I know this could start a mine is best pluck the rest - but hey it could turn up some gold so.... objective comment please with some comparison / reasoning.

Chasing 3 to 4 recommendations for kites to demo with light bar pressure - 2011 or 2012 probably 9m.

I have - 10m '07 Rebel (Fairly heavy ) and 13m '08 Rev (mod' heavy) (can be heavy when windy - flying it higher??) (Weight - 70-75 Kg at present - down 10Kg since I bought the Rev).

I often set the stopper at moderate power and would like to use one hand to control the kite () - but not with these 2.

(I had to stop wind-surfing due to wrist / hand cramping hanging on the boom <Loooong time back now 30+ years - before harnesses came in!!>. Started having same problem today on my Rev' ( and after an hour on the Rebel it can remove some of the fun)..

Thanks
AP

(damn wanted the welsh boyos 2 beat the frogs - in the rugby)

I bought a Fluid Ego which seems to have quiet light bar pressure but I have had to short sessions on it so really can't comment on it in regards to fatiguing. But I bought it for the light bar pressure and the quick flying / turning and so far so good.

Not sure about the other Fluid kites bar pressure but just giving you an option

Rich

Try a 2011 Naish Park

+1 on the Park light as on the bar ,flies like a dream one handed.

Ocean Rodeo Rise - renound for light bar pressure, very big wind range and lofty jumps.
i have a 2010 9m, and 7m & 11m Rev 2's, im 75-80kg, i dont bother with the Revs any more.

ya park is good for one handed steering but i would go with a 10m, i got a 2011 one for sale on here

The rebel 2012 has a light setting. I don't like it, but you might and still get the rebel connected feel. Consider that having to sine the kite also puts pressure on your wrists, something like the naish park is an excellent kite with light bar pressure but you have to move it a lot more than say the rebel. So not just the bar pressure yu have to consider but also consistent power delivery. Rebel has this and not that I know but I'd say the kites have come a long way since 07, Shyte nearly every kite back then in the emergence of the bow kite had crazy bar pressure. Demo them, I'm sold on the rebel and I hate hard bar pressure to.

Ozone Edge has very light bar pressure on the light setting and is responsive to one-handed steering input. A mate demoed the 11m Edge the other day on the medium setting and was amazed how light it was, as well as with the general efficiency of the kites. He usually rides REVs but was into the shop to buy an Edge the next day.

i like the park for waves because it is lighter and drifts better, also in onshore conditions it loops fast and smooth without hesitation or stalling on the way up. also the bar almost completely depowers the kite. not to mention 4 lines being better when you drop it in the surf. it also turns really well with slack lines. if freestyling or unhooked wave riding, it unhooks far better than a rebel. but if park and ride is your go then the rebel is better for u

Select to expand quote

djdojo said...

Ozone Edge has very light bar pressure on the light setting and is responsive to one-handed steering input. A mate demoed the 11m Edge the other day on the medium setting and was amazed how light it was, as well as with the general efficiency of the kites. He usually rides REVs but was into the shop to buy an Edge the next day.

Yep. After a solid 4 hour session on the 11m Edge the other day, i had absolutely no soreness in my arms. My arms were never even remotely tired, even though i was mostly riding one-handed for better body positioning. It is important to note, though, that this was on the lightest bar setting (the previous day i was flying it on the medium setting, still with very light bar pressure), and it was an 11m. I would imagine the 9m Edge would be similar in terms of bar pressure.

I much prefer the 11m Edge to the 13m Rev (2009 model) in pretty much every aspect except relaunch.

With most kites i've flown at the top end of the wind range, i've found the bar pressure to get uncomfortably high. Not so with the Edge. Of course with stronger winds, the bar pressure is going to get higher for the same kite and size, but at least with the Edge it remains at a comfortable level.

Hi again AquaPlow,

You haven't mentioned what style you ride. If general freeriding then yes, put the Edge on your list. If heading into waves too then try the Ozone Catalyst as a more nimble and drift-friendly ride that will still serve you well on a twintip too.

Not sure about dealers on the Sunshine Coast but Kitepower in Brisbane will definitely have Ozone demos.

Have fun finding your new ride!

Mike Walker at Kitethrills at Caloundra (Lake Currimundi actually) is your best bet for getting a demo on an Ozone on the southern Sunny Coast.
We aslo have a dealer further North at Noosa - Australian Kitesurfing Academy - Martin Reeves mobile 0400 404040

Try a new Spleene QX

My 2012 Rallys are fairly light. Very predictable and easy to ride one handed

Thanks - gents - that went well -
The 4 kites to demo (3 - I had not considered)
Edge / Catalyst
Rally
Park
Will try these...
Not sure about availability of the others.. Spleene review sounded good.

I tried the F-one Bandit (11m) a couple of weeks back - that would take a bit of dialing in before I could get the power out in lighter winds - I liked it and found it surprisingly light one-handed on the stopper (but would benefit more from an easier kite me-thinks!). My initial thought was it is designed to get minimum of 3 kite quiver to cover enough wind range. Then watch George make the kite dance in the conditions - so 2 would do!!

Riding style(s) - Really competent beginner (stuck in a rut basically - need to take a dedicated Kiting holiday - Mauritius would do)
90% percent mowing... (due to lots of bity sessions)
Minor airs (the gap is growing!!)..
Dream about wave riding with out getting rinsed (haven't learn't to surf - probably would help)..
Starting 2 get the hang of a casual race board (Sector).. got to have a go at racing - easy to sign-up

Cheers

AP

Gotta try the Ozone Catalyst, Mike at kitethrills in Caloundra should be able to sort you out with a demo no worries.