q kite
Villingen-Schwenningen. Last year, U-Turn GmbH and Spleene Watersports GmbH (Immenstaad) agreed to a strategic partnership. Now the first product of
this partnership is available: The “Q”, a crossover kite with great hangtime, direct C-Kite Bar-feedback, fast acceleration, tight turning behaviour
and excellent stability even in gusty conditions.
Spleene, incorporated 2002 by Rainer Kauper, is the must-have-brand for kitesurfers. Both U-Turn and Spleene stand for latest technology and
innovative ideas. The strengths of both brands now become manifest in the “Q”, which is available in six sizes (5;7;9;10,5;12 and 14 sm).
The “Q“ is a thoroughbred Crossoverkite and versatile as one would expect from a modern Kite. Great hangtime, direct C-Kite Bar-feedback, fast
acceleration, tight turning behaviour and excellent stability even in gusty conditions, were essential parts of its design brief.
Auto-water-relaunchability and easy handling complete the “Q” and make it a universally usable kite for all disciplines and conditions, for beginners
and experts alike.
The excellent inflight stability and fast acceleration of the “Q” was possible by combining an almost straight trailing edge with a swept back (arrow
shaped) leading edge and a deep C-curve. The main focus during the development was concentrated around a design that has no centrestrut. By not using
a centrestrut the “Q´s“ profile in the centre of the kite, is able to constantly adjust itself, which very successfully counteracts the dreaded
frontstall. The profile which has been cut into the Kites canopy is thus not fixed by a centrestrut but can move freely and react to the changing
angle of attack. If the airflow ever breaks away from the kites profile (e.g. kite overflies the zenith), the kite will automatically right itself and
the airflow will reconnect with the profile. This also results in a shorter depowertravel as the lift in the centre area of the kite, which represents
70% of the overall surface, can be interrupted very successfully when pushing the bar away, creating a controlled inversion of the area just behind
the leading edge. Throughout this, the wingtips remain constantly supported by the further outside positioned struts, thus maintaining the kites
controllability and steering characteristics. To achieve this throughout the range, every size has individually positioned struts. These unique
characteristics derive from a combination of an almost straight Trailing Edge, coupled with a swept back (arrow shaped) leading edge, a deep C-curve
and a missing centrestrut. Such a concept results in a livelier Kite that is more agile yet still easy to handle.
The new “IQ“-Barsystem is developed as a 4-Line Setup and managed to combine the many functions of modern bar systems without inheriting any of their
known drawbacks. The bar allows many rotations without twisting up the depowerropes and flying-lines. Compared to other anti-twist Bar-systems the
“IQ” bars two depowerropes run behind each other rather than next to each other. This unique way of separating the two depowerropes provides a
comfortable grip in the centre of the bar for one handed, toeside riding or one handed unhooked tricks. Thanks to the “Integrated Leash System”, the
“IQ“-barsystem doesn’t need a separate external Safety Leash, which makes the system the perfect set-up for “hooked-in” riders. By using the supplied
Safety Leash Connector (designed to stop the Leash carabiner getting caught in the Chickenloop) and an external Safety Leash (HP-Leash), unhooked
riding is also no problem. In dangerous situations or when loosing control, the Kite is safely brought to the ground via activating the intuitively
positioned quick release. An instantaneous, total release of the whole System in order to completely separate the rider from the kite is also possible
with the “IQ” bar. This is important if for example the kite gets tangled in another kite or fast moving object. Furthermore the “IQ“-barsystem
creates very little friction around the depowerrope, thus maintaining smooth depower action even when the bar is fully lock during extreme steering
manoeuvres. The bar-ends are equipped with width adjustable multiwinders so that one Bar is suitable for all sizes. The depowerropes are easily
changed without the need of any tools.
more information on the X kite coming soon.
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