I'm about to buy some new Edge kites and wondered if anyone out there currently riding 2013 Edges could give me some feedback on sizes.

it would be great to cover a 10 - 30 knot wind range and although 3 kites would be cool realistically its only gonna be 2.

85kg, Underground Styx 135x41, just for boosting and general free riding.

what 2 sizes would you get if you were me?

90kg run 10/13 edges and have two twin tips.
Covers me in fun range from 13/14 - 30kts.

They have a huge range but normal sweet spot of around 5-6kts in the middle to high of their full range.

I had 5 old kites when I bought my first Edge, 11m and I was about 85-90kgs.

I sold all 5 other kites - including the best BFK 21m that Kurt sold me. (actually it flew beautifully but took about a week to pump up eh Kurt )

I still have that 08? edge 2 11m and it has never given me a single problem. Been all around the world and works 15kts to max (I've had it out gusting 35kts and that's as much as I'd go out in).

That leaves the 10 to 18kt range - I covered it with a Zephyr 17m.

For me, 11m & 17m works, but now I"m closer to 100kgs I'd probably get a 13m instead.

I only weigh 75kg so I went the 14m cat instead of the Zephyr. Well it was forced on me by my partner who bought it for my 40th. But all things considered I'd still rather be on a fast turning cat than a 17m zephyr. That being said the zephyr is a beautiful well thought out design and if I was 85 that's what I'd get. And the 10m edge well that's just an outstanding size.

So two kite quiver my vote goes with Cauncy plus he knows his edges and Zephyrs better than most. You'd do we'll to take his advice.

Agreed still maintain you will need another board. That way you will also increase the range and overlap of your two kites, more so than if you got thrEE kites.

I all ways have two boards with me, gives you so much more latitude to move that sweet spot given the wind and kite. I actually have three, a very efficient light wind skim, a medium wind carver and a higher wind freestyle TT, with some overlap with the two Depending on swell conditions

...and if you want to see the video it is here.

Yeh classic vision. A typical session with my bro and I going big On a crazy edge session.

Plummet said...
Well tho its possible to do 10-30 on 2 kites it wont be comfortable. you will need at least 3 kites otherwise you will be underpowered/overpowered at times.

Sorry its not impossible I've got the sizes and do it regular, it depends on what you class over powered or uncomfortably overpowered,imo the will and has been a given wind when you wish you had another kite or your name was eppo, if that videos correct he's doing a good job riding his 9 in 35knts fully powered on the trim, which makes a depowered 10 in 30 ok , but overpowered, Yeh 3 is much better even 4 kites but financially not possible for some,

Solid advice thanks guys, I'm glad I asked.

I'm intrigued by a 10m Edge / 17m Zephyr combo with the addition of a light wind board so think I'll give that a crack pending financial approval from the missus.

New territory for me as in 6 years kiting I have never owned anything bigger than 13m as I assumed they would be a pig to fly and not worth the gains at the bottom end of the wind range, but it sounds like big kites have come a long way in that time. Yeah 7m is a big gap between kite sizes but I can see how owning a 2nd board would really help increase the overlap. Plus it sounds like a Zephyr is going to be a better option for boosting and having fun on than a 13 or 15m Edge (my original considerations) with a similar wind range.

Any advice on an appropriate board to get me boosting in 10 knots with a Zephyr? I know nothing about light wind boards.

If I chose 17 zep/edge 10 edge. thered be a space around 17-20 knots when the zep was fully lit and the 10 only just charging... plus i'd be fully rib squeazed closed to 30. .....


yeh i'd say I would agree with this analysis based on the 10m edge I ride. My weight and style is kind of what lent me to the 14m cat for that reason. But there are times when I would rather be on a zephyr and there are times when I'd rather be on a 13m edge as well, which would have a much better bottom end that the Cat 14m I reckon for keeping your ground. My bro's 11m edge competes with the cat 14m nicely except at the real low end. That 13m edge on an efficient board could have a bloody good low end if ya not too heavy.

Then again was in just marginal wind conditions on saturday, with double head waves so i was real glad I was on the cat then. it's faster turning and instant Cish grunt as well as drift saved me from disaster quite a few times.

My bro on his edge lost the speed needed for that wind on a huge wave given the sketchy wind and currently his Mako 140 (2013) is somewhere in the Indian Ocean...swell was to large to find it! if someone down Mandurha ways comes across it or you see one for sale, you Can be sure it is his and let me know so I can pay a respectful visit.

Always a compromise hey in the end.

The old zephyr used to get a bit heavy in the 17 to 20s but still very well behaved, the new zephyr however is a completly different kite as those who have changed will testify, perfect example on Saturday, put up the zephyr in 13 knts and still rode fully powered until sunset close to 20knts with 2 other kiters , 1 on a ikon 10mtr less power than an edge, but he was galloping around, and another on a10switchy, also going well, this new zephyr has an even better top end compared to my last 2 models, and I could see it still being stable at 25knts,

cauncy said..

The old zephyr used to get a bit heavy in the 17 to 20s but still very well behaved, the new zephyr however is a completly different kite as those who have changed will testify, perfect example on Saturday, put up the zephyr in 13 knts and still rode fully powered until sunset close to 20knts with 2 other kiters , 1 on a ikon 10mtr less power than an edge, but he was galloping around, and another on a10switchy, also going well, this new zephyr has an even better top end compared to my last 2 models, and I could see it still being stable at 25knts,

Saw a zephyr up at Safety bay on Saturday, and must say was envious through the lulls.... i had up a 2013 13m edge & a light wind board but as the lulls came through early on there just wasnt enough for the 13 to keep me going, .... the zephyr just powered past me!!!
Then the wind kicked in, i think to every bodies surprise... the 13m was lit and the zephyr still looked comfortable! looks to be an awesome kite.
Got a 19m edge on the way... second guessing if the zephyr would have been a better all rounder option to compliment the 13m :)

dusta said...

AndyHansen said..

the 13m was lit and the zephyr still looked comfortable! looks to be an awesome kite.
Got a 19m edge on the way... second guessing if the zephyr would have been a better all rounder option to compliment the 13m :)

if for racing i would say no , if for freeriding then yer go the zephyr

Spot on dusta, if you lay the new zephyr and current edge deflated they look very similar in outline up in the air the zephyr is more square or box shaped , the zephyr is imo close or on a par upwind with an edge, its a dream to fly, park it 100mm off the water whilst riding and it requires hardly any input at the bar, the boost is far superior than the old, with a very controlled float and big hangtime, I love doing big jumping transitions and its beautifully controled in this department, but for sheer speed although great it ain't a current edge, not many kites are