Hi Eppo,
Just to clear a few things.
I am the original inventor of the mechanism and the one that put the patent on it back in 2009.
I do not work for North Kiteboarding, so sorry I do not get to pick who does the videos ;)
North has bought the license from me and I have been working together with them to bring the bar to the market.
Their bar designer, Aurelien, has done an incredible amount of work to bring the bar to the state it is now. He is just as responsible as me for the final product so he deserves the congratulations as well.
We are both very stoked that this bar is finally on the market, it has been a lot of work to get it to where it is now.
It is really worth giving it a try. I'm not saying that everyone will like it but I definitely think that many guys will be surprised as to how well is actually works and resists to sand, salt and wear.
I'd be happy to answer whatever other technical question you may have about the Click bar.
On a side note, the very first protos have been tested at Pelican point in Perth, opposite UWA where I was studying... For you guys from WA to have some history about the bar ;) pretty sure I got the initial idea walking out of the uni tav one night haha beer tends to help for out of the box thinking!

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Jerome said..
Hi Eppo,
Just to clear a few things.
I am the original inventor of the mechanism and the one that put the patent on it back in 2009.
I do not work for North Kiteboarding, so sorry I do not get to pick who does the videos ;)
North has bought the license from me and I have been working together with them to bring the bar to the market.
Their bar designer, Aurelien, has done an incredible amount of work to bring the bar to the state it is now. He is just as responsible as me for the final product so he deserves the congratulations as well.
We are both very stoked that this bar is finally on the market, it has been a lot of work to get it to where it is now.
It is really worth giving it a try. I'm not saying that everyone will like it but I definitely think that many guys will be surprised as to how well is actually works and resists to sand, salt and wear.
I'd be happy to answer whatever other technical question you may have about the Click bar.
On a side note, the very first protos have been tested at Pelican point in Perth, opposite UWA where I was studying... For you guys from WA to have some history about the bar ;) pretty sure I got the initial idea walking out of the uni tav one night haha beer tends to help for out of the box thinking!

Im sure the north bar is rock solid, but would the click bit handle a few good hard hits on the click bar end to a race board? boat? rock (snow kiting)

I have seen a few plastic bar ends break on other brands under a high impact.

The bar looks great, and the many features on the 1 bar are excellent and I know of a number of people who will be getting this bar because of (physical) issues they have with above bar depower.

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Jerome said..

I'm not saying that everyone will like it but I definitely think that many guys will be surprised as to how well is actually works and resists to sand, salt and wear.

But you can't deny that grit and saltwater won't invade the voids and workings, right ?

That's one of the main short-comings of your invention.

Sorry.

All good. Well done Aurelien as well then.

yeh I heard their was a home grown boy who came up with the patented idea then worked with north on it.

That was you then. Sweet. Didn't you work with airush at some time...man my memory is getting horribly dim...the name rings a bell somewhere...

If the idea came from a big night out, then it surely is a good one!

Great work Jerome!

Out of interest what were you studying at uwa?

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eppo said..

Jerome said..
Regarding the question about the fifth line.
Remember that the front lines don't change length anymore.
This means that your fifth line doesn't need that stopper under the V split anymore. Your rebel will work exactly like how it used to because the fifth line will be in tension.
Now for people worried about the fact that the flagging happens through one of the front lines rather than the fifth line: just connect it differently on the kite. Use the fifth line which you have just added as one of the front lines and the red flagging line as your fifth line.
The only reason North didn't do that is because of the colour coding on the line... Once you know this trick though, you can have your Click bar behaving however you prefer: flagging on one front line or flagging on the fifth line ;)

Don't fully understand what you are saying regarding setup to flag to the fifth line, but I will work it out.

But thanks, that is good news to me. Fifth safety for me all the way and back again. and good point about the rebel/vegas...front lines aren't changing anymore..true true

Videos were sweet. Personally I'd like to see far more technical information regarding your kites rather than some tiresome marketing Bullsh1t video shot in the carribean or something with Tom and he's most annoying voice (probably a top bloke just trying to funny cause he does have an annoying voice) telling most of us what we already bloody know.

I'd also like to see more vids on your design team in operation and more technical information on your kites...eg aspect ratio etc rather than just bloody wind ranges.

Jerome you have a very well informed audience now...it's not 2008 man.

and Jerome...well done mate, impressive dude.


oh eternalnoob, warranty is just fine man, but you do need to wait a bit.

I was a bit sceptical at the beginning, but seeing it as one bar for all my brands of kite perspective it starts looking good. But if my only bar fails and North will take a two weeks to come back with a replacement then the advantage to have one bar for all my kites becomes null.

That is so sweet can't wait to get my hands on one

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EternalNoob said..

eppo said..

Jerome said..
Regarding the question about the fifth line.
Remember that the front lines don't change length anymore.
This means that your fifth line doesn't need that stopper under the V split anymore. Your rebel will work exactly like how it used to because the fifth line will be in tension.
Now for people worried about the fact that the flagging happens through one of the front lines rather than the fifth line: just connect it differently on the kite. Use the fifth line which you have just added as one of the front lines and the red flagging line as your fifth line.
The only reason North didn't do that is because of the colour coding on the line... Once you know this trick though, you can have your Click bar behaving however you prefer: flagging on one front line or flagging on the fifth line ;)

Don't fully understand what you are saying regarding setup to flag to the fifth line, but I will work it out.

But thanks, that is good news to me. Fifth safety for me all the way and back again. and good point about the rebel/vegas...front lines aren't changing anymore..true true

Videos were sweet. Personally I'd like to see far more technical information regarding your kites rather than some tiresome marketing Bullsh1t video shot in the carribean or something with Tom and he's most annoying voice (probably a top bloke just trying to funny cause he does have an annoying voice) telling most of us what we already bloody know.

I'd also like to see more vids on your design team in operation and more technical information on your kites...eg aspect ratio etc rather than just bloody wind ranges.

Jerome you have a very well informed audience now...it's not 2008 man.

and Jerome...well done mate, impressive dude.


oh eternalnoob, warranty is just fine man, but you do need to wait a bit.

I was a bit sceptical at the beginning, but seeing it as one bar for all my brands of kite perspective it starts looking good. But if my only bar fails and North will take a two weeks to come back with a replacement then the advantage to have one bar for all my kites becomes null.

well a very possible scenario is let's say you have a two, three kite quiVer. I would be running a normal bar plus a clicker. When you sell your kite, you sell it with the normal bar get a new kite with another normal bar...or just keep the older Bar. Point being made we should all run at least a back up bar but instead of on selling both bars, only one would go and you'd keep the clicker. As I said, I would imagine the idea behind the clicker whether it be purely for marketing or possible logistics, the clicker is a long term prospect...

Plus let's say you decide to change brands...you have your bar you know and trust to not only use the thing but demo with it.

bottom line I suppose is I always have a back up bar on hand. especially when travelling away. Or in the case this year a back up line set at least. The rest of a normal bar is pretty rock solid. Still got bars from 2009 that could be used. I'm sure I'm not alone on this.

but yeh you could imagine a scenario whereby the turn around on a more complex bar per say might take more time.

Then in again don't know about you but if I call up my local retailer he will lend me bar anyway in the meantime.

My mate has a switch bar sitting in his truck the whole time, just in case. Gets used funnily enough from time to time. like the other day when someone forgot to even bring his bar lol!!!

Is the bar carbon fibre or aluminium. For the. Money you would expect CF.

oh you mean this thing?

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Gfly said..
oh you mean this thing?

Finally.

I've been waiting for this pic.

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eppo said..

well a very possible scenario is let's say you have a two, three kite quiVer. I would be running a normal bar plus a clicker. When you sell your kite, you sell it with the normal bar get a new kite with another normal bar...or just keep the older Bar. Point being made we should all run at least a back up bar but instead of on selling both bars, only one would go and you'd keep the clicker. As I said, I would imagine the idea behind the clicker whether it be purely for marketing or possible logistics, the clicker is a long term prospect...

Plus let's say you decide to change brands...you have your bar you know and trust to not only use the thing but demo with it.

bottom line I suppose is I always have a back up bar on hand. especially when travelling away. Or in the case this year a back up line set at least. The rest of a normal bar is pretty rock solid. Still got bars from 2009 that could be used. I'm sure I'm not alone on this.

but yeh you could imagine a scenario whereby the turn around on a more complex bar per say might take more time.

Then in again don't know about you but if I call up my local retailer he will lend me bar anyway in the meantime.

My mate has a switch bar sitting in his truck the whole time, just in case. Gets used funnily enough from time to time. like the other day when someone forgot to even bring his bar lol!!!

Yes, I know maybe there is one dealer that could lend me one for a day... but Im not sure... I am not a superstar like you!!

Steady on brother, anything but, ya wally lol.

Ha ha I to was waiting for the old real leash picture. Classic.

The CLICK bar is a gimmick.

In 5 years time, you won't be able to find any in working order.

The CLICK bar is a one-trick pony like its stable mate Fireball bar.

Just like Fireball has dispensed with the flawed donkey-dick ...

The CLICK bar has dispensed with that annoying, danglefest trim strap that always flicks in your eye ...

Like I said, one-trick pony control-bars.

It's very nice that NORTH has gone to so much expense to try to solve a problem I never had in the first place.

You see, I don't do trim adjusters on my custom bar.

It's a shame SIMPLE doesn't sell,

only BLING seems to grab all the attention ...

and hence pull in all the cash.

lol.

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waveslave said..
The CLICK bar is a gimmick.

In 5 years time, you won't be able to find any in working order.

The CLICK bar is a one-trick pony like its stable mate Fireball bar.

Just like Fireball has dispensed with the flawed donkey-dick ...

The CLICK bar has dispensed with that annoying, danglefest trim strap that always flicks in your eye ...

Like I said, one-trick pony control-bars.

It's very nice that NORTH has gone to so much expense to try to solve a problem I never had in the first place.

You see, I don't do trim adjusters on my custom bar.

It's a shame SIMPLE doesn't sell,

only BLING seems to grab all the attention ...

and hence pull in all the cash.

lol.

... finally, some one whose tried both bars and is willing to give us his opinion!

Just wondering man, how many sessions or hours have you clocked up, heaps?

cheers,

Robbie

I was able to try the bar last season, and it does feel amazing. For someone with short arms like me it makes it sooooo easy to depower. I think the cost is a concern, but more so getting super fine sand in the internal workings over time would be problematic. Our sand is like talcum powder om JB. Having said that, the bar does feel REALLY good.

How much does it weigh?

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Puetz said..

... finally, some one whose tried both bars and is willing to give us his opinion!

I've read the book,

I've seen the movie,

I give them each 1 star out of 5.

They both claim to be game changers.

One is a butt-ball, the other a peppergrinder.

lol.

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Kamikuza said..
How much does it weigh?

469g

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waveslave said...
The CLICK bar is a gimmick.

In 5 years time, you won't be able to find any in working order.

The CLICK bar is a one-trick pony like its stable mate Fireball bar.

Just like Fireball has dispensed with the flawed donkey-dick ...

The CLICK bar has dispensed with that annoying, danglefest trim strap that always flicks in your eye ...

Like I said, one-trick pony control-bars.

It's very nice that NORTH has gone to so much expense to try to solve a problem I never had in the first place.

You see, I don't do trim adjusters on my custom bar.

It's a shame SIMPLE doesn't sell,

only BLING seems to grab all the attention ...

and hence pull in all the cash.

lol.

The whole four lines and chicken loop thing is a gimmick. Lou Wainman got along just fine without using either of them.

I blame the Lycra-clad- Zwift -Carbon -road biking mafia for co-opting the sport into a gear fetish orgy.

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waveslave said..

Gfly said..
oh you mean this thing?

Finally.

I've been waiting for this pic.

I like this set up.. easy to wind in and out and it's self cleaning.

Wait a minute.. is he using a two line kite and on a waterski? aahh I see with no boardies over his
wetty he's no kiter!

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marco said..

Kamikuza said..
How much does it weigh?

469g

Don't believe you.

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waveslave said..

Puetz said..

... finally, some one whose tried both bars and is willing to give us his opinion!

I've read the book,

I've seen the movie,

I give them each 1 star out of 5.

They both claim to be game changers.

One is a butt-ball, the other a peppergrinder.

lol.

... fair enough!

Hi Peeps,

As a newcomer to this thread (sorry, been busy with other stuff), I find it appalling, the amount of negativity that is coming from so many people. If we discount the opinions of all the people who have never seen, nor tried this bar, then we should be only listening to a handful of people with valid experience and this thread would be less than one page long.

We (retailers) first heard about, and saw this bar, a couple of years ago. North were very excited about the product but also very cautious about releasing such a bar. They were hyper aware of the issues that people would bring up with such a new product and have absolutely tested this bar to death. Since the initial introduction to us dealers, there have been many small changes to the bar to improve its functionality, durability and versatility. It really is a brilliant piece of engineering and congrats to Aurelien and Jerome, great job!

The click bar is NOT for everyone, although, everyone COULD use it. It has proprietary features that no other bar can offer (all in the one bar) and is a significant piece of engineering, and as Jerome has mentioned, the cost of tooling and R and D has been very significant. Until now, there has been no significant innovation in bars since the start of the sport. Most bars are all variations on a theme, a fibreglass bar with a hole in it with lines and a chicken loop of varying levels of quality. The cost of the Click bar is very reasonable when you consider the engineering, cost of tooling, time and R&D that has gone into its creation and compare it to the big brands top bars which are all basic bars when you think about it.

Naish ATB Torque $800
Core Sensor Pro $839
Cabrinha Overdrive $750
Liquid Force Response $700
Slingshot Compstick $700
North Click Bar Quad $949

The prices I have quoted were 2016.

You don't have to buy it, North are continuing the Trust bar at the same price as last year and it will work just fine on all North kites as well as many other brands kites as well. But, for those wanting the features offered by the click bar, then I'm sure it will be a game changer for them.

The retailers across Australia will have bars in store in a very short time, so if you are interested in the bar, drop into your fave shop and have a look and feel of it. Talk to the retailer, maybe even take one for a fly and see for yourself. Once you have experienced the bar FIRST HAND, then please return to the forum and your opinions will have some worth, unlike the value of those voicing opinions who have never even seen one. The nay sayers, haters and those riding other brands that are feeling a bit threatened by this new bar will find fault regardless of how good it might be.

Rant over

DM

I think "Ka-ching bar" sounds more like it, Click is so run of the mill.

If I win lotto, I'm buying a Ka-Ching bar straight up.

Well I can say for the first time I can remember the discussion on here has been enlightening compared to the bullsh1t of KF. Fckn experts without a clue.

Anyhow just got out the water and saw the bar in the flesh for the first time. I was to knackered to actually use it (shouldn't have put up the 13m earlier on heheheheheh, lit off my nuts) but the guy I've ridden with for years did. Hence wasn't necessary as we see and ride the same when it comes to gear. He's been at too long like myself.

He said simply very very clean bar. He also said it felt very weird at first powering and depowering it. he said the window misted up a bit and was relying on the markers on the backline to see where he was at. But as I said you should be feeling the trim of the kite not worrying about where you are at trim wise. Of course he was artificially working the mechanism far more than necessary. But it worked just fine. The stopper worked well to. But yeh he kept coming back to how clean it was. The auto untwist seemed to work well.

I had a good look at it. Mucked around with the mechanism on the beach. Bar was covered in sand at this stage but it worked very well still.

The depower PU length is really quite different. Really solid with defined grooves in it that the stopper works on.

Think it's a bar that over time you'd get used to it for sure and may even find you can get the most of those fine trimming positions.

I still maintain it would really have a benefit to a SB wave rider and also an unhooking dude looking to fine tune the trim for certain tricks. Or even foil boarding.

Hard to explain but I suppose one could say the trim using the clicker is far more quantified in well defined increments. For instance when setting my trim on the cleat today while riding along in gusty conditions you've disengaged the front lines and you pull or let back the trim. Now when gusts are hitting the kite it's kind of hard at times to really nail that optimum spot especially if you are setting in a gust under load. I suppose this mechanism allows you to quickly wind, see wind some more see... Maybe then let one wind off from the button.

Look just a theory but it may have some merit what I'm saying. Who knows lol.

Free riders like us in TTs. Not sure it adds a great deal. Maybe it does who knows at this stage. But even today I set the trim on my bar and edged out the gusts or just went bigger.

So bottom line is it does what they say and really it's up to each Individual really. Look I'm in no position to buy even a new normal bar but if I was, yeh I'd be really considering the extra 150/200 for the extra functionality. 750 versus 950 ... Why not.

Who knows I might buy one but not until some of you guys pay the money and become Guinea Pigs .

The mechanism is my concern because in a similar example – 3 years ago I purchased the Mystic Code 1 harness with the adjustable waist tensioner and even though I cleaned it every 3 or 4 times the sand and salt took its toll and soon made it inoperable. Other than that great harness and I still use it but I had to epoxy the mechanism in one position but that’s not a real option for a bar.

Eagerly awaiting your feedback in 12 months chaps.

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windreams said..
Who knows I might buy one but not until some of you guys pay the money and become Guinea Pigs .

The mechanism is my concern because in a similar example – 3 years ago I purchased the Mystic Code 1 harness with the adjustable waist tensioner and even though I cleaned it every 3 or 4 times the sand and salt took its toll and soon made it inoperable. Other than that great harness and I still use it but I had to epoxy the mechanism in one position but that’s not a real option for a bar.

Eagerly awaiting your feedback in 12 months chaps.

Got the same one...weird, mine is just fine after two years (Used it only today). Which has the opposite affect regarding the bars predicted life span.

Shows ya individual experiences affect individuals opinions. But yeh waiting a while, not a bad call man.

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waveslave said..

Jerome said..

I'm not saying that everyone will like it but I definitely think that many guys will be surprised as to how well is actually works and resists to sand, salt and wear.

But you can't deny that grit and saltwater won't invade the voids and workings, right ?

That's one of the main short-comings of your invention.

Sorry.

Ive had numerous protos for over a year now, ive left em in sand, rolled em in sand, tried to jam sand in them, used one all season long not washing it once after riding and done it all again the next day all season long with zero issues, and if grit and saltwater did invade the void and workings guess what it can be flushed!!
Sounds like you have grit in your void waveslave!! Not once in your 4000+ comments have i seen a possitive comment from you guess haters gonna hate ay..
P.S if you ever floating around and see me kiting and wanna trade your "I don't do trim adjusters on my custom bar" in for a quick go on the new north bar give me a holla im more than happy to share it around..

Tosh. Give us credit for some imagination, North retailer guy. I can imagine a bar that does what yours does and I can't imagine being happy with it, for various reasons. It may stretch our imagination to consider one prototype being used for three years without repairs, but I think we'll all be happy to try them and have our negativity depolarized. Should that be the case...

Torque bar wasn't available in 2016 line-up.