Kitesurf bars

Guidance for buying a kitebar

Are you looking for a kite bar? Read the differences between certain kite bars below here. A kitebar is an important part of your kite surfing set. The kitebar is designed to control your kite. When we talk about a kite bar, it is about the bar + lines setup. Since the bar simultaneously contains the safety and depower system, it is extremely important that the bar functions properly. The focus is on properties such as safety, ease of use and durability. The bar must also be well adapted to your kite. As a rule, there are two different bars: a 4-line and 5-line kitebar. Nowadays you can sail almost any kite with a 4 line bar.

Now that we know the basics, we will focus on the most important aspects of the kite bar. You have to think of the size, lines and the chicken loop.

What should I pay attention to when buying a kite bar?

Can I ride my bar on any kite? Sometimes you can combine a brand A kitebar with a brand B kite. Therefore, in most cases you let the purchase of a bar depend on the brand and model of kite you have. In most cases we advise to choose the same brand bar and kite, but it is sometimes possible to mix them. In the case of a 4-line bar, it is usually doable. It is a bit more difficult with a 5-line bar.

Which kitebar size do I need

Because the kitebar is often for sale in different sizes, we have to choose the right kitebar. The general rule is as follows: the smaller the kite, the smaller the bar. Basically this is a pretty logical concept, right? The bigger a bar, the bigger the turn ratio becomes. This means that if you use a small bar on a large kite, you will get a much slower response. This also applies the other way round. This does not mean that you need a different bar for each kite. For specific information per kite, you can find which bar size you need for almost every kite on our website.

The width of the bar therefore depends on the average kite you use. In general, a standard bar width is around 52 cm. Do you sail with large kites, kites larger than 12 meters. Then it is advisable to take a 55cm. If you are sailing with a 9 to 12 meters, you will take about a 50 cm bar. Anything smaller than 9 meters, such as a 7 or 8 meter kite, you will have to grab a 45 cm bar.

Which kite line length do I need

If you are new to the kitesurfing scene you probably never heard about different line lengths, yet they are there. But which one do you need exactly? We are happy to explain that and more:

• 15 to 19 meter line length:
  First of all, we have the kite line lengths from 15 to 19 meters. These are often used for lessons and advanced kiters. Due to the shorter length, your kite hangs lower and you will crash the kite less hard. An additional advantage is that an instructor can quickly reach the kite when it is in the water and it takes up less space at busy spots.
  For advanced and professional kiters it is nice that the kite reacts more directly and aggressively. Perfect for making low and aggressive kiteloops!
• 20 to 24 meter line length:
  The standard line length is around the 24 meter lines. This length is most common and you will see it on every spot. They are often supplied as standard with the kite thanks to the all-round performance they have. An advantage of these lines is the rotational speed vs. the stability that the kite has because it hangs higher in the air than a 15 meter line length. The combination between the turning speed and the stability ensures that this is the standard line length for every type of kite surfer
• 25+ meter line length:
  Last but not least, we have lines of 25 meters and longer. Because the kite is very high in the air, it catches more wind and is therefore most used by lightwind and race kiters. Furthermore, there is a disadvantage in these lines, which is the reaction speed. Because these are quite long, it will take longer before a “message” from your bar arrives at the kite.

Which Chickenloop do I need

Maybe a bit of a crazy name but certainly not to be missed in your kite equipment, the chicken loop! A good bar also has a properly functioning safety system. Thanks to the safety system, you can disconnect yourself from the kite in an emergency situation.

Basically it works like this: By attaching yourself to the bar / kite you wear a harness. So you attach the bar to your harness. You do this by 'hooking yourself into' the chicken loop. With the leash you attach yourself to the kite with one line so that you don't lose the kite when you pull the safety. When you pull the safety, you pull the chicken loop loose. Nowadays we know different types of chicken loops made by brands such as Duotone, Naish and North from which you can choose, but which one do you need?

• Freeride chickenloop:
  This chicken loop is suitable for freeriders who kite hooked in. Because chickloop is a lot smaller, the chance that the chickenloop will unhook by accident is very small. Perfect for wave riders, foilers and freeriders who don't do unhooked tricks.
• Freestyle chicken loop:
  The freestyle chickenloop is suitable for kiters who do all kinds of different tricks, from old skool to unhooked tricks. Thanks to the chickendick it is possible to secure yourself with this setting. Perfect for all-round kiters.
• Wakestyle chickenloop:
  The wakestyle chicken loops are the largest in the segment. Perfect for all your unhooked tricks, let that progression from your double handlepass or S-band to blind come! The wakestyle chicken loop variant is no longer equipped with a chickendick.
• Rope harness chicken loop:
  The rope chicken loop is specially designed for trapezes with a slider bar. These are often used by kite surfers on foil or wave riders.

Kitesurf bars brands

At Telstar Surf you will find a wide range of kitesurf bars to combine with your kite. Think of: Airush, Cabrinha, Duotone, F-One, Gaastra, Core, Naish, North, Ozone, Peter Lynn & Reedin. Enough to choose from!