The kite bar, also called the control bar, are like the handlebars on your bicycle. It is where you steer and control the speed and adjustment of the kite. There are also built in safety features that can let you stop in an emergency. It is important to have a fully featured bar, that is appropriate to your kite design. The best bar for a kite is usually the one it came with, but not always. There have been many improvements in safety features in recent years, so you should try to have a bar which is no more than 2-3 years old in design. If you are not sure about your kite bar, take it to a certified IKO kiteboarding instructor, or a good kite retail store that is familiar with the brand, where they can see if it will function safely and be appropriate to use with your kites.
 

Parts of the bar

The kite bar itself, has a color coded left and right side, make sure you know which is which. Red is usually on the left in 99% of bars, this is the international standard, and helps prevent that most basic mistake of holding the bar upside down. The bar is usually about 45cm, but may be slightly longer for larger kites, and may even be shorter for smaller kites. There are even a few adjustable length bars. The bar is covered with a soft foam grip, for comfort and grip when wet. This foam is soft and can easily be damaged so take care of it and it will last longer. if the grip starts coming off use some super glue of contact adhesive to glue it back down. At the ends of the bar are the "bar ends". these are the transition from the bar to where the lines attach, They protect the user from the bar ends, and they protect the rider's hands from the lead lines. The bar-end designs usually have a line winder feature built in. From the bar ends the kite's lead lines are attached. Lead lines are thicker lines that are better for handling than the thin flying lines. The lead lines are also less likely to tangle around the bar ends, and they are more comfortable to hold and pull when relaunching the kite. Many newer bars have foam rubber floats covering the lower part of the lead lines. These are to help the bar float. A bar that sinks will eventually get caught of the sea floor. Through the center of the bar is a hole, through which passes the kites trim line. The trim line is a very strong line that can slide through the bar. At the rider's end of the trim line is the trim loop. The trip loop is often called the Chicken Loop. The trim loop is hooked into the rider's harness hook. The trip loop must have a quick release function so that it can be detached quickly and easily even while under load. We call these types of trip loops, Quick Release Trim Loops (QRTL's). These days all trim loops are QRTL's. (if you have a bar with an older non-releasable trim loop, cut it off and throw it away). many trim loops also have a stick like appendage that helps the trim loop stay in the harness hook. These are called chicken bones or chicken fingers. On the kites trim line there will be a system for adjustment, the trim system allows the rider to change the length of the trim line riding. The trim system is usually a strap & buckle or a line going through a jam cleat. Some bars have the adjustment straps above the trim line, and some (like the one pictured) have the trim below the bar at the chicken loop. The trim line will have a handle for easy grip and by pulling the trim line and cleating it off, you make the trim line shorter, which shortens the kite's front lines. Then the rider can also uncleat the trim line and make it longer, lengthening the kite's front lines. The correct adjustment and technique is best explained by your instructor. But having a correct trim is crucial to proper kite function, and it is different for people of various shapes and sizes, and ride styles. The safety line is the line that the kite's leash attaches to. The safety line will slide through the bar and depower the kite when the bar is fully released. The safety line is often thicker than regular kite lines, because you may have to climb up it in a self rescue. The safety line in the picture is the thick yellow line. this safety line goes though the kite bar, but systems vary from brand to brand. The kite leash is a vital piece of equipment. All kites need a good kite leash without exception. The kites leash is for the rider's convenience, but it actually for public safety. If you simply let go on the kite you could hurt someone else. Staying leashed to the kite gives the rider more options to control the kite rather than just letting go. The Kite Leash must have a quick release at the riders end, so that in an emergency the rider can get free of the kite too. This is rare but it happens. People have perished from incorrect equipment setups including not using kite leashes, or using them incorrectly.