Gong, Sling Shot and OR all offer three different handle type solutions. I think F-One will either go hard handle next year or offer the hard handle option. Duotone took a chance right from the beginning of winging and started with the boom and then offered a wing with hard handles while almost all other companies only offered the soft handle option -- since then almost everyone else has come on board with boom and/or hard handle options.

The after market offers a hard handle solution for F-One wings :

Why is this thread only about hard handles rather than the wing performance itself which Fone is continuously improving.

Personally I am so grateful Fone isn't following the hard handles koolaid. Having tried solid handles models, they damage the board and tires hands.

The handles on the v2 are quite good, and they say the v3 handles will be even stiffer. It will he very welcome on the CWC. Might be the best compromise ever?

Back to the wing, has anyone been lucky to try a v3? I can't wait to get my hands on one

I got one from the shop tonight.
you will be surprised by how more rigid the handles are compared the V2. also canopy tension is different. it's a complete new wing. I love it
can't wait to tyry in the water

I also can't wait to get my hands on V3. The improvements address all my observations, having used V1 and V2 Strikes for nearly two years.

It sounds like the naysayers didn't bother watching the excellent video interview with the founder of F-One, posted above. He addresses all the questions about the hard handles, how they approached it, and why. E.g. he said it would take a year of development and add at least Euros 100 to the cost of a wing to add the hard handles. The V3 has hard plastic within the handle (this is new), and even with that new approach, their challenge was to find a sowing machine that could sow the softer webbing onto the PVC hard handle. He thinks this offers the best of both worlds.

Re. those who want options: you already have multiple options. Nobody is forcing you to buy a Strike.

super comprehensive review here - and for those fixated on handles go to 9'30 - 10'

Glad you liked it northy :)

ITW wingfoil : the secrets behind the new FONE STRIKE V3 with Rapha?l Salles

Pretty detailed. Love the look of the stiffened handles

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burchas said..

WST said..
if you are looking for a lighter wing where you can choose between a light and thin boom and soft handles, have a look at the Kauper XT :
www.kauper-xt.com/tyron-wing

the wing was developed with a lot of feedback from what people wanted. And as you can see on the other manufacturers, and what the pros want:
The soft handles seem to be old. the question is if the future is hard handles or a boom.

I would prefer a boom. And I hope that F-One will at least have hard handles so that I can decide between Kauper and F-One, otherwise, I will go for the Kauper.

Did you have a chance to fly the Tyron wing? Can you offer direct comparison to an F-one Strike? This wing sounds very interesting.

sorry for the late reply, I don't receive notifications :(

no, I still try to test it.
People who have are very happy, but I want to test myself to see if they are right :)

Everyone has a different style and products are very different.

Kauper claims a cheap and high-quality price because it sells directly without any marketing etc.
Also, the bag, is really just a back, and not a nice backpack, as I would need it to my spot by bike.

Those v3 handles are a lot stiffer than expected... The guy is hitting them and they don't fold.

Definitely a fan of soft handles. My OR carbon handles are pumpy, uncomfortable, and wrench the wrist instead of buffering the wing inputs. I'm a fan of Fone sticking to their guns here.

I think stiff actually decrease performance for an intermediate rider because there are a whole bunch of inputs that now make me sore and tired - fatigue does waaaay worse for performance than the more direct input imo.
if I go out on the stiff handles and I'm overpowered I get tired from gripping the thicker (generally) hard handles on an overpowered wing. If I go out underpowered and slog - that also is fatiguing if you're not managing to stand on foil and fighting the resistance of the board on water.

Caveat - and perhaps a reason for the preference is I have small hands.

also they pack up easier and don't thwomp your gear. I can't imagine enjoying traveling with a boom.

Fan of Strike and soft handles, The V3 will be one the best (or the best) of the 2023 wings ! My 3m is on the way and will be my smallest , for 25-35 knots. With the Strike 2 4m and 5m, the quiver is complete for all winds 8 to 35 k.
The one-day option of switching to hard handles : good for the handle dependent riders, but no thanks to me .
Keep it simple and light!
First runs of the season last weekend: water 3 degrees and for in the sun !

Tested today Strike V3 5mt with wind from 6 to 14 knots, I don't feel like giving a definitive judgment after only 2 hours of use.
Here are my first impressions:
- The v3 compared to the V2 seems to have a 'harder' feeling, I think it is connected to the increase in performance which therefore makes it seem more physical, but it is precisely on this aspect that I want to see what happens in the next sessions
- different power delivery, I am convinced that it is more powerful than the v2, it simply needs to be opened a little more at the beginning of the pumping, I think it is a little more technical than the V2 in this precise aspect but also in this case I would like to understand more coming soon also because the feeling improved towards the end of the session so it's probably just a matter of habit.
The things that I feel like saying without any doubt are so obvious:
- upwind a huge extra
- the profile is super stable in luffing not to mention the tacks, you really don't feel it, zero friction, the difference with the V2 is remarkable
- unchanged ultralight feeling
- the lift is SCARY, the beauty is that it shoots you up but then makes you descend gently, like a kite
- the handles are a nice upgrade, they allow you to push the wing when you need to without tiring your wrists or arms.
What can I say.. I can't wait to put it back in the water!

Nice quick overview of the strike v3

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wingedsurfer said..
Tested today Strike V3 5mt with wind from 6 to 14 knots, I don't feel like giving a definitive judgment after only 2 hours of use.
Here are my first impressions:
- The v3 compared to the V2 seems to have a 'harder' feeling, I think it is connected to the increase in performance which therefore makes it seem more physical, but it is precisely on this aspect that I want to see what happens in the next sessions
- different power delivery, I am convinced that it is more powerful than the v2, it simply needs to be opened a little more at the beginning of the pumping, I think it is a little more technical than the V2 in this precise aspect but also in this case I would like to understand more coming soon also because the feeling improved towards the end of the session so it's probably just a matter of habit.
The things that I feel like saying without any doubt are so obvious:
- upwind a huge extra
- the profile is super stable in luffing not to mention the tacks, you really don't feel it, zero friction, the difference with the V2 is remarkable
- unchanged ultralight feeling
- the lift is SCARY, the beauty is that it shoots you up but then makes you descend gently, like a kite
- the handles are a nice upgrade, they allow you to push the wing when you need to without tiring your wrists or arms.
What can I say.. I can't wait to put it back in the water!

I liked the way the V2 handled being overpowered, it let you know too much wind without becoming unruly. Getting worried the 'harder' feel means less forgiving at top-end?

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patronus said..

wingedsurfer said..
Tested today Strike V3 5mt with wind from 6 to 14 knots, I don't feel like giving a definitive judgment after only 2 hours of use.
Here are my first impressions:
- The v3 compared to the V2 seems to have a 'harder' feeling, I think it is connected to the increase in performance which therefore makes it seem more physical, but it is precisely on this aspect that I want to see what happens in the next sessions
- different power delivery, I am convinced that it is more powerful than the v2, it simply needs to be opened a little more at the beginning of the pumping, I think it is a little more technical than the V2 in this precise aspect but also in this case I would like to understand more coming soon also because the feeling improved towards the end of the session so it's probably just a matter of habit.
The things that I feel like saying without any doubt are so obvious:
- upwind a huge extra
- the profile is super stable in luffing not to mention the tacks, you really don't feel it, zero friction, the difference with the V2 is remarkable
- unchanged ultralight feeling
- the lift is SCARY, the beauty is that it shoots you up but then makes you descend gently, like a kite
- the handles are a nice upgrade, they allow you to push the wing when you need to without tiring your wrists or arms.
What can I say.. I can't wait to put it back in the water!

I liked the way the V2 handled being overpowered, it let you know too much wind without becoming unruly. Getting worried the 'harder' feel means less forgiving at top-end?

I have the same concern about the new handles. I really like how comfortable the v2 is at the top end. Makes riding a powerful wing with a sinker much less taxing then a really grunty direct/stiff wing. The soft handles seem to help absorb the gusty wind

Guys i had the same concerns as you and i was very sure that all that performance had to lead at less range. But surprisigly that is not true. I tried today the 5mt in 18/20 knots and i was quite confortable on it, there is no way i could do that with my 55 kg with the Strike V2 5mt. I was really surprised. The rigidity is there but don't get stiffier. Then i went out and pumped up the Strike V2 4mt .. oh maaan what a difference! Those rigid handles makes a big difference especially in gybing and tacking, the V3 was more stable and accelerate way more going more upwind. That's my opinion
i'm curious to know your thoughts when you get the chance to test it

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wingedsurfer said..
Guys i had the same concerns as you and i was very sure that all that performance had to lead at less range. But surprisigly that is not true. I tried today the 5mt in 18/20 knots and i was quite confortable on it, there is no way i could do that with my 55 kg with the Strike V2 5mt. I was really surprised. The rigidity is there but don't get stiffier. Then i went out and pumped up the Strike V2 4mt .. oh maaan what a difference! Those rigid handles makes a big difference especially in gybing and tacking, the V3 was more stable and accelerate way more going more upwind. That's my opinion
i'm curious to know your thoughts when you get the chance to test it

Thanks for the report. Looking forward to adding my impressions once my 5.5 arrives.

Is there any news on the CWC 2023? A release date, or changes...

All the good advantages they took on the V3. No release date yet

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wingedsurfer said..
Guys i had the same concerns as you and i was very sure that all that performance had to lead at less range. But surprisigly that is not true. I tried today the 5mt in 18/20 knots and i was quite confortable on it, there is no way i could do that with my 55 kg with the Strike V2 5mt. I was really surprised. The rigidity is there but don't get stiffier. Then i went out and pumped up the Strike V2 4mt .. oh maaan what a difference! Those rigid handles makes a big difference especially in gybing and tacking, the V3 was more stable and accelerate way more going more upwind. That's my opinion
i'm curious to know your thoughts when you get the chance to test it

This aligns with the comments from Rapahel Salles in the video interview. He mentioned that they took the 5 m2 wing to 32-32 knots and that it was OK. So it sounds like V3 has a vastly improved range.

You have a great opportunity to test the V2 and the V3 back to back. Sometimes, this is not done often enough when testing new gear.

By the way, are you from Impact Shop? Ie the comparison video shared above?

hi Arthur, i'm just a client of Impact Shop ????

any more hands-on with the Strike v3? i ama strike v2 owner and have to say im a little concerned about suggestions of a weaker lower end (and "new" pumping technique - is this BS?) as im 90kg and where i wing it is often light on the inside, so for me that that gybe off a wave and sailing out switch needs a bit of grunt. (I might get a NP Fly)

The new pumping tecnique is not Bs. It's true. Yo have to adapt on the new tecnique if you want the performance on the entire range.
i have both, and i can fly after a couple of sessions in the same low end, actually even lower but that was what i felt since i did not have instruments to measure the wind on the water that day. if you are not willing to spend some time figuring this out that don't buy it. In my opinion the v3 is much better than the V2.

This is not really a new technique of pumping, I think with smaller HA foil, I think we need to keep the speed more level and it's better to pump the wing as that with a V2 as well. The big...round, powerfull stroke was better with bigger foil to jump the board on foil with one big scoop. We now ride..well a lot are riding sub 1000cm2 foil in 12 knts.

After 2 session with a V3 3m, I found that my V2 2,8m is more powerful in the low-end. At 18 knots I'm flying with the 2,8 and I need 2-4 knots more with the stiff V3 3m. But the quiet riding and the high end is so great ! Next time I will put less pressure in the front bladder in lower winds.

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wingedsurfer said..
The new pumping tecnique is not Bs. It's true. Yo have to adapt on the new tecnique if you want the performance on the entire range.
i have both, and i can fly after a couple of sessions in the same low end, actually even lower but that was what i felt since i did not have instruments to measure the wind on the water that day. if you are not willing to spend some time figuring this out that don't buy it. In my opinion the v3 is much better than the V2.

Agreed 100%. Strike V3 is better on every level and can start in lower wind, with a different technique. The profile is shallower so if you do big pumps you will stall the wing. You have to reduce the amplitude of each pump.
Same with thinner HA foils, big pumps don't work. You have to work them flatter angle of attack and smaller pumps. Different technique, much more performance.

Anyone have any more advice on how to adjust the pump with the v3? Had my first session on a 5.5 v3 today. The v3 replaced a broken v2. It was a very humbling experience. I almost felt like a total beginner again. When trying to get on foil it felt like all the wing wanted to do was stop. No matter what angle I tried to orient it. When applying any force on a pump it was even worse. Lower wing tip getting sucked into the water or board just stopping. When on foil it felt good though. Wing definitely is stiffer and felt faster than v2.

Anyone have any more advice on how to adjust the pump with the v3? Had my first session on a 5.5 v3 today. The v3 replaced a broken v2. It was a very humbling experience. I almost felt like a total beginner again. When trying to get on foil it felt like all the wing wanted to do was stop. No matter what angle I tried to orient it. When applying any force on a pump it was even worse. Lower wing tip getting sucked into the water or board just stopping. When on foil it felt good though. Wing definitely is stiffer and felt faster than v2.

Lighter winds reduce pressure on leading edge and strut 1 psi. This will give a bit more flex so it can grab wind. Pumping is small fast circles unlike v2 that was much bigger

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Foilnut said..
Lighter winds reduce pressure on leading edge and strut 1 psi. This will give a bit more flex so it can grab wind. Pumping is small fast circles unlike v2 that was much bigger

Armie says same thing about Armstrong new wing which looks like F-One with hard handles, especially reduced strut pressure giving more camber