After thinking that C kites were crap for Tassie conditions, I am now changing my mind after flying a demo C4. Seems the hybrid-C is working out alright in the gusty winds we get.
Can C4 riders or anyone who has ridden one please help me narrow down kite sizing. I have come from GK Trix's, and basing my ozone experiences on flying a 12m C4. My stats are:
Weight: 73kg
Board: LF 135 concept
Kites will be used for unhooked freestyle, waves, and boosts. The kites I'm needing to replace will be a 12m and 9m GK Trix, to cover windrange from 12-30knots, or as much as possible of this range. Have got a 7m for the big stuff 
.
My experience with the 12m C4 has been really good in the higher part of the windrange, but lacking grunt down low when I would normally be ok on my Trix. Am wondering if the 13/10 C4 combo would work for my weight to get that extra grunt, and if there is much of a difference in windrange/grunt when comparing the 13/12 C4 and 10/9 C4. Any experiences with how the meter difference affects hold down and unhooking would be greatly appreciated!
12 9 is probably the best combo you can get, 9m is a perfect size in almost any kite brand, and the c4 is no exception.. not sure what its like riding in tazzie but in general id go a 12 9 if you only get two kites, just ride a surfy in the lighter stuff.. i was usin a 12 yesterday after work in about 13 - 17 knots varying through the session and i was fine for the most of it
I am 80kg and previously rode 8.5 and 12.5 Flexifoil Ion2's
I now ride 10m and 13m C4's.
The 10 is awesome....huge wind range.
I'd agree with a 12 and 9 combo. We've got C4s in 7, 9 and 11 which at around 70kgs suits me from about 12knts (on a surfboard) to 35knts using a 135.
Enjoy!
Nath
I think I'm with Charl on this one.
I'm a similar weight, but mostly riding surfboards, on 11, 9, and 7m C4's. The 9 and 7 rock my socks.
The grunt is there, it's just that it feels smoother with front line flying kites with less bar pressure.
12+9=
only one backer for the 13/10 combo? Is there anyone else that can say they've ridden either, and compared to the 12 and 9?
@Tobes yes it does feel heaps smoother, keeps deceiving me. The problem I'm struggling with is I've noticed i'm working the kite more in the lower end of the range <15 than usual, when i'd normally still have the GK parked for power. Hmmm.
@Bigwavedave, what board are you using with the kites? Flat or wave or chop?
133x41 cardboard on flat water with current. 13 gets me going 13 to 18 knots.
10 gets me from 17 to nuking.
I found c4's a little undersized compared to other brands hence my selection of 13 and 10.
In the surf I ride tt or 5'8 shorty and kites perform the same.
Looking at changing over to the the C4
currently ride 09 switchy 8m and 12m on 2010 cabrinha custom 136
Havnt demo'd as of yet but from what i can see they look like a superior kite for unhooked tricks. Very stable and decent windrange
Looking at getting the 12 and 9 combo also just wondering up to what winds ill be able to do unhooked tricks on the 2 kites respectively.
Hoping to be comfy in 18knots up to 23 on 12 and 23 to 30 on the 9....
Whats your thought folks???
switchy is ok to unhook up to 20knot on the 12 and 25knot on the 8.
i myself ride just a 9m hifi comp in perth and found its range to be perfect for 90% of the season, the C4 has slightly less bottom end but more top end so a 12 9 is a mint combo for perth, my m8 rides that set and hardly ever needs his 7 unless its ridiculously windy
Im 80 kgs, ride a 135x41 cardboard tempo and have the 11m and 9m C4. I use the 11 from 16 knots up to 25 then use the 9. Anything below 16 i use a Zephyr. I Would go 12m and 9m if you want to ride in 12-13 knots. You should then be well powered up in 15 knots!
Cheers
Andy
i like how some people over exadurate their wind speeds...
the legitimate ranges of these kites are all dependant on how much you dangle and how skilled you are..
a real range for the 12 would be ~14 - 18/20
and a real range for the 9 would be ~ 18 - 23/25 (unhooked only)
in a legitimate 25 + you need a 7m regardless what company you are on if you want to do progressive riding.. if u wana just do basic crap then a 9 can still work depending on how good u are at edging.
your overall range hooked in will be like 13 - 30 quite easily.. but be honest with yourself, you cant unhook on a 8m cab in 25+
noticed that most of perth riders have been recommending the 12/9 combo - don't most riders over there about my weight go for the 10/7 combo for perth conditions? We tend to go 12/9's here, Wainmans, GK Trix, Crossbow's, Converts, Waroo's etc.
Last call for any more experiences with 13 vs 12 and 10 vs 9 C4's. I keep thinking of Puppy that kites here @ 60kg happily on his 13m Ozone Edge, then when its too windy switches to his 7m Crossbow.
Saw a windchart from last weekend session here, actually peaked at 50 knots at one stage in a gust and 20-25ish the rest. Winters on the way...
. Don't think it really matters what you put up over winter.......demo hogger Thinking seriously about switching too.
Hi, got new 12 meter c4 arriving at end of the week, how does everyone set up their rear line adjusters? on my light xc's i have them almost all the way in.
also i've got a 8 meter catalyst coming too, which i'm gonna fly on the c4 bar, any adjustments needed?
Thanks
thats true, but with the rear line trimmers all the way out on my lightxc and the depower trim off, the kite was really depowered so had to fly it with the rear line trimmer all the way in to get any grunt.
so i reckon it will matter how much the rear lines are trimmed
pretty much on the standard setting from what i saw on the demo ones i flew.. i moved the bar pressure lines on the kite in one when i flew it
any idea of what the standard setting is? ozones i have bought before have come with the rear lines fully out, but i've had to adjust them, if no one knows i'll start with them in the middle and drop a post on here if i think they can be set better.
cheers
You just play with the settings. Keep the white stitches in the buckle. It only travels about 75mm which doesn't make that much difference. I have 4 Ozones and it doesn't affect the trim that much.
The adjustors are there to counteract line stretch.
There are no trim straps on the rear/side lines of the bar on any of the 2010 Ozone kites. There are adjustment knots on the leaders under the floats to adjust the trim for taller riders and to allow for line stretch over time with heavier riders.
There is no "right or wrong" spot for the old trimmers, its about what suits you the rider, and what suits you may not suit another person.
When the bar is pulled all the way in, you should not be stalling the kite, if the kite is slowing and stalling or backstalling let the rear line trimmers out, or pull the front line trimmer in.
If you are riding with poo stance, then pull the front line trimmer in so that you can ride with an appropriate/better stance/posture.
If you are a tall person and find the sweet spot for the bar is too close then you can use the rear line trimmers shorter - but you have to be careful not to stall the kite when you pull in for a jump or if you unhook.
All the above applies to trimming all kites actually.
My C4 bars have rear line trimmers. Must have had a batch of old bars in the first batch of C4's.
Steve is a little confused ;)
C4 bar DOES have the little adjusters on the rear lines, it's the new Contact control bar which has the adjustment under the floats.
cheers.
Hi Guys,
The C4 bar and Catalyst bar are 50cm long. C4 Bar does have line trimmers on the back lines. Default or factory setting is with the white stitching across the buckle. This allows you to change any differences in line length to keep the bar straight and level whilst the kite is flying. It is not used to trim the kite for power. The trimmer cleat on the front lines is for flight power trimming.
The Catalyst has same bar, it is 50cm long but does not have the back line trim straps. Just under the back steering line floats, are short leaders which have several knots on them, you can adjust the line length by moving the larks headed leader to behind any knot required. You can also make smaller adjustments by "moving" the adjustment knots to suit your preferences.
I like both bars. I love the clean look and feel of the Contact bar off the Catalyst, but love the line trimmers on the C4 bar too.
Same lines quality on both bars, but a different trimmer on the catalyst to the C4 where the C4 has the old endless loop trimmer, the new Contact Bar of the Catalyst has a ball on the end of a Woven spectra cord in a new cleat.
All good!
Photo of Trimmer on C4 Bar
Photo of C4 Bar (See the white thread in middle of buckle)
Photo of new Contact Bar from Catalyst
Hope this makes it all clearer.
Cheers,
KH
I flown the C4 with a Contact bar and is OK.
I like the extra depower on the trow of the bar.
I prefer not the have the side adjuster..
Bye Jankie
Thanks guys, the old trimmers don't have that white stitching on. can't wait to get the kite.
hope you all get good wind
"Now with trim straps on the rear lines!" - for people that are so retarded that they need to adjust their back lines constantly while the kite is still flying...
Seriously a couple of close together knots somewhat like that other bar pictured will fix any situation and is a hell of a lot cleaner. All I can see those back line trim straps being good for is allowing rookies easier access to a kitemare.
looks like both steve and darren have had a little brain fart.
ALL 2010 bars are 50cm long, only the Zephyr has a 54cm bar.
Hey Peace,
Oops my bad! Just checked and both are 50cm. Last years bars were 54cm. Doh! <Slaps forehead>
Cheers mate,
KH
