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So my current set up was 2014 SwitchBlades 12m and 10m and I have been using a 2013 CPR Bar. I ordered a new bar Switch Bar because I wanted an above the bar depower with and adjustable depower clamcleat for ease of tuning when wanting to go unhooked. Switch bar just came in and rode it on my 12m 2014 switchblade and it felt like crap. Kite would flutter felt like I had no power and steering was mush. The input that I would give the bar would make me kiteloop on my CPR Bar. Ok now these are both 4 line kites 4 line bars they should have the same input I am confused. Any detailed help on making my new switch bar work like my CPR bar so I can start nailing s-bends would be helpful. (btw my cpr feels direct strong bar pressure and has a huge throw which I enjoy)

The switch bar should have all four lines equal length. Have you checked if this is the case, it sounds like the rear lines are too long. You should be able to adjust rear line length under the floats.

I'm assuming the switchblades and cpr bar also expect equal line length.

Other than that maybe the switchblades are really sensitive to where the front line split is.

This is why I am confused. Both bars have 4 equal lines. I have two hypothesis and will look further into them. One I stretched the power lines on the cpr to the point of where the kite flies well. Two my cpr handle is a little wider than my switch and I need to pull line out of my switch steering lines to get the same performance. Still any help is appreciated. Also looking take a tape measure to all lines.

The steering (outside) lines are too long on the bar you are having problems with.

Choose the next shorter connect point on the steering lines.

You'll know you've gone too far when the kite backstalls when you have the bar at full power.

Keep going to the next shorter connect point till you go too far and you will dial it in.

Having your steering lines too short can be compensated with by shortening your center lines with your depower cleat while you're on the water; but shortening steering lines requires you to land the kite and move them up one knot.

Play around with it and you'll get it.

S

dboardfox wrote:So my current set up was 2014 SwitchBlades 12m and 10m and I have been using a 2013 CPR Bar.

What size CPR bar were you using? The CPR bar come in 45, 50 and 55cm lengths.

dboardfox wrote:The input that I would give the bar would make me kiteloop on my CPR Bar.

What width do you have the Switch bar set at? The Switch bar can be adjusted for either 45cm or 55cm. It sounds like it may be set on the 45cm setting. Changing the bar width will make a noticeable difference in performance. Width affects the input factor.

I just wanted to comment on the switch bar width adjustment. If you do run at 45cm, you should check the leader lines that come out of the bar. My lines were almost worn all the way through. This is because the lines make a contact with the bar when they come out of the hole. I am now running at 55cm to avoid this issue. You can just use dynema rope to make new leader lines as switch doesn't sell a replacement kit.

Hook to fixed point and make sure all four lines on the bar are equal length, this doesn't mean they sold as 20m, just that leader lines stretch with use and become longer. I've seen new bar with lines installed onto incorrect knot. Here is the video explaining the tuning:
https://youtu.be/WUFX3A6mR1U

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Check your line lengths on a stationary object for both bars, note any differences. I like to tune my bars so all lines are equal with depower strap/cleat wide open and unhooked.
One other thing to keep in mind is the Switch bar has a high or low front line Y split. The high front line split will make your rear lines feel like they have more slack relative to the low front line split. The effect gets more exaggerated as the kite size gets bigger. And yes use the bigger bar option.
Check that your leash releases properly:
http://switchkites.com/controller2.html

Cabrinha have a video which shows how to check for line length on your bar. Essentially, when line ends are tied together, with full power, bar should barely touch the quick release mechanism...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUFX3A6mR1U

I have used Slingshot and Ozone bars with Cabrinha 2014 kites with no issues. Any single line flag low v bar works well.

I've tried the switch bar before and something felt really off about the de-power throw to me. This was years back and some things might have changed.. but then again also maybe not. I didn't think the kites were that bad though