Hey guys,
after going thru the review and the comments on the forum I decided to order one two weeks ago from
http://www.kiteworld.co.uk. I received it within 10 days in US from England and the total cost was 140 pounds all included.
I got the middle size 60 cm( there’s also a 50 and a 70 cm), intended for my mid-larger kites (wipika size 9 and up, Naish size 12 and up)
In general the bar is very well built, solid and all the details have been well thought out. Bar comes with everything you see in the ad no lines but nice 7 meter leader lines and 7 meter safety leash already attached.
Anyway I got in the water yesterday for about 3 hours in perfect conditions for testing the product with a wipika Hydro 8.9, wind 18-25 knots and rather gusty aloft (over 30). Because of the long gusts I had to really use of the depowering system quite a bit. I wouldn't use this bar measure for smaller size kites.
It took me only few minutes to get used to the new feel this bar has compared to traditional ones. Soon I realized I was actually putting too much effort while adjust the bar, the whole set up actually works so well that adjusting and relocking in position is almost effortless, I really had to remind myself not to over do it, I was very impressed to say the least.
Also tried the safety release shackle above the loop (under controlled situation) and worked perfectly.
The lock-in mechanisms, that I was most interested to check out, surpassed my expectations; locking, adjusting and re-locking is extremely easy and once locked you stay locked.
I'm absolutely certain that every kitesurfer who wants to get the most out of their 4 line kites will love this bar. However, less experienced riders should know that, before using this bar you need to be comfortable enough to ride while shackled (permanently attached) to the depower loop. If you don't shackle in and the loop comes out the harness hook you cannot depower the kite any longer and reattaching the loop could be difficult if not impossible when in deep water or gusty conditions or else... The way the bar and the safety system works forces you to shackle to the loop (you should shackle once in the water if you want to keep things SAFER).
Whether you like to ride in a "fix mode" or "direct control mode" this bar will do just that AND you'll always have a very reliable safety release system in place. Something that still not every bar system out there offers consistently.
Conclusions: great bar and “great jobâ€