Hey all,
I am new to the sport, just finished my lessons today. Now I'm in the search for some gear. I live in Brisbane and weighing roughly 73kg I understand that I will need something in the 10 - 12m range depending on the kite. After an all round, Freeride kite.
Initially I was looking at "beginner" kites, was looking at a crazy fly mooii. While some of the reviews suggest that the mooii can suit any style and skill other reviews have it as strictly a beginner kite only. After talking to my kite instructor I feel as if I would be better off going with something that will be more usable when I progress. Ideally I was looking to spend $1000 on a kite $500 on a board and was looking at second hand however, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of second hand kites listed that I think would suit me, so now I am thinking about looking at new gear. I have read some reviews and have an idea of what I want, so I have narrowed it down to a handful of kites I think.
North Evo,
North Fuse,
Airush Lithium,
Naish ride,
Cabrinha switchblade,
Liquid force envy,
F-one Bandit6,
What would you pick out of the lot? Whats the difference between the Evo and the Fuse? Any other kites I should consider? I know of the shops around brisbane that sell north, F-one and Naish where could I pick up an airush, cabrinha or liquid force.
Sorry for the long post and tonnes of questions but im pretty overwhelmed with all the different brands and multiple freeride kites that some brands offer.
Thanks in advance.
You couldnt go wrong with a catalyst, Ive used them for teaching and for me are the best most user friendly kite out there and a perfect allrounder
How about Crazyfly sclup? Anyone flown one? how does it compare to say a north evo?
Both the Crazy fly kites are fine for a beginner. The problems are with the chicken loop quick release, they jam very easily and can be very hard to release. Not the ideal situation for a newbie Maybe puchase the kite only and get a better bar and line set that has a working safety release
as tgcp said , the catalyst is a great beginer through to advanced kite so youll progress with the kite, saving you some dollars in the long run, also as it has such a good top end you can comfortably go a bit bigger in size reducing you amount of kites, a lot of schools use the catalyst whcih imo is a great testament on ease of use, reliability and quality of construction , ive a 8mtr catalyst and have used it in 20 up to 40+ knts, at your budget you should be able to get a very good used one
Have a look at a wainman punch 10.5m. I am 73kg and this covers me for most wind conditions on gold coast. It is best from 16 - 24 knots, but usable from 14 - 26 knots. This is my second season and it is a very confidence inspiring kite. Worth a look.
Yes a catalyst, a wainman, a lithium or a bandit 6 would be good choices.
What style are you aiming for. As all rounders seem to be positioned at different parts of the wave ride, freeride, freestyle section. Brisbane hey, probably surf??
For instance for me the wainman is a very very good all rounder surf kite. Freestyle not bad but I don't rate it as a freeride kite comparing to my rebels and edges. But it excels in the surf.
The lithium is the best jumper out of these kites ( but I have only owned a B5, so not sure of the B6). Good in the surf but not as good as the wainman. Freestyle is okay. You have to like, be able to handle medium to heavy bar pressure though.
The new catalyst is a very good all rounder in all aspects, especially the 2013. Still think the wainman is better in the surf though. The cat has that refined ozone feel, which you either like or hate. It also likes a lot of window over. It's wing. The wainman has an outstanding bottom end, the lithium the next best. The bandit somewhere in between.
The bandit 6 is getting some great reviews especially in the surf, but haven't ridden it so you would need to talk to those who do. My mate is seriously considering though and he's well and truly on the surf part of the spectrum but is starting to wake up to the fact that there is little surf in summer when the wind blows on the metro west coast. We are having way to much fun boosting over his head and kite while he goes back and forth in the waveless chop. Lol.
Consider the style you are after, and what board,s you will use. Then you can target the different parts of the spectrum these kites sit on.
They are all bloody great kites so in the end you can't go wrong man.
These are the kites I've owned and flown though. Some guys down here rave about the envy. The switchblade is also getting some great reviews in 2013. Indeed they are all unreal kites. Of course you can't go wrong with north either.
Not surprised that you are confused Pezzy
Kite choice is ridiculously over catered.
All kites listed are suitable 1st kite options. One great advance in kiting is that the best kites for beginners these days are the same kites most regular experienced kiters use.
Basically what you (all beginners) should be looking for is any of the Delta DNA styled kites. All brands do one in their range. These are the most user-friendly kites, easiest to learn on, most forgiving, and whats probably most important for beginners is they are all ridiculously easy to relaunch.
As for which brand Delta(ish) you should buy ????
ALL the major brands are overbuilt these days so build quality is not an issue (imo).
(to save the flaming I will explain that I say that simply because build quality now produces kites which will be sad & saggy long before any of the basic build quality issues will let you down)
Every kite in this Delta class will have slight variations in the performance they deliver & the technique needed to get the best out of them. On this issue its simply a matter of fact that you will learn to fly the kite you buy. For a beginner the variations are inconsequential.
Once you are experienced and have developed a style and you have reached a stage where you can appreciate the minor variations and match them to your preferences - light or heavy bar pressure, faster or slower through the window, boost potential etc etc then is the time to look at what different variations offer.
So after all that ? Go with the Delta(ish) kite from the local dealer you believe will give you the best service. IMO
And to justify my time on this post may I suggest you add to your list of options the:
BWS Noise - touted as a wave specific kite but the advantages for surfers make it an excellent 1st kite for anyone.
BEST - Kahoona
Ocean Rodeo - Prodigy
Any of them.
You are just learning so it doesnt matter for the first few seasons.
After that, you can start flying different kites and see what you enjoy the most.
Your style might change radically too. No sense buying a C kite if all you want to do is ride in waves.
Also, dont buy new. You'll probably trash it in your first season.
Hey yeh forgot about the kahoona. But my experience is only with the V2, apparently the kite has changed a fair degree for the better. Its not a bad kite man, a guy today was learning on my brother old 11.5m kahoona, keep dropping it in the drink, no probs relaunching. Very stable. Yes does sit deep, but pulling you off the line etc...not really relevant for a year or so. I agree with phil, anything with a bit of delta in it would really suffice.
If it was me, I'd go either a lithium or a wainmen. But that's just me, based on what I've ridden and trying to think back a fair way. But the kahoona would also be a great choice.
Try and find the least used, in the right size second hand kite as price and newness is more important here. They will all do the job you are looking for. No one pump on the wainmen is incredibly stupid, but there are school of thought that profess simplicity, can get struts and main bladder harder, less to go wrong bla bla the is brown stuff coming out of my mouth bla.etc. I say bullsh1t, just downright dumb. But a great kite with a great bar and lines, especially if you could get a 2012. The carrot bar is exceptional.
THE LITHUIM is a kite not spoken about much, it should be. Very refined, very stable, great low end and smooooooooth. Ultimately it would be my pick all considered. Can also progress into other styles, you won't out grow this kite. Then again the wainmen is in this category anyhow.
There's always the blade trigger or epic renegade if ya want to go down that road as well. Don't forget griffin kites either. Mate just find one that is as new as possible ideally from a retailer that you can build a relationship with and also have some come back. Trust me there is enough chatter around here to keep most of them honest.
Kitepower at redcliffe stocks cabrinha, best, slingshot, core, ozone and crazy fly kites. Surfconnect at sandgate stock liqiud force and bws but almost exclusively sell Liquid force. Briskites at brighton stocks most of the others as you mentioned.
I had a lesson on a North Fuse and loved it to bits, but North don't seem so popular with retailers (see far more Ozone, Cabrinha, etc), And the Fuse doesn't feature heavily in Buy & Sell. Any particular reason?
The fuse is a super kite. But I wouldn't put it in the beginners category. It has a decent aspect ratio like the rebel. I think I may be wrong though north kites out sell most brands worldwide. Oh maybe cabrinha. But it would be close. If you looked on the buy and sell earlier on in 2012 there were plenty of fuses and north kites for sale. Obviously they have sold. Lots of second hand gear is moving at the moment.
Ok I think I am getting somewhere now. I have narrowed it down to a few 2012 kites around the $1000 mark 2 bandit 5's and a naish park. Failing that I may look at a bandit 6 brand new. as fir sizing of thoes 2 kites Im somewhere between 70 -75kg and riding in Brisbane 10 meter would be the right size for me?
Thanks for all the help.
I just had my first session on an 11m switchblde at 78kg with onshore winds gusting to 18 knots. riding and upwind in 2hours. (watched how to video's obsessively) they seem to be one of the main kites available second hand and I had a friend with one who had the same experience. I'm soo keen to try out every bit of kit I can find now though
Out of your list by a long stretch the Lithium 2012 is by far the best kite i have ever flown as an all round kite. The pull is excellent, it drifts well riding waves, its jumping ability is unrivalled to the point you can almost hover in the air. I have the 8 meter and it outperforms my 10m evo in low winds so well i may sell the evo.
There is one annoying con... The length the bar can travel is absurd. So try it first.
