Had been meaning to get one for ages, finally got around to it this month...

Wish I HAD done it ages ago what a bloody brilliant thing -- if you don't unhook. So much more comfortable and freer movement! Just a great feeling...

Used it two days now on the rope only, on a Mystic Star waist/seat harness and predominantly on the 2015 Fusion, with my Dialer directional and the twin tips. I still greatly prefer seat harnesses, and while the spreader bar pad still gets gradually pulled upwards, it doesn't rotate and dig in my guts/sternum at all.

Add to that how much freer your hips are, how much more comfy riding is, how much less strain in the back from fighting the torque of the fixed spreader bar... it's the best money I've spent on accessories ever.

On the directional...
After the first few moments of noticing the hook slide, I very quickly forgot about it and just enjoyed riding the board. The easiest way to describe it is: flowing. Not having to fight the fixed spreader bar means my success rates for swapping stance has gone through the roof... even swapping from heel- to toe-side before the change of tack is dead easy now. I used to manage maybe one in five, with careful planning and much wobbling and sinking, but now I'm making them 9 outa 10 without thinking. General fannying about in "waves" (edge to edge playing; you can't dignify what I do by calling it surfing, or even carving) is so smooth and easy.

On the TT...
Hmm. Took me about an hour of being too lazy to change it to get used to it. Very quickly you get used to not waggling your hips around, as being unable to use the resistance of the hook is a bit weird, and getting pulled from slightly not the direction you're expecting can be disastrous. Basic tricks are no issue; just make sure your hips AND shoulders are squared up in the right direction for landing. But I got used it eventually, and I doubt I'll be going back to a fixed bar.

Concerns...
Breaking the rope. But if it was made of dental floss, it's still be tougher than a Dakine hook.
Breaking the pulley. See above.
No in-built knife holder. Awaiting the next version pad...

In short -- it rules. Shut up and get one.

Yeah the sliding spreader bar is an enlightening experience, I used to get a lot of bruising from the upward motion of the hook digging into my stomach now nothing at all plus my riding has improved heaps, not just my directional riding but also my ability to edge and pop for jumps and land right without my body getting pulled out of wack.

I actually made my own, quite easy really, I used sliders instead of pulleys which are 300kg breaking strength and I use 2 side by side which I have lashed to the hook piece that I cut off ( for this to be possible you need a hook with a small metal bar across the Middle, just cut it off just below the bar and file the edges smooth) then I use three pieces of 500kg dyneema line tied at either end of the spreader bar( use needle nose pliers to get it as tight as possible) having 3 pieces of line ( I leave one slightly looser so it wears last) means you can kite with it until it looks really shabby and never worry about the line breaking, the weakest point of the setup is the metal spreader bar itself, I just keep an eye on this to make sure it hasn't cracked. I will try posting some photos if I get around to it.

I originally tried this thinking I would upgrade to the dynabar if I liked it but now I think I will just stick with my own system. If you have an old harness lying around and it has a hook with the little cross bar have a go at making it yourself, easy cheap and well worth it.

I honestly think as sliding spreader bars gain momentum they will become much more the norm instead of the exception.

Now I just need a bar that skips the chicken loop that I never use for unhooking !

Yep, have had mine 5 years now and could never go back - has been brilliant, being a long-time Nitrous seat harness user. The one issue I had with my older model (V6 I think) is one of the welds on the frame broke so I needed to get that re-welded, but it wasn't a catastrophic failure - only realised later. And the newer models are moulded so should get rid of any weld issues.

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JacobMatan said..
Yeah the sliding spreader bar is an enlightening experience, I used to get a lot of bruising from the upward motion of the hook digging into my stomach now nothing at all plus my riding has improved heaps, not just my directional riding but also my ability to edge and pop for jumps and land right without my body getting pulled out of wack.

I actually made my own, quite easy really, I used sliders instead of pulleys which are 300kg breaking strength and I use 2 side by side which I have lashed to the hook piece that I cut off ( for this to be possible you need a hook with a small metal bar across the Middle, just cut it off just below the bar and file the edges smooth) then I use three pieces of 500kg dyneema line tied at either end of the spreader bar( use needle nose pliers to get it as tight as possible) having 3 pieces of line ( I leave one slightly looser so it wears last) means you can kite with it until it looks really shabby and never worry about the line breaking, the weakest point of the setup is the metal spreader bar itself, I just keep an eye on this to make sure it hasn't cracked. I will try posting some photos if I get around to it.

I originally tried this thinking I would upgrade to the dynabar if I liked it but now I think I will just stick with my own system. If you have an old harness lying around and it has a hook with the little cross bar have a go at making it yourself, easy cheap and well worth it.

I honestly think as sliding spreader bars gain momentum they will become much more the norm instead of the exception.

Now I just need a bar that skips the chicken loop that I never use for unhooking !

Nice one. I wondered about working In a safety rope...

Thought about making one too, but access to pulleys or sliders is almost non-existent -- I'd have to decide into Osaka to the only sailing shop I know of ... would have cost me more in gas and highway tolls than the Dynabar!

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JacobMatan said..


Now I just need a bar that skips the chicken loop that I never use for unhooking !

Look for an old Cab bar with separate chicken loop. You can then attach the centre line straight to the slider.

Not mine, but this is what I am trying to say.

Love my Dynabar! Rave about it to all my surf-oriented friends with fixed hooks. The alternative is a very loose chest harness that slide around, which I don't get....why not use the harness for what it's designed for, then get the movement from a purpose built slider? Different strokes for different folks.

For knife, get a Da Kine one with the pocket and belt loop, attach it to the straps that attach your bar to harness. It is right there in front and out of the way, simple solution.

DIY alternatives: a simple one I have used is a bar with hook broken off, rope across, then a 1" diameter stainless steel ring. With an Ocean Rodeo bar, you can remove the chicken loop and attach the quick release webbing direct to the ring. With a BWS bar, the chicken loop mechanism can easily fit through the ring. One negative is self launching with carabiner....a lot harder to reset quick release, maybe impossible in many situations. A second negative: the chicken loop is potentially another form of release in danger situation....lose that with this kind of DIY slider set up.

Another vote for the Dynabar! Very easy transition and much more comfortable than a fixed bar. I have mine on my Nitrous shorts and it works a treat. The rope (Dyneema) is really tough stuff and will show signs of wear in plenty of time to replace before it breaks.

I have had a Dynabar for two years. I got mine from kitepower and instead of a harness got the Dakine boardshorts. I am mainly in the surf. Can be used over a wetsuit or straight over you DPs. If you have not got one you are really missing out. Fantastic toeside. When parked feels like a normal harness.

I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

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Alysum said..
I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

IIRC the difference is welded plate on steel rod vs cast frame on the v8.

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Alysum said..
I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

You can buy from Kitepower.com.au or you can ask you local store to contact Kitepower and order some stock.

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TerryMcTool said..

Alysum said..
I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

You can buy from Kitepower.com.au or you can ask you local store to contact Kitepower and order some stock.

But it says on your website it's on backorder until late October?

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HighzaKite said..

TerryMcTool said..

Alysum said..
I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

You can buy from Kitepower.com.au or you can ask you local store to contact Kitepower and order some stock.

But it says on your website it's on backorder until late October?

Just received an update from them today. Now expecting late this Month :)

Ah the annual Dynabar topic, summer must be approaching.. One you try one you will never go back..

Love mine, I use the free ride solid slider bar, about 3 years on and still using the first set of plastic guides. I like the solid bar as when on a TT it just sits happily in the centre for jumps etc...

I use both the rope and the fixed hook on the V8 in a session. When I get tired from jumping I'll unhook and switch over to the rope for some carving on waves.
what I did find though when I got it is that it was wider than the standard bar from the harness that I had so I couldn't do it up as tight as it was maxed out. Luckily I've put on some weight over winter so not too big an issue now. Thats just something you should check.

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noodelsrominov said..
I use both the rope and the fixed hook on the V8 in a session. When I get tired from jumping I'll unhook and switch over to the rope for some carving on waves.
what I did find though when I got it is that it was wider than the standard bar from the harness that I had so I couldn't do it up as tight as it was maxed out. Luckily I've put on some weight over winter so not too big an issue now . Thats just something you should check.

I went for the 11 inch for that reason. I liked my harness cinched down tight too, but there's not a lot of range left now!

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Kitepower Australia said..

HighzaKite said..

TerryMcTool said..

Alysum said..
I'm keen to get one so I can finally transition to toe side which is a struggle with my seat harness.

Is there much difference between v7 and '8?

Not many places to buy it so may have to order it from jay directly.

You can buy from Kitepower.com.au or you can ask you local store to contact Kitepower and order some stock.

But it says on your website it's on backorder until late October?

Just received an update from them today. Now expecting late this Month :)

Who was complaining about derailed threads....?

I'm a bit confused with what comes in the Dynabar 7 XT kit. Does it just come with the rope by default and you have to purchase the spreader bar separately

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Alysum said..
I'm a bit confused with what comes in the Dynabar 7 XT kit. Does it just come with the rope by default and you have to purchase the spreader bar separately

The one I go, which I think si the basic kitt:
spreader bar, pad, rope slider, hook, U-bolt, fixed hook... The metal rails are additional, but the rope is easy...

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Kamikuza said..

Alysum said..
I'm a bit confused with what comes in the Dynabar 7 XT kit. Does it just come with the rope by default and you have to purchase the spreader bar separately

The one I go, which I think si the basic kitt:
spreader bar, pad, rope slider, hook, U-bolt, fixed hook... The metal rails are additional, but the rope is easy...

Thanks I meant the sliders/metal rails. There also seems to be several different ones.

Think I might bite the bullet and get the XT 7

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Alysum said..
I'm a bit confused with what comes in the Dynabar 7 XT kit. Does it just come with the rope by default and you have to purchase the spreader bar separately

G'day Alysum

This is what comes with the V8 kit, basically every option you could want. If you've never used a sliding spreader and mainly ride TT use the bar with the pronounced bump in the middle, but if you only ride surfboards, use the rope. You can get it from Kitepower and from their website, or any kiteshop that buys them from Kitepower. Kitepower is the dynabar distributor for Australia.

Note that the metal "bar with the bump in the middle" is not included in the basic kit, as shown in the picture. You'll have to order it seperately if you really think you need it for the twin tip... but you don't. If you don't like the rope slider, you'll be better off with U-bolt and the sliding hook anyway...

Apparently the V8 and V7 no longer come with the slider bars as pictured here, they can be purchased separately. If you don't like the rope slider alone definitely don't give up on the Dynabar, purchase one of the metal slider options, ride like that for a while (or forever) and try the rope from time to time to see if is something that you then feel better about.
You definitely DO NOT need to use the rope to get the benefits of the sliding spreader, the rope is best suited to directional surfboard riding, and the sliding metal bar is best suited to TT, but of course there will be exceptions and its best to experiment, the metal slider parts are inexpensive and last a lifetime.

Wow. This looks like just the kit I need.

Can you replace a standard Mystic Warrior harness with a DynaBar?

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Loftywinds said..
Wow. This looks like just the kit I need.

Can you replace a standard Mystic Warrior harness with a DynaBar?

You mean, just the spreader bar? The Dynabar has slots on its SB for a single strap harness, and a pull down strap. Easy replacement on my Mystic Star.
For my Dakine Fusion, I used the Power Lock buckle from the harness and the included double strap clip from Jay.
If you have a double strap harness with the loops welded on the SB like Ion, you'll need to order an additional clip from Jay.

I think they come in two different lengths, just measure your existing bar to make sure you order the right one. Or, take your harness to your local shop and they should be able to give you the right bits to make it fit.

Absolutely love mine. I use the rope, but will give the solid bar a go this season.

Here are some pics of Dynabars on my harnesses. Yep I have a few harnesses because I am on a mission to find one that really stops riding up and is actually comfortable.
The pics show how the various belts and the Jaystore clips work.


Mystic Warrior 3

Dakine Nitrous shorts

Dakine Nitrous shorts non clipped/left side, 2 belts in one slot works fine

NP Bomb 2015 my current favourite, but still rides up a bit.

Mystic Warriour 3 left/non clip side

NP Bomb 2015 Jaystore clip, single belt connection and home made get in out easier device :-)

^ Mission accomplished

Not perfect though....close!



Got a Dynabar a couple of years ago and it allows more range of motion of your upper body - which is great for riding on a surfboard.

No dramas with it - apart from the quick release pin attached to the red ball inside the bar - accidentally releasing. Make sure you check this pin is in position - so that it can't release. When mine did - the rope released and the hook flew off into the Pacific Ocean and suddenly I was unhooked - could become a epic kitemare !

Kitepower fixed this - with a shackle that removed this pin to make this quick release redundant and the rope secured - so it can't happen again.

Got rid of the quick release (red ball ) on mine too... Seems unnecessary.

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harry potter said..
Got rid of the quick release (red ball ) on mine too... Seems unnecessary.

Could be handy in a kitemare like that North rider in that video where a line is wrapped around his hook...

Take the ring off the line and slip it onto your harness straps. The 2015 Fusion does this on both sides' straps... Now you have three levels of QR, adding being able to ditch the hook and still have the kite leashed as a last resort.

I've asked Mario at Jaystore to get rid of the release, it is completely unnecessary these days, and as Hausey can testify they do accidentally release. I just too the ball off all of my ones, you can still see the pin in this pic, under the clip. The pin is very long and secured with bungee that forces it back inside and behind the spreader bar sleeve.
I also do not run my leash on the grey slider line, I find somewhere else on the front of my harness for a short leash, and I use the Ozone short leash that comes with my kites.
If you get rid of the hook altogether, which for most of us that ride hooked in all the time, then you have nothing to catch a stray line on. The hook is redundant for most kiters now and should be eliminated because it is a point of potential line entanglement.