Grinding hook off spreader bar and replacing with soft ropeconnection. Anyone done this?

[tkaraszewski]

I got my little Ronstan loop and test fit it here:



I think I'm just gonna leave it like that and cut the outer part of the hook off. I'm fairly satisfied with that.

[GJibb]

Mine is exactly like that picture (except the hook cut off and ground down nice and smooth) but I just use a typical pig tail with a loop on both ends. The 3-4” length let’s it pivot side to side, up and down. I might shorten it just a bit this year because the bar is at the very end of my reach when all the way out. Using a 2016 Ozone Water Contact bar with the standard megatron chicken loop.
Since I started using this I have yet to ever even noticed my spreader bar pulling or twisting up or anything. The thought completely disappeared. 100% pressure is across the rear of the harness.
Won’t be going back any time soon

[Kamikuza]

I got my little Ronstan loop and test fit it here:



I think I'm just gonna leave it like that and cut the outer part of the hook off. I'm fairly satisfied with that.

I meant put your loop on the actual spreader bar, but leave the little bar on to limit the side-to-side slip.

I've had a number of Dakine hooks snap, and they're "designed" for load; I personally wouldn't trust that bar.

And if you use the spreader bar, it'll make splicing your loop easier and maybe stronger, as you can make it bigger...

[tkaraszewski]

I meant put your loop on the actual spreader bar, but leave the little bar on to limit the side-to-side slip.

I've had a number of Dakine hooks snap, and they're "designed" for load; I personally wouldn't trust that bar.

And if you use the spreader bar, it'll make splicing your loop easier and maybe stronger, as you can make it bigger...

I get what you mean. Doing it this way fits nicely with the stock cover for the bar. You could cut the part between the hook off and wrap the line under that, and yeah,you could make a longer loop. If I'd broken a bunch of Dakine hooks I'd probably worry about it too, but I haven't seen that problem.

[Kamikuza]

Can but try

[tkaraszewski]

Can but try

Lots of reports on the internet of dakine spreader bar hooks breaking in like 2010-2015, not much since then, though. Maybe they're better now? I'll think about it.

Edit: the hooks were breaking, not the chicken loops they attach too.

[Kamikuza]

Can but try

Lots of reports on the internet of dakine chicken loops breaking in like 2010-2015, not much since then, though. Maybe they're better now? I'll think about it.

Those are the years of ones that I had break...I still travel with a spare if I'm going to a place without a shop.

[RichR2]

This is the set up I've been using for foiling. Two ropes in case one wears but after a year of use, no signs of wear. Great for toeside riding as body isn't twisted round by the hook.

[tkaraszewski]

I may still add a backup rope, but this is what I have for now.

[tkaraszewski]

So I tried out the above setup and it worked, but it does this really annoying thing where the loop sticks on one side of the bar, and then slips all at once and slams into the opposite end. It does it with enough force that it sounds like something has broken.

So I spliced together an longer loop and used geokite's suggestion of a Prusik knot:



I'll try that next time it's windy.