Kiteboarding Control Bars | Are They Interchangeable Across Different Brands?

I wanted to cover a topic that comes up all the time. Can, or should, you mix kiteboarding control bars? The short answer is yes. The long answer is... maybe.
The last few years, I've used a ton of different brands. Cabrinha, Slingshot, Liquid Force, North, Duotone, Naish, Airush and more. When I started at the shop, I was surprised to see the crew was always mixing control bars. More often than not, you can mix any modern 4-line kite with any 4-line bar. However, there are some things to watch out for.
Things to watch for:
- Pigtail connections
- Adjustability
- Y or V Split
- Safety systems
Most bars are compatible, but there are some things to be aware of. Personally, there are some brands I won't mix.
Pigtails
The first thing to check for is the pigtail connections. Some brands will have opposite pigtails. If this is the case, just swap the pigtails and you are good to go. If for some reason, you don't have removable pigtails, you can use universal adapters.
The high Y or low V Split
Make sure you use a bar with a split designed for your kite. This is a called the Y or V split. Is it a high Y or a low Y? This will change the dynamics of your kite. Ideally, you want this to match up with how the designer intended. The Duotone Click Bar and the Liquid Force Mission Control Bar do have adjustable splits so that is a great workaround.
Adjustability
A smaller consideration is that some bars will have three knots on the steering lines. Others will only offer one. If your kite was designed to be flown on the center knot and you don't have that knot, you'll be missing out on some of the performance from your kite.
For example, Cabrinha, Slingshot, and Liquid Force all have three adjustments on the steering line. You can rig close to the kite for more power, use the center standard knot, or far away to take power out of the kite. If your bar only has one knot like Duotone, you'll be missing out on this benefit.
Older kitesurfing bars bars
As a rule, don't mix old bars with new kites. Designs have changed even in the past 8 years. Once you go back in time, the safety systems are not always compatible. A good example is trying to pair a Cabrinha IDS control bar from 2011 with a modern kite. The kite might fly, but you are taking a chance and compromising the quick release system.
With some older bars, you might even render the safety system useless. Beyond that, after almost a decade of use, it's good practice to have fresh lines anyway. The kite will fly better and you won't have to worry about a line breaking half a mile out.
Other dynamics can actually change how the kite feels, too. Some bars make kites slower, others might add some bar pressure. Beyond that, every bar is built a little differently.
Favorite kiteboarding brands to mix
The three brands I mix the most are Cabrinha, Slingshot and Liquid Force. These seem to work perfectly together. A good example of how dynamics change is using a Cabrinha bar on a Liquid Force kite. The Liquid Force control bar has a small gap between the line float and the bar. This helps give the bar a faster response. I've noticed that using the Cabrinha bar actually slows the kite down just a touch and adds a little welcomed bar pressure. I prefer moderate bar pressure. In 2019, I switched up to the Liquid Force Amp control bar. It has molded floats and seemed to give the NV V9 a touch more bar pressure as well.
Some kiteboarding brands will mix up their pigtails too. For example, Naish Kiteboarding and Duotone have different pigtails. You can still mix the other brands with these by swapping the pigtails or using PKS universal adapters.
Brands I don't mix
Personally, when it comes to Duotone kites, I prefer to use Duotone bars. I have no good explanation for this other than that their kites have a unique approach in design and I like the way they feel with the original bar. They were designed with a high Y split, but obviously you can use the low split on the Click Bar.
Funny note... I've used the Airush Diamond bar on some kites, and because it's a female bar, the throw was a little shorter than I am used to. On crossover kites it reduced my depower, but I did enjoy the smaller grip!

[@chrispratt7438]

Long overdue. This video two years ago would have saved me such pains of decoding it all for myself. Nailed it. Also, Kites with pulley'd bridals will tolerate using the wrong Y split much more than those with fixed bridal lines, this because by design they adjust to and balance the LE load more effectively

[@elchumitoenmovimiento930]

I have a 2013 Starkite Tania 10m it has pulleys and im planning on using a Cabrinha Bar, do you think it would work?

[@pawel-goscicki]

It's also worth mentioning that the Y-split point on Duotone bars is adjustable, so you can very easily make a low Y split on them if you wish to do so.

[@stefanschneider5624]

Same for the LFK mission control v3.

[@benkitesurfs]

Came here to say this 🤙🏼

[@baylorzander4577]

i realize I am pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good place to stream new tv shows online ?

[@brycentitus5108]

@Baylor Zander Try Flixzone. Just google for it =)

[@piercenikolai4551]

@Brycen Titus Yea, been watching on Flixzone for since april myself :D

[@geraldofmn]

Great video. Very informative.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thank you! 🤙🏽 We're glad to hear that you found our video informative and helpful. We're always striving to provide valuable insights and tips for kiteboarders of all levels, and it's great to hear that our efforts are appreciated. If you have any specific requests or suggestions for future videos, feel free to let us know. Thanks again for watching, and good winds! -Aaron

[@flaviosanguigni8783]

This is awesome!! Thanks.

[@MACkiteboarding]

You're very welcome!

[@1bluensx]

Thanks for the video, I’ve never gotten a straight answer to this question. I do like the cabrinha bars. Also, I totally agree with your opinion on bar life. After 5 years, if it hasn’t snapped already, buy a new one. It’s a safety issue, you wouldn’t drive on bald tires, no reason to kite with brittle lines. Rescuing from 1/2 mile out in Maui was really not very much fun for me. Especially if you travel out of the US, or for the international guys/girls :) reading.... chances are that “that island” that your going to won’t have stock of your preferred brand, a lot of them don’t even have kite shops. When traveling, I also ALWAYS travel with two bars.

[@SPHinxProductionsTS]

Thanks for the vid. What kites are the Core Sensor bars compatible with?

[@galzohar]

The knots are usually on the kite side, not bar side. And I only found those useful when you don't have time/ability to adjust the bar and use it as a temporary workaround to balance out some stretched center lines. Low split on click bar seems like was meant for vegas only! But can be used for brands that also require it. Although I haven't managed to find data for exact options for split heights on the click bar compared to other brands with high split like Core and new F-One kites (which I think are lower than Duotone split). Even Duotone/North changed their split height over the years, so you should check if your split is the correct height for the specific year model you're using.

[@drumatrixmusic]

Super helpful video, thank you! Question: Can I mix a 2023 Cabrinha bar with a 2023 Naish Phoenix kite? The pigtails are opposite and I can remove my adapters to fit, but this changes the line length by a few inches. Will this cause the kite to fly abnormally?

[@markhamelton1122]

Great Video thanks

[@MACkiteboarding]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@adrirzruiz]

I really like my Core sensor 3 pro foil bar (high Y) and was planning to use it with some Naish Boxer kites I just ordered (low Y). What do you think about this convo?

[@joemarksz]

I use a 2019 Duotone Clickbar and thinking about adding an Aluula Ocean Rodeo Flight to my quiver of Duotone kites. Am I good if I just remove the v-distributor and switch my centerline/back line pigtails when flying the OR kite?

[@irf888]

Thanks for the info on the low vs high V in particular. With older 2017/18 North Click bar, I have tested a 12m Enduro V2 and it hates a high V (no pulleys - see post from Chris Pratt below, it has no pulleys in bridle). 2017 Switchblade 10 and 11m with pulleys works okay with either high or low V, small difference. And lastly a 2018 North Evo 9m with pulleys, which is supposed to be designed for a high V, well I swear it seems to work better with a low V - basically smoother and more stable for foiling in marginal light winds. All tests above were with 22 and 24 m lines. Foils kites - I have tested Ozone R1V2 11m and a Flysurfer Sonic 2 13m with low and high V (3m from adjuster strap) and can't tell much difference, using a bar with 21m lines. Regards.

[@MACkiteboarding]

irf888 Yew! Thanks for sharing the experience mate. 🤟🏻- Rygo

[@leonvanbergen4077]

Rygo, I have indeed heard that before about the Rebel flies better with a V, why did you mention this explicitly and what are the consequences?

[@Ad-dp5xf]

Hi thanks for that video. Just want asking what do you think slingshot bar with ozone edge kite v8'v9 models?

[@juanbautistadeangelis9913]

i use a naish bar (low Y) on my north dice (high Y) and it runs perfect!, also it adds a bit of hang time!

[@nicolaspuyet]

Thanks for this info ! I got a brand new Cabrinha bar (low Y) but I'm considering buying a North Dice to use with this bar

[@elchumitoenmovimiento930]

I still do not understand how to difference the low Y and High.. any help?

[@Sparreager]

Hey nice video! What about Liquid force bar on Airush kites?? Thanks

[@elchumitoenmovimiento930]

Would you recommend using a Cabrinha bar on a Starkite Tania 2013? Thanks

[@Climate.Realist]

I used the Duotone Clickbar to fly a Core XR. It’s not a fun experience. It has such a high barpressure and the kite tends to „flap“ like a bird. So you really have to be on your a-game with line tension. Maybe you have to use longer Pigtails for the steering lines in order to make that whole system work better. You have to switch the pigtails from the middle to the outside anyways. My plan right now is to get a Dice 10m to my already existing Evo SLS 12m I should be fine using the dice in kinda strong winds like 7bft and above.

[@stefanlippeck6230]

Cool video thanks a lot. Where does the core sensor lie on your high-Y/low-Y scale? I do have a set of 2019 NVs from Liquid force but I didn't buy the bar because, when i was testing it, it felt slippery to me and i already had a little bit of a grudge against the V-split because - in my opinion - it really messes up the flight characteristics when the bar is spun - low power, quite twitchy, poor feedback/control. - So, I kept my old bar but put the new kites on. The Safety is fine, i checked that in semi-suicide and normal mode. But i'm wondering how much performance I lose in normal(un-spun) flight mode. - I'm also thinking about replacing my core sensor bar this year because it's getting old. What would you get? Did I do something wrong for my experience with the V? i got that from another - older - LF-bar that had a big piece of plastic as a Y-divider idk the name but is must have been 2017 or older.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Stefan Lippeck I wish I had access to core kite but as of now, my experience is limited. If you are running NV’s the amp bar is epic. It has molded floats and an adjustable V split like the click bar. If you want a faster kite, the mission bar is the ticket. It also has an adjustable split. - Rygo

[@dimitrisxristofas2145]

Hi! Thanks for the great video! I'd very much appreciate your insight on this: I have a Liquid Force Mission Control Bar V3. My kites are a Core XR7 and gts4. I am thinking of getting the Core sensor 3 pro bar to match with the kites. Do you think I will notice a difference in terms of performance, responsiveness, and overall compatibility? Thank you so much in advance!!

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thank you for asking, Dimitris. 🤙🏽 Wish we could help with your question, however, we're unfamiliar with Core's bar and safety system. I know they make great gear and would have to think that you could use your LF control bar, but we just don't know for sure, my friend. -Aaron

[@nelsonlivestock]

Another great video. Thanks! Question: I keep my Cabrinha bars new (within 3-4 years), and I use mostly Cabrinha Switchblades. But, I do keep my old Switchblades for teaching family and friends (hate to see them crashing brand new kites). I have some Switchblades that still fly well, but are as old as 2011-2012. I hope I'm not putting these newbies in jeopardy mixing new Cabrinha bars with old Cabrinha kites?? The Cabrinha bars have gotten better and better over the years, but the basic mechanics of the release relative to the kite seems consistent. The Switchblades have also evolved very slowly. So I think I'm okay. But, I'd love to hear any concerns. . .

[@gofish2233]

@Ryan Goloversic @MACKiteboarding It's okay to use a newer Low-Y bar on the older (2012) Cabrinha kites? Weren't these kites on the IDS bar which was High-Y? Is that not an issue?

[@skautik77]

Anyone is running core sensor2s with Naish pivot? What's your take on that?

[@C-fl1ln]

Thank you

[@MACkiteboarding]

You're very welcome, my friend. 🤙🏽 Thank YOU for sharing the stoke with us. -Aaron

[@scottgyver2745]

I find that putting a high Y on my eleveight XS and it makes the kite handle better but I never use a low Y bar on a high Y kite like my Core XR, because it handles horribly.

[@vitorcardoso8875]

Thanks for the Video! I have a Cabrinha SB 2013 Control Bar at very good condition and looking at buying a 2018 Cabrinha SB. Do you think this will work well ?

[@MACkiteboarding]

It will work. but I believe that was the quick link system. So it’s not 100 % perfect. Also 2015 and up was far more simple. Cheers - Rygo

[@rvankeulen1945]

Can you ride a Slingshot Raptor with a Core bar?

[@pickleforknwiggles634]

6:46 Yes please.

[@benkitesurfs]

It would have been nice for a more detailed explanation about how to swap the pigtails from outside to inside, for those less experienced. Also, it would be good to mention that the click bar is the only bar (that I know of) that allows you to remove the splitter altogether, so that bar can be a high v or low v bar. Cheers for all the content you make, looking forward to the next video 🍻

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks for the feedback my friend. I’ll keep that in mind on future videos that might need some demonstration. The liquid force bars also have an adjustable v split. Now that I think about it, they also have a version of the click bar. 🤟🏻Rygo

[@benkitesurfs]

MACkiteboarding the LF bar is the same design as the OR “stick shift” - same concept as the clickbar, but very different design

[@Noodlemacs]

I have a 2020 North Pulse and I got a 2020 duotone trust bar.. Im worried that it will affect it badly due to the kite being a low Y and the bar being a high Y. Will it affect it majorly or will it still fly fine?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Hi Gian, we would not suggest using those two together. It will affect the fying and may be enough to make it hard to control safely. - Tucker

[@Alex1211s]

I didn't realise that the high vs low Y made much of a difference. I ride the old North click bar (high Y) with old North Evos (high Y), and also RRD Religions (low Y). I never noticed a difference when I switched from using my old RRD bar (low Y) and the click bar with the religions.

[@benkitesurfs]

Never used a high v bar with a low v kite, but I have done the opposite, with my Dice. It allowed the canopy to “open up” more, and the looping was terrible, especially with a kite like the dice that I expect to loop quickly, smoothly, and predictably

[@leapnlarry]

I know what hi and lo y are but, you should have shown some kind of graphic to demonstrate the difference for beginners. I am reluctant to mix brands, but I use old best ts kites and the bar is old, and cant buy a new best one. So prob going to get a cab bar. Larry

[@MACkiteboarding]

Good call, the Cabrinha bars are excellent and work with most brands well. Any bar which the Best bar works with, the Cab should as well. -Tucker

[@TrackTT]

Do you think that mixing up a 2019 f one bar and an evo of the same year would be a problem? Thank you for the video

[@MACkiteboarding]

Sorry for missing your comment from earlier. 🤙🏽 Do you still have questions that we may help with? -Aaron

[@danyholywod]

Hi RYGO, Can I use the 2020 North Navigator control System/bar with Cabrinha Switchblade or the Cabrinha Moto? Will I have to do some adjustments? Thank you, Lior

[@MACkiteboarding]

Those will work fine. No adjustments needed. - Rygo

[@danyholywod]

@@MACkiteboarding and what about the Navigator with Naish pivot kite? I believe it will work, but will I have to do adjustment here?

[@TheSoundFever]

What is the background song? :)

[@tomekjanus8543]

Swapping high Y for low V (and vice versa) will change how the forces are disributed around the bridle system and/or the leading edge if the kite doesn't have bridles or has a less extensive bridle system. Some kites are more sensitive to that change than others. E.g. my Nobile fifty/fifty that has a comparatively thin tube for its size and is designed for low V, absolutely hates the high Y and you can even see how the kite shape changes and the tips open up when you put a high Y on it. I've noticed less change on heavily bridled RRD passion (delta) kites. They seem to tolerate different bars a bit better.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks for your insight, Tomek. 🤙🏽 Good winds to you. -Aaron

[@mikcoach]

What about this universal bar they sell in a French site? Is called totem bar. What about you try this bar on different kites?

[@mjanek20]

Cabrinha Bar + F-One Breeze 2021 (it has a low V split). Will it work?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Technically, yes, it will fly and safely release. However, being a low V with a kite designed for a high V will change the bridle angle and it won't perform exactly as intended. Typically, that is not a good thing. -Tucker

[@hamlinbilly]

So where do you kite when you visit Clermont???

[@MACkiteboarding]

St Pete, Titusville, and the 520 slick. I don’t mind driving for wind haha. - Rygo

[@davideragonesi7801]

Hi,so cabrinha bar 2018 on ss rally 2017 would work?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Davide Ragonesi it will work my friend. - Rygo

[@fabianrestrepo82]

hey Rygo where in Clermont is that? what is the name of the lake? I live in Orlando and would love to try that lake!!

[@MACkiteboarding]

Give me a time stamp and I’ll let you know. Looks like a lot of this video has footage from Michigan at the Mackinac Bridge. - Rygo

[@fabianrestrepo82]

@@MACkiteboarding awesome thanks !

[@sylvainbidan6333]

core sensor 3 pro bar on a norrh 2021 orbit. ? yes. no..?

[@randomreviews5810]

Anyone use a 2019 cabrinha bar on a north reach?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thank you for asking, my friend. 🤙🏽 I've flown Cab bars on just about everything, but haven't yet with North. Should be pretty plug-and-play. Good wind to you! -Aaron

[@joaocosta7139]

Can i use a 2013 trust bar in 2020 duotone kite?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Hi, João-thank you for asking. 🤙🏽 I have flown both of those bars and feel pretty confident that you should be able to use your 2013 bar on a current Duotone kite. -Aaron

[@joaocosta7139]

Thanks Aaron! Keep the great work!

[@raosolage2568]

Thanks, man! That's all good to know. Would love to see you guys talk about the female bars. Also, would really appreciate if y'all have tips for short armed people.

[@stefanschneider5624]

The safety of Core seems even today not be compatible for the rest of the system in the market.

[@skautik77]

Sensor 2s has sfl doesn't it ?

[@discotasticdotcom]

Guy at 2:06 way ahead of the curve on masking

[@prestonchaney]

Older North Bar (High Y) + Slingshot RPM (Low Y) = Tight Fast Kite Loops

[@prestonchaney]

@Ryan Goloversic changing pics is nice idea but sounds like extra work

[@RRDIII]

I mix Slingshot and Cabrinha - like slingy bars better

[@frederikkite]

Of course it's good to know that you can/cannot mix brands, but I think this video isn't that helpful because it's too general. You need a detailed overview with all the major brands and kite systems and bars, like a table. Also you totally forgot core Kiteboarding, which is completely different to everything else on the market with an even higher y (v) and a double frontline safety. I really like your videos but this one was not so good though.

[@MACkiteboarding]

Smurf / Frederik Thanks for the feedback mate. Feel free to use the live chat if you have any specific questions. The crew can always find out or may already have more details on any given combo. I’ll leave a link in the description. - Rygo

[@jensd.5192]

Core has no double frontline safety since the outcome of the Sensor Bar 2 anymore. So thats simply not true. I think theres no brand left with a DFS.