TractionKiting.co.uk

Hey
I've been flying a pair of flexifoil super 10 for some time now and having been out at the weekend I really fancy stepping up to a traction kite. Anyone got any idea of what kite I will need to go for to really fell the extra power. i've looked on a few websites but i've no idea how difference there is between what i have and the massive kites with quad lines. some advice would be great!
chris

hi chris, welcome!

depends really on what you want to do. And where you see yourself going.

1. ststic flying
PKD buster
flexi blurr
ozone imp

three great kites, not flown the blurr but heard good things. PKD and ozone are both bombproof.
Look at the 2-3m sizes if you want a good starting size.

2. landboarding
PKD buster
Flexi rage + blade
Ozone imps, riots etc

If your looking to get moving a bit, some these kites have a bit more lift in them and will make a good kite when you progress.
3-4m ish a good starter size

3.buggying
PKD buster
Flezi Blurr
ozone imp, flow

Again great kites. bit more lateral pull on these ones so real good buggy kites. not heard much bout the flow but might me an option?

2-4m

hope that helps a bit

Nice one!
Lots of kites there to check out.
I see you really like the PKD buster. Is this as you fly this your self? if so is there much difference between 3m and 4m?
I'm defo keen to get moving on the ground and through the air.
Will look into the kites you've mentioned.
Thanks!

Chris,

I notice that you say you are keen to getting moving on the ground AND through the air. I would not have thought the 3 - 4m PKD kites would give you enough lift to jump and safely land. Flexifoils are generally thought of as better for jumping. Also to smaller sizes will give you enough lift to jump, but I believe they have a tendancy to give a hard landing. I'm sure Owain will be along at some point, but I think he has previously recommended at least a 4.3m for serious jumping.

I use the Ozone Flows for the buggy and both the 3m and 4m a great kites for pulling power. They are stable, with few suprises but plenty of power. In low winds you will need to work the kite to get much upwond performance but I can still get moving with my small 2m Flow if necessary although getting upwind is a struggle and really tiring.

Hi Chris, Welcome to TK,

I'll second Roors thoughts on kite size for jumping 4.something - 5m not for the lift factor but for the landing . Flexifoil blades are usually considered to be THE lift engine, but they're not too kind to new flyers, Peter lynne twisters and Pansh Ace are lifty kites too.

I'd whole heartily recomend the Ozone Flow as a good all round beginner/intermediate kite, along with HQ Beamer mkIII or above (Slightly biased cos these are my teaching kites)

I'd recomend when you decide and get your new toy, try it out in lightish 10-12mph winds first, cos it'll feel much different to your stackers, also have a couple of goes at just letting go, let the kite killers that you'll have attached to you and the brake line do their thing.

Most of all enjoy what you buy!!

Take it Easy, Yeah!?
Iain

chris wrote:
Nice one!
Lots of kites there to check out.
I see you really like the PKD buster. Is this as you fly this your self? if so is there much difference between 3m and 4m?
I'm defo keen to get moving on the ground and through the air.
Will look into the kites you've mentioned.
Thanks!

i am an arc user myself, dont fly fixed bridles much anymore. used to fly mk3 blade 3m and a 5m ozone riot.

The buster i have found to be a nice allround kite, thats a resonable price. some of the others do things better but all round you cant go wrong with PKD.
there is quite a noticeable difference between the 3-4m, personally i think a 3m is the perfect starter size for most activities. I started out on a mk3 flexifoil blade 3m which is an amazing fun kite with lots of pull and aggressive turning.

As others have mentioned moving through the air you might want to wait till you have something a bit bigger...i dont like jumping on anything smaller than 5-6m

Hey

Is there anywhere that I can try out traction kites before making a decision?
A kite shop isn't going to allow me to return are they?
I have faith in the flexifoil kites. I'm liking the look of the blade, but is it to be 4m or 4.9m. In terms of longevity and variety of activities i'd like to think just getting the biggest would be best!? I've had the stackers for about 5 years. Been fun when i've used them but I want more from it. Much more! including soft landings!

Don't know where you fly dude, but your best bet to try before you buy is from a bunch of kiters, if there are a few in your area then get yourself along to where they meet and blag a try .

Most of us are friendly and will most likely let you try out a toy or two, if you explain what your up to/ trying to get.

My 4m mkIII blade is quite capable of lifting 13st and putting me down fairly lightly, but that comes with practice, really wouldn't want to recomend trying to jump til you've gotten the feel for your kite and the re direct technique totally programmed into your muscles. 5 yrs of flying stackers will give you a huge headstart tho.