Hey guys,
I'm looking at replacing my slingshot rev2 13m. At 70kg, my current windrange on a 130cm board is 13-20knots, where 20knots is controllable but uncomfortable. I'm looking for a more relaxed, boosty freeride lightwind kite.
Two key elements of this kite which i don't like (compared to the rev2 9m) are the relatively high bar pressure 
and the way the kite sits deeper in the wind window trying to drag me downwind 
. The only thing i prefer about the 13m to the 9m is the floaty jumps 
So the question is: what 2011 kites have light bar pressure, go upwind well without having to edge like crazy (a kite that sits forward in the wind window), and have good boost and float?
I've got my eye on the 2011 Ozone Edge 13m at the moment, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
1st option
liquidforcekites.com
Your 2nd best option will be a bigger board 140x40 ish but liteweight flexi & bugger all rocker
definately a rebel or fuse lots of power, fast turning, really floaty very good upwind . i dont think yourll be disappointed. i have 2011 fuses 12m 9m 7m , they just work . i used a 12m rebel in cape verde over christmas in 10 to 20 knots and loved it . only thing i didnt like was the fifth line set up , had it a couple of times when i stalled the kite and it rolled over on its back and bow tied , could find a way of resolving this apart from putting the kite in safety and swimming back .
all the best daz
Go for a 10.5 Griffin Chimera ,im 95 kg and can ride this kite in anything from 14-35,it rocks,and flies further forward in the window than most so upwinds a breeze,four strut flat centre section gives awesome boost and float ,get a demo on one you wont be dissapointed.
12m bandit 4 is sick. It replaced my 13 octane and im stoked. Everyone thats tried it was impressed.
Fuse on light bar pressure settings, Edge is awsome, but have only tried the 11 and 9 but pretty sure 13 would rock.
Ozone zephyr or Core XR 17m would be the true light wind options and at your weight would probably give you 8-20 on the zephyr or 7-18 on the XR.
thanks for the suggestions everyone.
i'll look into all of these kites and then hopefully start to demo some of them.
as great as it would be to have an ultra-lightwind kite such as a 17m zephyr or core, i'm worried that it wouldn't give me enough wind range overlap with my rev2 9m. At 18 knots and over, i go for the 9m, 17 knots and less i pump up the 13m.
@radman4, would a 13m chimera better suit my needs? would a 10.5m be any fun in 13knots on a small-ish TT? unfortunately though i might have to cross this option off my list because i don't think there are any griffin dealers in melbourne.
i really couldnt comment on the old rebels but the 2011 really works never felt over powered, when wave riding it turned massively well with hardly any pressure on the lines . it did stall twice but that was my fault. i had bolts but i changed them they just didnt have any power. my 10m bandit dos had more power than the 12 m bolt, i agree it was very fast . ive sold them to a mate who is only 68kgs and he love them .
the choice is vast but also expensive if you get it wrong lol
have fun trying them all
all the best daz
This might be an overgeneralisation: I think kites that sit back in the window have a constant truck like pull. On the other hand, kites that sit forwards in the window can change their pull depending on how you fly them. This can make them seem gutless if you're not used to flying them.
Better try lots of kites to see which style suits you best.
. it was totally effortless and enjoyable. i hadn't really noticed this much before as we usually have really choppy conditions forcing me to often sine the kite to keep up speed over the chop (except in stronger winds).
. it was totally effortless and enjoyable. i hadn't really noticed this much before as we usually have really choppy conditions forcing me to often sine the kite to keep up speed over the chop (except in stronger winds).
Delta kites sit most forward in the wind window.
Core Riot XR 17m LW is a delta- it pulls forward like a truck you be edging for your life in over 15knts
The 14 rebel is awsome for up wind & light wind have ridden it in tidal flow with nearly no wind ,its quite different to the other rebal sizes feels heavy in the air while your relanching, but once you start riding it has pleanty of power and trucks upwind even in 10knts but has no bar pressure and behaves itsself even if your unhooking or chasing waves will say it dosnt turn as fast as the smaller rebals but can go kiting when the 12 wont even fly
Hope this helps
George
and the way the kite sits deeper in the wind window trying to drag me downwind . The only thing i prefer about the 13m to the 9m is the floaty jumps
