Ozone Edge 11m Review

I ride mostly in big messy chop and they go just fine. In their optimum wind range they turn quick, they do like to fly fast. They are not a wake style kite but they boost you like crazy. But if you watch the videos i posted you can do some of thse wake style tricks at a much greater hieght because of the float. End of the the day you have to just get out their and try one. When I switched from North rebal to an edge back in 07 I only rode it for about 10mins and was sold. that was when the Edge had zero bar pressure,they have improved consistly from then.

Another few comments:
I think the 11m Edge would be a good 1-kite quiver for most people looking for this style of kite, given its comfortable 15-25 knots windrange.
The chickenloop and swivel assembly is quite compact and so the bar is easy to reach.
There is no adjustable stopper for the bar throw. This isn't much of an issue for me because if i drop the bar it is still quite easy to reach. Still, it would be nice if this was at least an option.

I think Ozone should push the boosting capabilities of the Edge a bit more. There is no official Edge 2011 video except for some super long video about racing. Yet there are videos about 2011 Zephyr, Reo, and C4. Go figure... At least there's this video (and the ones posted by rusty7):

I would say its an 11m. Thats the sort of kiting that I like to see.

I love my Edges for boosting sickening air, nothing comes close!

Edges are a flying experience, they're unlike any other kite I've flown.

If you do decide to demo one, you need to be instructed on how to control them properly so you get the most out of them.

Firstly, the Edge is grunty, like, really grunty! But you need speed to deliver that grunt. Most people when demoing the kite for the first time just go out powered up and ride off fast and then get freaked out at the power and speed. It's a little like the old school kites of 2003. There is de-power, but not "switch off" type de-power like the modern quality kites.

As you go faster, they deliver more power, the Edge delivers power in an upwind or forward pull, unlike most other kites, so you never get pulled off your edge downwind like most kites, but they do accelerate you forwards in the direction of travel.

The trap is, the faster you go, the more power they create, the more power they create, the faster you go and so on. To prevent this catch 22, you need to employ edge control by way of your board to reduce speed. Simply sheeting out on the bar will only help before you get over powered, once overpowered, sheeting out wont help as much as you'd need. Perhaps this is why newer riders ie circa 2006 onwards have a scary experience dealing with the kite.

Old school riders will re-adjust in minutes and learn quickly that you can ride the Edges massively overpowered safely and comfortably. I have absolutely no problem on the 11m Edge in 30+ knots, but I keep my speed very low until I see a ramp, then simply release the brakes, sheet in, accelerate, and send it hard at full power.

What happens next cannot be explained, you need to feel it, or at least see it to understand. Like I said, it's an experience and a privilege to fly an Edge.

DM

Really good Point about a bit of tuition before taking one of these out for the first time DM ...... They do fly different to most kites they sit way foward in the window and they are not just a pick up and fly kite. Unless you have good edge control you are not going to get the best out of these kites, you cannot ride these kites in higher winds and just rely on letting the bar go to wash out power. The speed with which they accelerate in higher winds can be a bit disconserting if you are not used to it. Quite a few people try these and don't like them as a result.
These are not a beginner kite, I also think they are not the easiest kite to progress on, because of their speed. But once you get them dialled in ....thats a whole other story...... no problem riding overpowered I employ thje same technique as DM slow right down pick your spot. I have set up my high wind board with 2 sets of fins on my heel side and this allows me to hold my 13m in .... (lets just say winds that would normally suit a 9 or less).
Disclaimer : I am not advocating kiting overpowered....just saying what is possible with the edge.

FWIW, the 11m Edge has a far wider comfortable windrange than a 13m Slingshot Rev2, depite the fact the Rev has much more bar throw and 4 pulleys.

@Eppo, i don't think there is any need for you to be flying a 9m in 30-35 knots. If you're uncomfortable on an 8m Rebel at 28 knots, you're probably going to be uncomfortable on a 9m Edge in 30+ knots. From my limited experience on an 11m Rebel, i think the lowend is close, but will not quite match the 11m Edge. I'm sure Darren will have a much better idea of how they compare. My guess is the 7m Edge would be a much better choice than 9m. But 7m or 9m, it might still be too close to an 8m Rebel to be worthwhile.

Somehow, in 25 knots, the Edge manages to scare me (just a tad) and inspire confidence all at the same time. My new favorite kite

I can handle the 8m in 28 knots okay, been kiting for a long time, can control speed well enough.

Suppose I was just talking about an overlap of some sort. You know those days that may be 28 odd but gusts can hit 35.

Then again one wonders how much I would actually use the 7m edge then. 90% of the time would be spent on the 11 and 8 rebels.

Or do I just get say a 9m edge purely as an alternative jumping machine, keep the rebels for the waves.

We do a lot of flat water estuary riding when prevailing easterlies, be great for an edge. Must admit unless I go north early on, I rarely kite above 30 knots down in mandurah anyhow, just doesn't get that high unless in winter, but that;s a whole other kettle of fish.

Food for thought... see what darren saya I suppose.

^^^ I was just thinking how an 11m Edge would go nicely with my 8/10m Reos.

Might have to get one.

Hi Guys,

Whoa, so much interest in Edges seemingly all of a sudden. I'll do my best to address all concerns.

Rebel's vs Edge's
The Rebel is a great (the best?) freeride kite and does everything really well. It will race well, goes upwind well, boosts huge, rides waves reasonably well and is easy enough for any level of rider to enjoy. Some schools even teach with Rebels. The reason why this kite is so easy for everyone, is the ability to let go of the bar and the kite will stop producing power, you will slow rapidly and drop into the water and be safe.

As stated in the previous post I made, the Edge is a true performance kite, a beautifully designed high performance wing << (word chosen deliberately). The Edge is designed to race and produce it's power very forward in the wind window to make edging raceboards upwind effortless. Gusts are instantly converted to acceleration, not downwind pull. This will push some peoples comfort zones due to the fact that if you are riding fast already, you will likely have plenty of edge in already, then instantly, you accelerate forwards, often dramatically increasing your speed. Sheeting out the bar will not throw away the power like the Rebel.

The Edge will continue pulling FORWARD quite hard. As mentioned earlier, you can release the bar to reduce power but to really get it under control you need to bury your edge and just force it back upwind. This can be a challenge when you are already riding at 25 knots board speed! If you hold your edge, the kite will come back and you'll gain control, but it takes a little tenacity to stick with it when every cell in your body is sh1tting bricks and preparing for a high speed stack. To me this is part of the allure and challenge.

Like trying to get a wild horse under control.

Again, the kites are both great performance kites but the areas the Edge is designed to work will smoke all challengers; Lift, float, apparent power, smoothness and amazing upwind angles. The Rebel will give better turns, faster redirect, better surf handling and better on/off power by simply sheeting in. Rebel also boosts big and is a better allrounder.

They are two totally different kites but share many great attributes. The Power between Edge and Rebel is comparable but they produce power differently. Rebel has sheet in, instant power and the Edge has "wind it up" type power where you increase speed and sheet in as speed comes so does the power. This is whyRebel is better in surf and for general freeride, you can instantly turn power on and off like a tap and is fast to change direction.

You need to demo, because I could write thousands of words and in the end they are only words, whereas a few hours on an Edge and you'll get it in your bones!

DM

Sorry for rambling

Hi Cauncy,

Yes, but it is unchanged from the 2011 design unless you count a new bag as change.

DM

Hi Cauncy ..... I can answer your question for you, the 2010 compared to the 2011
2011 turns much faster,the 13m espeacially is a huge improvement over 2010.
2011 generates considerably more power, in particular the 11m. Better low end.
2011 points higher upwind.
2011 boosts higher. Exception being the 13m at the lower end of wind range.
2011 considerably more hangtime, all sizes. The 9m holds me up there(100kg) much longer than the 2010. The 13m doesn't seem to boost as well as the 2010 but that could be just me, you do have time for inflight service before landing it though. The 11m is insane.
Worth upgrading to 2011 .....definetly. I have had every model since 2007 and this is significantly better than any of the previous models. In all honesty its very hard to find anything to improve on. I am very pleased that it will remain relatively unchanged this coming sesson. DM's description is spot on. I cracked up when I read this bit its described the situation perfectly."If you hold your edge, the kite will come back and you'll gain control, but it takes a little tenacity to stick with it when every cell in your body is sh1tting bricks and preparing for a high speed stack"......... Does what it was designed to do beautifully. A kite for all occasions ... not really.

awesome plummet, love stories like that. Gonna give this wild horse a crack soon enough.

Yesterday.... local spot
30 knots SE
9m edge

doesnt get much better