I'm about to buy some new Edge kites and wondered if anyone out there currently riding 2013 Edges could give me some feedback on sizes.
it would be great to cover a 10 - 30 knot wind range and although 3 kites would be cool realistically its only gonna be 2.
85kg, Underground Styx 135x41, just for boosting and general free riding.
what 2 sizes would you get if you were me?
What will you be mainly riding in, wind wise. Where is 90 percent on your winds?
If it is at the lower end, with some winds up to the 30's then you'd be better of going a zephyr and a 10m edge with that one board.
If you got another more efficient lighter wind board (even a SB) then a 15 edge/10.
If your winds are more in the middle then a 13/10 would work with two boards, but you will be at your limit 25-30 and will need to bring your best. The edge 10m can handle near 30 but can you?
In my mind after 13m the edge loses its freeride capabilities. Get's too slow to turn and becomes a real 'race' kite.
If I was you I'd consider another board as well, even just a second hand job, doesn't have to be expensive...and try and fit into a 13/10 or 13/9 combo if your winds are more on the upper side.
90kg run 10/13 edges and have two twin tips.
Covers me in fun range from 13/14 - 30kts.
They have a huge range but normal sweet spot of around 5-6kts in the middle to high of their full range.
If you know your stuff and have a very good edging efficient board then a 10 will go upto 30knts you can even put an extra knot in the bridle pig tails which closes the kite face and let's you eek a bit more wind out of your kite, plus the new zephyr will let you ride from 9knts to low 20s, itlll boost better than a big edge turn quicker and depower better, I've had the edges since their release and all models of the zephyr, I've always had a cat 8 edges9 and 11 and a zephyr, this year. I've gone to a 7 and 10 edge with the new zephyr, is say its been my best quiver yet 40 to 9 knts, the new zephyr is a very refined kite
I had 5 old kites when I bought my first Edge, 11m and I was about 85-90kgs.
I sold all 5 other kites - including the best BFK 21m that Kurt sold me. (actually it flew beautifully but took about a week to pump up eh Kurt )
I still have that 08? edge 2 11m and it has never given me a single problem. Been all around the world and works 15kts to max (I've had it out gusting 35kts and that's as much as I'd go out in).
That leaves the 10 to 18kt range - I covered it with a Zephyr 17m.
For me, 11m & 17m works, but now I"m closer to 100kgs I'd probably get a 13m instead.
Yes - loved those BFK's for sure!
Forgot to mention I always have run a custom bar setup - full depower range of kite at the bar and qpro lines ( big difference imo).
No stuffing around with settings - I have full range at the bar.
I have my brand new 10m '13 ozone bar for sale - not one query in 2-3 weeks!
I only weigh 75kg so I went the 14m cat instead of the Zephyr. Well it was forced on me by my partner who bought it for my 40th. But all things considered I'd still rather be on a fast turning cat than a 17m zephyr. That being said the zephyr is a beautiful well thought out design and if I was 85 that's what I'd get. And the 10m edge well that's just an outstanding size.
So two kite quiver my vote goes with Cauncy plus he knows his edges and Zephyrs better than most. You'd do we'll to take his advice.
Its a big gap between sizes if you went 17 Zephyr or Edge and then a 10 Edge. I think you would need 2 boards to cover a 10 - 30 knot range anyway, so if you got an appropriate sized light wind board, then a 15 Edge, or even a 13 would be what I'd recommend. Not even the Zephyr or Edge will get you going in 10 knots on a 1.35x41 board.
Agreed still maintain you will need another board. That way you will also increase the range and overlap of your two kites, more so than if you got thrEE kites.
I all ways have two boards with me, gives you so much more latitude to move that sweet spot given the wind and kite. I actually have three, a very efficient light wind skim, a medium wind carver and a higher wind freestyle TT, with some overlap with the two Depending on swell conditions
Peacedog, I have a 9m and 11m edge 2011 and I weigh a couple of kilos more than you. I get the 11m out from 15 knots to about 25 knots. I don't really bother if it is less than 15 knots but I could ride it from about 13 knots. I ride the 9m from about 20 to 30 knots. I can ride it when it is stronger but a smaller kite would be better. I have posted a video on here before when I was riding the 9m in 35 knots. I was getting large airs but couldn't really do much else as I was too overpowered. The best combination for me would be an 11m and an 8m but the edge doesn't come in an 8m.
Well tho its possible to do 10-30 on 2 kites it wont be comfortable. you will need at least 3 kites otherwise you will be underpowered/overpowered at times.
Solid advice thanks guys, I'm glad I asked.
I'm intrigued by a 10m Edge / 17m Zephyr combo with the addition of a light wind board so think I'll give that a crack pending financial approval from the missus.
New territory for me as in 6 years kiting I have never owned anything bigger than 13m as I assumed they would be a pig to fly and not worth the gains at the bottom end of the wind range, but it sounds like big kites have come a long way in that time. Yeah 7m is a big gap between kite sizes but I can see how owning a 2nd board would really help increase the overlap. Plus it sounds like a Zephyr is going to be a better option for boosting and having fun on than a 13 or 15m Edge (my original considerations) with a similar wind range.
Any advice on an appropriate board to get me boosting in 10 knots with a Zephyr? I know nothing about light wind boards.
If I chose 17 zep/edge 10 edge. thered be a space around 17-20 knots when the zep was fully lit and the 10 only just charging... plus i'd be fully rib squeazed closed to 30. .....
yeh i'd say I would agree with this analysis based on the 10m edge I ride. My weight and style is kind of what lent me to the 14m cat for that reason. But there are times when I would rather be on a zephyr and there are times when I'd rather be on a 13m edge as well, which would have a much better bottom end that the Cat 14m I reckon for keeping your ground. My bro's 11m edge competes with the cat 14m nicely except at the real low end. That 13m edge on an efficient board could have a bloody good low end if ya not too heavy.
Then again was in just marginal wind conditions on saturday, with double head waves so i was real glad I was on the cat then. it's faster turning and instant Cish grunt as well as drift saved me from disaster quite a few times.
My bro on his edge lost the speed needed for that wind on a huge wave given the sketchy wind and currently his Mako 140 (2013) is somewhere in the Indian Ocean...swell was to large to find it! if someone down Mandurha ways comes across it or you see one for sale, you Can be sure it is his and let me know so I can pay a respectful visit.
Always a compromise hey in the end.
The edge is so good, it provides the ultimate in juicy boostyness.
I also also love c-kites though, they provide the ultimate in flicky whippyness.
The old zephyr used to get a bit heavy in the 17 to 20s but still very well behaved, the new zephyr however is a completly different kite as those who have changed will testify, perfect example on Saturday, put up the zephyr in 13 knts and still rode fully powered until sunset close to 20knts with 2 other kiters , 1 on a ikon 10mtr less power than an edge, but he was galloping around, and another on a10switchy, also going well, this new zephyr has an even better top end compared to my last 2 models, and I could see it still being stable at 25knts,