What size XBow/Switchblade/GKSonic

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AJ175

ACT

17 posts

AJ175

ACT, 17 posts

30 Nov 2005 11:41am

Hi All,

I just need a little advice from those of you who have experience with bow style kites and sizes.

All the manufacturer websites say they have wider wind range etc... but always leave the disclaimer that it will vary according to weight/board length/skill etc.

I am a skinny fella (65kg) beginner and kite in winds up to 20/25 knots. I am thinking the 9m XBow should be good, and maybe the 12m a little too big. I can get away on smaller C shape kites due to my lack of beef. Are bows the same?

Is there a minimum wind that the 9m needs? Will the 12m be better for lower wind conditions?

Your advice and wisdom will be greatly appreciated by me and my bank account.

Cheers,

AJ

Paul_F

ACT

27 posts

Paul_F

ACT, 27 posts

30 Nov 2005 12:13pm

AJ, it probably depends on how low a wind you want to get out in, and also what the average you normally kite in.

I am about 78kg, and I have a 12m Crossbow as my only kite at the moment. I can get going in around 10kts, and I have held on in a 25knt day. Personally, I think a 12 or similar is better as a one kite solution, with a 9 you would obviously have to wait for a bit more wind. There is not trouble hanging onto a 12 in 20 to 25, even at your weight.

Having said that - I'm saving up for a 9 as well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Paul.

AJ175

ACT

17 posts

AJ175

ACT, 17 posts

30 Nov 2005 2:11pm

Thanks Paul....

I have seen you out on the XBow at Broulee... I was there a month or 2 ago with my brother getting started on the trainer. I have had about 3 hours lessons since then and am looking at a new kite.

Do you have any suggestions of what to look out for when buying a 2nd hand XBow? Apart from the obvious damage etc...

So, I guess you would know exactly what the wind is like at my nearest spot - Broulee. What do you consider the average wind speed is like there? I must admit that I don't really see myself out in anything much stronger than 25 knots.

Anyone else tried the 9m? Or do you all think that the 12m is the go?

HungLong

859 posts

HungLong

WA, 859 posts

30 Nov 2005 11:33am

good luck finding a second hand one !, you may have to wait for a while to score one. I'd sugest biting the bullit and purchase a new one, there's heaps to choose from and the whole price range is covered...

To give you an idea:

BEST waroo (complete)
07m $1175
09m $1320
12m $1560
16m $1780

CABRINHA x-bow (complete)
07m $1760
09m $1890
12m $1990
16m $2230

CABRINHA switchblade (complete)
05m $1460
07m $1570
09m $1680
12m $1840
16m $2060

SLINGSHOT turbo diesel (complete)
08m $1669
10m $1865
12m $1932
14m $1998
16m $2078

GK sonic (complete)
08m $1290
11m $1490
14m $1690

AIRUSH halo (complete)
07m $1599
10m $1799
14m $2099

LIQUID FORCE assult (complete)
09m $1465
12m $1545
16m $1675

gruezi

3464 posts

gruezi

WA, 3464 posts

30 Nov 2005 11:39am

A 9m is the go I feel. I have 7,9 & 12 Cab. Bows. The 9m is great as it is faster turning than the 12 and gets me going in 18 knots (with 142 FLX), I weigh in at 90 kg.

snowman

VIC

275 posts

snowman

VIC, 275 posts

30 Nov 2005 2:58pm

Hi

I have the 9 and the 12 Crossbow and weigh 56kg, I have had the 12 upto about 20knots but that was about the limit for me and the 9 upto gusting 28 which was also the time that I cam in. So far I have found the kites to be nicer with a little more wind that then lighter days but the low end is pretty good on both the kites the 12 gets me going a little less than 10 knots maybe but its a lot of work until about 12-14 knots. The 9 gets me going from 14ish.
If it is under 18 I will go out on the 12 after that on the 9 but without the choice I would go for the 9 but an extra 10 kilos might shift you up to the 12 for a 1 kite choice.

Are you sharing with your brother? If so how much does he weigh?

FreeFerty

NSW

169 posts

FreeFerty

NSW, 169 posts

1 Dec 2005 9:59am

I recently purchased a 12m Switchblade. I thought pretty carefully about the decision. Basically I thought to myself, which kite would I fly the most if I had all of them? For me it would be the 12, so I got it. I'm hoping it will take me to the mid twenties or so. If I want to get out in light winds big secondhand C kites are cheap and I'll go down that road. Once it gets to high tewnties I find the chop is to big for my current skill level anyway so I'd be wasting a 9.

mikeEP

NSW

54 posts

mikeEP

NSW, 54 posts

1 Dec 2005 12:39pm

Hi All,

AJ's brother here, Mike.

We're both in the market at the moment for Bow's as our kiteing addictions have increased significantly!!

So I'm the porkier brother, weighing in at around 78kg. I'm thinking of a 12 at this stage based on research.

A couple of q's -

What does everyone think about the GK Sonic? I have a mate at Dolls Pt that swears by them...

Are there any major differences between the manufacturers?

Who stocks GK in Sydney?

Do you reckon we'd be able to bargain $$ for buying 2 kites?

Cheers
Mike_EP

bring on the wind.!

Kitepower Australia

NSW

4382 posts

Kitepower Australia

NSW, 4382 posts

1 Dec 2005 6:16pm

quote:
Originally posted by mikeEP

Hi All,

AJ's brother here, Mike.

We're both in the market at the moment for Bow's as our kiteing addictions have increased significantly!!

So I'm the porkier brother, weighing in at around 78kg. I'm thinking of a 12 at this stage based on research.

A couple of q's -

What does everyone think about the GK Sonic? I have a mate at Dolls Pt that swears by them...

Are there any major differences between the manufacturers?

Who stocks GK in Sydney?

Do you reckon we'd be able to bargain $$ for buying 2 kites?

Cheers
Mike_EP
bring on the wind.!

Kitepower sells Globerider Sonics, we have an 11M demo.
We also have demo kites for Cabrinha Crossbow in 9,12 and 16M sizes, as well as 7M, 9M, 12M and 16M Switchblades, 12M Slingshot Turbo Diesel, and 10M and 14M Airush Halos.
Why don't you come up and, try a couple and make up your own mind. Even if you are not experienced we will come and help you.
There are major differences in build quality, bars, feel of the kite at the bar, thinsg like one pump etc.
You will always get a good deal at Kitepower, and especially the more you buy at once.
Give us a call or drop in.
Ph 9529 6894

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

sleek1

VIC

672 posts

sleek1

VIC, 672 posts

4 Dec 2005 1:44am

Dont get any they are all a gimic. My mate has one and all he whinges about is his elbows hurting. THEY ALL SUCK DOGS BALLS

mikeEP

NSW

54 posts

mikeEP

NSW, 54 posts

4 Dec 2005 9:18am

Thanks to all, we're sorted. Cabrinha Switchblades in the end - fricken brrrriiiiillliant.

Mike

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