Postby Gebi » Wed May 12, 2010 4:01 pm
Ok I have spent some serious time on both the new Ozone EDGES as am sponsored by Ozone and race them as well, (finished 11th at this years Course Racing Worlds) and I coach speed kiter Rob Douglas who rides Crossbows, which we custom bridle when we go for the outright world Speed record, in Luderitz, Namibia each fall for the last 3 years.
1) Upwind ability (whick kite is flying more at the edge of the window.)
-9,11,13 Edge sits slightly more forward than same crossbow sizes, but generates less bar pressure.
2) Feedback on the bar.
-lighter bar pressure on Ozone Edge.
3) Response of the kite (which is faster-lighter?)
-feels to me Edge turns faster, EDGE has smaller leading edge and no pulleys on kite, making it more responsive in turning.
4) Hangtime
-hard to compare; faster turning kite (Edge) tend to initially jump better and fly faster to apex, but more powerful Crossbow might float longer. Depends on technique, weight of rider and if underpowered or overpowered as well.
5) Relaunch in light wind
-new Edges launch much easier, must be direct bridle system with no pulleys. In Super light air the Zephyr launches better than any other big kite I have tried. That being said the 16 Crossbow has more low end power than 17 Zephyr, but Zephyr flies earlier in super light air. ( Zephyr is lighter kite with only 5 battens, and it seems to be smaller than Crossbow 16 in size side by side.)
6) Top speed
- thats hard to test and depends on rider weight, angle of sail and if you are underpowered or overpowered. Edges normally have more top end and less low end pull. Edge has slighly smaller leading edge. Cab Boys were usually switching down in sizes earlier.
7) Stability at 12 o clock in supergusty wind. ( hindenburging ? )
-New Edges stay in the air in the worst of conditions, as does Cabs- that one is a toss up.
9) Newest shape (probably is the Edge). On the other side, i' ve heard that Crossbow will get more "racey" next year 2011 (is that true?) Edge is a newer design released in March (2010) and Cabs released earlier by 3 months, just the timing of how the two companies release their kites worldwide.
10) Easy to use ? Depends what you want in a kite. Other comparisons might help you decide.
11) Which one is more powerfull ? Cabrinha Crossbow- more bar pressure and more pull for size. I am pretty sure Adam Koch who won the recent Worlds raced only on 2 kites. Adam rode the 9 Edge in high winds and only the Edge 13 in lighter winds, where Damo rode the 7,9 on the high wind day and the 11,13,16 Crossbow on the light wind day.
12) Are both kites the same size? ( example : Edge13 Ozone and a CB13 Cabrinha?) Thats a good question, seems Crossbows might be slightly bigger per size...will let you know in a month, when I coach speed kiter Rob Douglas (Cab Crossbow rider) in Fuerte.
Hope this helps, both kites are top of the line....subtle differences.
Gebi