I got a climbing harness from my science teacher for free (brand new, given to him by a friend and he didnt need it) But the only issue is it works with handles with a strop and QR but I am looking at a bar and I know I will be hooking and unhooking. How do I fit a spreader bar onto a climbing harness?
Thanx
Nick

K here is a picture of my harness if it helps at all.

you have to make a hook system from other hardware...the spreader bar is not designed for that harness....I had a mountain harness at first and it was very problematic.....so I just brok down and bout a dakine seat harness used from ebay for 50 bucks...its better thatn trying to make parts fit........

So I would have to tie it on with paracord or something?

NPWfever -

If you want to use a spreader bar, I'd find a windsurfing or kitesurfing harness set-up for it from the start.

If you can score a "standard" spreader bar for free or next to nothing, you'll probably find it has welded rectangular loops at each end for 1-1/2" webbing. And you'll want probably 2-3" of padded strap behind the spreader bar to help keep it from rolling and digging into your gut.

Your climbing harness waist belt looks a bit narrow to adapt. If you try it, the simplest, most secure way to keep it on would be to have a piece of webbing securely stiched (think "X+ box") at the side of the harness, then the webbing goes forward, around the spreader bar D-loop, and back, all through a metal or delrin ladderlock type buckle. Some windsurfing harnesses will use the flip tab camlock buckles, but I wouldn't trust that to carry my body lofted, nor would I trust the squeeze lock 2-part delrin QR buckles for that.

Start looking online for Kite Harnesses and you'll find pics.

krumly

Just spend the cash and get a good windsurfing type harness. I recommend this harness to people.
http://www.the-house.com/dk084zzdakine.html You still have to buy a spreader bar.

Scott

I have read that many riders do use climbing harnesses but I don't know how much variation comes from harness to harness. IIRC, those riders with climbing harnesses are using wichard quick release shackels instead of spreader bars to hold their strops. You may want to look into that - although it means your strop is locked until you unlock it.

I am getting a bar for snowkiting this year so I need a spreader bar. I just figured if there was some way to fit it I would be able to avoid the extra expense. I want to be able to hook and unhook. Ah well guess I have to drop some more $

Shackle and QR, easiest way to go, shackle to the climbing harness, then a proper QR between the shackle and the loop on the bar. When you want to fly handles just add a pulley for the strop instead of the loop at the bar end.

You never want to be tied to your kite without a way to ditch it under power.

Yeh but i want to be able to unhook for tricks, will work for nw tho

NPWfever -

Decent used harnesses on Ebay are hit or miss. For new harnesses, check out:

http://www.southport-rigging.com/

They have a lot of new old stock at pretty good prices. Most are priced without the spreader bar. Be sure to get the bar that is the right length for the waist size for your harness. Typical bar lengths are 6", 8", 10."

The House used to have a lot of older model Neil Pryde and Dakine harnesses for cheap, but they are pretty tapped out (I live near them, and picked up 2 Neil Pryde Freeride harnesses with the Automatic spreader bar included for $20/each)

krumly