I am getting the hang of my new Ranger (was there a pun somewhere in there?) In fact, I'll soon be posting some pix of my own takes on the recommended mods and safety releases.

Thing is, the thin, hard, textured bar was probably better meant for water traction (or maybe padded snow gloves).

My bum knuckles would prefer the more hefty and cushy bars that come with my other kites.

I went to the hardware store to look for those soft grip tubes that slide over rake handles and such. No luck.

Any recommendations for some common substitutes out there? I'd prob. need something that can open and wrap around the bar ends, since the OS handles and other bits preclude just shoving it down over the ends.

What about foam sports tape that people use on field hocky sticks? I thought about using that for an old damaged bar

You might have to slice and seal, but take a look at Hypalon. Google "hypalon grips" Used a lot for fishing poles, but can be found in other applications.

Comes in

• Round, oval, and octagonal (harder to find) profiles
  
• Various internal and external diameters
  
• Various levels of cushioning
  
• Assorted colors
  
• Pre-Cut and Custom Lengths
  

Hope that helps.

ATB,
Sam

So, this would be like and overlapping spiral of tape going down the bar? I was kinda looking for less permanent mods. I guess it could be removed if needed (with some Goo Gone for the residue).

Something "less permanent" treads the thin line of "shreds under stress."

If you go with the hypalon, you could glue it to itself, without gluing it to the bar or use an adhesive that isn't mean to survive a nuclear holocaust if you don't want it shifting (squirmy).

ATB,
Sam

You can't delete your own posts? Wassup wit dat? :puzzled:

road bike handlebar tape would do the same thing and is easily removable but doesn't squirm under pressure.

Why not just buy another bar. Ive seen just the bar, without lines and chickenloop/depower lines on ebay.

Thanks for the tips - I knew I seen stuff out there somewhere before.

Actually, I wish I still had the 29" slingshot bar I sold awhile ago - it had a bit softer grip, too.

The one (and maybe only) unique thing about the Ranger bar is the LONG depower range. 'Course I could swap the CL and leads over to any other bar. But a padding mod would be the quick, cheap way to go.