Sport Today

After talking up the Reactor Bar in another post, I thought I would share
some bad news.  On Friday, in somewhat overpowering conditions, I got
launched, and looked around to see what the damage was.  Lo and behold,
the spool on my Reactor bar had snapped clean off.  It broke at the hook
right through where the hole is for the pin attaching the spool.  I
didn't want to keep wearing it because the sharp edge much punch a hole
in my sail, but I kept it anyway to save the evidence and have my
warranty honored.  Btw - it was approx. 1 month old.

After getting back to the beach with very sore arms, I got a variety of
reactions including "I've never seen one do that before" to "Oh yeah,
I've seen about 4 of those break in the same place."  My buddy Rocky,
whose about the same weight as me,  apparently has had 2 fail on him in the
past.  I should mention that the remaining metal on the bar was bent at
about a 30 deg angle upward.

Anyway, I still recommend the Reactor, but this event made me wonder
whether it has an inherent defect.  Warehouse was cool about it and
replaced it, no questions asked.

Anyone else have this happen to them?  Is Reactor taking steps to address
this problem?
--

-shrEd
Ed Scott

If you are one of those Gorrilla Sailors whose aleays breaking everything
I'de say that It's not the gear. - Keep on SHred'in - Highwind.

I won a reactor a few weeks ago
I'm not much for gagets but i thought i would give it a try
i keep my lines short
 my lines kept slipping off the spindle
i see no advatage in this device other than saving wear on lines
i bought 50' of small pvc tubing and replace mine regularly
so this is'nt a problem
i feel this is a waste of money line all the downhaul toys on the market
don't waste money on stupid toys
waste it on useful stuff

I have to disagree with you keith. I've been using reactor bars for about three
years now. I love them. They make movement fore/aft very smooth and easy. I
have not had problems slipping off the swivel. You should check to see if you
have the slalom or the wave swivel. The slalom has a wider flare at the bottom
which keeps you hooked in better. The wave swivel has a smaller flare which
allows you quicker hook/unhook action in waves. The wave swivel takes a little
getting used to since you can get in and out of the harness easier. You may
have the wave swivel. If so, it just takes a little practice.

--

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* Holmdel,NJ           {     (908)949-1188     }    and a company sickday!" *

I also disagree with Keith.  I've used a Reactor for 3 years and love it.

I started with the slalom swivel.  I didn't care for the lip on this swivel
because I couldn't unhook quickly enough.  I went to the wave swivel and found
I was falling out of it ocassionally.  I made the mental committment to really
SIT DOWN on the harness line and the problem went away immediately.  Keeping
pressure on the line will keep it from coming off the swivel.  

This year, I changed from a low seat harness to a waist harness (specifically,
the DaKine Surf Seat).  I was concerned that since the bar would be higher, I
would fall out of the lines frequently.  My concern never materialized.  Even
without shortening the lines, I never lose the line from the Reactor.

There is a new swivel available for the Reactor which is sort of between the
slalom and wave swivel.

Sure, you can bend a Reactor bar under extreme conditions, but IMHO the
advantage of the Reactor is not in its durability (which is significant), but
in the ease of sail t*** it offers.

Hey dude,  I noticed the same thing but in light air I like it because i keep
shifting so much.  I heavier air, like when I loop (or is that a catapult), I
switch to the Dakine hook.

WD-40

 I made the mental committment to really

Noticed the same thing.  Makes me keep my weight on the harness lines
and not on my arms.

Glenn

I had the same problem at first, but I am very observant, and I noticed
that in the ads, they show TWO different spindles.  The 'wave' model has a
very shallow concave, presumably for getting in/out quick and easy.
The 'slalom' model has a nice deep concave for a solid conection.  I had my
local shop (cityfront) get me a slalom roller, and it works. I like it.

Bob Galvan