New Core XR2 LW kites and Sensor Bar have arrived at AKS!

Hi Peeps,

Great news!  The new Core Sensor Bars have arrived!  They just feel so light.  A really great looking bar and well worth the wait by the looks of things.

Also in the shipment was a couple of Core XR2 LW 17m's.  New bags look really nice.  I've just placed an order for XR2's for stock and demo.  I hear there is a bit of a wait as there is insane demand in Europe for the new XR2's.  I hope to have them in a few weeks.  As we have come to expect, Core have lifted the bar (Pun intended) to a new level as they always do with new release gear.  Can't wait to try it out.  Here's my initial observations.

Core Sensor Bar and Lines Review

So finally after a long delay, the brand new Core Sensor Bar and Lines are here in my hot little hands.  Yewww!  Core devotees have waited very patiently for the arrival of these new bars since word went out over a month ago.  Delays were due to a small part sticking in the safety release.

Core diligently sent out a worldwide recall on every new Sensor bar and made inhouse mods to these bars to repair a very minor issue.  The bars have ben given the all clear and are now circulating around the globe.

The bar

The bar is extremely light and a nice small diameter ~20mm and covered with soft EVA foam with moulded grip

The Chickenloop and Quickrelease

The quick release is a twist type which is original and simple to use.  There is a spring loaded detent position of opened and closed.  No chance of accidental release.  Not so easy to reset in the water, but still doable in an emergency.  The chickenloop itself is very stiff plastic moulded around the looped line which secures to the release mech. 

As with the ESP bar setup, the CL is free spinning so when you twist the lines above the bar, it will auto untwist by sheeting the bar in.  Sheeting in and out whilst the bar is being cranked through a turn has been addressed with the widened exits under the bar.  Bar snapping has been eliminated by the stainless steel bar across the underside of the bar which protects the bar from a strong hit by the CL if accidentally unhooked with a luffed kite.  Big improvement!

Safety line is mini 5th as per ESP bar and slides even easier than the ESP.  The chicken dick is attached by bungee and can be easily inserted in place or kept out of the way in unhooked mode.  Depower line is easy to replace Dyneema.

Bar ends

Are moulded and have line keepers in place for keeping things tidy.  As with ESP bar, the steering width can be adjusted by using inside or outside settings.  Foam floats keep the bar floating in the water and hands away from danger in case your fingers get caught.

Trim System

The new Sensor Bar has a rope and cleat depower/trim system which is easy to hold with the little toggle on the end.  The toggle has velcro wrapped around it so you can stick the toggle to the cleat assembly.  Much better system than the old strap adjusters.

Safety leash

The Safety leash is very short, in fact, it's only about 35cm long which is long enough to attach to your harness hook and to the chickenloop only.  This keeps it neat and tidy and less to tangle not to mention if you have a drama and continue to get pulled, the safety leash quick release is right in front of you in easy grasp.

NOTE: This standard leash is not possible to use as a handle pass leash.  If you require a handle pass leash, it is available as an optional extra.  The Pro Leash.

This bar is such an improvement over the ESP bar and will go nicely with the Core XR2 kite.  Nice work Core!

We have these bars in store now but in extremely short supply (10 only) for now.  We will have more stock closer to the season start date.

DM