Five sessions on the 10m and one on the 8m. I like them, they are good.
Ocean Rodeo, great kite, thank You

2013 Ocean Rodeo Razor Kite bag


2013 Ocean Rodeo Freeride Bar

ahhh, crissy field. nice one. never ridden a spot so bad that was still so very worth it. ....

Are those bar ends soft or hard plastic?

Thanks

What happened to the old adjustable width, ergo-bent bars?

Hard or soft plastic...hum....hum...medium plastic

No more size adjustable, but most did not use that option apparently.

Also the lines are back to old school material.

Looks like the bungee line keeps are beefier, and the quick release bungee is stronger too.

The bar end horns are bigger and easier to wind up the lines.

The velcro for the oh-shit handles on the steering lines are redesigned so they do not come loose.

There is now a ball on the trim line between the slider and the bar.

... like the old bar better

My first assumption too, but have come around as there are some suttle improvments that will make a big difference in actual use.

1. upgraded bungee, keepers and quick release.
2. better trim line hole in bar.
3. ball added between trim line slider and bar.
4. better velcro design for oh-shit handles.
5. Bigger bar end horns.
6. the lines... back to old school...Ocean Rodeo must know something I don't.

That's hard plastic for sure. Smack it off your head and tell me it ain't! Other than that its great to se evolution where its needed like the extra ball to avoid wear and better OS handle attachement Velcro. I really like my curved OR bar but by now its a pretty custom set up. Still, I like the actual bar a lot.

IMHO the brand itself is still in its awkward teens. They need to simplify in their efforts to mature and cement themselves as a player in the industry. They have a loyal base built through good old fashioned hard work and customer service. Their designer know his stuff... At least my 2011 razor has more balls per meter of fabric than any other kite I have ever flown! I just think they need some streamlining. Some of the thechy bits should be muted, they could benefit from some help with graphic design, and they can stick to building on their reputation as bomber gear at a fair price with the best customer support available.
The razor is a great kite, but its not THAT different a platform than the cypher. The prodigy is kinda the similar thinking, just three strut. They need to differentiate in clear terms. They have a light wind kite, now they need to make the razor a race/boosting kite (then it can keep the techy bits), give the cypher a simple clean c kite platform and gear the prodigy to the wave and beginner markets.

Again just one opinion.