joshni - 7-8-2006 at 10:16 AM
I am new at this, but got a good deal on a 7.7 crossfire kite. I have used it 3 times now, twice in low to no wind conditions, and the third in way
to much wind.
My question is if this kite is to big for someone just starting out. I know it is big, but I don't mind it taking me longer to learn, if it will save
me from having to upgrade in a few months. But after flying it is a decent wind, I am kind of wondering if it is to big.
I don't really want to do any boarding or surfing, but I may think about a buggy or something next year. I mostly just want it for messing around
with at the park, and maybe jumping?
Josh
coreykite - 7-8-2006 at 10:47 AM
Josh,
You are on the right track.
You're using your logical mind.
The kite is not too big.
The higher winds you tried to fly in are too much for that size kite.
Power hides skills.
Smaller kites make you pay attention to how you generate power.
The better you become, the more that kite can do for you.
Most land-traction is done in reasonable winds, the kind you don't mind being out in, mostly between 8-10 mph as the bottom end and 22-28 mph as the
top.
It is possible in both lighter and heavier winds, but the fun factor drops off steeply.
Nothing out there to keep you safe and injury-free but you and your skills and knowledge.
As a side-note... Ever marvel at all the BIG kites for sale cheap?
Hardly ever see the smaller, more reasonable sizes being sold so far below market-price.
Scare the bejeezus out of you once...
I read all this in a book.
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama
SecondWind - 8-8-2006 at 05:45 AM
I used my 8.5m & 10.5m Blades a bunch when I was using my board. However, with the buggy, I just don't need that big of a kite. My 6m Bego is
plenty for me now.
For jumping, your 7.7 will be loads of fun in resonable winds. Just play it safe at first...
awindofchange - 8-8-2006 at 11:27 AM
Kite size is decided by the average wind in your area. If you are in an area that gets wind in the 4-8 mph range most of the days, a 7-8 meter kite
is the right choice. You will find that in those winds, that kite will work great and give you the most flying time possible. The problem is that if
your winds are mostly averaging in the 13-18 mph range, a large kite is just to big to hold down and you will find that you are sitting out most of
the time and not riding/flying. Power kites produce tons of power, from the ultra small 1.5 meter size all the way up to the 14 meter size. (not
talking about the LEI's & surf style kites that are up to 25 meters and larger).
The maximum power delivery of any kite, regardless of size will be whatever you can hold down and still fly. A large ktie does NOT have more power
than a small kite....they both have the capability to produce YOUR maximum power. Once the kite rips you off your feet, you have reached maximum
power. Doesn't matter if it is a 10.5 meter Blade or a 1.5 meter LD Stunt. They both are very capable of producing the maximum power that YOU can
handle - it all depends on what wind is driving it. A heavyier person can hold down a larger kite in stronger wind than a super light person. When
the kite overpowers you, it is too big for the current conditions. You can either switch down to a smaller kite (if you aren't on your way to the
emergency room) or you will be sitting out and not flying.
There are tons of questions on this forum as well as many other forums asking what size kite is the right size. It all depends on the winds in your
area or the area you are planning on flying in. If I had to do with only one kite for myself, it would be a 3.0 to 4.0 meter size. The reason is
because that is the size kite that works best in the winds that we get 80% of the time. A 3.0 - 4.0 meter kite will allow me to fly the most without
having to sit out waiting for the wind to die down or pick up so I can fly. My current bag has kites from 1.0 meter all the way to an 11.0 meter
Razor. Most of the time the larger kites are packed away and not used. They only come out in those rare days when the wind is super light. If I had
to do without all those larger sized kites it would only be a couple days out of many that I wouldn't be able to ride.
Getting a huge kite so you can jump with it will of course work, but you may find out that most days you cant fly it. What is the use in purchasing a
kite that will only get pulled out of the bag 3-4 times a year?? All that money tied up in something that you cant use. If you want to have the most
fun for your money, get a kite that will work for your local conditions...I have been yanked off the ground well over 5 feet with my 1.5 LD Stunt on
numerous occasions. At least I was able to fly - if I only had a 8+ meter kite I would have been sitting and watching everyone else have fun!!
Check with the weather charts for your area. Google maps has some great ones wunderground.com is another. look at what the average winds will be and
then you can properly decide on a kite that will give you the most fun for your money and a size that you will actually be able to fly the most. You
may find out that you only need a kite in the 4.5 meter size - this size kite will still give you good lift for jumping, great power for
buggying/boarding and extra money in your wallet that you didn't have to fork out for a giant sized kite that may be unusable! :singing:
Being associated with our kite shop allows me to have access to many different kites and brands. I dont like listing my kite bag and only do so so
that anyone can see the selection and what I am choosing from. In my personal bag I have the following power kites along with many single line kites,
dual line and quad line stunt kites (plus a couple land sailers, mountainboard, surf boards, & 3 buggies):
Razor - 6.8, 8.5, 11.0
Riot - 3.0, 5.0
Little Devil - 1.5, 2.1, 4.5
Samurai - 3.0, 6.0
Rev - Blast, PB 2-4, PB 4-8
Yakuza - 2.2, 2.7, 3.4, 5.0, 6.0, 8.6, 10
Peter Lynn Venom 2 - 13M, 19M
Peter Lynn Rebble - 3.5, 5.0
Peter Lynn Phantom - 12M, 15m, 18m
Ozone Instinct - 9m, 11m, 13m
Out of all the above listed power kites, If I could take only 3 kites for buggying/flying it would be the 1.5 LD, the Riot 3.0 and Riot 5.0. With
that selection I could fly 99% of the time in our winds.
I don't mean to hijack this thread at all. I just hope this helps people understand a little more about kite selection and what to look for in kite
sizes for their first kite
.
raycapp1 - 8-8-2006 at 01:04 PM
i tell ya what i learned somethink if no 1 esle did, i never new kite size made that much difference i always thought small kites in small wind
bigger kites in BIGGER winds but really ya have to match ya body weight to your avage wind condshion......cool think im beginning to understand this
new sport
Pablo - 8-8-2006 at 11:45 PM
Even if you have light winds in your area, I'd still consider keeping what you have and adding a 3-4m kite to the mix, It's soo much easier when you
can put the kite anywhere in the window and still be able to hold on to it, you'll learn way more about flying and not be in survival mode soo much, I
usually start lighter people on a 2m and most adults on a 3m in 8-12mph winds and it works pretty good.
My experience is that larger kites, no matter how well behaved are still pigs compared to the average 3m and greatly inhibit the learning process,
similar to learning how to drive in a bus instead of a honda.