I'm thinking of a future purchase and have not owned kites any bigger than 12m kites in a few years. I'm average size 82kg and looking for feedback on kites worth a demo. This year I am on my surfboard 100% of the time.

Been riding the BWS Noise since last summer and like the kites a lot. I bought the kites after a demo, thinking I wanted a kite that was good in the surf but still fun on the TT ... my now dusty TT.

Couple weeks ago I bought a 10m Reo. Things I really like about the Reo are the direct feel and responsiveness, smooth power delivery and short depower throw. This kite is very c-like. It is not as powerful as the Noise but you can work it easier and add more back-line tension if you want more power with no worries of stalling it.

The 10m Noise has all the low end I need but is slow and less direct. I've really been amazed at the low end, the way you can milk it and the light wind relaunch but I want something that I can throw around more.

I'm thinking the 12m Reo will be too close and not powerful enough. Want something in the 12m-14m size that is fast turning with direct feel. Does it exist? What are you guys riding? What should I look at? Again, surfboard only, direct feel, fast and responsive with decent low end.

Thanks
Tony

Nick,

Thanks for the response. I think you are spot-on about the winds for me on the 10m and I agree that there will be minimal difference with the 12m.

Also starting to believe that lighter winds and bigger kites are meant for a different experience, different type of riding. That said, I still want to ride in lighter winds. A 13m-15m kite is probably a good choice up from the 10m. 15m Edge seems like a 180deg turn from the Reo ... I'd lean towards something more all-around but I haven't ridden the Edge.

Tony

kiter63 said...

Nick,

Thanks for the response. I think you are spot-on about the winds for me on the 10m and I agree that there will be minimal difference with the 12m.

Also starting to believe that lighter winds and bigger kites are meant for a different experience, different type of riding. That said, I still want to ride in lighter winds. A 13m-15m kite is probably a good choice up from the 10m. 15m Edge seems like a 180deg turn from the Reo ... I'd lean towards something more all-around but I haven't ridden the Edge.

Tony

Would strongly recommend you try either the 13 or 15M C4's, they do not feel slow for their size, drift well, can be cranked to turn tight similar to the Reo, relaunch easily, and have only slightly longer depower throw to the Reo.

Eppo,
I read some of those Lithium posts too. The 12m gets lots of praise and some say the 14m does not buy a lot more because you can work the 12m so much easier. I'll try to get a ride on these but I'm not crazy about the bridle length and number of pulleys.

Kitepower,
C4's are definitely on my list to try. I was kind of under the impression that the 13m was similar power to the 12m Reo. If that's the case then it would mean going to the 15m which seems really big but maybe that's the answer. I really liking the Ozones, short bridles, no pulleys, construction, easy inflate. Not a fan of the bar but who says you need to buy the bar (I didn't).

Plummet,
I do want to have a go on the 13m Edge but I'm thinking that's probably not going to be the answer unless I want to dig out my TT. Maybe that's ok too ... have some different fun.

How about I start a couple rumors:

1) There is a 14m Reo in Ozone's 2013 line-up ... highly unlikely

2) The 2013 Catalyst borrows some Reo DNA and the 14m becomes the ultimate lightwind all-around/wave kite ... more likely? It makes sense that with the success of the Reo, some of the design might bleed over into the other kites and the Catalyst is probably the best candidate to benefit from some Reo DNA. This might even be a better kite than a 14m Reo.

How's that for wishful thinking

kiter63 said...

Eppo,
I read some of those Lithium posts too. The 12m gets lots of praise and some say the 14m does not buy a lot more because you can work the 12m so much easier. I'll try to get a ride on these but I'm not crazy about the bridle length and number of pulleys.

Kitepower,
C4's are definitely on my list to try. I was kind of under the impression that the 13m was similar power to the 12m Reo. If that's the case then it would mean going to the 15m which seems really big but maybe that's the answer. I really liking the Ozones, short bridles, no pulleys, construction, easy inflate. Not a fan of the bar but who says you need to buy the bar (I didn't).

Plummet,
I do want to have a go on the 13m Edge but I'm thinking that's probably not going to be the answer unless I want to dig out my TT. Maybe that's ok too ... have some different fun.

How about I start a couple rumors:

1) There is a 14m Reo in Ozone's 2013 line-up ... highly unlikely

2) The 2013 Catalyst borrows some Reo DNA and the 14m becomes the ultimate lightwind all-around/wave kite ... more likely? It makes sense that with the success of the Reo, some of the design might bleed over into the other kites and the Catalyst is probably the best candidate to benefit from some Reo DNA. This might even be a better kite than a 14m Reo.

How's that for wishful thinking

Hey where have you seen reviews on the 12m lithium, be interested to see them. Set on the 14m suggested by an very experienced rider of 13 years I have been talking to extensively, he's a wealth of knowledge actually. But the 12m might just do fine. Got a sector 54 so already can get a decent bottom end. Mmm

From what I have read and heard, ( but that is all, so don't take this seriously I wouldn't. ) the catalysts is a dead boring kite. Especially in the bigger sizes. Have ridden the REos and C4 both excellent kites. But only in smaller sizes. Even the guys who ride these kites I know don't rate the catalyst. But it is all hear say of course need to actually ride one.

I agree which is why I only owned a 17m core lw for a short time. Never had anything above 11m. But with my sector this opens up some racing style as well as a low end capable of getting out in the surf 10 to 14. Problem with say the 14 m as I found with the core, if you get a large range of wind on a certain day you can get overpowered very quickly, change down, the wind drops etc etc.

But also considering Bali next year, so need a 14m.

TurtleHunter said...

Well I am going for the 12m reo this september. It may only be 2m difference written on the wingtip between the 10m and 12m but I know the difference between the 8m and 10m is perfect. The way the reos relaunch, fly forward in the window and fly in light winds it may also be a decent kite with a race board.

I go back and forth on this one but I really do find there is a lot of overlap in the 10m/12m kites. Having a 12m as my big kite for the last few years I tend to ride it underpowered and hold onto it when I could easily be on my 10m, until I can jump on the 8m.

Seriously thinking of 8m/10m Reo and then jumping to the 17m Zephyr but will wait to see what changes for the 2013 model year.

kiter63 said...

TurtleHunter said...

Well I am going for the 12m reo this september. It may only be 2m difference written on the wingtip between the 10m and 12m but I know the difference between the 8m and 10m is perfect. The way the reos relaunch, fly forward in the window and fly in light winds it may also be a decent kite with a race board.

I go back and forth on this one but I really do find there is a lot of overlap in the 10m/12m kites. Having a 12m as my big kite for the last few years I tend to ride it underpowered and hold onto it when I could easily be on my 10m, until I can jump on the 8m.

Seriously thinking of 8m/10m Reo and then jumping to the 17m Zephyr but will wait to see what changes for the 2013 model year.

I,m not sure if the gap between 10 & 12 Reo would be as big as 10 & 8 as the 10 is too easy to generate power in low wind (I use my 10 Reo all the time and rarely have enough for the 8, but have not flown the 12). I am thinking a better option may be a big,ish kite or a light wind board.
I have just got myself an Edge and find it much slower turning compared to the Reo but have only flown it once so far in sh1tty conditions.