Why isn't sliding rope bar more prevalent?

[Sarda]

I stopped using my much loved Dynabar first session after taking it off an Ion harness and putting it on a Dynabar harness. The clips had no bar retaining screw. If anyone finds an old Dynabar, let me know!

[Slappysan]

Most of you will probably bash on this but I tried a few sliding setups and didn't like any of them enough to jump with so I gave Fireball a go and I think it's the best of both worlds and use it exclusively now (even though I don't fly Cab kites).

[tmcfarla]

Been using my diy rope slider for several years, and I would not change back to a fixed hook. However- sliding spreader is not as good for jumping, is not as good for heavily powered riding, cannot be riden unhooked, and offers little or no benefit if you don’t spend a lot of time riding toe-side. Basically, it is less versatile, and I think that explains why it isn’t more popular. If you ride a strapless board- you really should give it a go, otherwise it might prove to be more trouble than it is worth. Been a while since I rode a twin tip, but even though I use toe side a lot on a twin tip, I think I prefer a fixed hook for TT.

[Regis-de-giens]

One really valuable option is replacing the original long hook by a shorter ring fixed in the center by a short dyneema loop. I have been loving it from years as you get the best of the two worlds (not for unhooker of course). I attach my Chicken loop on the little ring between my fingers :



Why not more used ? I do not know but I think it will developp . Enata just developped one beautiful and expensive system :


I also added a second more classic rope system as you can see on the picture so I can choose fix or sliding point at each session and get used to both .



But honestly I do not feel a lot of difference during my loved Toeside ridings, which are anyway far improved in both case vs classic hook. So mini-fixed point is my overall prefered system : best for jumps, and great for short arms as it increases the power stroke (but taller guys may have to add little pigtails on rear lines connections to compensate for the CL closer to you).

The sliding rope main advantage vs mini-fix ring is to me a "geometrical automatic" little bar sheet-in in toeside, while fixed hook looses power... so, sliding rope requires less flexion and effort from the rear arm to keep the same traction as heelside ride : more comfortable for long TS rides.

[Da Yoda]

What's the word on some of the more ridged alternatives like NP's S1 Tracker EZ s-bar or Ion's C-Bar Metal Slider s-bar? Seems like both of these could be a good "middle ground" alternative.
I'm currently using a rope s-bar, but I'm interested in trying the Ion Metal version since I'm doing some strapless freestyle. I agree with the statements here about jumping with a rope s-bar... it's not as nice as a hooked (or ridged) connection imo.

[rynhardt]

One really valuable option is replacing the original long hook by a shorter ring fixed in the center by a short dyneema loop.

Similar setup

[jaystore]

The answer is quite simple:
Dynabar was available in 2008 but all kitesurf brands didn't take care of this new system (we made some proposal to some leader brands without success).
RideEngine started selling DYNABAR with their custom harnesses around 2014, when become Slinkshot they started to produce their own copy.
When all other brands saw the DYNABAR was good and gives a lot of benefits all inserted a copy in their catalogue.
Since last year all brands offer it, it shows sliding is the future.

It's quite simple to understand how the market works: a new product can be technically good but it is null if the big brands don't see business and decide it's time to make money out of it. They don't care a lot if JAYSTORE is going out of business, this is the business rule.
Nevertheless it has been great to be the first (in love should be the other way around , so let do it )

[plummet]

The answer is quite simple:
Dynabar was available in 2008 but all kitesurf brands didn't take care of this new system (we made some proposal to some leader brands without success).
RideEngine started selling DYNABAR with their custom harnesses around 2014, when become Slinkshot they started to produce their own copy.
When all other brands saw the DYNABAR was good and gives a lot of benefits all inserted a copy in their catalogue.
Since last year all brands offer it, it shows sliding is the future.

It's quite simple to understand how the market works: a new product can be technically good but it is null if the big brands don't see business and decide it's time to make money out of it. They don't care a lot if JAYSTORE is going out of business, this is the business rule.
Nevertheless it has been great to be the first (in love should be the other way around , so let do it )

I've seen you blame other companies for your lack of success in commercializing dynabar.
The reality is that big brands owe you nothing and in business it is a dog eat dog world.
The only people you can blame for your failing company are yourselves for your lack of business acumen to commercialize the brand effectively.
Since 2008 you have had ample time to rise up and be a leader in harness technology. The reality is that other companies starting after you have risen and surpassed you as harness suppliers.
I have your XTC harness hardshell harness with carbon spreader. It is a good harness with good features and is doing well. However, compared to the likes of mystic, Ride engine and other leading harness manufactuers it is agricultural and not as well finished. It is also more expensive and difficult to purchase parts internationally.

[Laughingman]

RideEngine started selling DYNABAR with their custom harnesses around 2014, when become Slinkshot they started to produce their own copy.

"RideEngine" or actually just "Engine" (Coleman had not yet started using RideEngine) had their own carbon sliding spreader bar back as far as December of 2012 so not sure when or why you think they were selling their harness with a Dynabar...?

If you are wondering why you guys failed to bring the market forward... its simple, your spreader bars were at the time way to gadgety (and they still are). Too many parts, and the nylon sleeves would wear out in a matter of a few uses. The steal slider was a horrible idea, the bungee is even worse and your website was impossible to navigate... even now... who puts their business for sale on their home page? FYI it took over 30 seconds for the home page to load... most people would have left after 10 seconds.

You are bitter, its very evident in the tone of your posts... who wants to support that? Not me. I use a slider now for 9 years, I started with a dynabar... I should have saved my money and made my own.

[jaystore]

I see that answering a question with the reality of things doesn't work.
Enjoy kitesurfing and sliding system...