Forum for kitesurfers
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WildDuke
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Postby WildDuke » Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:17 am
Can anyone comment on Ben Wilson Surf kite bar? I want to replace my kite bar and I'm trying to decide if I should go for it! I was wondering if you guys could share some of your opinions! Cheers!
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Tony
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Postby Tony » Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:27 am
I have these bars now and am very happy with them.
That said, there is still no perfect bar setup out there.
I have the bars with the below-the-bar depower and there is now a choice.
Pros:
- Soft bar ends
- Comfortable grip
- Thick leaders
- 22m lines (good choice)
- solid release system
- simple
Cons:
- Below the bar depower takes two hands to operate
- Does not come standard with multiple line lengths
- Fixed length bar (unlike North for example)
If you are constantly adjusting the depower you may want to pick the above the bar depower as it is reportedly easier to use.
I've modified my bars to use a double ring on the leash setup so I can easily run suicide and flagging (after eject) similar to the North bar for example.
Hope that helps.
Tony
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mdmaui
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Postby mdmaui » Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:22 am
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mike dubs
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Postby mike dubs » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:37 am
I have one, it's great, soft grip, padded ends, really good and strong lines, I have the above the bar depwer on mine which is really easy to use. Great swivel and chicken loop size you can adjust, QR is really effective too.
Impressed with mine.
mike
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DeeTron508
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Postby DeeTron508 » Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:27 pm
I have a brand new BW Undertow bar - (below the bar depower) for $175 (free shipping) . PM me if interested.
-Bought the bar to use with other kites as I loved it, however, I am now supported by a different brand and as such cannot use it and never got to.
All the comments above are accurate w regards to the pros/cons.
-D
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antwerp
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Postby antwerp » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:50 pm
I have been using this bar (w below the bar depower) since Dec. 2010 on Slingshot Rev and BWS Noise kites. I have also used Slingshot and North kites/bars in the past. I primarily kite strapless in the surf, and like the above poster have modified the bar with a north suicide ring to allow suicide attachment when unhooked, but flagging when I release the kite.
I agree with the above posters, this is a great bar. It's simple, uncomplicated, and light meaning less things to tangle and worry about in the surf. I have gotten used to using using two hands on the below-the-bar depower while riding when necessary, it's not ideal but it works. I now spend an extra few seconds adjusting the depower on the beach before heading out. I probably would opt for the below-the-bar depower in the future, as having nothing above the bar now seems very natural to me (nothing between you and the kite but bar and lines). I have dinged my boards less since I got this bar (soft bar ends) and the one-piece bar ends/floats again means one less thing for your lines to tangle on if you drop your kite. Solid construction. I recommend it.
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WildDuke
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Postby WildDuke » Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:46 am
Tell me more about this two hand thing. One hand will be on the depower strap and the other? where? Does anyone know if BWS sell a retrofit kit to convert below bar depower to above?
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Tony
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Postby Tony » Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:57 pm
It is a rope and cleat ... one hand on the depower rope above the bar and one hand pulling the depower rope below the bar.
That said, like the other poster I would still pick the below the bar depower option as it is much cleaner.
How often do you really need to adjust the depower on the water ... not much for me.
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Laughingman
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Postby Laughingman » Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:43 pm
Wow, So I just stumbled upon this bar.
Looks like someone is listening. This is super simple and super clean
https://bwsurf.eu/store/bar/undertow-bar-2
Only con I see is it does not have adjustable width settings.
And the price of course... $670 CAD
YOU ARE ON CRACK COCAINE
lol I thought maybe I would buy just the quick release assembly ....
https://bwsurf.eu/store/spare-parts/qr-unit-complete
$200 CAD for a chicken-loop assembly?
LMAO... You gotta wonder wtf these people are thinking...
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Starsky
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Postby Starsky » Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:25 pm
Great bar with really nice lines. Re rigged it above bar depower. I have a variety of bars.... I really like that one. The chicken loop unit is quite heavy. If you remove the donkey dick it will drop off your hook as soon as you slack your lines. Even so, its one of my favourites.
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