So I currently have a 9m (2012) and 12m (2013), with a 47cm and 55cm bars to match respectively. Both kites are switchblades, and the narrower of the bars seems to have had a fair bit more use (lines are stretched and safety release doesn't work as well) than the wider bar.
If possible I would use the wider bar on the small kite, but I'm not sure how this set-up will perform.
I have also been told that the steering lines should be replaced, which i think the lines on the narrow bar might be due for, in which case if I am going to drop the cash, then I am considering investing in the new 2015 1X overdrive bar (adjustable) so that I only need one bar for both kites. Does anyone know if the 2015 1X Overdrive bar will be compatible with the 2012 and 2013 switchblades?
Cheers
Narrow bar = slower turning
Wide bar = faster turning
You can use any combo, freestyle riders usually cut their bar to 20cm 
The new bar will be compatible also
Yep, the only difference would be a faster turning kite... Which most would consider an advantage unless you are purely into wakestyle tricks which I doubt with this kite... Mind you most of the bars these days don't go beyond 52cm, since kites are faster turning themselves there is no need for super wide bars anymore.
So yeah these days a 55cm or wider bar would be found on really big kites (17m or more) and even then most brands stopped producing massive bars since there is not much market for it and it cost too much money to produce 2-3 different bars anyways.
Adjustable bars are great and usually range between 45cm on the narrow setting to 52cm on the wide setting. Unless you fly very small kites (7m or less) or very large kites (15m or more) you won't really need to change bars from its default width setting, but that's down to personal preference of course.
If you are in doubt about the quality of your lines and especially the smooth operation of your safety system I strongly recommend you stop using that bar, unless you can fix it of course.
Like many others out there I'm sure, I've lost kites and also had long rescues due to dodgy lines and depower ropes breaking off. We could also argue that some life's have been lost due to jammed safety systems...
Just put the lines and safety on the 47cm, takes less than an hour and you get to know how it all works
Select to expand quoteflyingcab said..
Just put the lines and safety on the 47cm, takes less than an hour and you get to know how it all works
Yeah good call, I might give that a go, or try and cut down the bigger bar to ~50cm for the interim before I drop the cash on an all new control system with the safety system that I can reset in the water.
