I had a long session with my Ride Engine sliding spreader bar today.
Now I know why I (still) dont like it
Of course you have to use loads of time to get your muscle memory and body to adapt - as you suddenly have to have your arm bent or pushed out, depending on which side of the spreader the ring is.
But this is only an adaption, and comes quite quick - during the session one could adapt indeed, just thinking about it, so should not take long.
It also has a very odd non-firm feel, but this could one maybe get used to.
The problem for me, is: When you do a turn, it might slide differently depending upon where you look (ie where your body is tweaked compared to the kite) - and this is crucial, as a few centimeters wrong position of the bar (which it inevitably leads to now and then) will ruin a perfect carve or jibe or move IMO.
Of course one might be able to get used to this, and outweigh this with the advantages, true.
But not being able to use 100 % precise and predictable kite (power) control is a no no for me, as this is the major part of making perfect carves
Yes, I can twist my body more "upwind" with this bar, both toeside or normal, great
But apart from that, I found the disadvantages bigger than this...
Have ridden it a lot last year too, without really knowing what the major problem was - but today I realized what it was (for me, others and many might not agree)
And as said before, I am REALLY stiff and not flexible, so I could need some more freedom, but it does not really work for me for some reason
PF