2 years ago i cracked my ribs and left me with a weird angle in my lower ribs. Ever since i have trouble finding a good waist harness. (Tried seats but hate it). I mix unhooked, big air, kiteloops and waves. need a harness that sits low under the ribs and does not ride up. I am thinking perhaps the ride engine could work for me if the hype is true. Mixed reviews about fit & quality but bottom line is that every harness i tried up to now hurts my ribs leaving me with short sessions.

Before spending a$750 on a harness (hook & sliding spreader), i would like to try one on in a shop but none seem to even carry it in stock?

Finally, is there a big difference between the Hex series and the Carbon series?

All input is appreciated. Getting desperate for a solution.

Trying a harness on in a shop compared to having real time on a harness are 2 completely different things, think I've got 4 hanging up in my garage , pro limit , mystic, and ion, now on a dakine vega, I tried a mates new engine harness, and admit it felt very snug, but didn't get time on it, most wave riders here wear a very loose fitting harness, so with the engine you'd have the sliding set up

I'm pretty sure Bonny at KSS in Scarbs has them.

+1 bonny at kss should have them,
if not try WAsurf in safety bay.
it is best to try them first and make sure it is fitted correctly.

WA surf has them

similar situation.
Tried almost every harness on the market including the ride engine.
I use a Flying Objects Felix Pro Model from Airborne in Osborne Park.

also,
your ribs may not have healed properly yet.
while my ribs were healing I mostly tried to keep my kite low in the window,
it helped me get a longer session before the pain kicked in

There are heaps of reviews and info on SB regarding the Ride Engine harness, hit them up at their website or call them. They will tell you who has them in stock and what the difference between them are.

Bonny at KSS in Scarbs has them for sure and according to some others so does WA Surf. Difference between the Hex and carbon, about 300grams in weight, and a hefty price increase, but to wear them as far as I'm concerned there is no difference. I have a carbon elite, only because thats the only one they had in the very first shipment that fitted me. I was wearing size M in Mystic and NP harnesses (and still do) but needed the L in the Ride Engine, I wear 34" pants and dresses.
I use the carbon bar with the sliding rope setup, you would need the hook, because you want to unhook.
My harness would have at least 200+ hours on it now, had some minor quality issues, still on the original rope. You must feed the strap on the right side back through buckle prior to putting on the harness and using it (leaving a loop of webbing), adjust tight, then pull the slack out of the loop and out the back of the buckle, then it cannot slip.
Most comfy harness I've ever used and owned, never rides up.

broke my rib as well
used a seat harness for ages
tried waist's but they ride up and hammer my bad rib
tried the ride engine, but the rope broke way out back
that was fun...not
thought of the dynabar, but it has issues
created a solution which has worked pretty well so far
used it in mexico, hawaii, japan and australia
here's the deal:
go to a marine shop
buy two stainless steel D rings, one O ring, and rope with a 'significant' breaking strain
cut off the spreader bar on a seat harness
using seat harness' side adjusting straps, attach D rings on harness' left and right sides
use rope to mimic spreader bar between D rings
before tying off, slip O ring on the rope
done, you're good to go
when setting up before launch...
pop the quick release
take the now-open chicken loop and thread it through O ring
reset the quick release
attach leash
enjoy your kiting
note: the cabrinha system is a bit tricky
the QR release does not open up the chicken loop as with other bar systems
so you have to make some adjustments
like thread the spreader rope through cab's chicken loop
then retie the rope to your D ring
test your gear before you use it
know how to release
know how to how to how to whatever
this works for me
it may not for you
good luck

Hey Kiterdad
I like your innovation but just 2 questions;
1 - the rope broke on your Ride Engine. Apart from that, was it ok? Surely you didn't chuck the whole expensive harness just for a replaceable rope?
2 - I've heard of someone else removing the spreader bar. I just keep thinking it would squeeze you without the spreader bar to keep it apart and would be worse for your ribs?? Do you take that harness in high winds? Does it squeeze from the sides?

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kiterdad said..

thought of the dynabar, but it has issues

What are the issues?

Apart from the fact that you have to buy the whole set up although some would be just interested in the bar with sliding rope and ring, I can't really fault the product. You can even set it up with a back up rope in case you'd break the main one.

didn't buy the ride
demo-ed it on a demo day
the rope's knot, located out of sight, came clean undone
unhooked, 30 knots, solid seas, yada yada yada
big swim
no hard feelings, but yeah nah
never gunna be a customer
kudos to dev rex though
onya rexy :)
dynabar is ok, but again, rope problems
the grommets split
the rope chafes in the hole
plenty of photos and stories out there
no need to add mine
does a home job without spreader bar pinch?
not at all
do i use it in high winds?
affirmative
can you work product to replicate and enjoy?
if you want
will this work for you, be safe for you?
asking too much i'd reckon
all equipment breaks
good luck

Thanks for the input all! I will drop in at KSS this weekend. Also will have a look at the Felix Pro, seems to have a low cut.

I broke my ribs slamming on my side after a stacked loop. A harness without a spreader will put to much pressure on the side ribs I can imagine.

Cheers!

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kiterdad said..
didn't buy the ride
demo-ed it on a demo day
the rope's knot, located out of sight, came clean undone
unhooked, 30 knots, solid seas, yada yada yada
big swim
no hard feelings, but yeah nah
never gunna be a customer
kudos to dev rex though
onya rexy :)
dynabar is ok, but again, rope problems
the grommets split
the rope chafes in the hole
plenty of photos and stories out there
no need to add mine
does a home job without spreader bar pinch?
not at all
do i use it in high winds?
affirmative
can you work product to replicate and enjoy?
if you want
will this work for you, be safe for you?
asking too much i'd reckon
all equipment breaks
good luck

That totally sucks, that the rope can come undone like that, and that RE did not think to use a knot that cannot slip (because its well known that granny knots - like they used - in braided dyneema slip easily) and as a back up to even glue the knots (as I have), and I'm still on the original rope. I don't have a back up rope, but do have a short leash attached to the spreader bar and will be able to ride home if it breaks before I've decided it needs replacement.

I'm amazed you find riding with no spreader bar comfortable, do you still have the leg straps, is your setup still a seat harness?

The dynabar rope spreader is on my backup harness, its a couple of seasons old on the original rope too. The plastic grommets do split, but the rope does not chafe and wear if the holes are well bevelled. Dynabar have a new rope connection system should be available in Oz really soon, does away with the rope through a hole and uses D shackles. Thousands of Dynas in use, very few issues overall. Like you say though, check, check, check again and know how to deal with a situation if things do screw up on you. Riding in surf everyone should have a knife handy, right on the harness at the front.

Hi Guys,

We are currently at the ION Dealer meeting and they have a harness coming out called the Team Series which is an affordable option to the Ride Engine. Might be well worth waiting. I know it'll be the harness I'll be riding this year. ;-)

DM

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ActionSportsWA said...
Hi Guys,

We are currently at the ION Dealer meeting and they have a harness coming out called the Team Series which is an affordable option to the Ride Engine. Might be well worth waiting. I know it'll be the harness I'll be riding this year. ;-)

DM

Interesting mate, i figured 2017 more similar options, (perhaps also better quality) would come available. Can wait a few weeks if need be.

Hi
Go with what kitedad says, use a seat harness, forget the kooks that say they look noob, your there for you only.

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gdownie said...
Hi
Go with what kitedad says, use a seat harness, forget the kooks that say they look noob, your there for you only.

Had a seat, hate it! Restricted movement, horrible for unhooking, center of gravity not ideal. It is just not for me. I could not care less about the looks. Just no good for my riding style