I'm a die-hard north fan, but how this useless piece of excrement ever found it's way onto an otherwise awesome setup has got me beat.
In theory it is a great setup, but get it out in gusty conditions (when you need it to work the most) and about the only thing you can count on is that it's going to let go and completely power up the kite. I've used three different bars and all seem to fail just the same - it's not just frustrating, its bloody dangerous.
Any solutions greatly appreciated, and in the meantime it's back to the 05 bar...
The cleat is worn if it slips. I have 2 North bars and the cleats both started slipping around the same time. The cleats are $10 to replace. Not a big deal really - but I agree having one slip on you is a bummer. As an alternative - just use a yachties cleat, they work OK.
two of the bars were brand new, although one didn't have the mods on it like the elastic loop (which made a world of difference when i put one on - for a few sessions, anyway) and the plastic tube before the stopper ball, the other bar had all the bits, and it's still fingered...
anyways, got my hissy fit out of the system now...time to try and fix it
06 or 07 bar??? the 06 is a peice of crap, it would seem that it was made and only tested about 5 times, or north ignored the fact they had made a dud. They have redeemed themselves with the 07 version though, it has a different tooth angle with fewer, bigger teeth which so far my mates and I have found to work fine. but you need better rope, I believe you can get an upgrade for about $40.
I've got the '06 bar and the cleat only started to slip once the line was worn. I havn't got round to replacing the depower rope yet, which is a pain in the arse, but I know that some of my mates have done this and it fixed the problem. As for the "07 bar and lines, I reckon that north have gone for the cheap option. I know of at least 3 seperate people who have had their lines break in a very short time, within 2-3 months. That is crap for a new kite. I ride the north '06 vegas and think that the kite rocks. The bar has been o.k but the slipping depower is both dangerous and a pain. I reckopn that north are just trying to save some bucks on their bar system and probably their "07 line quality. Just like any big company I reckon North are just looking at the $$$$$$$$$$$$$. and its us end users who suffer. If they can force us to buy a replacement part for each of our kites it'sd just more money for them!
agreed, if it is so faulty, it should have been replaced for free. But knowing this site this discussion would have been had 6 times over, so lets not start!!!
Give your local north dealer a call and they will get a free replacement in for you. You may need to get them to ring up north though as my local wasn't iitially aware of the replacement deal.
I have the 06 bars, 2 with the elastic and an original 06 bar without which I have now replaced. The 2 elastic ones slip from time to time but I find as soon as you stack it, and the depower rope is wet, it stops slipping.
yeah i got one of the 07 bars. It sucks after 3 kites it looked 12months old. and teh new lines are crap my 5th line broke. north should take a lesson from fone on how to make a good bar and lines.
i have got the 07 bars and no probs at all, cleat works well no slipping at all. I have never broken a north line yet i have using the same bar for 4 months and no problems.
I agree the first 06 cleats that came out did slip a bit but the new ones are heaps better. A lot of other north riders on the coast and all there bars are fine still, if there was a prob they would definitely whinge to me.
Had some great kiting today in very gusty winds. My "06 cleat is knackered! I have the choice of full power or full de-power. Although full depower quickly becomes full power during gusts. I was forced to go in and change down to my smaller kite to deal with the gusts, rather than trim the kite through the depower strap. I know that this problem has already been identified and that the "07 cleat is supposed to fix this problem, but it's been disapointing given the performance of the rest of the kite. I used to ride a naish kite and felt that their depower strap worked sooo much better, and this was on the "05 model. thought that something like this would have been easy to test and prevent. just my 2 cents
