gonewiththewind wrote:EvanOR wrote: In those rare instances when you may wish to have more (or would like to self-rescue) you simply grab the single line flag out handle and that's all she wrote. When you are ready to ride again, just let go of the tab, grab the bar, and ride.
Unless you pull in a foot or more of the depower line, many riders will not be able to reach the flag handle in the first place. Once you have grabbed the handle, your kite will not flag out because your other three lines are still connected to you. With your hand on the handle, you then need to eject both your chicken loop and your leash. Only then will your kite flag out. No? To suggest otherwise is extremely misleading. If I am missing something, please explain.
I actually love the OR bars. I bought one in 2007 because it was the simplest bar with the most features at that time. But I do think Slingshot skunked everybody this year with that new swivel. Hoping OR will eventually complete their bar with something similar.
As much as I loved my OR bar these last few years, there have been a few situations where I really wanted to flag the kite more quickly than the OR allows.
Also, replacing your depower line takes on a whole new significance when it becomes an extension of your leash as it is with the OR bar. Sure, you can tell people that they need to keep an eye on the fraying. But it's not really the smartest thing to attach yourself to a high-wear line on your kite when there are other options. I've broken depower lines on other kites before too, but it's only with the OR that I watched my kite drift away from me.
In response to your first question with regards to single line flagging, I am not saying this should be your first move. In most cases simply ejecting or letting go of the bar (assuming the stopper is all the way up or pushing through the tension adjustable stopper on the '09 and new bars) is going to give you all the depower you need. However, if you feel you need more or wish to self rescue, it is then very easy to go hand over hand (twice) up the center lines to reach the grab handle. You're pulling on the depower connection of a depowered kite. You can reel in on that one flag line as necessary, and once you get sorted out and under control, simple release it, pull in the bar, and launch the kite if you wish to.
With regards to " misleading comments ", this is forum and I am offering casual answers to general questions about the bar. This does not take the place of proper lessons or instruction on the use of our equipment or anyone's else's and should not be taken as such.
For this reason, I'll abstain from further instructional comments and recommend you contact one of our
Learn to Ride centers.
As for the maintenance issue and becoming detached from your kite - again, it's very apparent when it's time to change the trim line, and with our bar this is cheap, quick and easy for everyone to do. Further, there are many sports and activities in which simple, routine maintenance of your equipment is part of the game, and kiteboarding is no exception. I could spend all night writing a list, but mountain climbing, sailing, and skydiving are a few that quickly come to mind. Don't maintain your gear, and you're going to suffer the consequences. I'm glad for the both of us that it was just your kite bar and not a parachute that you neglected.
In the end, the most important thing is to be knowledgeable about and comfortable with your equipment, and take care of it properly, regardless of the sport or who makes it.
Personally, I prefer simplicity, reliability and predicable peformance, and would not be comfortable using many of the more complex bar set ups on the market. To each his/her own.
Cheers,
Evan
Ocean Rodeo
Hyperflex Wetsuits
Performance over Hype