× Tips and techniques for getting the most out of surfskiing.

Rigid footbars on a ski?

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1 year 8 months ago - 1 year 8 months ago #40003 by waverider
Anyone retro fit, or use a rigid footbar, similar to nelo or vadja k1s use instead of a strap? Any pros and cons to doing this?
They would be harder to adjust at the water for different size footwear or different paddlers. Do they give less lateral bracing? Would solve the floppy strap issue. Maybe harder on the feet with the bumpier ride of a surfski?
eg
australianpaddlesports.com.au/product/pu...-carbon-vajda-kayak/
Last edit: 1 year 8 months ago by waverider. Reason: typo

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1 year 8 months ago #40004 by Ranga
Replied by Ranga on topic Rigid footbars on a ski?
Done quite a few conversions from strap to bar. The Nelo bar is the one I have used and it is adjustable with multiple holes as is standard on the Nelo system.
Very nice to use, you can set it up so it is only used when needed, 1mm away from your feet so as not to touch in normal uses but instantly available when needed.
The following user(s) said Thank You: waverider

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1 year 8 months ago #40005 by zachhandler
Nelo foot bar is very nice. You realize how nice it is after you go back to a strap. The downside is that it is a 10-15 minute job to adjust it, assuming you have the tools and know how. Only a hassle if you share the boat with others, or paddle barefoot sometimes and with footwear at other times. It should be possible to make a bar that adjusts with a thumbscrew, but I imagine for most paddlers the bar is “set and forget” so a more easily adjustable system would be unneeded weight and complexity.

Current Skis: Epic v10 g3, NK 670 double, NK exrcize, Kai Wa’a Vega, Carbonology Feather, Think Jet, Knysna Sonic X
Former Skis: Epic V12 g2, Epic V12 g1, Epic v10 double, Nelo 550 g2, Fenn Elite S, Custom Kayaks Synergy

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1 year 8 months ago #40006 by tve
Replied by tve on topic Rigid footbars on a ski?
A trick to handle barefoot vs shoes is to replace the foam/neoprene padding that sits on the inside of the bar (the part that makes contact with the foot). Glue velcro onto the bar, then prepare two matching pieces of foam/neoprene: a thin one and a thick one. To paddle barefoot stick the think foam on, to paddle with shoes stick the thin one on.

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1 year 8 months ago #40007 by waverider
Replied by waverider on topic Rigid footbars on a ski?

A trick to handle barefoot vs shoes is to replace the foam/neoprene padding that sits on the inside of the bar (the part that makes contact with the foot). Glue velcro onto the bar, then prepare two matching pieces of foam/neoprene: a thin one and a thick one. To paddle barefoot stick the think foam on, to paddle with shoes stick the thin one on.

Good tip. I always wear shoes, thinner ones in summer and thicker in winter so its only a seasonal switch

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1 year 8 months ago #40008 by zachhandler
Thanks tve great idea!

Current Skis: Epic v10 g3, NK 670 double, NK exrcize, Kai Wa’a Vega, Carbonology Feather, Think Jet, Knysna Sonic X
Former Skis: Epic V12 g2, Epic V12 g1, Epic v10 double, Nelo 550 g2, Fenn Elite S, Custom Kayaks Synergy

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1 year 8 months ago #40022 by SpaceSputnik
Nelo's rigid bar is really nice. A bug plus is that it has an integrated GoPro mount. I 3d printed a adaptor for a Garmin handle bar mount and attached my eTrex gps to it. Super convenient.

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1 year 8 months ago #40024 by waverider
Replied by waverider on topic Rigid footbars on a ski?
Seems only downside is lack of adjustment on the fly

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