Well I don't. Bring on summer.

Have you seen the proposed price!!!! Stupid price for a first gen kite.

No, what's the proposed price?

Also, are those struts not quite going all the way to the trailing edge?

So no pulleys just "special sliders" to improve direct feel is the tech blurb, promo video they look like a boosting machine you would think that being flysurfer that would have to be a characteristic by default.....

Mmm always question a canopy that needs battens for stability.

eppo said..

Mmm always question a canopy that needs battens for stability.

The Battons behind the strut are nothing to do with stability. They are part of the Adaptive airfoil.
This from their website-

Adaptive Airfoil

Profile adjustment – exactly when you want it – this is the idea behind the Adaptive Airfoil System. Every sailor trims his sail with increased bow in lighter winds and flatter for stronger winds. Airplane wings adjust their flaps. Previously, leading edge inflatable kites were limited to one profile only. The Cronix makes it possible for the first time to adjust the profile of the kite during flight. This is possible through a minimalistic trailing edge bridle which has large effect. Especially noticeable on the excellent low end of the Cronix. A knot system on the kite quickly adjusts the amount of effect the trailing edge bridle has on the kite. But that is not the only advantage: Increased control of the trailing edge also helps enormously with relaunch, whether in light winds or by reverse launch.

Yeh have to agree Bonnie I'm secretly excited actually. Have had fly surfer foils before, they make a very good kite but until now they were foils! Although the light wind potential of them has always been there. Yeh be good to adjust the canopy like that especially for those of us that have been around too long! lol,

Thought I'd have a north seller bite....ha ha got ya!!

2014 Reo, for those that missed it on another thread.
Too much white to get dis-colored IMO.

9 days left for presentation of the 2014 Cabrinha products at the PKRA in Sant Peter Ordingen / Germany

Maybe the 2014 Drifter

Screenshots from Deep Water (at the end) with Reo Stevens

Just got an email from one of the LF NRG designers. What he told me sounded very promising. If I made a list on the things that needed changing and improving from 2013 (which I didn't but if I did), they have covered them all and more. Now that is a kite I will be demoing.

Will also be interested to try the RRD obsession this year. Reviews to come. Yeh great time of year for sure.

I'm pretty optimistic about the new flysurfer models. (and I'm not saying it because I fly foils, I don't and haven't for about 8 years) i think they actually have some good potentially for expanded range on kites, mainly around the low end.

The big issue in the past is grunty kites had slow turning speed. I think this offers the potential to have both grunt and turning speed although my suspicion is that when you take advantage of the extra low end, the kite won't be as efficient and it won't have the same upwind ability.

My guess at this point is that kite performance will probably be:

8m flysurfer will be as grunty as a 10m grunty LEI (lets say a switchblade)
Same turning speed as an 8m
Same topend as an 8m
Not as good upwind as a 10m grunty LEI

I do think the advantage of the tuning with the bridle on the trailing edge is that you could have the ability to create a true all rounder which can be tuned to different styles of riding and conditions. I.e. Tune it to stay back in the window or sit foward or inbetween. It won't be perfect in these conditions but has the potential to be better than the current all rounders.

Of course, the devil is in the demo so it would be interesting to see what they are really like. I always treat shop and team rider demos with an element of scepticism and I'm not sure whether the existing riders (who fly foils) would offer much help either as the move from foil to LEI is likely to also effect their opinion.

eppo said..

Yes I'm looking forward to hearing reviews about the fly surfer option. But at 1600 euro for a 10, crazy!

From Briskites:

Flysurfer $2379.00 for a 10m
North Rebel $2229.00 for a 10m

Those are full retail not discounted. Obviously the Rebel is getting discounted now because there is a new one coming out.

The projected on the 10m is supposed to be the same as a North Rebel 2m bigger so in reality, the pricing is actually on a par because the 12m goes for $2329.

If it also has the range and versatility, an extra 2m range on two kites effectively cover 3 kites with 2 so if you could get away covering the same range with 2 kites, you save yourself the cost of 1 kite.

The other thing is 4m gaps have alway been tough to cover with kites but with a bigger range its more comfortable.

Of course, thats assuming bigger range, if it's not and it can't match the size of a normal kite 2m larger, then its just plain expensive :)

This guy says it better than me.


You are correct...there are some expensive tubes, but these are from established companies with a reputation for good performance and quality control. Also, it is not too hard to demo or find a local kiter who can give some feedback or let you have a go on a (Naish, Best, Core, Cab, Ozone, Airush, LF, F1, SS, RRD ........ etc.)

The Cronix is Flysurfer's first attempt at an lei; I am sure that getting a demo will be challenging and you will not see these at your local launch. So to buy will be somewhat a leap of faith, and that price point does not encourage such a leap.

At this time if you shop around and do a bit of haggling, you can find 2013 gear at 25-30% off and some 2012 gear is going for 40-50% off.

So a $1900 complete set up is going for ~ $1450. Based on that, I think $1500 (10M) would be a good price point. If the kite proves to be awesome Flysurfer can increase the price when they have established a foot hold in the LEI market.

high as a kite said..
Hey Eppo,Are you in Sanur yet?Whats the winds like?
A lot of conflicting forecasts out of that region as usual

... hey Ian,

couple of our crew there already and its been going off in the last week, apparently around 20 to 25 knots. We'll be there this saturday and unfortunately forecast dropping off for a bit on Tuesday but coming back Wednesday!!! Dunno but I can't wait!!

cheers for now,

Robbie