Disclosure: Shinn fanatic & ex dealer
The 1st full carbon construction from SHINN - have heard its the Monk on speed. ?

A few references to look up while waiting for reviews.
shinnworld.com/

www.powerkiteshop.com/shinn-bronq-kiteboard.htm

Should be available for demo soon from Kitepower Sydney or KSS in Perth
Or you can call me if you would like to arrange a demo on mine - 0430 966 397 (as soon as it arrives!)

Want....

I wonder why smallest size 135? Big compared to Monks. Sure they know what they're doing, just curious.

Hi phil,Sounds good Monk on speed,lethal combo.Part or full carbon and what sort of dollars are we looking at from Mr Mark Shin.Regards Leigh

Sick

Found this review by Strekke on Kiteforum which was interesting! (thread here: kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2386424&p=887191)I had the chance to test the Bronq back-to-back with the Monk (both 135cm long). Awesome board . My first impressions when comparing both boards:

- the Bronq (almost? - not sure) has the same awesome carving abilities as the Monk, but because of it's lighter weight feels a bit looser/more maneuvrable (e.g. a little bit easier to switch to toe-side). In any case still carves crazy good, I was able to shred up some waves real good.
- Bronq has the same (or maybe even better) awesome edging abilities as the Monk - at full speed I was flying with my shoulder almost touching the water, insane
- Bronq eats chop just as well as the Monk - it was choppy and I didn't get sprayed once
- Bronq is faster
- Bronq is better upwind
- Bronq has significantly better pop - the first time I popped/ollied the board to get over a small wave I was caught off guard, because I did not expect it to release so easily and was surprised how high I cleared the wave, just awesome - landed with a big smile of disbelief on my face. The light weight is a factor here too.

Note that these are my personal experiences from 45 minutes testing per board - might need to test them back to back a few more times to confirm all my statements above but the Bronq is an awesome board that you have to try. It really is like a Monk on steriods!

Looks like it will be a great board! We are excited to do some testing!

That's not a cheap board...

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Alysum said...
That's not a cheap board...

My 1st thought , however it's in line with most top end carbon boards, I'm still on the original monk and give it a thrashing , keep waiting for it to die , so based on time it's not bad, there's a great article on carbon boards in kiteworld mag 73 detailing costs and complications of using carbon in board construction, reading it makes you understand the additional costs, there's a few videos with Alex bourney putting it through it's paces

Thanks for the comparisons Elliot and Cauncy.My Two cents worth .Being of the middle to older generation With failing hip and knee joints I found the Core fusion carbon board after a two hour session more fatiguing.Changed to the monk,Dundee,and the fun turbo in waves.Softer ride more forgiving on old bones.Love the sound of the monk on speed or steroids but have got to look after the knees.

Is it flat on the bottom? If you want a board like that just look at the carbon boards from like 5 years ago.

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flyingcab said..
Is it flat on the bottom? If you want a board like that just look at the carbon boards from like 5 years ago.

The Monk is a perfect example of why that statement isn't exactly accurate. Though it looks a lot like boards from years ago, it rides nothing like it. You have no idea how many people snicker when I show them the Monk and say "but it has no channels" and then when they actually test it, many buy it. Simple isn't a bad thing. Can't judge a book by it's cover. It just works, and I expect this board to be the same.

Pricing is pretty in line with the other carbon options and actually cheaper than a few http://www.kitepower.com.au/shinn-bronq.html

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Emanjay said..
Want....

I wonder why smallest size 135? Big compared to Monks. Sure they know what they're doing, just curious.

Perhaps you will finally be able to fly a smaller kite then, worth trying ;-)

I actually do ride a flat bottom board.. at the park

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flyingcab said..
I actually do ride a flat bottom board.. at the park

You seem to have a comment on almost every post in the kitesurfing forum - ridden a monk or half the gear you comment on?

Would be nice to get some constructive feedback based on experience or recent demos instead of useless banter - Facebook or any of social media may cater for alternate needs.

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flyingcab said..
Is it flat on the bottom? If you want a board like that just look at the carbon boards from like 5 years ago.

That comment makes about as much sense as your avatar.

looks like an awesome board!

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LeighMajor said..
Hi phil,Sounds good Monk on speed,lethal combo.Part or full carbon and what sort of dollars are we looking at from Mr Mark Shin.Regards Leigh

Hey Leigh, thought I would answer you.

The Bronq is a hybrid wood core made of Paulownia and Balsa. Shinn crew tested Balsa cores but they were too soft and too hard to machine properly. This core build up reduces weight nicely but gives some flex response speed issues hence added the carbon flax laminate. The Carbon increases the somewhat slow balsa flex response speeds to a much faster feeling. When you add the lower weight and the increased flex response speed you end with a board that feels very very energised.

It apparently really does feel like a Monk on steroids, looking forward to getting hold of a demo board. Like you say though it will be sharper than the other Shinn's you mentioned so not as good for the older knees.
Get out for a run in the flats if you're up this way.

Hey Nigel,yes thanks for the info on the core construction with carbon lay up.Knowing that really imo makes a big difference too me,mainly because of worn out hip and knee joints.Will definitely demo the new Shin Bronz if your offering mate.Being an outright Shin fan I am sure the Bronz will be the a go to board in the Shin range.

So where does this board sit compared to the Turbo?

Looks sick ! Would love to put it through its paces up in your hood cauncy!

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samokta said...
So where does this board sit compared to the Turbo?

As described it's like the monk so sits the same as a comparison to the turbo, too early to compare until a few of shinn board riders have rode one, I still froth on the original monk and after riding the latter editions I've never been tempted to change due to minor tweeks and artwork, I've always said a performance kite is best suited to the monk so I'd be really keen for a strong wind session on the bronq , no point testing one in 18-20knts borderline overpowered would be the go

I managed to score a few hours with the Bronq 136/42 over the last couple of days at Cape Flattery thanks to the folks at kitepower. Conditions ranged from 15 - ~25 knots riding in chop, wind swell and flat water. I was riding an 11m edge the whole time and did some back to back testing with my 134/41 monk forever.

The board is a pretty sexy looking unit with a simple color scheme and flashes of carbon. The yellow bite fins perform well, look good and make finding the board a breeze. I've always had issues with the Shinn Sneakers and unfortunately the V5 sneakers are no different. They are way too big for my feet and very uncomfortable. To make things fair i chucked my Naish Apex's on so i was comparing apples with apples (apex's look dang nice on this board). The board is light, i mean really light, much lighter than the monk which is already a light board. It also has a huge amount of rocker and a lot of flex.

On the water the Bronq is incredibly smooth. The rocker and flex just eat up the chop and smooth it right out. Anyone that has ridden a monk will know that they are a smooth board, the Bronq is on a whole other level of smoothness. At first i thought it might be too smooth as i almost felt a little detached from the water, after a while i got used to it though (the apex's really helped with this too). While it feels light and floaty it in no way lacks bite, the fins did a great job of keeping the edge locked in. Even when i was riding over powered the board never felt like it was going to lose its edge. Plenty of bite for carving too. You really need to have a decent session or two on this thing to come grip with the slightly unusual feel.

Coming down from jumps the Bronq excels, that ridiculous amount of rocker just soaks up the impact. Even on botched airs with hard landings the board was very forgiving. In the air its super light making it easy to move around. Flicking around for grabs was a breeze and board offs would be awesome. With a little more time i have no doubt i would have been able to do substantially larger airs with this board than i can manage with the monk. Not only does it pop very well but it also allowed me to hold down substantially more power with ease. I really dug the feedback i got from the board doing moves like darkslides as well, it just seemed very easy to feel exactly where the board was and how much pressure was on it.

The board really came in to its own when powered up, i was able to comfortably hold down the power when i would have been struggling on my monk. When powered right up the edge locks in, the flex soaks up the chop and its an incredibly smooth ride. In lighter wind i found it a little harder to get up wind on the Bronq than the monk, i'd say that's at area where the monk still wins. If you live in an area where the wind is strong and you're generally powered up you'll love this board. If you fly in a lot of marginal conditions it may not be the best option.

Overall it's a quality board. If you've tried carbon boards before and were put off by a rough ride you really need to try this board, it is so good to your knees. I If i hadn't been traveling the country for the last year (and had a job!) I'd be forking out for one in a heartbeat, $1250 feels like a reasonable price for a board of this quality. If you're in to freeride or old school you will love this thing, its a dream to ride. Don't demo one if you're not willing to buy one cause you'll probably have a really hard time restraining yourself.....i know i did.

HI Crew,

I'll be making an order for only a couple of these early September, as it is a quite premium. I have heard only good things about this board from the man himself and now im really keen to put one to a test.
If you want one and not want to miss out, please call KSS to pre order yours.

First one will receive a contour action full HD camera, to record you first expression on your new Bronq.
Next 3 orders will receive a 2016 Dakine harness.
Next 6 orders will receive a pair of polarised water sunnies.
The catch is: All orders must be paid in full the same day.
Cheers crew, good luck and take it breezy!

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Hybrid_Z said..
I managed to score a few hours with the Bronq 136/42 over the last couple of days at Cape Flattery thanks to the folks at kitepower.

Glad to hear you got a run on it! Haven't had a chance here yet.

I must admit, was very worried when first unwrapping one of these and looking at the rocker line! 50mm+ on a freeride board is pretty extreme. Good to hear it doesn't slow the board down too much.

Will this board work with boots?

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RussKraut said..
Will this board work with boots?

It will definitely "work" but it isn't designed for them. Size options are also no good as a boot board.

Thanks. Size would be ok for me. I was more wondering whether the inserts will be fine and whether using it with boots might waive the warranty?

Reviews suggest it's way too flexy for boots.

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RussKraut said..
Thanks. Size would be ok for me. I was more wondering whether the inserts will be fine and whether using it with boots might waive the warranty?

I've heard a bloke can do himself an injury being silly with boots on hehehe :-) I'm nowhere near gansta enough to use them anyway.

Can't wait to try this board so please hurry up and buy one Mr RussKraut, also I'll buy it at the end of summer when you upgrade to something else

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djdojo said..
Reviews suggest it's way too flexy for boots.

You may have a point there. Plus the carbon. Cheers

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Emanjay said..

RussKraut said..
Thanks. Size would be ok for me. I was more wondering whether the inserts will be fine and whether using it with boots might waive the warranty?

I've heard a bloke can do himself an injury being silly with boots on hehehe :-) I'm nowhere near gansta enough to use them anyway.

Can't wait to try this board so please hurry up and buy one Mr RussKraut, also I'll buy it at the end of summer when you upgrade to something else

Too funny Em. Thought the other way around actually. 2015/2016 is the year of consolidation rather then economic stimilus

adhd is more towards a boot board, shinn don't make a specific board for boots, I spoke with mark regards this subject, he said that hed never had a single issue with warranty on pulled inserts through boot use on any tt, due to the way they inserts are cast, shinn are renowned for using a snowboard technique in their manufacture, alex bourney is a boot rider and sponsored shinn rider rides on standard settings and boots, does a wicked job on both in freestyle and freeride