I have had the new best Red-line performance bar with my 11.5m/7.5m Kahoonas for only two months and the depower line is already nearly worn through and i should replace it - avoiding it as I need to learn the mechanics of the quick release housing.

Is anyone else finding this fast wear and does anyone have a sensible solution?

I use the toggle quite a lot as I like small bar movement and powered up riding and I think the wear comes from bar resting on this toggle and rubbing the line in between the two.

Confirmation and ideas?

PS the bar is great apart from this.

hummm, mine has done exactly the same thing, I thought there must have been a metal burr or something catching the depower rope, but i cannot see anything.

4 weeks old too...time for a replacement I think.

all companies should use PU tubing on the depower line like Cab do.

All brands that dont use plastic tubing over their depower line use inferior quality spectra and they all know it. 35 bucks every 6mths for a new one (Naish ).One of the biggest brands and they skimp on this , shame on you NAISH. Best to go to a riggers supplier and buy 6mm amsteel rope ( its blue ) and make your own. I paid 50 bucks for 10 metres and made 3 out of it. One amsteel depower line has lasted over 2yrs instead of 6mths

Bo I think when you said you don't use the toggle is the answer why. I trim then use the toggle all the time, prefer it this way, consistent power as the bar pressure can be a fair bit and it depowers the kite too much at times. Toggle allows you to power up then set using the board and body weight to edge hard - from the old school days i'm afraid.

regardless if it is supplied with a toggle then it shouldn't wear nor should one have to change how they sheet and out. I have used my 2007 best bar for 4 years and only once replaced the power line - as I take good care of my gear - wash it thoroughly every time.

No this is different. Am speaking to best right now will let you know what they say.

Mask said...

You're kiting to much. Kite less.

This is a possible scenario but ultimately improbable..

Eppo

I had the same problem. I have the 09 Best Bar and it had a black plastic ball (with a sharp edge) on the depower line. As I couldn't figure out what purpose it served, I took it off. Haven't needed to replace the depower line since.

Maybe you have one as well?

I wash in salt then fresh then I let it soak for 10 minutes in fresh. No one is more pedantic than me with bar and lines. This is a toggle rubbing problem and best are sending me two more depower lines from a different supplier.

From best maybe? But any ring would suffice surely.

Hi guys,

There has only been a hand full of reports about excessive centre line wear on the new bar. The prestretched Dyneema line that Best use is from the same manufacturer as North uses. This is of the highest grade material and is not cheap as some one suggested. We doubt that this wear is due to inconsistencies in the manufacturing of the Dyneema line, but have some ideas of the possible cause is some of these cases.

Personally I have used the same preproduction bar since I recieved them in April last year. Yes my centre line is starting to wear now but havent had to change yet. I also know many of my local riders have had many more months out of their bar and to date have only had to change 1 customers centre line, and he rides a lot.

Eppo you mentioned that you soak your bar for 10 minutes in a bucket of fresh water after each use, maybe this is over kill and in this process you are drenching the Dyneema line and drawing any sharp sand particles inside the fibres. Next time you ride, the line becomes more abbrasive and wears quickly. WA sand is quite unique and fine, and this could be the issue.

I have sent you 2 new replacements to get you sorted. But from now maybe just rinse the bar with the hose and hang to dry in the shade. (this is only a suggestion)

If anyone else has some dramas and are willing to email some pics of the issue, then I would be interested to take your feedback. E: [email protected]


Saffer, go to your local Best dealer for the safety rings. There is a reason why the freight is so expensive for Australia, and thats purely because we are committed to service our dealers here that in return can service you face to face.

Thanks

Joe Millen

Thanks for that, will change over lines as soon as I get them.

The 10 minute soak has only been a recent phenomena, but I do thoroughly wash my gear as two kids, wife, one income I can't afford to replace lines all the time.

I think the cause is the over use of the toggle, the depower lines are bent down in quite an acute angle and the bar does rub up against it, causing the friction.

I normally ride very fast and aggressive - ish anyhow, and set the trim, set the toggle and use board, weight and skill to depower - prefering to 'save my arms' and use the torso. This I believe has caused the wear.

the toggles on the older bars were much wider and flatter on the bottom, hence the bar would rest up against them with little wear. The smaller, less wider toggle on the new bars wrap the center line around and back down as i said on an acute angle, so the bar doesn't sit up against the toggle - it will rub on an angle against the line depending on what tack you are on.

I have watched the mechanism very closely, have owned and ridden many kites over 9 years and I am certain this is the cause.

But again I'm addicted to the toggle and over use it. I didn't use it at all yesterday and watched the center line closely - no rubbing - very smooth.

Other than this the bar is excellent and self landing/re-launching is just too easy.

Don't get addicted to the toggle!! (A great feature of best bars).

once again appreciate the new lines and your support.

As for the metal rings as I said contact either g-spot or even west oz kiteboarding who are the best dealers..let them do the walking and talking.