I'm looking for feedback on bars that you are using or have used.
I'm not after what your mate says about his, but your own experiences.
I'd also like to know what would your perfect bar would be.
Please copy and paste the template below and fill it out.
Thanks
Bar make/ model:
What do you like about the bar:
What don't you like about the bar:
If you could change or add anything to the bar what would it be?
Hi Krispy54. I'll reply.
Bar make/ model: Australian / Gen y
What do you like about the bar:
Good circumference to get my hands around. Good on rotations. Low maintenance. Can be a little $ when in the wrong hands.
What don't you like about the bar:
Very poor turning ability. Req's maintenance every month. Also have to clean it after every use as I heard the covering can become distorted
If you could change or add anything to the bar what would it be?
I had to add the pin to the end to improve performance as it's an older model.
Does not handle heavy loads well - had one bend on me a while back and took 3mths just to get the parts right.
Overall this model works well and I am happy with the performance. 
Was to inviting
Bar make/ model: Candys Apartment.
What do you like about the bar: Good atmosphere.
What don't you like about the bar: Sometimes there's too many tools there.
If you could change or add anything to the bar what would it be? Reduce the price of schooners.
Overall this is a pretty good bar.
Bar make/ model: Mars Bar
What do you like about the bar: Tastes good
What don't you like about the bar: Too small
If you could change or add anything to the bar what would it be? Could be bigger and have a lot more caramel
Bar make/ model: North (Latest 2012)
What do you like about the bar: Well engineered, quality is high. Like the toggle to adjust depower rope length for further trimming. Iron heart works really well to untwist lines.
What don't you like about the bar: The leash strap buckle drives me nuts, trying to get it on and off the saftey line of the kite. Front line stretch, need to tune the bar on a regular basis. Chicken loop release is difficult to put back together in the water, but not impossible.
The worst thing and I can't get my head around this, why the depower rope is not covered in plastic tubing. Having the regularly change depower ropes is a pain in the ass and you get a more smooth feel with it covered.
If you could change or add anything to the bar what would it be? oh, what I said above about depower.
If relevent, please fill in this template...(& remove this line)
Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate,advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: ?-? knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)
My Comments:
Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate,advanced)
Weight(to personal). advanced rider. 14yrs exp
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
My fav style is surf. Especially when you tell them about how good their twin sis was.
I do not mind a little bit of freestyle just annoying having your feet bound together.
Weather: ?-? knots
Around 20-25 knots are good although my stamina is not what it used to be and now a good solid 15knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Ha 10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Seriously 10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)
More of a solo person I do not like to share. Defiantly not a team rider I have hair on my face.
Am I on track Dusta
The latest from BEST is a great option for those who like the double straps above the bar. Definitely the BEST rebuild on the market (that I know of). Absolutely a one hand only system. The leash is also shorter & neater. Has to rate as the 'most improved' and is now right up there with the BEST of them.
For a clean, uncluttered bar with a 'cruise control' (active stopper ball) that actually works then the BWS Undertow is a great option at a far more realistic price than others. Now has the option of the cleat depower either above or below the bar.
Also a great feel from the rubberised (or is it siliconised?) grip. Super grippy & super comfy.
Both have below the bar front line untwist which I rate pretty highly.
Both have board & head friendly soft bar ends & winders.
NB: great step forward for kite safety that pretty much all kite cos. now have push away QR at the head of the CL. Full props to kite cos. on that one.
Be good if kiters responded by refusing to buy any bar using any other system.
Who knows any brand that hasnt fallen into line on this major safety move. Be good to see them named here.
Ozone contact bar clean and simple , I've seen the bws bar and it also looks a nice bit of kit, in my opinion you don't need heaps of straps and toggles dangling all over the place, gives me the s..ts
Haven't owned an ozone but ridden a C4 and spent a number of hours riding a friends REO.
Plus one on the ozone.
Can I ask, why you are asking this??
you should get together with waveslave..
He likes to 'tinker' as you call it..
I'm curious as to what part of uncluttered your trying to do as there are quite a lot of great bars that are uncluttered already...
Wainman (IMHO the nicest bar in today's market)
Zeeko
BWS
And the list goes on......
Everyone has there own opinion, here are a few ideas of mine.
1 Four line bars that have four lines of the same length, not a single front line that Y's near the kite.
2 Coated centre line through bar.
3 Depower within reach and above the bar.
3 Short depower travel bars.
4 Safety line attachment point at base of Quick Release.
5 Soft Bar ends/winders
6 Good grip around bar that lasts/wont peel away.
There are many good kite bars on the market, some not so good.
I would like to put one together with the parts I like from various brands.
Krispy, I would like to see what you come up with.
Keep it simple :)
Ozone bar is clean and functional. Didn't initially like the pull chicken loop and accidentally released numerous times. Now I am used to it I couldn't care less, I dot think push or pull is any more intuitive unless your used to either. Would maybe be annoying if I was changing bars regularly.
Only problem in my eyes with the bar is the hard bar ends, always bruised and get caught easy if I try handle passes and miss. But Airush run the same ends!
Grip is way more durable for me on the ozone bars than the Norths I was using aswell.
Whats better?
1) A single protected by plastic center line? ( cab )
2) 2 center lines with a stopper ball? ( BWS, Peter ln )
I prefer the stopper ball, but means replacing lines more often
Yea i prefer the non sheathed system with the stopper ,you do have to replace lines a bit more often but i find it glides way better and theres no jamming on the bar,also like a long throw and def above the bar depower, also push away system is best quick and easy.
