Hi guys, I need your advice. I need a kite for foiling on a wind range of 14/19 knots, I have two options:

1) Alpha 8m
2) Enduro v2 8m

I know that Alpha is better for foiling but, in that wind range, is it noticeable? Thing is the Enduro will allow me to use my twintip in +22 knots as well, that's a huge plus because my smallest kite is a 10m

I appreciate your opinions

I have an 8m Alpha which, as you say, is great for foiling. Prior to that I was using my 8m Reo for foiling which is faster than the Alpha being 3 struts but not as light. The Reo and Alpha will drift better than the Enduro too. I also have an 11m Enduro but I don't use it foiling. The 8m Alpha would be fine on your TT but the Enduro would perform better, in my opinion.

It depends how you want to allocate you time, TT / foiling. I find my most used kite for foiling over summer, when the wind picked up a bit, was a 2015 5m North Neo (the stepchild) which I bought second hand.

ThanksKIT33R, in few words what I'd like to know is how better is the Alpha over the Enduro for foiling in moderate winds (15/20knots)

Regards

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amontesdeoca198 said..
ThanksKIT33R, in few words what I'd like to know is how better is the Alpha over the Enduro for foiling in moderate winds (15/20knots)

Regards

The 8m Enduro would be fine in 15/20 knots for foiling if I could use the 8m Reo as a comparison as long as you have good kite skills. Quick turning and responsive. The Alpha at 15 knots is very happy in the sky, even parked at 12 o'clock. No need to sine it to keep it flying. The Alpha would excel in the lulls and have better relaunch due to its light weight. I've flown the 8m Alpha in 18-20 knots on a directional board, it's a lot of fun but not as crisp and responsive as my old Reo.

A lot depends on your riding style. If you like to throw the kite around a bit then the Enduro would be more responsive than the Alpha.

For me, since I mostly foil these days, the Alpha, being single strut is my first choice. But I do miss the responsiveness of a 3 strut kite.

Sorry, it's hard to give definitive answer. I love Ozone kites so my experience is limited but a lot comes down to budget and personal preferences.

Its not Ozone but my 7m Airush union (similar kite to the Enduro) works really nicely in 14-19 on a foil board. Small kites are lighter to start with so having a light weight construction is less important (also because you are using them in more wind anyway).

If you add some extra knots a little higher up on the back pig tails you can add a little backstall to stop the kite hunting the edge too much when going down wind.

I would be steering towards the Enduro. More versatile for that wind range. The Alpha would be great on a foil in the 10 to 15 knot range, but just would not be as good to boost on a tt in the high teens to mid 20's. If I had my choice I would go with the kite that would offer me the most versatility.

Single struts will depower more, giving you a more comfortable ride. They will also drift way better if you are into riding swell. And they are less likely to fall out of the sky at the bottom of their windrange.

Multi-struts have more power and don't flutter in the top of their windrange.

I fly a 7m Edge in this windrange cos that's what I have for boosting in 25kts+. It works fine but is no good for wave riding. So I bought a Peak for riding swell in 20kts+.

If you can't buy two kites, buy the Enduro. Single struts won't boost. You're more likely to enjoy foiling on the Enduro, and you're unlikely to enjoy TT with the Alpha.

If I can foil on a slingshot fuel, I'm sure you can foil on an enduro .

I had 8 & 10m Enduros. Flew them on standard lines. Now have a 10m Alpha and have tried it on 25, 19 & 17m lines. Last sesh was on 17m lines in 11kts and it turned quicker than my 8m Enduro. My point. Try some shorter lines before you consider switching kites. I wish I had of tried my 8m Enduro on 19 or 17m lines. You could have 2 bars/lines that significantly change the way your kite performs in different conditions.

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Narrak said..
I had 8 & 10m Enduros. Flew them on standard lines. Now have a 10m Alpha and have tried it on 25, 19 & 17m lines. Last sesh was on 17m lines in 11kts and it turned quicker than my 8m Enduro. My point. Try some shorter lines before you consider switching kites. I wish I had of tried my 8m Enduro on 19 or 17m lines. You could have 2 bars/lines that significantly change the way your kite performs in different conditions.

I use 15m lines on my 12m Hyperlink, which helps speed up the turning a lot. In addition to line length bar width helps significantly.

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snalberski said..

Narrak said..
I had 8 & 10m Enduros. Flew them on standard lines. Now have a 10m Alpha and have tried it on 25, 19 & 17m lines. Last sesh was on 17m lines in 11kts and it turned quicker than my 8m Enduro. My point. Try some shorter lines before you consider switching kites. I wish I had of tried my 8m Enduro on 19 or 17m lines. You could have 2 bars/lines that significantly change the way your kite performs in different conditions.

I use 15m lines on my 12m Hyperlink, which helps speed up the turning a lot. In addition to line length bar width helps significantly.

Yep. I use 17m on my HL with a 55cm bar as well. A far more responsive kite.