functional trim, a swivel that actually works, a sliding stopper that actually works, a CL that is decent, a Double Safety ring, and finally, Oh Sheet handles on the steering as well as the fifth line (cause I dont like touching lines in 50 kts just to relaunch a kite!). Is that too much to ask?

450KG center lines and 400kg side lines check
Clam cleat racing is a great trim, with easy to reach velcro strap for no flappy. check
Sliding stopper check ( with adjustable friction levels) ( works on PU and non PU lines, bar comes with PU and non PU lines. check
Double Safety ring. check
Oh Sheet handles on the steerin. I have seen nubes pull these and go into death loops? most bars have removed this due to saftey. do you need this?
Add 20m + 5m lines highest quality. check
Add short throw and long throw in 1 bar. check
Soft bar ends for face and board protection. check
Easy Adjustable short or far V setup on the 1 bar to work on any kite. check
Reversible pig tails to work on any kite setup. check
Easily replaceable parts available from most marine shops. check
Single center line flagging system. check
Optional 5th line atachment. check
below bar swivel with push away. check
Above bar swivel. uncheck, i have not found any that work, and they can tangle up the lines, can be a saftey issue
Under $400. check.

The above bar should arrive in AUS Spain and france about 1-2 weeks.

Need to think about o sheet handles, most brands have removed these for a reason, but I can understand about touching lines in 50 knots. What about thicker side lines?
Also above bar swivels don't work well after a short time. and can tangle, prefer not to have them if you have a below bar swivel.

Would that work for you?

I just bought a ton of line material to make my own center lines - Liros DC-701 (1600 lbs or 729 kg) for my center. Creep is an early stage failure similar to actual breaking - thus I am going for super strong lines for my flying lines. The steering lines can be weaker, they are not under heavy tension.

I am dying to see your stopper solution.

Noobs rarely know what an Oh Sheet handle does. It s a product for an advanced kiter, ideal for 5 line kites that require using the fifth line for relaunch.

Adjustable V sounds good.

Under $400 sounds great.

I look forward to seeing your product on the market. In the interim I am building my own Wunderbar albeit a special purpose bar for my Naish Torches. For my students I would be more interested in something more mass market friendly and without needing such high end things like 700 kg lines lol.

waveslave said..

cloudsurfer said..
There're way too many cynics on here with the wrong attitude!

Maybe those same cynics who offer constructive criticism ....

aren't so easily fooled and like to question dubious opinions.

I think you’ll find most of the cynics are guys who have been in the sport a long while and have watched the sport go from a fun collective sport to a consumerism based sales industry. I believe many retailers and industry blokes jumped on the bandwagon to create a lifestyle for themselves but over the years have forgotten this and are now trying make a buck at every turn.

It certainly shows.

Most used to have good experiences with shops. Now a lot of guys I know (who have been around a while) don’t like any of the local retailers. It seems most, if not all have pissed off a lot of blokes in one way or another. Bad customer service, disrespect, terrible instructor behaviour (left unchecked) and spot exploitation are a few which spring to mind. I get the feeling retailers are concentrating on new business and the kook factor. The focus has turned from a lifestyle choice with a nice vibe to…. Just get as many people on the water as possible, we have to sell gear!

As per surfing. Increased numbers in the water do not equate to an enjoyable kitesurfing experience.

There was always that spiel to support the local shop. I used to subscribe to it. But now I see it’s a one way street. The local shops (and schools) really need to turn it around or the number of cynical kitesurfers will only grow.

Factory said..

waveslave said..

cloudsurfer said..
There're way too many cynics on here with the wrong attitude!

Maybe those same cynics who offer constructive criticism ....

aren't so easily fooled and like to question dubious opinions.

I think you’ll find most of the cynics are guys who have been in the sport a long while and have watched the sport go from a fun collective sport to a consumerism based sales industry. I believe many retailers and industry blokes jumped on the bandwagon to create a lifestyle for themselves but over the years have forgotten this and are now trying make a buck at every turn.

It certainly shows.

Most used to have good experiences with shops. Now a lot of guys I know (who have been around a while) don’t like any of the local retailers. It seems most, if not all have pissed off a lot of blokes in one way or another. Bad customer service, disrespect, terrible instructor behaviour (left unchecked) and spot exploitation are a few which spring to mind. I get the feeling retailers are concentrating on new business and the kook factor. The focus has turned from a lifestyle choice with a nice vibe to…. Just get as many people on the water as possible, we have to sell gear!

As per surfing. Increased numbers in the water do not equate to an enjoyable kitesurfing experience.

There was always that spiel to support the local shop. I used to subscribe to it. But now I see it’s a one way street. The local shops (and schools) really need to turn it around or the number of cynical kitesurfers will only grow.

Dear North Kiteboarding,

Please give this man a free 2017 Click Bar !!!

@Factory, you are spot on man. I want to shake your hand.

Guys are still using old kites and doing very well out there with their moves, jumps and styles.

All this hype in the end depends on your guts and skills, as to how far you're willing to push yourself beyond the transitions and occassional jumps.

Most kiters at my local are still after 4 years doing nothing more than just mowing the lawn, and it bores me to death. I sometimes want to just flip myself on a boost jump and crash land just to get a reaction at least! It makes me mad!

eppo said..
By Christ you are a bunch of whining bitches at the moment...lol.

I've had nothing but good experiences from Westoz, WA surf, Action Sports, Kite addiction, Kim up in gero (Who no longer is in the industry and is back on the mines to be able to support his family), even old Puppetmaster...and lots of interstate dudes like kitepower, briskites, even crazy Marvin from in the loop.

Only this weekend both jason and drew were down our way, Jason kiting with his son, drew with some new dices and the clicker bar to try himself plus anyone else who cared to give it a crack.

What gives...maybe you guys are the dickheads, every thought that?

Hmmmmm, whoa whoa whoa big fella, settle down. Don't forget the kiddies, monkey see monkey do.

Nice cup of camomile tea and a scotch finger after work today will do wonders.

MrFreeze said..

eppo said..
By Christ you are a bunch of whining bitches at the moment...lol.

I've had nothing but good experiences from Westoz, WA surf, Action Sports, Kite addiction, Kim up in gero (Who no longer is in the industry and is back on the mines to be able to support his family), even old Puppetmaster...and lots of interstate dudes like kitepower, briskites, even crazy Marvin from in the loop.

Only this weekend both jason and drew were down our way, Jason kiting with his son, drew with some new dices and the clicker bar to try himself plus anyone else who cared to give it a crack.

What gives...maybe you guys are the dickheads, every thought that?

Hmmmmm, whoa whoa whoa big fella, settle down. Don't forget the kiddies, monkey see monkey do.

Nice cup of camomile tea and a scotch finger after work today will do wonders.

I agree with Eppo.
I can pretty safely say I've been kiting longer then most people on here and from my dealings with my local store, if the industry didn't support newbies then it wouldn't exist.I myself own a mix of new and pretty old gear, but it gets me by. I upgrade what i need to and when i can afford it.
If it costs what it costs, then i save. Or i buy a cheaper alternative.

The trouble with all the whingers on here is that you expect everything for nothing. Just because you have been kiting for a few years, doesn't mean the industry owes you anything. Chances are the reason why you have bad experiences with shops, is because your a "shop around", unloyal, pest that wants a deal or a discount for nothing.The simple thing with this bar and lollipop spreader is.... IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, DONT BUY IT!

If your happy with your old bar, or your homemade chop shop bar, then sweet.
But your uneducated skeptical opinion stinks and it's killing the fun, good reading that seabreeze used to have.

Rant over, day off, going kiting!

Factory said...

waveslave said..

cloudsurfer said..
There're way too many cynics on here with the wrong attitude!

Maybe those same cynics who offer constructive criticism ....

aren't so easily fooled and like to question dubious opinions.

I think you’ll find most of the cynics are guys who have been in the sport a long while and have watched the sport go from a fun collective sport to a consumerism based sales industry. I believe many retailers and industry blokes jumped on the bandwagon to create a lifestyle for themselves but over the years have forgotten this and are now trying make a buck at every turn.

It certainly shows.

Most used to have good experiences with shops. Now a lot of guys I know (who have been around a while) don’t like any of the local retailers. It seems most, if not all have pissed off a lot of blokes in one way or another. Bad customer service, disrespect, terrible instructor behaviour (left unchecked) and spot exploitation are a few which spring to mind. I get the feeling retailers are concentrating on new business and the kook factor. The focus has turned from a lifestyle choice with a nice vibe to…. Just get as many people on the water as possible, we have to sell gear!

As per surfing. Increased numbers in the water do not equate to an enjoyable kitesurfing experience.

There was always that spiel to support the local shop. I used to subscribe to it. But now I see it’s a one way street. The local shops (and schools) really need to turn it around or the number of cynical kitesurfers will only grow.

Well said and finally a great read!

eppo said..

I've had nothing but good experiences

Shops love Eppo ...

cause Eppo loves shopping.

lol.

eppo said..
By Christ you are a bunch of whining bitches at the moment...lol.

I've had nothing but good experiences from Westoz, WA surf, Action Sports, Kite addiction, Kim up in gero (Who no longer is in the industry and is back on the mines to be able to support his family), even old Puppetmaster...and lots of interstate dudes like kitepower, briskites, even crazy Marvin from in the loop.

Only this weekend both jason and drew were down our way, Jason kiting with his son, drew with some new dices and the clicker bar to try himself plus anyone else who cared to give it a crack.

What gives...maybe you guys are the dickheads, every thought that?

Coming from someone obviously cashed up year-on-year. Parents still supporting ya Epps?

DanozDirect said..

eppo said..
By Christ you are a bunch of whining bitches at the moment...lol.

I've had nothing but good experiences from Westoz, WA surf, Action Sports, Kite addiction, Kim up in gero (Who no longer is in the industry and is back on the mines to be able to support his family), even old Puppetmaster...and lots of interstate dudes like kitepower, briskites, even crazy Marvin from in the loop.

Only this weekend both jason and drew were down our way, Jason kiting with his son, drew with some new dices and the clicker bar to try himself plus anyone else who cared to give it a crack.

What gives...maybe you guys are the dickheads, every thought that?

Coming from someone obviously cashed up year-on-year. Parents still supporting ya Epps?

Man I wish!!! As I said, last season and this one, nothing new. I have 'upgraded' each year before this though and yeh I was a bit of a gear junkie in my time. I suppose that was a function of working out how I ride and what I need as well.

...anyway bit rich danzodirect coming from someone with 5 investment properties, that's right folks, 5 IP's that your taxes are helping pay for...lol. Cracks me up. (By the way good on ya, not knocking you for that, good work bro).

But i do think some of you are falling into the negative camp and bit much. It's like you are afraid of something or other such that you will walk into a kiteshop and buy something you don't really need.

Also I do believe in generating a decent relationship with the retailer. Did the same when i cycled. Even with Surfboards and shapers when i was right into that. They are humans man, some with families.

And their prices are dictated by the manufacturing costs, import costs, fixed costs on premises, wages et, wearing the cost of purchased gear before they sell...bla bla bla

I just think beating up on the retailers is poor form. There are good ones and bad ones like any industry. Don't lump them in the same boat.

...and guys like waveslave, he's just taking the piss, I know him well. He's sitting back laughing his head of at your comments and the bait he provides...lol


on a side note I do really like what kitedesigner is doing...a cheaper functional bar, brilliant! Just as much as I like the fireball idea, something specific for kiting, just as much as I like the look, feel and functionality of the clicker bar.

it's all good, differentiated products for a continuum of consumers with differing ideas, needs and budgets.

But to slam the whole kite industry, real people working towards what they feel kiters may want...it's just ignorant and altogether, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Just an observation.

The biggest game changer is working on ones fitness. I'm 172cms tall and 84kgs. I need to loose around 5kgs.

The last couple of weeks I started setting some goals. Been working on my fitness and core strength.

I keep this up for the next 2 months, I'll be stronger, fitter, heather, lighter and more powerful. Naturally this will cost nothing.

If there was a kite marketed, that had lighter bar pressure, more efficient, made you jump higher/longer and had more power, people would spend the
$$$ to get it.

Its like seeing fat blokes on super efficient race bikes, well done on exercising, but the 10k efficient bike shouldn't be the priority. Get fit first.

Afternoon rant over.