Mini-Article: The Kiteboarding Control Bar and How it Works

      The kiteboarding control bar is one of the most critical pieces of equipment that you will ever use when kiteboarding. A good bar has to be tailored to the kite that you use. 50-55 cm bars are used for kites from 9-14 m, 55-60 cm for 15-19 m, and for 4-8 m 43-49 cm bars are used Too small of a bar with a large kite will lead to a less responsive kite; too large of a bar with a small kite will make a super-responsive kite. Longer lines (longer than 25 m) make the kite less responsive but more powerful; shorter lines under 20 m make the kite more responsive but less powerful. As with everything in life, there is no perfect bar. Some lines are thicker and have less stretch (which makes the kite more responsive) while other lines are stretchier, which tends to make the lines longer than they normally are and the kite a little less responsive. You cannot use a five line bar (designed for foil kites and C kites) with a four line bar and vice versa. It is generally a good idea that you use the bar designed by the manufacturer of your kite, but you can get away with using a standard bar as long as the lines are the same length. Nowadays, control bars have made a lot of advances since in the past. However, there are some components of a bar that remain unchanged.  

        A control bar has several features. For instance, most control bars on the market are either four line or five lines control bars. The brake lines, or the steering lines, are on the outside of the bar, while the power lines or center lines usually begin as a depower rope running through the center of the bar. With a fixed bridle bar for foil kites that do not depower, the outside lines are in the center of the bar and the inside lines attached to the leading edge of the kite are on the outside of the bar, but this is only for bars that are used with kites for kite buggying and kite landboarding (these kites do not have depower, which is the ability to change the angle of attack of the kite to control the amount of wind the kite is exposed to).

        To fly correctly, a kite must have lines equal in length. If your lines are not equal in length, you may have to tie a knot on the longer lines until they are the same length. Some bars have different adjustment points for the center lines because they tend to stretch more than the brake lines. The center lines are attached to leader lines, which are attached to a trim/depower strap on most systems (some trim straps are below the bar depending on the manufacturer), and then to the depower rope that runs through the bar to a chicken loop. The depower rope attaches to a chicken loop, with a chicken bone or a chicken finger, which is a small plastic tube that allows the circular chicken loop to hook into the bar (the spreader bar) on your kiteboarding harness. Chicken loops nowadays have evolved, and most bars possess a push away system in which you can undo the chicken loop in order to unhook from the kite. All bars also have a place to attach a safety leash that keeps you attached to the kite while depowering the kite by making one of the lines shorter than the other. The safety leash attaches to a fifth line or a mini-fifth line that can be seen in the image above inside the chicken loop. When the chicken loop is detached from the harness by activating the quick release and you let go of the bar, the kite depowers. When your kiteboarding lines are not equal in length, your kite will not steer properly and will eventually depower in most cases.

The trim strap (referred to as the depower strap in the image above) is an important aspect of most kiteboarding bars. The trim strap allows you to pull in the center lines and shorten their length, which makes the kite change its angle of attack by pulling the leading edge of the kite forward, making less of the kite exposed to the wind. This is good to use when the wind is too powerful--pull in the trim strap then. If the wind is not strong, then you should let the trim strap all the way out. This is the factory setting for the kite. Kites will fly best with their center lines at the maximum length. Some kites, however, require pulling in the trim strap slightly in order to fly better. An average kitesurfer should experiment with the trim strap to find the optimum setting depending on wind conditions.

 

Some manufacturers have a different bar for every size kites. Bars on foil kites are usually different from bars on inflatable kites. Most bars now have a larger hole in the center of the bar for the depower rope that attaches to the chicken loop. You wrap your lines up around the bar in a figure eight pattern, and then you attach the straps at the end of the bar to make sure the lines don't come loose. Most bars now have retractable straps at the ends of the kite that can go around the lines to hold them in place when you are finished kiteboarding.

Some kites have different attachment points for the lines. The brake lines or outside lines attached to the line attachments on the wingtips on the kite. The center lines attach to the center of the kite where the leading edge is (the largest part of the kite that inflates, with a foil kite, the line attachment points towards the center of  the kite). Some bars, such as Cabrinha's QuickLink system, have a recoil system for trimming the kite or a clam cleat system (Ozone, RRD, and HQ), while others have a traditional trim strap system with a red and black trim strap for depowering or powering up the kite. Generally, a good bar should be made out of quality parts. The lines should be thick enough and strong enough to support at least 2-3 times your weight. Most bars on today's market are streamlined.

 

Some bars also have a stopper ball that you can adjust on the depower rope leading to the trim strap. This allows you to sheet out without as much bar pressure. You can move this stopper ball up and down. Generally, when you sheet out with a bar, you push the bar away from you. You have less power in this situation, and the kite does not steer as well. Foil kites tend to have more power than inflatable kites when they sheet out, so you will find that foil kites sheet out more and require a different style of sheeting the kite. Generally, to steer the kite faster, you pull the bar inwards towards your harness. The kite will steer faster.

 

A kite that flies well should be able to steer well. This sounds self-evident, but the relationship between the bar and the kite is subtle. Kites should turn fast, but there should also be plenty of depower in order to be safe and in order to handle different wind conditions. In any case, at least once a year, check whether any of your lines are worn. Check whether your lines are the same length by attaching them to a nail on a post and by stretching them completely. Tie a knot on a line that is too long to adjust its length to make sure that it is equal to the other lines. If your lines are too damaged, get another set of lines from the manufacturer. If you get lines from a different manufacturer, make sure that they are the same length as the original lines.

 

 

KITE REVIEWS

 

The reviews here are based on experiences with demo kites and are kept as unbiased as possible. Every kite has distinct flying characteristics that makes the kite unique. You've probably heard from unobjective reviewers that a kite outperforms any other kite. Besides being impossible according to the laws of physics, there is no perfect kite that can outperform kites in all categories.

 

HQ Matrixx 15 meter Kite

For 2011, HQ has raised the bar by creating a closed cell foil kite in a league of its own. Many kiteboarders are reluctant to switch over to foil kites or to use a foil kite in their quiver, but this kite can add to anyone's quiver, particularly as a kite excelling in hangtime.  The new HQ Matrixx is a similar kite to the Flysurfer Psycho IV, but it has a higher aspect ratio and a much gruntier appearance. Like the Speed 3, the Matrixx produces high lift, especially at the top of the wind window, but it has the freestyle performance of the Psycho IV and the Flysurfer Unity. We found that the Matrixx produces the highest lift high in the wind window; the kite can become completely flat and catch the wind just like the Montana VI does, producing the lift of a paraglider.  It is much higher aspect ratio than the Neo 2, and it is even slightly higher aspect ratio than the Montana VI. It  has a totally different shape than the Flysurfer Speed and should provide a different alternative to the Flysurfer model. Both kites are excellent kites, and Flysurfer riders should not think of this kite as a cheaper alternative to the Speed 3 because HQ has taken this kite in a different direction. First off, you'll see that this kite has a grunty appearance compared to the Flysurfer Speed and the Psycho IV. It has the same thick cells as the Neo 2 with ultra light bridles. Tangling with the bridles was not an issue. It has a very long depower strap--one of the longest I have ever seen--so you can depower the kite a great deal. The Psycho IV requires a lot of attention when flying, but the Matrixx does not require that much attention. We also used the kite buggy to test out the kite. The first impression with the kite is that it produces a great deal of lift as it reaches higher in the wind window, just like the Montana VI. It has much better upwind performance than the Neo 2, and it produces an incredible amount of pull. It is a kite designed for intermediate riders, as it is less stable than the Neo 2, which really requires little attention to fly. This kite loops very effectively and produces high lift, and it will really shine in the 10-15 knot range with the trim strap pulled in about 5 inches. One of the problems I have seen riders who have the Speed 3 is that they have to take a long time to loop their kites in light wind because the Speed is very high aspect ratio. The Matrixx is not as a high aspect ratio as the Speed 3, so it is very easy to loop. I was able to loop the kite on the kite buggy without any fear of falling off the buggy in very light wind, and the kite didn't even come close to the ground. This kite is completely forgiving, so you don't have to worry about jumps as much as it is easier to control the kite than with inflatables. For kiteboarders used to inflatables, the sheeting will take sometime to get used to as you don't always need to sheet in to have power. It is so easy to do a back or front roll with this kite it is almost silly. I recommend this foil kite as a great intermediate/advanced kite for kiters who want to get good hangtime and practice freestyle tricks. It comes with the Total Depower System with the fifth line the Neo 2 uses.

 

Freestyle: 9/10 (massive air, excellent for kite loops, and unhooked; for those who like less hangtime, they'll have to learn to do extra rotations)

Wakestyle: 9/10 (if pop is your thing, there is plenty of it for hooked and unhooked tricks. With the 15 meter, unhook in lighter winds only; if you are into sliders, you might jump too far with this kite)

Turning Speed: 8/10 (Foils don't turn fast, but then again, they don't need to becuase they have more power per square meter; this kite wasn't slow for a 15 meter in very light winds)

Depower: 9/10 (Lots of depower, especially with the trim strap extended; this is still a high lift foil kite, so use it in lighter winds to moderate winds-- up to 20 knots-- unless you are very experienced)

Freeride: 7/10 (If you want a freeride kite, go with the Neo 2 if you are into foils)

Hangtime: 10/10  (this kite is similar to a paraglider when you want huge lift; it doesn't have a jerky feeling when you get hangtime, but it floats you to the ground like other high aspect foil kites) If you don't belive that this can be a high hangtime kite, just watch the video of the 9 meter. 

 

Waves: 8/10 (This kite produces huge hangtime. The Neo 2's stability gives it a slight advantage in the waves)

Landboarding: 10/10 (This kite is for the big air, old school landboarding tricks and for the double back roll aficcionados)

Snowkiting: 10/10 (This kite is similar to the Montana VI, a high lift kite that crosses over to paragliding)

Upwind: 9/10 With its high aspect ratio, upwind riding is easy.

Relaunch: 10/10 Even in 3 mph, this kite can relaunch.

Low End Power: 10/10  You need about 8 knots of consistent wind to be able to head upwind with this kite and do basic jumps. I was jumping several feet in just 5 knots.

High End Power: 8/10  Even though I haven't tested this kite in 15 knots plus, I would avoid gusty winds with this kite in 15 plus knots. You will have plenty of high end power, but you'll probably have to pull in the trim strap over 15 knots. For more experienced riders, the high end is where this kite becomes fun. It actually becomes a genuine crossover kite because you can fly through the air.

 

Overall, Virginia Power Kites recommends the Neo 2 for beginner riders to advanced riders, and the Matrixx for intermediate and experienced kiters looking for a genuine freestyle kite that can be used on land, water, and snow.  If you are looking for a kite with huge airtime with little work, then you've found the kite for you.

 

2011 Ozone Catalyst

This kite is a mid to low aspect ratio kite with a great deal of grunt. The only size I tested so far is the 14 meter. The kite has excellent low end and surprisingly fast turning speed. It only has 3 struts, which makes it lighter than most kites its size. The 14 meter Catalyst is a great alternative to the Ozone Zephyr as a lightwind kite--the Zephyr is designed for more experienced riders and particularly riders who are racing in light winds. You might be surprised, but the Catalyst in the 14 meter size has almost the same low end as the Zephyr because it has 3 struts rather than 5 and is lower aspect than the Zephyr--just not as much speed as its higher aspect brother the Zephyr. Anyone with any experience with big kites--remember the old days of the dinosaur 21 meter C kites--knows that turning speed is a huge problem with larger kites. Because of its low aspect ratio, the Catalyst turns remarkably fast for its size. The 14 meter has incredible turning speed in light winds, and the bar is very streamlined, with the simplicity of a cleat system. The one pump system bears a striking resemblance to Cabrinha's one pump deflate/inflate system. This kite turned fast as it is low aspect, and it would be ideal for heavier riders and for riders seeking for perfomance in light winds.

Freestyle: 8/10 (not as fast moving as some freestyle kites---the Catalyst performs better as an all around kite, suitable for wave riding)

Racing: 8/10 (low aspect kites aren't really for racing--use the Edge for racing)

Freeride: 10/10

Waves: 10/10 (This kite is one of the most stable of all kites in the big surf)

Hangtime 9/10: (the Edge produces more hangtime as it is higher aspect!)

Relaunch: 10/10

Upwind: 8/10 (rides upwind well, but it is a lower aspect ratio kite, so less capability than a high aspect kite)

Low End Power: 8/10 (lots of grunt for a 14 meter, but ends up moving slower in sub-12 knots)

High End Power: 8/10 (This kite has more low end than high end. It produces a great deal of power, so unless you are experienced, don't take the 14 meter out in higher than 20 knots)

Depower:  10/10 (sheet out and the kite loses its power; two settings for bar pressure)

Bar: 10/10 (great for those who enjoy the cleat system)

Stability:  10/10 (one of the most stable kites out there--you barely ever have to look at the kite when it is at neutral)

Wakestyle: 8/10 (I would use the Catalyst more for freestyle)

Turning Speed: 8/10 (We tested the 14 meter. The turning speed is average)

 

The best feature of the 9.5 meter Montana VI is its lightweight fabric (but still water repellent), its higher aspect ratio, its fast turning speed (for a higher aspect kite), its relaunchability, its durability (the fabric is still the high quality that HQ delivers), and its massive wind range. Also, you get a kite that HQ's team rider used to win the German kite landboarding freestyle championship this year while other kiteboarders were using 21 meter kites!

2011 RRD Obsession

Kites Tested: 12 meter, 7 meter

This year's Obsession is slightly higher aspect than last year's Obsession. That means that when you perform a kite loop, you'll have more power per square meter. You have excellent depower with this kite, and the kite rides upwind like a dream. We noticed that the 2011 was slightly less powerful in low end conditions than the 2010 Obsession, but it has more high end performance than the 2010. As for unhooked riding and as for the bar, the bar is much improved for 2011 because the mini-fifth line no longer hangs down, but is integrated into the depower rope with a tube (this would only make a difference for intermediate/advanced riders who enjoy unhooked tricks). The unhooked performance is remarkably better from last year. No more backstall issues when unhooked like with the 2010 Obsession (with the 2010, you needed to pull in the trim strap slightly when unhooking--not anymore with the 2011). The Global Bar V3 is a terrific bar with a simplified cleat system and the best lines on the market, even though they are sometimes heavy and should be color coded.

Unhooked: 10/10

Upwind: 10/10

Speed: 8/10 This isn't a race kite, but it is slightly higher aspect than last year's kite, making it faster.

Freestyle: 10/10 This is where the Obsession excels. Very stable and steady.

Freeride: 8/10 This kite is still a freestyle kite.

Hangtime: 9/10 Higher hangtime because of its higher aspect ratio. It does take some time to get used to putting the kite in the right spot to get huge air.

Relaunch: 9/10 Excellent relaunch.

Low End Power: 9/10 The Obsession 12 meter works in about 12 knots with a large board for a 75 kg rider. Not as much low end as the 2010 Obsesion. Still almost as much low end as a 14 meter kite because the Obsession is higher aspect ratio

High End Power: 10/10

Depower: 10/10 Slightly heavier bar pressure so you know where the kite is at all times.

Bar: 10/10 The Rigid Thread lines are sweet. One of the best bars available on the market.

Stability: 10/10 Very stable, no backstalling

Wakestyle:10/10 Very smooth predictable power with handle passes and kite loops.

Turning Speed: 10/10 A little more high aspect than last year, so slightly slower turning, but it turns with more power throughout. Perfect for freestyle.

2011 Epic Screamer

This kite is Dimitri's high hangtime/freeride/race kite. If that's what you like, get this kite. You can almost spend as much time in the air as you do in the water. You'll especially like the Limited Edition 10 meter, which we purchased as a demo kite. The 14 meter Screamer was very predictable and did exactly what it was told to do when tested. It is an excellent kite for anyone who likes big jumps. The 10 meter kite is faster, and the Limited Edition is our favorite Screamer. This is not a freestyle kite, so if you want freestyle, go with the Renegade.

Unhooked: 9/10

Upwind: 9/10

Speed: 10/10 This is Dimitri's high aspect kite, so it excels in this area.

Freestyle: 8/10 If you are looking for freestyle tricks, try the Renegade. This kite is too fast and too high aspect for freestyle, but your kite loops will be huge like Lenten if you keep the kite high enough in the window.

Freeride:7/10 Not as smooth in its performance as freeride kites. This kite is a more advanced kite.

Race: 9/10 This kite is higher aspect and can produce some speed.

Hangtime: 9/10 Really high hangtime, but no feeling of losing control. The Screamer performs as its name indicates, so be prepared to go vertical.

Relaunch: 9/10 Excellent relaunch.

Low End Power: 8/10 Good low end, but not as much as advertised.

High End Power: 8/10  Don't try to use this kite if you are overpowered. It is a powerful kite.

Depower: 8/10 Shorter riders might have trouble reaching the trim strap. Extend the trim strap with some spare line, and you'll be set if you are shorter.

Bar: 9/10 The bar is sweet, but the lines could be heavier. Nice addition of a float to safety leash.

Stability: 10/10 Very stable, no backstalling

Wakestyle: 7/10 This kite isn't really designed for wakestyle, but you can do wakestyle tricks. Be careful about being overpowered.

Turning Speed: 9/10 This kite turns fast for a high aspect ratio kite (high aspect ratio kites turn slower, but create more forward speed!)

HQ Neo II

Sizes tested: 6, 8, 11, 14 m

The HQ Neo II is a crossover kite. It has an intermediate aspect ratio and is a freeride kite that gives you nice floaty jumps and is extremely predictable. This is the most stable kite ever because it almost flies right up to the zenith. The Neo 11 meter is like a 14 meter Obsession or Screamer, so don't be confused by the smaller sizes. Closed cell foils are terrific for light winds and for cruising around. The Neo fits into that category. The 14 meter is designed for heavier riders and functions well as a snowkite, but on the water, the 14 meter has about the same wind range as the 11 meter. The 8 meter Neo II is much faster than the 11 meter, but it requires about 20 knots to get going on the water for a 75 kg rider.

Freestyle: 7/10 Not a fast turning kite, but it can lift you for those backrolls and wakestyle tricks. Very predictable and doesn't do anything crazy.

Snow: 9/10 This is the kite for high hangtime and freeriding. It is a closed cell foil, so no luffing in light winds. It does take about 5 mph to inflate, though. Very rugged and forgiving.

Kite landboarding/Kite buggy: 9/10 Not as high aspect as the Montana VI, but perfect for landing floaty jumps or for kite buggying in steady winds.

Freeride: 10/10 That's what this kite is for, relaxing and getting pulled by a kite that has great low end and requires little work to fly.

Upwind: 7/10 This kite is medium aspect, so it doesn't go upwind like a Flysurfer.

Hangtime: 8/10 You can get some serious hangtime with the Neo II, but you need stronger winds for the hangtime, and you must keep the kite higher in the wind window.

Low End Power: 10/10 Excellent low end power. It almost never falls out of the sky and turns really fast in light winds in the 11 meter size.

High End Power: 8/10 This is a foil kite. Be careful flying any large foil in over 25 knots. You could get really launched.

Depower: 8/10 Complete depower for a foil kite, but the bar pressure is still pretty heavy. Sheet out, don't sheet in, when steering the kite.

Speed: 9/10 The Neo 2 makes it feel effortless to ride. You ride with the bar out further with the Neo 2. You can go very fast, especially in thermal winds.

Relaunch: 10/10 Pull the brake line, and she powers right up. Be careful though because the Neo 2 has  a lot of power downwind.

Bar: 9/10 The bar is terrific, but the addition of a fifth line is both good and bad. The good side is the kite is safer, but the bad side is that the fifth line adds a little more drag and can be a mess when it gets tangled. If you understand foil kites, the fifth line is no problem.

Stability: 10/10 Almost auto-zenith. You barely have to touch the bar when it is over your head.

Wakestyle: 7/10 This kite can perform wakestyle tricks, but it isn't going to give you that fast turning you would with an LEI. On the other hand, it is far more predictable, so it is good for learning tricks.

Turning Speed: 7/10 Foils don't turn as fast as LEIs, but the Neo II is a freeride kite, not a freestyle kite. Besides, you don't need to turn the kite as much because it pulls you harder than any LEI will.