Power Kite Forum

9m Peak2 or 9m Speed5?

khaakon - 29-5-2016 at 02:33 PM

Sadly, I crashed my 9m Peak2 in a tree, and had to cut off all bridles at the left side to get it out. Repairs are out of the question at the moment. Now I need a new all purpose landkite. I'm torn between a new Peak2 9m and a demo used Speed5 9m (1170$ vs. 1785$ - Norwegian shop prices converted to US$).

This is my great concern; will I miss the Peak2 9m alot /some /none ? - if I rather now get the Speed5 9m for 50% more hard earned cash? I like the Peak2 for also being tremendous value for money, but honestly - the nine was starting to show its signs of use. Abused by me and mostly other amateurs for a year and a half. The cloth's coating is showing some cracks, a little bit frayed and started to go missing at trailing edge corners. Only to be reckoned with, with all the fluttering. Leading edge gets worn over the stiffeners. And I'm not so sure if all those bridles have stretched evenly over time, canopy doesn't feel 100% the way as when it was new. 'Blueboy' has been my best friend for such a long time (kiting for 2 y., P2 9m 1,5y.), and my skills are honed on this single-skin. I honest to god think I can do wonders with it. :bird: Maybe it is the other way around (please don't burst my bubble). :ticking: I sure would like to get a new one because of the relatively low price, and it really is a one-kite-wonder that flies when other kites won't.

My new 6m Peak2 has been getting more flytime lately, seems to me it needs to be flyed-in some sessions (5-6?) before it starts to perform to it's full potential. Has anyone else experienced this with the Peaks/Flysurfers/kites in general? My guess it's a bridle/mixer-stretching thing, maybe which is still considered during production... Just the other day I had to put 6m line extensions on this 6m Peak2, and it got me going quite much better than without (changed during buggy session). Got the kite higher to pickup the wind up there, and more potential for apparent too. Later I found myself on my back in the grass, flying with my feet on the bar ! Trim all the way in, and some lazy bar input with the snout of my shoes. Hilarious. I am getting very used to those Peak kites indeed.

Though, in the winter that's now behind us, I've also flown the Matrix2 12m, and getting more confident with it, since snow is more forgiving in case of pilot failure. This one being more of a handful, needs more input - like in bigger movements to get things done ... or moving self further - , and it's quite a bit more lifty than Blueboy(tha nain). Still scary in inland gusty conditions, I can hardly go on my ATB with it then. Within its range it got good punch and in time I am sure we're gonna go many places together. Although, as I've said before, -to me- the Peak2 9m covers the Matrix2 12m windrange with some margin, top & bottom (!?!)

Most likely I will go for the Speed, because I would really like to develop my skills on a more performance oriented kite. Both for generally keeping the kite flying in varied and different conditions and landscapes. For snowkiting on skis, buggying and ATB land boarding. And even static fun/lazy leisure. And surely, after 2 years of kiting, I'm starting to get a slight feel for those jumps, rather than only working to stay aground at all times...

So I wonder how Speed5 9m windrange especially, and general traits/abilities compares to a Peak2 9m? Life expectancy is also of value to me. I do know all these things depends on the use, and the user...

Kinda looking for some real life advice here, not specs from the FS website.

Oh, and btw, it doesnt have to be Flysurfer - but timing, prices & models all fits me nicely. And sry for obsessive editing of this post, content mainly the same though:duh:

ssayre - 29-5-2016 at 02:45 PM

Difference in projected area is 7.2 on the speed versus 7.6 on the peak. Closer than I thought.

Ive not flown either one but looked up projected area out of curiosity. Good luck on the search and hopefully others will chime in.

windrider1 - 29-5-2016 at 09:03 PM

A speed 5 is a wayyyy different kite to a peak. I think it just comes dwn to if u want a performance kite or a cruiser.the speed will be fatser through the wind window. Generate more lift, and fun . The windrange may be close but the speed may have a slightly higher windrange.

ssayre - 30-5-2016 at 01:17 PM

Could you get left side bridles shipped to you? The bridles on the p1 just larks head to tiny leaders on the kite. If you could buy some bridles from fs you could probably install yourself pretty simply. I wouldn't think the bridles would be too much $

Then you could buy the speed and have both

Windstruck - 30-5-2016 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
Could you get left side bridles shipped to you? The bridles on the p1 just larks head to tiny leaders on the kite. If you could buy some bridles from fs you could probably install yourself pretty simply. I wouldn't think the bridles would be too much $

Then you could buy the speed and have both


Bridles on P2s also larks head on and I was wondering that myself. I've got to think that if the kite is relatively undamaged (beyond the aforementioned wear and tear) save the destroyed bridle that bridle replacement from FS would be cheaper than full kite replacement. Just a thought.

As a fellow Peak enthusiast I'd weep to hear of a Peak getting retired for lack of a bridle. :(

khaakon - 31-5-2016 at 01:54 AM

I'll make sure to look closer at repairs. Probably going to the shop on friday, I called in advance to get them to hold the demo-used Speed5 for me. And they would check with FS for the price for complete bridle sets.

I must have been wrong then, when I thought there was lotsa sewing involved to put a full bridle set on. If I can do the job of changing all those bridles myself without sewing, I will. I have experience with rope and knots from rigging for many years, but not with sewing. There's a bit of sewing involved for a few loose tabs, and I still have to look over the whole kite closely, for damage.

Windstruck - 31-5-2016 at 09:04 AM

Sounds like a good plan. Best of luck getting everything straightened out. Just because the bridles are attached to the kite via larks heads knots doesn't necessarily mean it will be easy to reassemble. I suspect the bridle is seen and knotted upstream from the kite with some complexity. It could well involve sending it back to the factory. Hard to say if that would be cost effective.

khaakon - 31-5-2016 at 10:16 AM

So, as mentioned in the previous post; I am probably gonna choose the Speed5 9m, going to the shop friday morning. I guess I gotta take the extra lift-factor with the extra performance. Hopefully my skills will develop along with this model of kite. I am kind of ready for some new challenges, time will show if that's correct. I have been flying a Speed4 8m std. a handful of times now, so I am aware that these has more lift and they go faster and further forward(?) than a Peak2. So, yeah - if U don't know how to avoid or handle overflying, you could be struggling. I'm anxious to see how the new [5] 9m compares to the [4] std. 8m. In my experience, Speed's are silky smooth compared to PeaS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s (the noise is gone, eh), but I am not very used to that occasional lift, yet...

Still concerned about the windrange, but my hopes are up since Windrider1's post. I am not sure how to read FS webpages for weight, since the words are different in the tables;

Peak2 Weight Kite only (kg): 1.34 or Weight ready-to-fly (kg): 2.34

Speed5 Weight = canopy + complete bridle + mixer (kg): 2.22

I cannot for the life of me believe that the Speed is lighter than the Peak [2.22 < 2.34]. And I would be a bit surprised if the Peak is the lightest by [2.22 > 1.34] 0.88kg ! So my best guess is they didn't make it easy to compare, by accident or by will...

Thanks for insight on the proj. area - but this is probably getting waay too nerdy now - next, flying will show if this 9 flies in as little wind as the other 9.

Because Blueboy is going to be fixed - I was planning to do it anyway (shh.. don't mention the secret plan of making the coolest blue hammock) - but thanks guys, for leading me down that path. I had had the idea that the lines connected to canopy had to be sown in place!! But I think now I realize you have to undo them all the way down through the system... How far down do I have to undo stuff really - through the mixer system and all the way to the connecting points for the 4 lines from the bar? Sounds like a hell of a lot of work, but doable? Or redo them, if I'm getting a new set? Should I get two sets - change both sides ?? Damages in the canopy can be repaired locally, they're wery few :-)))

khaakon - 31-5-2016 at 10:47 AM

[deleted silly post]:piggy:

windrider1 - 31-5-2016 at 02:44 PM

I think thyre basically saying the peak is 1.34 kg and the speed 5 9m is 2.22kg. I guess the way they worded it something got lost in translation . The speed 5 is different kite to the speed 4,, I actually preferred the speed 4 . the higher aspect ratio of the 5 makes for a little more kite to manage. the speed 4 is a smoother kite. these kites begin to show their true colors at the middle to top of their windrance that's when u realise u got a serious machine in your hands .

Sorry to say...

khaakon - 7-7-2016 at 03:19 PM

I have serious doubts on the whole idea of repairing the kite since last post. It seems too costly compared to getting myself a brand new Peak2.

My math is as follows:
-> 491,80 Euros for the full bridle set as quoted from Skywalk /DE
-> 510 Euro - lets assume less than 20 Euro for shipping
-> 540 Euro - Whoever handles the shipping always takes a fee for the VAT handling, at least 30 Euro (its moar expensive >3000NOK)
-> 675 Euro - 25% VAT
-> 782 Euro - I also have to repair the kite. I would guess 1000NOK maybe more.

*Edit; even if German VAT is taken out of the equation, it shaves off only ~100 Euros. 682 Euros is still a bit too much for this solution.

New kite is ~1020 Euros. This means that this repair costs me ca 75% of a brand new kite, and I still have to do that lovely jobly putting on the new bridle set, and is left with a used kite with new bridles. I am also a tiny bit concerned about what the result will be if and when I&I&I try to fit a full bridle set to a kite.

Everything else - canopy (pending repair), lines and bar is not seriously worn or abused, but a brand new kite looks more and more like a very tempting alternative even though much of the kite still could have a lot of life left in it. I will have a use for the bar and lines, I'm thinking of a trickle-down thing.

Just now strongly considering getting a P2 12m first, betting on that the overlap down to my P2 6m wouldn't be to worrisome. But as I stated before, I miss the P2 9m a lot, one perfect kite for everything I need. I enjoy my new Speed5 9m, but my skills are still challenged in the gusty inland winds. When I take out the P2 6m I can relax and do so much more under the same conditions, not talking about jumping here... Speed's getting more flytime already, but it is definitely a different type of kite. Good thing the depow trim works ;-)

Windstruck - 7-7-2016 at 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by khaakon  
I have serious doubts of the whole idea of repairing the kite since last post. It seems too costly compared to getting myself a brand new Peak2.

My math is as follows:
-> 491,80 Euros for the full bridle set as quoted from Skywalk /DE
-> 510 Euro - lets assume less than 20 Euro for shipping
-> 540 Euro - Whoever handles the shipping always takes a fee for the VAT handling, at least 30 Euro (its moar expensive >3000NOK)
-> 675 Euro - 25% VAT
-> 782 Euro - I also have to repair the kite. I would guess 1000NOK maybe more.

*Edit; even if German VAT is taken out of the equation, it shaves off only ~100 Euros. 682 Euros is still a bit too much for this solution.

New kite is ~1020 Euros. This means that this repair costs me ca 75% of a brand new kite, and I still have to do that lovely jobly putting on the new bridle set, and is left with a used kite with new bridles. I am also a tiny bit concerned about what the result will be if and when I&I&I try to fit a full bridle set to a kite.

Everything else - canopy (pending repair), lines and bar is not seriously worn or abused, but a brand new kite looks more and more like a very tempting alternative even though much of the kite still could have a lot of life left in it. I will have a use for the bar and lines, I'm thinking of a trickle-down thing.

Just now strongly considering getting a P2 12m first, betting on that the overlap down to my P2 6m wouldn't be to worrisome. But as I stated before, I miss the P2 9m a lot, one perfect kite for everything I need. I enjoy my new Speed5 9m, but my skills are still challenged in the gusty inland winds. When I take out the P2 6m I can relax and do so much more under the same conditions, not talking about jumping here... Speed's getting more flytime already, but it is definitely a different type of kite. Good thing the depow trim works ;-)


Man, sorry to hear the repairs would cost so much once you factor everything in, thought I've got to say it doesn't surprise me. Sounds as if you trashed your old kite for good. :(

IMHO, I'd be taking a very serious look at the 12m and not replacing the 9m. The 12m P2 is my favorite kite in my entire quiver and it is my go-to more often than I'd like (that is, I'd like a lot more wind). I actually named my 12m Session Saver since it saved me so many times from being skunked.

The great hidden secret of the 12m is how high up you can take it in terms of wind speed before things get out of control and dangerous. The P2s have a clam cleat adjuster that can be synched down to take a lot of grit out of the kite which extends the high end quite a bit. I actually think that a synched up 12m P2 OVERLAPS a fully powered up 6m P2. I took the video below last summer flying the 6m and 12m on the same day back to back. This was before I owned the 9m P2 which would have been perfect for the conditions, but the point is both the 6m and 12m were completely serviceable on the same day seated in the buggy as I was.

I enjoy the entire 4, 6, 9, and 12m P2 quiver and use all four kites, but if I could only have two it would hands down be the 6 and 12, no question about it. Just sayin...

abkayak - 7-7-2016 at 07:51 PM

9m Speed 5 may be the only kite a person needs for true fun in life
And you don't need me to tell you that...don't drink the kool-aid

Windstruck - 8-7-2016 at 03:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak  
9m Speed 5 may be the only kite a person needs for true fun in life
And you don't need me to tell you that...don't drink the kool-aid


I distinctly smell a "glorified bed sheet" comment buried in there someplace....
don't believe the haters. :evil:

Feyd - 8-7-2016 at 05:15 AM

Bang for the buck, the Peak is still the most economical option. And the most versatile. And given you have experience with the kite and have put in the time to actually learn the technique for flying a single skin depower, it's a perfectly acceptable option.

Speed 5 is a great kite and also a reasonable option. But if entertaining closed cell foils why limit yourself to just the Speed? There are other options that are easily as much fun and in the same price range.

khaakon - 8-7-2016 at 10:59 AM

I'm mostly thinking I want what Steve describes so well with a "session saver"... And it's only ~1120 Euros RTF. It might be a while. It keeps getting tighter on my schedule for the next 6 weeks or so, so no rush purchase.

* @Feyd; I bought the S5 already, it was demo so good price.

ssayre - 8-7-2016 at 11:36 AM

my p1 9m is great but if I had to do it over again, I would have saved and got the 12m p2 and the 9 down the road, since like you I already have the 6m peak. There's a lot of overlap and the 12 would have served me better in the light wind. I would guess a 6,12 combo would be fantastic