Inspecting Your Spreader Bars

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

I'm sure others have experienced this but just an FYI.

Keep and eye on your spreader bar welds. These have been known to peel away over time and some sooner than others. Some advise for the purchase of one, new or used, is to thoroughly inspect the start and stop weld area on the plate (see photos) to make sure they have good fill all the way to the ends. Even some brand new ones have a bit of a C-shape void in the material where the weld started too late or stoped too soon during assembly. These voids leave way for eventual tear-away under lateral loads (side to side) and we all know those are the most common loads on a kiter's spreader bar while on reach. The spreader bar pictured with the failed weld lasted only half a season so it is something to keep in mind when inspecting your gear and/or purchasing new. New bars with full-fillet weld ends will last much longer than ones with small voids. Another Note: if anyone is currently using a windsurfing spreader-bar be aware that those are not designed to withstand the forces delivered by the sport of Kiteboarding. It is a good idea to only use ones specifically manufactured for the sport.

Kite Safe.

Teague

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Good info Teague! I'm about ready to swap out my "swivel" spreader bar that I've had for the last 4 years, only because I like the "fixed" one better now. It's crazy to see the difference in welds (I've never really looked at mine all that close). The one you have pictured on top has a really nicely layed, but ultra penetrated (maybe even too hot), TIG, and the ones below almost look like a stick weld (I'm sure they're still TIG though, just ultra tight and not as clean).

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

Yeah, I don't know what their inspection process is at Dakine, or where ever they have them manufactured, but you can tell they are all TIG welded by hand and not by computer or CNC.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Looked at mine and it looks like the one on top. Then I talked to my roomie who does a lot more TIGin' than myself and he thinks the top ones are done without (or with VERY little) filler rod, since they're working with a real tight gap. I guess that'd make sense too since the weld has absolutely no strength. Confused

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, great advice. Also, keep in mind that the actual steel hooks can also break. I snapped the rod connecting the spreader bar to the hook on a Slingshot Surefire Spreader bar, and snapped one of the two rods on a Dakine Hammerhead spreader bar. I never thought the steel would break so easily until it happened. Guess it's good to inspect all of your gear from time to time.

Sol-flyer · Sat Oct 14, 06 3:14 pm **yup,..**

the same thing happend to my bro's, only it completly broke off upon landing.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Oct 23, 06 3:14 pm

Free bump for this post, saw some guy at rooster on saturday with the same problem.

Hmmmm, who would have thought 40k gusts were hard on your equipment.

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

Teague,

You might want to look into Jenny Craig!

Bandito

kitetele · Since 20 Mar 2005 121 Posts Portland, Oregon Stoked

Ya that was me.....heard a ping while riding and looked to see the weld three quarters the way ripped out. I have a call into Jenny Craig and one into the East Wind Nuke God to mellow it out a bit.

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Oct 24, 06 7:52 am

Maybe Phil should sticky this post as it seems that it is most applicable when people are buying new spreader bars. I definately gave mine the once over though and things look pretty good.

Rooster was ridiculously fun on sat. I actually tore my rear line attachment off of my CB 9. I finally get warmed up enough for a huge huck for the camera man, pick up some speed, load the lines and send the kite...BAM!! WTF? kite thrashing around and threatening to relaunch so I pull my harness release and the kite goes sailing down the beach???!!!!

Pull my leash in and there is a little pigtail of broken line. Sad

Complete carnage. short swim to shore, jet ski ride, walk of shame, the whole 9 yards Rolling Eyes

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I had this happen to me too (though it didn't actually fail while using it, it looked just like the one pictured), Dakine of course warranted it as they always stand behind their gear.

The whole experience made me think "do I really need this hinged spreader bar thing?" So I switched to a standard non-hinged kite spreader bar, and its great. Much simpler, totally bomb proof, works just as good IMO, and I don't hear that creaking noise all the time. I don't think the hinging mechanism does all that much for you if you have a good harness that fits and works well.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

no kidding, i thought the swivel bar was well known to be unreliable, and mainly for beginners who flew the kite too high or something. why not just get the standard bar?

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

I use a ProLimit spreader bar with my Dakine waist.

The hook on the Dakine bar sticks out too far and causes
the bar to want to twist up when your kite is overhead.
That can cause the spreader bar or clips to dig into your
ribs. That's why you need that thick-ass spreader pad.
And then the whole thing is murder to put on and the hook
sticks out even further making it the perfect weapon to
poke a hole in your surfboard.

It's great that Dakine stands behind their gear but it looks
like they need to do some better engineering in the first place.

-Hein

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Oct 24, 06 3:32 pm

I'm just going to take a wire coat hanger and wrap it around my harness belt and through the chicken loop a bunch of times. Problem solved.

Cool