I recently purchased a new 9m kite, which came with a 45cm bar. What is interesting, is that last year I bought a 10m kite and it came with a 50cm bar.
Is there an industry standard bar size for every kite?

From my experience, I have noticed most bars range from 45-55cm (correct me if I'm wrong). I have also noticed that more wave riders prefer wider bars, as opposed to a narrower. Me being a freestyler, I prefer a slightly narrower, so as to reduce the chances of me slamming my face into the bar when I unhook; and also because i mostly ride with my hands closer to the middle of the bar.

What would be great is a bar that can change sizes depending on the riders preference. I have recently been riding more waves, and having that extra torque can help in certain situations.
Does anyone know if such a bar exists?

A lot of bars give you the option of changing the length by changing the way you attach the lines to the ends - my OR bar can change from 48-55cm (the bar doesn't change, but the distance between the lines does). I believe that Epic's bar does the same thing.

True - but as most riders who has several kites, got at least two bars (you will NOT risk not having a spare bar/set of lines either) - it is of course way better with two bars different length - the "adjustable" ones are better than nothing, but still clumsy IMO, especially if set on the "inner" length of course.

At the outer there is not much difference no, and okay - but the inner is on all brands almost as bad as having a wide bar as all you do is make the distance between rear lines smaller - but the bar either remains the same overall width, OR is more bulky/complicated

Unfortunately most bars are made this way today, and a lot only with one physical size

And no, there are no industry standards or even guidelines - just what each brand chooses

Peter

The airush bar has removable ends so will change its actual length. It does require maintenance to keep it working however.

Bars have become very expensive, so I think the ends where you can connect the leaders to either the outside or inner connection are a good way to go. Its not really that much of an extra complication because the shape happens to be suitable also for the line winders.

I'd rather have the 2 width option and save the £250.

i run 50cm bar. on 6m, 10m , 13m i have an every day set and a brand new extreme conditions set that only comes out when equipment failures are not an option.

I also have a dedicated 54cm bar on my 15m flysurfer.

I'd say that bars are way overpriced for what you get. I all so think that they made too standard with few options for customization i.e. below the bar trim or above the bar trim. It would be nice companies made parts readily available so you could easily change things out all so. Or just make your own bars the way you want them.

I do agree that you should have more than 1 bar for your quiver. I have 1 for each of my kites but I never use the 20" bar as I find it cumbersome to try and pass with. I use my 17" bar with my 13m Fuel and just cut my new bar down 14" for my 7/9m combo I just got to replace last years kite. If I have to I will cut it down even more. I have an old Wainman bar that I cut down to 12" for my 7m and it works amazing.

Bars are definitely expensive, but it's difficult to say they are overpriced. There is a lot of engineering behind the manufacturing of these bars. The molding of the bar itself, as well as the 25/30m lines. Also add to that the various parts that are unique to each brand and one can see why it costs more than 300 bucks.

I like the idea of having interchangeable parts to customize each bar. THat would be really cool.
Maybe we should start a kite-bar brand. All we sell are bar systems. There's an idea.

I give up on bar sizing. I use a 55 cm bar for all my kites. 7.5m to 18m. Would probably be an issue if you're trying to do wakestyle moves, but for freeriding, I think it works fine.

Agreed.

The value of a used bar is almost as bad on resale as a used kite. You're lucky to get $50-$75 for a used bar. I'm a proponent of the one for all philosophy. Have spare parts for the wearable items, or bring a spare bar while traveling. 4 kites and 4 different bars is a waste imho.