ActionSportsWA said..
From what I have heard, the Aluula makes a huge difference to kites larger than 9m, but the performance difference in 9 and smaller is not really enough to warranty the steep price tag.

We should have Aluula kites next season (2021). Everything I've heard about the Aluula is amazing and this info was not just from OR reps, so all good. I'm looking forward to these kites but more from a foiling perspective where larger kites will fly better with the reduced weight.

The price of standard quality brand kites is "up there" already and we are getting "push back" from many buyers at todays prices, so I don't expect the take up to be massive from the surf crew in WA who all use kites smaller than 9m, but like I said, the foilers who want light wind performance and don't want to go with a ram air foil kite, this could be a good choice. Having said that, a counter to these could also be the Flysurfer Peak 4 single skin kites than fly well in less than 4 knots and will be less than 1/3 the price of Aluula kites.

I just don't know, but am staying very open minded on this one. I like new tech

Just my 2c worth.

DM

Hey Darren

Yes Aluula has been pretty well received in the industry as a whole, I have only flown the 10m Roam so far so I can't comment on the performance in the smaller sizes. I haven't tried the Peak 4 either so can't comment, but I doubt there's anything around atm that has the responsiveness of Aluula frame kites, in such a variety of wind ranges.

In the end just try the kites and find what suits you, your budget and figure out what you want.

Of note regarding Aluula -
10x stonger than Dacron
Does not absorb water
2x the stiffness in the airframe
UV stabilised
It's being manufactured with less impact to the environment - less than 3% waste in production, no solvents used and no off gassing and they use less raw material.

The Aluula kite is over there next week, try it, looking forward to the feedback.

Open minded is good.
Cheers

Gazuki said..
1.7KG ???? A lot of extra cash for 500g

A 10m Core section weights 2.35kg

Gazuki - Even 500g makes a big difference, that is 20%.
Claimed weight from manufacturer:

Core Section 3 9m - 2.95kg

dachopper said..

I remember it being marketed as lighter than the 1 struts..... so what does the 10 meter roam weigh?

Core Section 3 9m - 2.95kg
Duotone Neo 9m - 3.05kg
Duotone Mono 9m - 2.6kg (one strut)
Airush Wave 9m - 3.1kg
Ozone Alpha 10m - 2.2kg (one strut)

Ocean Rodeo Roam 9m (standard dacron) - 2.7kg
Aluula Roam 10m - 1.78kg

Ocean Rodeo have been pushing to reduce the weight of kites for several years, the Aluula material was a natural next step, they have been working with Aluula for several years now.

EastCC said..

ActionSportsWA said..
From what I have heard, the Aluula makes a huge difference to kites larger than 9m, but the performance difference in 9 and smaller is not really enough to warranty the steep price tag.

We should have Aluula kites next season (2021). Everything I've heard about the Aluula is amazing and this info was not just from OR reps, so all good. I'm looking forward to these kites but more from a foiling perspective where larger kites will fly better with the reduced weight.

The price of standard quality brand kites is "up there" already and we are getting "push back" from many buyers at todays prices, so I don't expect the take up to be massive from the surf crew in WA who all use kites smaller than 9m, but like I said, the foilers who want light wind performance and don't want to go with a ram air foil kite, this could be a good choice. Having said that, a counter to these could also be the Flysurfer Peak 4 single skin kites than fly well in less than 4 knots and will be less than 1/3 the price of Aluula kites.

I just don't know, but am staying very open minded on this one. I like new tech

Just my 2c worth.

DM

Hey Darren

Yes Aluula has been pretty well received in the industry as a whole, I have only flown the 10m Roam so far so I can't comment on the performance in the smaller sizes. I haven't tried the Peak 4 either so can't comment, but I doubt there's anything around atm that has the responsiveness of Aluula frame kites, in such a variety of wind ranges.

In the end just try the kites and find what suits you, your budget and figure out what you want.

Of note regarding Aluula -
10x stonger than Dacron
Does not absorb water
2x the stiffness in the airframe
UV stabilised
It's being manufactured with less impact to the environment - less than 3% waste in production, no solvents used and no off gassing and they use less raw material.

The Aluula kite is over there next week, try it, looking forward to the feedback.

Open minded is good.
Cheers

Gazuki said..
1.7KG ???? A lot of extra cash for 500g

A 10m Core section weights 2.35kg

Gazuki - Even 500g makes a big difference, that is 20%.
Claimed weight from manufacturer:

Core Section 3 9m - 2.95kg

dachopper said..

I remember it being marketed as lighter than the 1 struts..... so what does the 10 meter roam weigh?

Core Section 3 9m - 2.95kg
Duotone Neo 9m - 3.05kg
Duotone Mono 9m - 2.6kg (one strut)
Airush Wave 9m - 3.1kg
Ozone Alpha 10m - 2.2kg (one strut)

Ocean Rodeo Roam 9m (standard dacron) - 2.7kg
Aluula Roam 10m - 1.78kg

Ocean Rodeo have been pushing to reduce the weight of kites for several years, the Aluula material was a natural next step, they have been working with Aluula for several years now.

Cloud 10.4 is 1.93kg and the 8m 1.65 kg.
So 1.78kg for your 10m is pretty good .
I look forward to a comparison test to my Cloud quiver.

For my kiting I need a kite that will work on a foil and a surfboard so peaks are out of the question for me. Yes they are very well priced and I am sure work amazing for foiling but I would not feel safe kiting waves on offshore bombies with one which if you kite waves in WA kiting offshore bombies is a fairly regular thing.
Plus when the **** hits the fan, which it will do eventually, I much prefer to have floatation and self rescue abilities.

Is it not then cheaper and simpler to have 1 kite that works really well for both riding styles than multiple kites for each riding style?

I would like to counter another point made on this thread by saying I think reduced weight makes a significant difference in smaller kites as well as larger kites. From my experience with 3 strut wave kites, airush ultra and cloud kites the difference made by the reduced weight is significant and noticeable on smaller kites in stronger winds. The drift of a small light kite in solid wind is epic!

I think the 10m aluula roam being lighter than a 10m cloud is very impressive! The clouds already have the next level drift compared to a normal lei. As much as I like 1 and no strut kites they do lose a bit in the bar feel and directness of a 3 strut. So a 3 strut that light sounds really good!

One thing we need to remember is that every new innovation goes through this process of people not knowing if it works, people doubting it will make a difference, being too expensive and deemed not worth it. Then as time goes on the innovations that really work eventually prove themselves and by that time the price has usually come down and they become the standard. Just look at hard shell harnesses. The first ride engines were expensive but the idea eventually proved itself and now hard shell harnesses are common place.

Looking forward to testing this award winner. Actually hoping for light winds on the day.
aluula.com/2020/01/27/ispo-textrends-2020-winner/

Lightness of course (given overall kite design as well) equals drift and accessibility to its low end. Found this out on the clouds for sure. so surely that's a given on these allula built kites.
what interests me is the responsiveness due to the stiffer material and also as some have mentioned it's feel at the bar. Love the cloud but that flappy flappy crappy stuff that is unavoidable having no struts (you soon adapt) is still annoying. Especially as the wind rises.
so this new material may also increase the accessible wind range at the top end as well. As with the cloud, as it moves into its top third wind range, the flappy flappy crappy stuff really increases quickly.
so wind range and overall responsive feel at the bar will be interesting.

drift ... it's gonna drift. That's a given.

Not sure what mine is, it's a borrowed kite that the fella just doesn't seem to want it back ... anyhow. It's sensitive on the throw (you can minimise the flapping of course ) but is especially sensitive in its upper range. Surely that hasn't been eliminated. How can it with no struts and a fixed bridle. Something has to give.

great kite for foiling though, the young fella especially likes it. Almost impossible to put it in the water. But I can't see that inherent flapping characteristic be stopped but hey if you say it's fixed then great !!!

Gazuki said..
1.7KG ???? A lot of extra cash for 500g

A 10m Core section weights 2.35kg

The other way to look at it... is no need to buy a 15 or 17 because the bottom end of aluula will be 25% lower and relaunch window 25% bigger... y waste cash on 2 kites if one will do the job.. way cheaper

natho6026961 said..
Hey EastCC - Have you tested this beauty out yet for water relaunch in lighter winds i.e. sub 10 knots?

Also, what happened to the black kites that OR was first spruiking? Do they also come in black?

Only tested it in 12kn, was easy as.
I would assume it'll be good, the Aluula doesn't absorb water so it keeps its light weight and the frame holds its shape.
If I get a chance before it leaves I'll try it.

The Gold is lighter and stiffer than the Black Aluula.

I think it looks better too.

Did a downwinder last night with a bunch of people, Kites ranged from 17m Zephyr V6 and 2013, 13M Edge V9, 14M Enduro V1 and V2 to 12M Reo V5 couple of TT's the rest on surfboards, the Reo rider was on a large fish style surfboard about 6' and 30+ ltrs everyone was in the 75-90kg weight range.
Wind was lighter than shown on this graph image below



At the north end of the beach, the wind was stronger probably gusting to 17/18 and by the end, it was more like 15knots. I was on a 25ltr tomo evo shaped thing and I was able to easily stay upwind and ride the small 1m waves. Wind is cross on and I was riding downwind to the left.
Didn't drop the kite so no comment on relaunch but I believe what I saw in the video above. The drift is insanely good and I pushed the kite as hard as I could and still never dropped it. Turning speed is fast easily as fast as other surf/wave kites 2-3m smaller. Upwind is excellent and the kite can be worked easily in lulls to maintain ground. Definitely agree with the comment from the reviewer in the video about the power difference comparing downstroke to upstroke as negligible, the kites forward speed keeps the power on no matter which direction it's flying in.
Noticed a slight backstall tendency when I rode on a wave towards the kite too much but pushing the bar out slightly got the kite moving forward again very quickly, unlike some kites.
Easy light one-handed steering but will take some dialing in as I found the kite going the wrong way a couple of times due to my error. Very easy to dial into how this kite flies and delivers power and it felt very familiar. Did not notice any lag or softness due to the single pulley on each bridle side. The realistic bottom end on a surfboard for me would be 15/16 knots, and on a foil around 8-10 knots.
Excellent one pump system inflates easily and deflates evenly and quickly with no hose kinking. Flew it on an Ozone bar but had to put some reversed pigtails on the kite, self launched and self landed sweet as per the vids I made no issues.
Overall impression - mega impressed with the stiffness and reactivity of the frame of the kite and the stability (best I've seen in an LEI).
Would I buy one - yes!

My missus said I need to drop a lot of weight and be much much stiffer!!

Do you think she meant I should buy an aluula kite?