Which of the following wings would you choose in addition to a 2021 F-One Strike 4.2 and 6.0
for gusty lakes and just for free-ride/race. (no wave, no jumps, no downwind) in combination with HA foils for a 72kg rider (who can jibe but hasn't started to learn tacks).
Phantom Strato
www.phantom-foiling.com/wing-foil-shop/p/strato-sail
Armstrong XPS
www.armstrongfoils.com/xps-awing/
North Nova 2023
northkb.com/products/nova-wing?variant=42399076548780
NeilPryde Fly
www.neilpryde.com/products/fly?variant=40419558785047
5m North Mode or 5m Unit dlab.
Add a harness for maximum control.
I am currently 73kg and have 5.5 Unit dlab and 4.2 North Mode ( latest refinement replaced under warranty) and use a harness.
something that fits in between, so I 5 or so.
The Units, I tested several times, and for what ever reason they are not mine, even most likely everyone else is using them here on the lakes.
From the North Modes i have heard a lot about that the canopy doesn't last long, should become very "soft" son.
Select to expand quoteWST said..
something that fits in between, so I 5 or so.
The Units, I tested several times, and for what ever reason they are not mine, even most likely everyone else is using them here on the lakes.
From the North Modes i have heard a lot about that the canopy doesn't last long, should become very "soft" son.
did you hear anything about NP Fly? I'm considering getting 5.0 for myself (70kg)
Select to expand quoteWST said..
something that fits in between, so I 5 or so.
The Units, I tested several times, and for what ever reason they are not mine, even most likely everyone else is using them here on the lakes.
From the North Modes i have heard a lot about that the canopy doesn't last long, should become very "soft" son.
North mode is great to learn tacks. Better than the DuoTone and the XPS imo ( I had both). The handles on the mode are far more
generous and allow better overall handling. If you can wait, the v2 of the mode is coming in a month or so and the canopy material is updated with some X-Ply and other materials and the new handles are now carbon. It going to be even heavier though
The XPS is a fan all-around wing, it's cheaper and feels that way imo. They say it was developed for 2 years and it's certainly flies very
well but I can't get over those handles, it's like a Cabrinha v1 just stiffer. Surely they could have done better.
I would also look at the new Ozone Flux. I should have one to play with soon.
Here in Europe The Fly is an extremely successfull wing ! The only design element which looks a bit outdated - on the beach only - is a relatively loose leech, compared to more and more stiff profiles of the settled companies. But it?s working brilliantly under load.
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www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/EditReply/2830212
I?d have an eye on the handles concept as well as most second generation handle wings now provide one side longer enabling one handed center of effort grab.
I tried the Mode, Nova3 and NP Fly, but haven,t seen the Armstrong and Phantom so can,t say anything about them.IMO for flat water freeriding the Mode is way ahead of the rest. The Pryde looks nice and surfs well but it aged very quickly.
The Nova sits imo a bit in the middle.
Select to expand quoteThe Pryde looks nice and surfs well but it aged very quickly.
what do you mean with aged very quickly?
Had the mode in 5.5 and 7.0 and was very pleased. Have the Fly now in 4, 5 and 6. I am happy with these also. I have used especially the 6 a lot and can not report any wear or loss of performance. The 6 Fly provides similar low end and top end as the Mode 7 but with less area and thus nicer handling. But needs a different technique in tacks and if dialled that in tacks feel even nicer for me. Fly 5 cover almost all conditions for me with 86 kg ....... wide range and good handling. Don't let the loose leech fool you.....i have always gone for high tension canopy wings but i like the flys.
Select to expand quoteCLX said..The Pryde looks nice and surfs well but it aged very quickly.
what do you mean with aged very quickly?
It uses quite simple/basic materials. We got it a week every day in the water on a demo trip and after that week it was already streched a lot more as at first, way more as the Mode 5.5 and Nova V3 we brought as well.
You are going to get heaps of recommendations for all of the above except the Armstrong XPS which is the best option out of all of them, reason being it's very new to the market but also had the most testing out of the lot.
Highly recommend trying the XPS ??
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..CLX said..The Pryde looks nice and surfs well but it aged very quickly.
what do you mean with aged very quickly?
It uses quite simple/basic materials. We got it a week every day in the water on a demo trip and after that week it was already streched a lot more as at first, way more as the Mode 5.5 and Nova V3 we brought as well.
any chance that the 1 week of use actually got it to the tension it should have? Hence it had to be stretched a bit initially to get to the final state? I can't imagine a manufacturer not to test the material on durability for estimated life time. any opinion on that?
I've only ridden the XPS out of the lot. My quiver includes OR, Freewing Nitro, A-Wing XPS, and BRM. The XPS is my favorite as far as design is concerned. Sort of like the new masts they came out with, kinda changing the game. I've ridden Armstrong gear for 3+ Years, but never purchased a V1 or V2 A-wing. This one is worthy of checking out for sure.
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..The Pryde looks nice and surfs well but it aged very quickly.
Cannot confirm. After some testing of the NP Fly 5m I went "all in" some months ago. The canopy looks a bit sad when wet, but when dry again, like new. No bagging until now. Good mix of the material, stretch-resistant frame around the canopy, lighter Dacron on the leading edge tipps. Just pick 0,5-1m smaller than usual. I use the 4.3 Fly in the same conditions as F-One Strike v2 5.0 before.
I have also recently switched to the Fly, and honestly it's fantastic, great low end, build quality is top notch, it's light when flagged, and really enjoying the hard handle design. There is a bit of leech flap, but it's not up against the new XPS or Flux in terms of performance. Definitely one wing that's getting overlooked, and after chatting to people it's really down to the fact that 80% of wing market is being taken by kiters, who are sticking to the kite brands for wings.
Select to expand quotejTMB said..
There is a bit of leech flap, but it's not up against the new XPS or Flux in terms of performance.
I found that powering / pulling with the back hand when the leech flaps does not help with the NP Fly. You have to move the whole wing 10-15cm forward. Then the flapping stops (unless you're way overpowered, but then other wings flap as well - tested back to back with a Strike some months ago).
