i havent tried too hard to kill any other brands, but after putting my 07 slingshot fuel through the breakers yesterday yet again, i am still amazed by its resilience

Yeah, I pretty much expect that if you're good at killing things, then the brand doesn't matter.
But my interest was piqued on the subject of kite strength when speaking to a dealer, he recommended one brand over another due to one being better quality (I read this as strength)- he sells them both so it wasn't like he was dissing someone elses product.

The taboo in the small sizes especially are built as good as i have seen probably better, every little spot that may need reinforcing has been, there choices in materials are definitely of a very high quality, the bridle has no pulleys so no wear there is probably the only kite i would give 11/10 for build. We do need to give it a year to see how they weather, but should be good.

Best also haven't wasted any money on packaging, you get the kite in a shoe box, no bag pump or bar. There is a little light weight extendable sack thats it.

sometimes the extra strengh built in to some kites only cause them to rub where the lighter weight kites although not as strong can have less wear. Then just like lines there is different quality in materials.

The problem I have with "bomb proof" kites is their weight.

Heavy kites fly like a bag of **** in light wind.

If the kites are designed properly it shouldn't be an issue, but so often th extra reinforcements are stuck on with no thought, reinforcement patches in wrong places, heavy batterns all over the kite etc.

Just go to the shops and roll a few out, then go and fly them

Good luck
Matt

Gotta be something there in local area kite design - hows about that bloke in Gero, builds kites for the local conditions. NEW KITES, maybe you NT boys should have a chat to him. Give Benmilsonsurf a run for thier money eh radman

Most kites these days seem to be made of the same Tenjen fibre,the marketing guys just like to call it something different depending on the brand so they can say its stronger than everyone else's,just marketing bull***t if you ask me, its way stronger than the old ripstop style materials and dosen't seem to weather over time the same.

Had heaps of guys in the kitschool thrash my argo's last season and they are still in great condition,they are tenjen fibre,have just started replacing them with 011 kites,just about sold all the 010 ones buyers are stoked with the condition of the kites,i see the 011 ones have reinforcing right round the LE so there are no seams showing,kites are all 4 strut and light as ,so you can beef without the beef.

radman4 said...

Most kites these days seem to be made of the same Tenjen fibre,the marketing guys just like to call it something different depending on the brand so they can say its stronger than everyone else's,just marketing bull***t if you ask me, its way stronger than the old ripstop style materials and dosen't seem to weather over time the same.

Hey Radman4,

All cloth is not the same. If the kite is made with Teijin cloth, it will have a little Teijin Technoforce label on the canopy. Teijin and kite manufacturers are making an effort to make sure consumers know they are using the best quality fabrics. So if your kite doesn't wear the patch, it's probably not Teijin cloth.

The North Technoforce D2 fabric IS different and North have this fabric exclusively for the next two years. You can see the difference in the cloth by just looking at it. There is an additional longitudinal and latitudinal strengthening fibre which runs next to the existing cross hatch of reinforcing fibres. This would have the effect of reducing tendency to continue tearing in the event of a cut in the fabric. It would also certainly make the cloth more stable and resistant to stretching giving a kite that holds it's shape and feels more crisp for much longer.

It's not a gimmick, you can see the difference. I haven't deliberately tried it for tear resistance but you can feel it in the way it flies.

Cheers,

DM

I have noticed that north have changed fabrics, it's f@ken bright

Break out the fluro zink, then get out and ride
The black ones look ok

waxman said...

I have noticed that north have changed fabrics, it's f@ken bright

Break out the fluro zink, then get out and ride
The black ones look ok

Gotta say North get first prize this year for s**t graphics and colours, all the strength in the world wont make me buy one