Hi there,

So today I bought this control bar to go with a North Evo 2012 kite. It's actually for my missus but we are both just starting out. Obviously I was aware it was an old bar and not North but the guy in the shop assured me it was adequate and the price on the kite was good enough that we went for it.

However, on closer inspection I'm not convinced by the safety system. Clearly the pin with the red handle releases the chicken loop and then the safety leash should be attached to the ring. The power left in the kite is then meant to pull the front lines through. What I'm not convinced about is wet rope pulling through the toggle, I think the friction will remain high and therefore will need a LOT of power to pull through. So in an emergency I think the missus is still in potential danger of being dragged as the friction holds everything in the same place as opposed to modern systems that completely drop the kite immediately. Especially as she ain't no fat chick!

What are your thoughts on this?

I've tried to find this bar online but searching Royal control bar mostly just pulls up posh looking cocktail joints!

Anyone with any first hand experience would be great. Thoughts on take it back for a refund or will it work ok?

Thanks.

1. Hooking to that ring will only give you full kite de-power if you pull the safety. It doesn't look like the bar can offer a full flagging safety from the photo but I can see two rings near the end of the bar.
Can you provide a picture of these unwound from the bar?

2. Not a fan of the pin pull safety on the chicken loop. I would suggest loading it up a bit and seeing how difficult it is to pull.

3. "It's actually for my missus but we are both just starting out. Obviously I was aware it was an old bar and not North but the guy in the shop assured me it was adequate and the price on the kite was good enough that we went for it." Really? This is a growing problem in our sport in my opinion. This is exactly the point in your kiting progression where safety and functionality of the bar should take priority over the price.

Hi BK,

Thanks for your reply. Hopefully this makes it clearer.

Totally appreciate what you are saying but we didn't even launch the kite as we were not convinced by the safety so we're not yahoos with no regard for safety. We took the advice from a reputable shop owner despite not being totally convinced. And remaining unconvinced the kite stayed on the beach, much to our disappointment. Anyway, hope this pic makes it clearer.

Hi jimg

I have to agree with Briskites on this one. It's very hard to tell how your safety system actually works without seeing what it looks like above the bar with the lines unwind.

My guess is that the safety line with the 0-ring is attached to BOTH front lines but very close to the bar = not safe at all, no chance of the kite flagging out.

Getting a good safety system is important but getting familiar with it, testing it and learning to get out of trouble in real situations is even more important.

Christian

Hi jimg

Just saw the pic you posted afer my first post. Just like I was thinking. That safety system is pretty much dangerous and will NOT flag your kite under any circumstance. To have any chance to work, the safety line would have to be attached to ONE of your front lines. Safety systems attached to BOTH front lines (as with this bar) will only have a chance to work if the bar can slide out at least a wing span away (usually about at least 10 meters) when activating the chicken loop quick release. In this case if you activate the safety system, the bar will slide out about 50cm (same as letting go the bar).

This bar is dangerous, I wouldn't use it !

It's possible to modify safety systems and make this bar safe but I wouldn't do it unless you know exactly what you're doing AND have the correct spare parts

Christian

Hi Jimg, I'd be taking that bar back to where you bought it from tomorrow. If they can not demonstrate how the safety works to your satisfaction - return it.
But please remember, you get what you pay for.

Good on ya for getting a second opinion and asking here.

I recon an older slingshot chicken loop would fit that bar nicely. But then again, doesn't look like your bar set up is designed to flag to one line.

That's going to be your achilles heel when you eat **** some time as a learner.

You need to be able to release your safety and just have 1 line attached to the kite. I wouldn't use that bar.

Thanks Christian and Topple.

Christian I called the guy this evening and he talked about modifying it, I forget the terminology he used. Maybe we just splash the cash and get another bar.

OK, there is a single line flag out but it's on the back line.You would need a safety leash long enough to reach it and probably only apply half of the velcro.

Disadvantage of back line safety systems-
- Safety twists when you loop or roll
- They generally are annoying
- A tangled mess after deploying

Hi BK,

Thanks for your reply.

So the safety leash would attach all the way up there?!?!


Nah, don't fancy that. Think it's going back.

Don't attach the safety leash to the back lines, apart from the cons mentioned by BrisKites it's actually UNSAFE and will typically send your kite spinning around a wing tip endlessly, especially in stronger winds. I know because I've tested those many times, it might work in lighter winds but not in strong winds.

i recognise many of these components. the bar is not as archaic and old as it first appears.

i find it hard to believe any shop would not have tried to steer you away from this thing.
but one does wonder what sort of store even has this on premises.

keep/sell the kite lines if they are equal length set.

keep the bar as a trainer bar for handle passes hang it up somewhere.

destroy the rest (the thick grey rope can be salvaged to actually)

Gosh that is shocking that this bar was sold to noob Kiters. Neither of those front lines are flagging lines right ? So what happens if you pull the safety - the bar just moves a meter or so away from you ?? Wow.

If an inexperienced user has their safety attached to the back of their harness and kite and it started death looping.

You are pretty much dead in 2 or 3 minutes.

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Underoath said..
If the user has their safety attached to the back of their harness and kite and it started death looping.

You are pretty much dead in 2 or 3 minutes.

i allways thought you just clipped the safety onto the steering line similar to your slingys oh **** handles. you pull quick release and entire bar slides all the way upto the kite/ stopper ball on steering line

It should be noted that pulling the O' **** handle and not being unhooked, and or not letting go of the bar will see your kite looping out of control....


Oh shot handles are a liability. A standard de-flag is always a center line with less chance of death looping.


I have mine removed.

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Underoath said..

I have mine removed.

Ahh, that explains why you can't handle pass - you had your set removed.

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SibboV1 said..

Underoath said..

I have mine removed.

Ahh, that explains why you can't handle pass - you had your set removed.