What size bar should I be using on a 16m inflatable, or does it depend a lot on the particular kite? I have been using an 85cm bar on the 11.8 AB, which was fine for starters, but my sense is that I can get away with less now with more experience under my belt. I use a 65cm bar for the 8.4AB. I am thinking how sweet it would be to use the same bar/linset for both kites.
What do you think?
Bar size?
Moderator: MK
It does vary per kite. The manufacturers have been trying over the last few years to work it out that each size feels like the other so you don't have to adjust your timing etc. every time you switch a kite size. One of the ways they acheived this was through bar size. Now in 2003 many manufacturers have figured how to modify the kite so that one bar will work with all sizes. Slingshot Fuels for example were designed to all run on a 17inch bar.
But back to your question. I tried going smaller on the Airblasts though since they have the bridle ( which means twice the length of throw required to turn vs direct connect) I wouldn't suggest going smaller. When I ran the 11.8 on a smaller bar, in underpowered conditions you really have to work the bar aggressively. Powered up would just calm things down a bit.
You could get rid of the bridles.
hope this helps
But back to your question. I tried going smaller on the Airblasts though since they have the bridle ( which means twice the length of throw required to turn vs direct connect) I wouldn't suggest going smaller. When I ran the 11.8 on a smaller bar, in underpowered conditions you really have to work the bar aggressively. Powered up would just calm things down a bit.
You could get rid of the bridles.
hope this helps
Tighe
bar size
I typically like a bar that holds three to five hundred people. Just intimate enough to meet girls without getting lost, just enough selection of them, and not so big you get lost in the place.
Of course, ladies night is preferable.
Of course, ladies night is preferable.
Size
THOUGHT I'D STUMBLED ON A PENTHOUSE FORUM...SIZE DOES MATTER! COINCIDENTALLY I ASKED LARRY (SCUBA CNTR.) THE SAME THING WHEN BUYING A WIND-WING...HE CONCURRED W/ TIGHE THAT THEY ARE PROPORTIONAL TO KITE SIZE....WHICH SURPRISED THE HECK OUT OF ME... TRIED A 4.4 YESTERDAY AFTER 3 ON A SNOWBOARD, BUT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH WIND AND THE SNOW IS REALLY PACKED OFF THE RAMSEY BOAT RAMP....WAS ABLE TO LAUNCH AND THEN STEP INTO THE BINDINGS...WHICH FELT GOOD! AM HAVING FLASHBACKS TO EARLY ATTEMPTS TO WINDSURF....MAJOR KLUTZINESS!!! COACH'S RESPONSE MADE ME CHUCKLE, AND I CONCUR WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!! JimN. 
bar size - no Penthouse involved
FYI - bar size related to kite size is becoming more and more marginalized. I use the same bar now with my 20m X2 as I do with my 14m, 10m, and 5m kites.
I've discovered that while older kites needed longer bars and more throw and pressure to get the kite "torqued" into a fast turning position, newer kites do most of their turning by light-to-moderate pressure over a very small range. I'm not totally sure why, and I won't geek-out and expound on my theory for y'all.
It shall suffice to say that if you are buying a 2003 kite from Naish, North, Slingshot, or Naish (redundant sponsor plug intentional) you can probably get away with one bar for all sizes.
My 20m X2 turns as fast as the 10m and 14m Aero and takes less bar pressure. I flew Tighe's 17m 2003 Fuel this weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see it had almost as good turning abilities.
Strangely enough, the bar provided with my late 2002 20m X2 was slightly shorter than the bars for my 10m and 14m Aeros (both the same size.)
-Coach
I've discovered that while older kites needed longer bars and more throw and pressure to get the kite "torqued" into a fast turning position, newer kites do most of their turning by light-to-moderate pressure over a very small range. I'm not totally sure why, and I won't geek-out and expound on my theory for y'all.
It shall suffice to say that if you are buying a 2003 kite from Naish, North, Slingshot, or Naish (redundant sponsor plug intentional) you can probably get away with one bar for all sizes.
My 20m X2 turns as fast as the 10m and 14m Aero and takes less bar pressure. I flew Tighe's 17m 2003 Fuel this weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see it had almost as good turning abilities.
Strangely enough, the bar provided with my late 2002 20m X2 was slightly shorter than the bars for my 10m and 14m Aeros (both the same size.)
-Coach
Piling on...
The North Toro is designed to use a single bar size for most kites. I guess they are building that into the kites. I was really skeptical that the small bar supplied with my 16M would be enough. Turns out that this is the best turning kite I have!
Ken Winner:
"There are several design parameters that we vary from size to size in order to adjust turning speed. They include tip width, tip angle, depth of camber, and others. By varying these parameters in a progressive way, we've been able to speed up the big Toros and slow down the small ones.
We feel that the length of the bar a rider is using should be determined by the width of his or her shoulders, not the size of the kite. That's why we've worked so hard to make Progressive Geometry work."
The North Toro is designed to use a single bar size for most kites. I guess they are building that into the kites. I was really skeptical that the small bar supplied with my 16M would be enough. Turns out that this is the best turning kite I have!
Ken Winner:
"There are several design parameters that we vary from size to size in order to adjust turning speed. They include tip width, tip angle, depth of camber, and others. By varying these parameters in a progressive way, we've been able to speed up the big Toros and slow down the small ones.
We feel that the length of the bar a rider is using should be determined by the width of his or her shoulders, not the size of the kite. That's why we've worked so hard to make Progressive Geometry work."