DIY bars: another center line approach

[merl]

Building bars from 2mm wall thickness carbon tubes and experimenting with various centre "hole" methods for the depower line. This new way uses a spliced loop of dyneema (not sure I know exactly what I did to make it, but I have done it twice and managed to get a tight fit both times). It is attached with a single bolt which passes through the bar and the weave of the dyneema. It is just a single 2mm hole through the bar, so the strength reduction should be minimal.

I've tried a similar setup with another bar (in that case the loop went through the small center hole of a standard commercial bar) and even with a relatively small ring like this one, the centre line moves freely at any bar angle.

[sodamixer]

nice i like that, your depower rope would sit under the Carbon Tube if red is on the left side correct?
woundl it be better havong the carbon tube hanging down on the depower rope caus thats the natural position by gravity?

[br44]

nice i like that, your depower rope would sit under the Carbon Tube if red is on the left side correct?
woundl it be better havong the carbon tube hanging down on the depower rope caus thats the natural position by gravity?

Maybe but no. Having the bar above the depower line is a little unstable, however it makes it very easy & comfortable to hold the bar and fly the kite with 1 hand. Big advantage for foiling.

[Jamie-NYC]

I am working on a similar project using carbon bike handlebars (very inexpensive). What is your grip made from? I am unsure why you need the bolt to hold the dyneema - there is not much force on the center ring. Note, I simply used very thick zip-tie in place of your dyneema.

[evan]

Maybe but no. Having the bar above the depower line is a little unstable, however it makes it very easy & comfortable to hold the bar and fly the kite with 1 hand. Big advantage for foiling.

We found out the same, hole at the bottom makes it easy and comfortable to place your hand exactly in the middle and no big hole through the carbon tube makes the bar both stronger AND lighter!

[merl]

nice i like that, your depower rope would sit under the Carbon Tube if red is on the left side correct?
woundl it be better havong the carbon tube hanging down on the depower rope caus thats the natural position by gravity?

I have discussed this is point in the past. I had the same thoughts and used to make bars with the line above. As you say it is more stable. But I was persuaded to try this way, and I can confirm that it is much better for the hand position.

[merl]

I am working on a similar project using carbon bike handlebars (very inexpensive). What is your grip made from? I am unsure why you need the bolt to hold the dyneema - there is not much force on the center ring. Note, I simply used very thick zip-tie in place of your dyneema.

It's a standard heat shrink tube sold on aliexpress - as is the carbon tube.

Yes, you can probably do this without a hole at all. If you have a neat methed post a picture. I considered a heavy zip tie but was unsure whether it would last.

[evan]

You also can go down to 1mm wall thickness if you drill the hole in the front or back (center line of the bending where there are no stresses) instead of the top/bottom.

This will give an extremely light bar with similar Stiffness to most commercial bars. 2mm wall thickness for maximum Stiffness

[Gerwinnaar]

I use a Spinlock Scepter and that works really well

https://www.sailsupply.nl/spinlock-scep ... XAEALw_wcB

[merl]

I use a Spinlock Scepter and that works really well

https://www.sailsupply.nl/spinlock-scep ... XAEALw_wcB

I don't agree completely - with that hole then you cannot sheet in and out so freely when the bar is angled. When you use a ring you get no resistance even when sheeting at high angles.