Power Kite Forum

North Click bar 2017 review :)

elpopp - 31-8-2016 at 10:46 AM

Link to review

What do you think about the new system (please ignore the price performance which could be a topic by it self really :))

:P

Kamikuza - 31-8-2016 at 11:25 PM

Solving problems that don't exist. Overly complex.

No I haven't used it, but the only thing that on that bar that will be a subjective experience is the grip tape. And maybe how much it weighs...

Want to change the game? Make a bar that doesn't cost $500, let alone $1,000

elpopp - 1-9-2016 at 02:36 AM

Im thinking more like they did this high pricing because they inovated one "new" thing in kiting. North has allways been technology pusher, but I belive the rest brand companies will follow soon, and the prices will come down to reasonable sense if this thing catches on.

Albeit the price, I for one, really want to try the click bar.. I dont know, I just like new things. :smilegrin:

Feyd - 1-9-2016 at 04:34 AM

2nd Kami on this. It's an answer to a question nobody asked. Change for the sake of change, not innovation. How's it going to be, long term, in sand and salt water. For my needs, whats the reliability like in below freezing temps? Things get brittle in the cold. Granted thye probably aren't focusing it on winter riders but it is a consideration. One good fall in slush under layer and that thing is going to lock right up when exposed to air temps and wind chill.

Other more traditional systems can be affected in winter riding, but they are generally out of harm's way for the most part.

In regards to line twists,. A good spinner, like the one found on Blade bars and others, is amazing at keeping twists at bay. Makes manual untwisting a thing of the past and no need to loop unless you want to. I guess the question is how well do Blade spinners deal with sand? I dunno. But they are spec'd on other manufacturers bars so I suspect they work well. On snow, flawless.

It's a neat concept. Thats for sure. But does it solve a problem? I dunno.

I'd try it if given the opportunity. Totally worth seeing first hand. But I wouldn't bet my well being on it until i had a good test period. Long term.

nate76 - 14-9-2016 at 07:19 AM

Looks like Ocean Rodeo is entering the fray as well:

https://oceanrodeo.com/kiteboarding/bars/stick-shift/

I'm just not sure I'm sold on the whole idea yet. Seems like a lot of bumping and twisting to get to the trim you want. I remember when I first got into the sport, the safeties and trimmers were a little more clunky and something like this seemed like a good idea, but I don't know any more. The new traditional bars are so clean and effective (and maybe just familiar), that this seems like you guys said - solving a problem that doesn't exist.

But maybe its like a smartphone or tablet: the uses aren't obvious until you try it.

Love watching the spirit of innovation within the kiting community though. Makes you wonder what we'll be kiting in another 10 years...