Epic Renegade 4G

Rider: 72kg,advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Freestyle
Weather: 15-25 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: team rider

My Comments:
I've had a chance to demo the new Epic Renegade 4G last week. A big thanks to Nigel at Eastcoastkitesurfing for having provided the kites (9 & 11m).
I have spent a few hours on the 11m, but didn't try the 9m yet. It's not much so I'll keep this review short and try be as informative as possible. There is not much information about this kite so I hope this will be useful.


Out of the bag, the Renegade 4G is 3 struts kite, the construction seems very good and well finished. There are 2 different settings for the front lines: "freeride" and "wave" (I have only tried "freeride" so far).
The leading edge is relatively large and needs to be pumped hard, then it feels rock solid in the air and the relaunching is very easy.
It didn't try the new bar so I can't comment on it, but from what I've heard the bar remains the same except for the chicken loop and quick release system which were improved.
The rest of the bar is simple and effective. Nothing fancy, it's a 4 lines bar with a depower strap, all the lines can be adjusted very easily and you can switch between a 45cm or 55cm width settings in a few seconds, depending on the size of your kite.


On the water, the kite delivers clean power and the handling is smooth and easy. I usually ride C kites but the first time I tried the renegade, I felt immediately comfortable with it.
It's super stable, safe and predictable.
I was afraid of the pulleys at first (I don't like pulley) but I found the handling was direct and snappy. Upwind and jumping performance are very good. Again, this kite is very user-friendly and predictable, it doesn't take long to get perfectly timed floaty jumps. Unhooked was pure joy too.
I just found the kite was slightly oversheeted and I had to pull a bit of depower strap to adjust this. But this might come from the bar I used though, I 'll have to double check.
It's quite powerful, between 15-25kn was perfect for me but I'd say the low-end is bit better than the high-end. Around 15kn I was well-powered, so I assume that with the line extensions, I could use this kite in relatively light wind. I will have to give it a go. Next session, I also would like to try the "wave" setting on a downwinder.


* What I liked:
- The overall build quality, it's strong and well made. Only time will tell but you can see it's been made to last.
- The versatility. I'm not particularly into any style of riding, I enjoy waves as much as unhooked, big boosts, kiteloops, etc. This kite had very good performance in many domains.
- Great stability and very easy to fly.
- Turning speed & bar pressure, both suit me well so I can just forget about the kite on the water.
- Sick graphics
- Great customer service. This is not directly related to the kite itself, but's it something that matters to me. Anytime I had to deal with Epic or one of the distributors, they 've always been very responsive and helpful. It's a human sized company and the after-sale support is exceptionally good.
- The price. I think this is also an important factor to take into account. I don't think I'm wrong if I say the price difference between a 9m Renegade complete any other 9m from the top 5 brands is, at least, half a grand.

* What I'd change:
- The foam material on the bar. No question it's very comfy but it tends to mark quite easily.
- The pulleys: this year you can choose between Ronstan pulleys or the Epic sliders for the frontlines. It's great to have the choice, but I've never been a big fan of pulleys. So for the next version, I'd vote for: nothing, just a direct connection.
- The inflate valve has no one-way system. Although, it's not a big deal once you're used to it.


I think this Renegade is an excellent all-around kite. It's a no brainer, just plug and play, whatever your style is, you'll feel comfortable right away.
If you're into hardcore wakestyle, a racer or do only waves, there are probably more dedicated kites out there that will suit you best. But I'd recommend this kite to anybody, beginner to expert, looking for a versatile kite that can make you progress quickly and easily.

Personally, I'm stocked on this kite and it will definitely be in my quiver for the coming season. It would be cool to hear about what other kiters think about it.
Currently, there are a 9 and an 11m Renegade 4G available for demo in Perth. So if you're around would like to give it a go, just send me pm, I can hand it over to you.
Anywhere else in Australia, you can get in touch with Nigel (EastCC) at Eastcoastkitesurfing, I'm sure he will be able to help.

Cheers,

Epic Renegade 4g 9m review

Rider: 78kg, advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Freestyle
Weather: 18-25 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Just another hoon at the beach who pays Full retail.

I did a demo on the 4g 9m Renegade last week, that Nigel from EastCoastKitesurfing was kind enough to organise for me.

The Bag: Big enough to carry & strap all your gear to if need be - good to note also that after you've rolled your kite up, you just fold it in half once and it fits nicely in the bag, should save a bit of wear & tear in the long run rather than being forced in & scrunched up..

The Bar: I used the old bar - have pictured the new one below that has a new Chicken Loop and an extra 15cm throw on it, which effectively increases your top end windrange.. to change from 55-45cm, just undo the Larks head on the outside (in picture) and put it on the inside

The Build: Its solid built with the scuff padding in all the right places, the 3 struts are very skinny but work a treat.

The Graphics: Very eye catching designs and colour schemes - one of the best looking kites on the market style wise.

Kite Option settings: Freeride & wave

The conditions were 18-25 kots, waves one side, glass flat the other - the kite was set to 'freeride'.
From launch on the beach you definately notice how stable the kite is and from a stand still just pull the bar in & up you go. The kite definitely has power on tap. The delivery is deceivingly smooth as power can be incrimental from fingertip pressure, allowing a little in aerial transitions or a lot aggressive fishpole style. The bar pressure is about medium and you always know where it is and also enough to pull yourself round out of a trick if required. Unhooking you'll need a little trim as usual for an allrounder.

The steering is very smooth in characteristic (but not as in slow) with very balanced power all the way through, making high speed downloop carving turns at lot fun on the face or flatwater. If you want it to pivot turn - it'll do so without any sideways slide that sometimes washes out redirection in kites sometimes. When trimmed a little from max power, its cruises down the line nicely without losing any bar input - the wave setting it would have been more fun again... unfortunately the winter wind disappears as fast as it arrives and didnt get the chance.

Jumping ability - well heres a surprise where the game changes dramatically to say the least !
Go fast and slash that edge hard, redirecting and it will jump very high (remember it could lift me off the beach from just pulling the bar in) and its one of the easiest well behaved looping kites ive tried yet- keeping even powered and giving you that confidence to throw one anywhere, instead of the 'oh fark its stalled' just before the beating ! The float is average though will put you down soft enough if send it over the window with good timing.

Relaunch - before you can 'pronounce it' its waiting for you, great when those sets are thundering towards you :)
You wouldnt believe how hard I tried to get it to Err crash at the back of the window (sorry ) I wish I had one while I was learning

Overall - a great allrounder for beginner to advanced if you just want to have fun without technical riding...

As youve read - we have an Epic team rider based in Perth who is very friendly and helpful, so if you'd like a quick demo - just send him a private message.
Nigel at (EastCC) EastCoastKitesurfing will be more than happy to help you guys out on the other side of the Island to organise a demo for the kite of your choice...
He has also mentioned that the 2014 Epic 4g Screamers Jump machines and the Infinity V3 light wind machine will be coming out to Perth shortly.
Heres the 4g Renegade, bag and new long throw bar with newly designed chickenloop..

Great reviews guys.

Any review's on the Screamer / Screamer Ltd?