WA
1806 posts
I know that recently there has been some outrageous and revolutionary claims made by most users, sellers and would be buyers of the " bow " looking kites and that the push on the forum at least and in perth by the looks of it is going more towards bows. But I'd like to ask after reading several bits of i believe misleading information of how in nought wind on a 12 or so, when other people were out on 18 meter c kites , "monsters" and failing to go upwind, bowers were cruising past them... and how then when it's 28 kts, theres' dudes bowing on a 16 claiming there fine and c shapers on 12s that are getting t-bagged, or so say the bowers.
so the story appears very 1 sided. I was wondering if theres' any c riders riding any of the 05/06 kites that can vouch that their kite was upwind and they held it in stronger wind than the cabs, and lower if any1 has?
SA
2898 posts
I was at lancilin on Monday (did I spell it right)
when I turned up there was a kiwi on a 16m Nemesis, his wife on a 12m Nemesis another Kiwi(ex pom) girl on a 12m crossbow and a guy on a 12m X3.
I set up a Nova 12m.
the wind dropped slightly and all save the 16m came in not holding ground at the same time. The Xbow rider was the lightest and all were very competent kiters.
The Kiwi girl swapped her 12m Nem for her 16m BFK and went out and was well powered.
when she came back I pinched a ride but only got marginally better upwind ability than the Nova.
I know in similer wind strength my old airblast10 and the F-one Impact13 I used recently would hold ground.
that being said the Widespan kites seem to be way more effective in the top part of their wind range.
The kiwi guy on the 16m had tried a Xbow the week before and commented that there was a way to go yet.
06 C kites have improved maybe only slightly but have improved in all areas of flying. and the widespans definitely do some things better but also other things worse.
Anyone looking to buy a new 06 Kite would have rocks in their head to rush out and buy based on the hype around. The smart thing to do is try as many as possible.
the list of definates to try as well as the Xbows are:-
SS turbo diesel, Takoon Nova, SS Octane, F-one Impact, F-one Tribal(if 100% depower appeals to you), wipika Indy, north Vegas and any others you can lay your hands on.
Best winds
Tony L
ABK
WA
463 posts
In my experience the bows and c shape all have about the same wind range. When Im on my 12 C shape, stuggling to stay upwind so are the guys on 12 bows. When Im out on my 8, the bow riders are down to their 9s.
Im sure they might be able to hold more wind, if they want to. I remember being out in 20kts on a 15 in the old days when it was good to hang on to as much kite as poss to go as big as poss.
I cant say I have seen any bow riders ripping on a bigger kite than what Cs are out that day. They might be going back and forth, but that isnt much fun in my book.
Im absolutly sure they have their advantages, with the instant depower ect, but I dont think any good riders would only have one in their quiver for all conditions like I have heard on the forums.
I could be wrong, but thats my two cents.
QLD
337 posts
nice one rail in. Them seems to be good words and the nova i checked out looked pretty sweet and seemed to fly well
If you are aging a bit or you do not have alot of time to give the sport get a bow kite. Depower really makes a difference. And you can kite in almost all conditions. I am so dependant on its depower abilites i am nervous to ride my 14m (bow getting fixed)
SA
2898 posts
There are 2 schools of thought on widespans in regards to bars.
It seems that you get the more traditional feel bar as with the Nova or trade effort for a bit more performance as with the Cabrinaha style bar.
This is a big thing for some and both styles should be tried before making a decision.
From my own experience with the Nova and Impact, turning speed and speed across the window are vastly different and what some will hate others will love.
The worst possible thing is to find out after you have bought the wrong kite for you.
Best winds
Tony L
ABK
WA
2119 posts
Ridden a few kites, Norths, Naishes slingshot's, but mainly cabrinha's.. First of all every brand is different to the way they power/depower....
I have a cabrinha 12m Co2 O5 and a 12m crossbow which I traded from a 14m Co2 O5..Comparing design C and Xbow not brands the main thing different is mainly the depower. Ive been kiting for 1 1/2 seasons and learnt at lucky bay(gusty). When keeping upwind I would use my legs to turn the board through the gusts burying the rail harder and softer, but with the crossbow all excess energy is absorbed through the bar. As far as being a 14m through to a 10m C kite I'd agree...
Still havent knocked the red ball off the centre lines to totally depower the kite..heard after a while it gets loose and you cant spin your bar without it popping.. Any answers???
Did a big toeside turn and it dropped out of the sky, inverted, sailed/flew upside down and proceeded to fly higher.. I pulled on the outside cord quick smart and it then spun into the power zone.. Mega twisted lines but managed to save it..hate to have done that 1st season in.. Anyone else had a Bowkite invert?? Mabe in years to come these 1st gen will be known as the inverters like the old luffers of the past?
Launching
WA
9106 posts
Bows are great but obviously not suited to everyone and every style of rider.
I reckno the low end on the bows is the same as traditional c's maybe slightly better but certianly not like giving you the power and speed to do complicated tricks and stuff. When the wind picks up the bows come ino their own and thats when the depower is really helpful.
I find that there are nuances with the bow, and they are not the kite to replace all kites as yet. they still need R+d to refine the inverting, and improve the safety a bit, as 100% depower is not that ie, its probably only 80-90%. Also the bar needs to be simplified, i think SS have gone a long way in doing this and am keen to see what the best bar looks like for their new waooooollllaaa
However for my level and style of riding i am totally stoked and happy with the bow, i have new added confidence to try stuff without the fear of a mega spanking (cant afford time off work) and will not go back to c's.
TAS
423 posts
Different kites for different people. The Auswind Demo trailer is in Sydney at present so come and check out the Halo (Bow), Lift (C), Flow (C), Reactor (C) and Pilot (C) along with a heap of different boards.
We will be at Doll's point today wind or not so drop down if you are in Sydney and check out the gear.
Saturday Wanda / Kurnell
Sunday Longreef (depending on weather)
Next week heading South then to Adelaide for the weekend back to Melbourne for the following weekend then back to Perth.
So fly the kites and make up your own mind.
See you down at the beach,
Ian Grose
0438 085 469
WA
1806 posts
what wind range do you get with a slingshot octane?, I heard thats' reall good aswell.
WA
1450 posts
I've had 20+ (probably nearer 30) sessions on the sonic so far. No inverts, No tangles and been able to relaunch everytime. Only problems has been a few minor bar issues that have/are being fixed.
SA
2898 posts
I've put the Nova 12m through the wringer and it always has come out flying rightway round and lines untwisted. It maybe a bar related thing in as much as the 2:1 pulley deal oversteers the kite.
this may contribute to the inverting. The pulley bar I used on the Nova increased the turning rate drematically but decreased the ease of relaunch and feedback. the Std bar is the go on the Nova.
there are claims the Octane has better range than the Crossbow, but would like to hear some first hand reports.
The Tribal also claims 100% depower and when I get my hands on the demo 15m I will know for sure.
best winds
Tony L
ABK
3 posts
Advice please for a newcomer to kitesurfing!
Have narrowed choice of kites to airush pilot 8m or a 7m cabrinha cross bow...
I don't get a huge amount of free time and wonder if i will progress quicker on a bow. Have been told they are much safer and more stable.
Others have told me to avoid bows as technology still new etc
V confused!!!
NSW
177 posts
I learnt to ride on a c kite...and still ride them - i'm not convinced that in strong wind the bows are any better than a 05-06 "c"...but in the light stuff the bows are light years ahead in my book...frustrates the ** outta me when i'm stuck on the beach with my 16m V4 inflate-o-turd....
triple s...the other day a bloke rocked up for his first -ever session (had flown stunt kites only..) with a 12m crossbow. He went from getting dragged to kingdom come to riding upwind in about three hours of flying. Now maybe he's got a freakish natural talent, but if that was anything to go by, you'd be mad getting anything else.
56 posts
Bows are good, but I just traded them in against cs can't wait
