Im pretty new to the game, I started kiting in january this year, so Ive still got a lot to learn - but Im progressing fairly well.
Most people I speak to say that I will progress a lot quicker with bow kites than if Im using C-kites?
At the moment Im flying a 12m Airush Flow and a 9m Best Yarga (both are 2004 models). They have served me well, but everyone I speak to seems to tells me to get off the C-Kites and get on the end of a Bow kite. I understand the difference between the 2, but since Im yet to fly a bow kite, I dont know exactly what to think.
I am thinking of selling my C-kites, and getting a Best Waroo 9m. Because some people Ive spoken too are suggesting that a 9m Waroo would have almost the same wind range as my 9m and 12m C-kite. Is that right? I weigh 85kg and I ride a 133cm twin-tip.
I like the idea of more depower, but am I really gonna get the same wind range out of a 9m Waroo as my C- kites?(Im thinking about an 06 model at this stage)
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (keeping in mind I cant afford new kites at the moment)
Hi Skwinty, I fly 06 flows also. I had a go on me mates 9m waroo today in about a 15knot gust with a 128 board. I weight 95kgs and got going. My mate has just started kiting, I can see a huge difference in his learning compared to mine on the C's. The depower being the most obvious. I will be going to Best kites at the start of summer, I'm looking out for a 07 bularoo.
IMO bows appear good to learn on. Yes they do have a bigger wind range, info is best found on the manufactures websites.
My 2 cents
P.S you've opened a can of worms with this topic I hope you know. Do a search, I think you'll find almost all the answers from both styles
i used 2 ride a 13m fuel 2004 and a aero2 10m as learning kites last year and as soon as i changed to my 9m waroo i started improving ALOT faster, that instant depower gives you more confidence to try stuff as you wont get flogged when you stuff up! i would reccomend you rather get a 11m waroo if you are 85kg kiting in 15-20 knots, the 9 would serve you better in the 20-35 range depending on how good you are and the 11 will work right up to 25 knots easy. basically you get 4 kite quiver out of 2 bows and more confidence to try stuff. i am swapping back to c's now that im riding better though
This is the big drama everyone seems to have at the moment, i fly c kites and i'm glad i do. Learn to take a spanking on a c kite, forget the new kite's. learn on what you'v got. Only c kiters will know what i mean. slower learning curve but more experianced for it. Oouch but good Ouch. Just get out there and flog the cr#., out of it. Oh and keep smilin couse ya kiten.
yes i have seen the light, i been speakin 2 my matez in nz n they say the same, ther goin back 2 cs aswell, theyr excellent 2 learn initial basic stuff but wen u get to intermediate level their nto as good anymore.
i rekin bows are more of a phase in kitng rather than a change
If you are happy enough on your C kites then don't bother changing.
If you think you would be better off on bow kites then borrow a demo kite and try it out. You should only change because you know you will be better off not because you think you might be better off.
Having said that ... most of the guys riding bows have ridden C's for a long time and have made their decision. I have not seen anybody switch to bows then switch back to C's, even among the sponsored riders who held out for a year or so before they switched.
As Burley says, you can take your beatings on a C kite, or as I say, you can ride a bow kite and have non-stop fun.
i could upgrade from my 06 C but i dont want to, the main reson being there isnt much out there thats better than what i have, i have tryed many kites and always come back to loving what ive got, sure had i had a kite that turns into a flag and learnt twice as fast but i wouldnt have learnt how to hold a real edge.
your only learning faster because your not learning everything you would need to with a C.
As a seasoned kiter im not sure if i want to update (notice i didnt say upgrade) my kites yet. there are people who love their bows, i have a few friends who have switched back from bows.
to each his own but i wouldnt recommend switching for the sake of it unless you are loaded and/or really hate what youve got
some o4 gear is a bit dodge tho.. if your not gona swap atleast make sure ur safety systems are up 2 scratch. but yeah 9m waroo wil own ur 12m c and ur 9mc aswell. i got my 13m waroo for those days where it is 12-20 knots depending on the baord im using
spot on mate, like a chump i got sucked into the hype, and curse the money i spent on updating. plus it is costing me even more now to go back to what i shouldnt have left in the first place by getting new C kites.
quote:
Originally posted by atomic
i could upgrade from my 06 C but i dont want to, the main reson being there isnt much out there thats better than what i have, i have tryed many kites and always come back to loving what ive got, sure had i had a kite that turns into a flag and learnt twice as fast but i wouldnt have learnt how to hold a real edge.
your only learning faster because your not learning everything you would need to with a C.
As a seasoned kiter im not sure if i want to update (notice i didnt say upgrade) my kites yet. there are people who love their bows, i have a few friends who have switched back from bows.
to each his own but i wouldnt recommend switching for the sake of it unless you are loaded and/or really hate what youve got
as soon as there is some wind mate, the cast is off and i just have to strengthen the wrist up with some intensive w****** therapy...
i learn on C's and switched to Bows......I regret switching cause once you have been on the bows for a bit - its very hard to go back.
You get lazy on a bow - instead of edging for control - you just push out with the bar.
Kiting with bows is much easier, and safer.
Kiting on C is much more fun, you will learn more skills, and at the end of the day be a better kiter...
If you are a nervous kiter - a fragile kiter (over 40), just want to tack up and down type kiter.
go for BOW.
If you want to kite like LEN10. stick with the C's....
Good forum! I am on an 05 Flow. Have recently tried a F-One Tribal 2 which is new full depower c. Now my flow feels like an old world war two parachute. I think the north rebel is similar to the tribal. Also, Airush have got a new 5 line full depower c kite (Vapor)out which guys are saying good things about too. So the next step looks like simple C's with bugger all bar pressure, top relaunch and safety with full depower.
why go SLE over one of these new C kites?
I'd be interested in comments from someone who has used new gen C kites and bridals as I have not used an SLE.
I totally agree, I have been on first generation Nova's for too long now. Bow kites are great for newbies but will erode your more developed kiting skills.
I have just ordered 9m & 13m 08'Tribals to get back to my roots over summer.
hey hammer,
wasnt the 05 flow a C?
the 07 flow is a SLE.
very happy with the 07
just power up,
Hey Hammer
looking at the 2008 kites the BOW - C thing is starting to look like it misses the point. A lot of guys liked there C's and initially the industry was nervous about the Legaignoux patent on bridle kites. Most of the smaller manufacturers just went bridle without paying a cent. Now I hear Legaignoux is been sued by one of the bigger manufacturers who paid the licence fee for not defending his patent so it sounds like the patent is dead.
Bridles have several advantages
- more depower
-leading edge stability and possibility of a thinner diameter tube [less drag , faster]
- 5 lines are more fiddly to unroll and attach, screw up the lines, and often the kite, when the kite rolls in the surf, and is in my view obviated by a bridle
Now I think we are seeing 3 types of kite, all hybrids.
For learners there will be slow [deep profile] maximum depower 'bows', for freestyle guys fast and boosty [flat profile] hybrids with small tips [less drag and but slower turning] and for waves, hybrids with bigger tips [basically a c kite with a bridle]. If you can get the turning speed of a C with the stability and depower of a bridle why wouldnt you go hybrid.
The new 2008 RRD Type 9s certainly feels like a C when you turn it but a bow when you depower it. I wouldnt be surprised if traditional Cs dissappear within 3 years, with the same riders switching to C shaped hybrids.
It seems that the main issue for the manufacturers is not as much the shape, but the drive towards a kite with full, (bow) or near full, (hybrid and new c's) depower . the day of the minimal depower kite is nearly gone.
Thanks Niall,
All your comments sound pretty fair to me. Had a look at the Hyper last week with John. Very flat looking draft. Will just have to demo a couple of bridals and make the call then.
quote:Hey ,Bigmark I'm over 50 now do you think it's time I changed to a bow and grow old gracefully
Originally posted by bigmark100
i learn on C's and switched to Bows......I regret switching cause once you have been on the bows for a bit - its very hard to go back.
You get lazy on a bow - instead of edging for control - you just push out with the bar.
Kiting with bows is much easier, and safer.
Kiting on C is much more fun, you will learn more skills, and at the end of the day be a better kiter...
If you are a nervous kiter - a fragile kiter (over 40), just want to tack up and down type kiter.
go for BOW.
If you want to kite like LEN10. stick with the C's....
Hey Skwint,
wrt wind range of bridled vs c-kites... the bridled kites will increase your ability to handle gusts but in terms of effective wind range ie range in which the kites turning ability is maintained, you will find only minimal difference. All kites require rear line pressure to turn well and when you depower you lose that.
]I fly both Cs and Bows, I know that's sacraligious, but I own a small bow so that I can still get out when it's blowing like hell and the gusts get a bit too crazy for my 8m C. I'm just over 90kgs and my small bow is a 7m Switchblade. Personally, I prefer the Cs, but the choice is up to the individual and whatever suits their riding style best.
D
Mate they are all good its just Bow kites have a larger wind range and are easy to use in the surf, Try befor you buy.
