Not sure why but I can't seem to get my post to...post.

If you are interested in our review of the GIN Shaman 2, please check it out on the Hardwater Kiting site.

https://www.hardwaterkiter.com/kite-and-gear-reviews/hardwat...

Great review Chris! I've heard many good things about these kites from (Utah) Tami. I know she swears by them now on snow...

Great to see so much continued innovation the every-expanding narrow lane of SS traction kites. How the different companies are solving issues that plague SSs is fun to watch.

Have you had a chance to compare it to the Marabou yet?

Would you consider it as good as the Peak 1 6m? Specifically the black and pink version

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Would you consider it as good as the Peak 1 6m? Specifically the black and pink version

Way to resurface Sean! Long live the black and pink!

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Would you consider it as good as the Peak 1 6m? Specifically the black and pink version

To this day I think the Peak 1 was the best version of the Peak. It was 90% there in terms of what it was designed for. It's only flaws were the single layer of fabric on the leading edge, the flapping, (which for my tastes, if I'm depowered to the point that it's flapping a lot, I'm probably happy that its dumping power and not too concerned about the flight quality) and the fact that it targeted a niche market within a niche market.

This said I wouldn't trade a Shaman 2 for one.

In regards to comparison with the Marabou. I haven't gotten my hands on them yet so I can't do side by side comparisons. Dimensionally they are essentially the same kite. I suspect the inflated leading edge will add some weight obviously but also some additional stability in dirty winds while still retaining long hang time for recovery if the kite starts to fall from the sky.

I'm going to have to make the effort this year to get on the water so I can have a better-informed opinion of them down the road. In the meantime, I have winter clients who ride water that I trust to give me solid intel and I will be sending them out on the demos to get their take.

Interestingly these same riders liked the Shaman but never warmed up to (and even hated) the Peaks. So I'm really curious to see how they like the Marabou.

Side note: I've built a bare-bones touring bar for the Shaman 2. It's a long bar, 58cm, with no trim system but extra long throw. No Chicken loop, using a Winchard shackle to save weight but also (as it's very small) to offset the long bar throw. No 5th line, just a FLS safety. Works really well.

Paired with a 4m Shaman 2, kite+bar+lines is 3 1/4 lbs. I'm currently looking for a pack that will carry it with minimal weight penalty.

The Peak 2 9m in a Columbia Mobix pack (ridiculously light pack essentially the size of a medium Camel Bak) RTF was 6.6lbs which is pretty nuts.

I think I can beat that weight with the 9m Shaman 2.

That's awesome, Chris! I actually started messing around with the same idea recently - I had an old Ocean Rodeo bar sitting around that I decided to dismantle and try to streamline with a long throw, and no clamcleat or chickenloop. It seems like a lot of the newer kites depower so well that you can get by with just an extra long bar throw for most riding.

I would think there would be a market for that sort of thing: a very simple lightweight setup for folks that stay hooked in all the time.

Not that I want to change this thread to a bar thread... Shaman2 sounds great - Marabou even more compelling for my use. Had a chance to try 8m Peak 4 on water - felt very much like an LEI, and I was very surprised that the 8m pulled me just fine in pretty much 12m wind conditions. I'm super curious to try the Gins - partial to them anyway since I have 2 of their snow kites.

Anyway - Chris - I've been reading a bunch on KF about the Winchard shackles - some folks love them, some think they're death traps. What are you doing for the release? do you just have a small dangling rope/ball to grab, or did you rig a push away?

Nate - there are a few folks making carbon race bars now that are pretty much what you describe. The parts to build them aren't all that expensive - I think enough carbon tubes for 2 bars ran me about $50.
SK
Enata
Flying Sardine

Jeff - don't want to hijack this thread but I'd be fun to talk off-line. I saw some guys I think in Russia putting some carbon fiber bars together as described, but would love to hear what experience you've had.

And both the Shaman 2 and Marabou look pretty sweet - wouldn't mind having a go at them at some point. I did a 6 mile back-country skin/hike into a hut this winter that sits at 12,000 ft - it about killed me. I probably overdid it by packing a 16m kite in, but the benefits of lighter weight/smaller packing kites became obvious pretty quick.

Please talk ONLINE.
There are others interested in your bar discussions...
I am willing to start a new thread; I don't have much to add, but tons to learn!
colin