All of our award-winning harnesses come without a spreader bar. This provides you the ability to select a spreader bar that’ll dial in a fully personalized fit and performance based on your body type and riding style. Not only do you have a selection of three different spreader bar lengths to choose from (8in., 10in., and 12in.), you also have two different styles to consider: Fixed Hook and Rope Slider.
A Fixed Hook is the traditional spreader bar setup and is what most riders opt for, however, for certain types of riders there are distinct advantages to using a Rope Slider spreader bar.
Here’s a quick feature-benefit analysis of the two:
Which is the right style of spreader bar for you and your riding?
Fixed Hook – Positives
• Solid, direct connection to the harness that translates to a direct feel to the kite.
• Able to apply leverage against the kite that can help keep control in shaky landings of jumps.
• Can quickly unhook for unhooked tricks.
• Durable metal construction that,with proper care,will last a lifetime.
Fixed Hook – Challenges
• Hard to efficiently ride toeside since the Fixed Hook limits the chicken loop’s ability to slide withthe kite across your body.
• There is a possibility that you can come unhooked when you don’t want to.
Fixed Hook is best for:
• Big-air riders.
• Freeriders wanting the most direct feel from the kite• Hydrofoil riders that want to have the ability to leverage against the hook.
• Beginner riders.
Rope Slider – Positives
• Completely free motion of the chicken loop makes riding toeside and upwind body dragging much more efficient.
• Board direction changes are easier in surf due to the chicken loop’s ability to move across the body.
• When combined with a smaller chicken loop,the throw of the bar is much closer, which is great for:
A) Kitesurfers wanting to achieve more depower on the sheeting out.
B) Short-armed riders who want to be able to easily reach above-the-bar trim systems.
Rope Slider – Challenges
• The kite feels looser and not as connected to the rider.
• Challenging to use when self-launching and self-landing off a fixed point.
• The rope will wear out with time/use.
Rope Slider is best for:
• Kitesurfers wanting the closest-to-surfing feel • Freeride hydrofoilers.
• Riders using a directional board.
• Freeriders that love to ride toeside.