Anyone have an unbiased review of the adjustable carbon kevlar paddles for sale for $180 in the for sale section of this website? I know they are Chinese, but so is my kayak paddle, and that is beautifully made....
I never look in the buy and sell section.. but just did to check it out.. 
.. It looks pretty good.
Paddles are a funny thing.. They all feel different.. Some have a good feel about them.. some don't.. and you can tell in just a few strokes.
I've not used that paddle.. Didn't know Specialized made paddles.. It is a pretty good price.
Do you want an adjustable paddle for its adjustability.. or for travel and compactness.. (taking up less space)?
DJ
Thanks for reply. Wanting an adjustable to work out optimum length before spending up on a quality paddle- have bought a Carbon Falcon 14'- which I can't wait to get into the water, but which is super thick, so general rule of 10" above my height may not work (6'1"; 82kgs).... and for $180 I figure you can't go wrong ??? Second hand good adjustables seem to be non existent. Anyone have views on adjustables?
At the risk of sounding like a Ke Nalu pimp (I confess I am a bit of a fanboy), the new KN adjusting collar is excellent, I have it on both my paddles, adjustment is easy and quick, it's light, DOESN'T leak even in surf and I don't notice it when paddling. Sounds like you eventually want a high-end paddle. If you went with the KN you would have a top-quality paddle that is adjustable for surf/flat water/DW without the false economy of a cheap (and possibly nasty) paddle while you work out your ideal length (which may need to change as your technique/fitness develops or you change boards).
Food for thought.
good advice- I know from my kayaking days a good paddle is perhaps more important than the boat. Thanks, I'll check them out.
Select to expand quoteHumanCartoon said..
At the risk of sounding like a Ke Nalu pimp (I confess I am a bit of a fanboy), the new KN adjusting collar is excellent, I have it on both my paddles, adjustment is easy and quick, it's light, DOESN'T leak even in surf and I don't notice it when paddling. Sounds like you eventually want a high-end paddle. If you went with the KN you would have a top-quality paddle that is adjustable for surf/flat water/DW without the false economy of a cheap (and possibly nasty) paddle while you work out your ideal length (which may need to change as your technique/fitness develops or you change boards).
Food for thought.
Ah hello fanboy but this fanboy from the north is waiting for this exact thing........can you tell KeNaluAustralia that they are not in the shops in Sydney pls!!!!!!!!
Select to expand quoteShireSUP said..HumanCartoon said..
At the risk of sounding like a Ke Nalu pimp (I confess I am a bit of a fanboy), the new KN adjusting collar is excellent, I have it on both my paddles, adjustment is easy and quick, it's light, DOESN'T leak even in surf and I don't notice it when paddling. Sounds like you eventually want a high-end paddle. If you went with the KN you would have a top-quality paddle that is adjustable for surf/flat water/DW without the false economy of a cheap (and possibly nasty) paddle while you work out your ideal length (which may need to change as your technique/fitness develops or you change boards).
Food for thought.
Ah hello fanboy but this fanboy from the north is waiting for this exact thing........can you tell KeNaluAustralia that they are not in the shops in Sydney pls!!!!!!!!
WSS have/had at least one handle clamp in stock and there are plenty more where that came from
Looking at the ad it looks nice but that's all I can say until I try it. The Chinese are experts at copying well but they also make alot of rubbish. The only other thing I can add is warranty and with all the big brand names , paddles are generally replaced no worries for any failure in the first year. If yours breaks probably no warranty so buy another one and you are at the price for a big name brand. There is a saying in the boating industry , "The poor man always pays the most"... meaning after buying the cheap part he pays twice as much to fix it again with the genuine part.
It's a roll of the dice , as I said it looks good on paper.
Two things to look closely at before you buy a paddle. The connection from blade to shaft. I've never liked the Naish paddles because of a very sharp edge at the connection point. Yes everyone will tell you not to hit your board but it DOES happen and sharp edge paddles will damage your board more. This one seems to be very well finished in this area. I'd be interested to see closer pictures.
The other thing I look at is the clamp. This one uses a compression clamp similar to a bicycle seat. I find these to have a shorter life than a two pin system used among the top brands. It will fatigue and shorten the life of the paddle. If you only want something cheep this one might last or it might slip. You can always use carbon grip to help the slip.
IMHO, but a nylon blade aluminum shaft paddle if you only want it for sizing. You can buy them brand new for around $150 with a warranty which you won't get from a forum post paddle and they are perfect to keep around for kids and friends once you've bought your fixed. Just make sure the aluminum/nylon paddle has foam in the shaft so it floats.
