This is a whole separate topic: what are the true wind ranges of these kites?Tiago1973 wrote:was to write it was not mainly about the QR but about rigging a 12m kite in a 9m weather and use it in a less friendly spot without the proper experience to handle unforeseen events
then just as a quick check had a look on the rated wind range for the kite in question these tables are mostly used by people new to the sport
this shit is plain wrong
There's not much you can do about that problem. It costs money to install and maintain wind sensors and every kiting area that has one has different terrain and conditions that affect what the wind speed readings actually mean to you if you kite there. Add that to different kiter weights, varying skills, twin tip vs directional, etc., and in the end you just have to use the manufacturers' wind range estimates as a very rough estimate.timothymcmackin wrote:
This is a whole separate topic: what are the true wind ranges of these kites?
It's a problem in stunt kites, too (with less risk involved, of course). When I'm at my local lake flying stunters, people will come up to me with a kite they bought at the beach for $30 and want to know why it doesn't fly in inconsistent 5mph inland wind. "But the wind range on the package says 3-35 mph!" I usually say that those wind range specs are a lot like the numbers saying you can fit 4 people in a camping tent -- they work only in absolutely ideal conditions, as in the campers are all under 4 feet tall and 80 pounds, wearing summertime clothes, and are comfortable sleeping in each others' arms.
The odd part is that some stunt kite companies grossly overestimate the low end of their kites and others overestimate the high end. I have a Rev B-series mid-vent and it can easily handle the top mark of 20mph, and I've gone even higher with a 4-wrap frame, and I'm just an intermediate flyer. But 3mph with a 2-wrap frame? You'd better be very, very good and have laboratory-grade smooth wind. By contrast, my Prism 4-D flies like a hummingbird in winds above 8mph; I couldn't imagine flying it in the listed 15. Then I have (and dearly love) two Jest of Eve Talons. Maybe because they were made by one guy and not a company, the stated wind range is too conservative on the bottom ends -- they perform fine a bit below the stated ranges.
I had a great downwinder a week ago on my 9m switchy. We started out with wind at about 20mph but by the end of the trip, the wind reports were showing 25. As a 155-pound beginner, I was LIT on that kite; I could get going at full speed, fully depowered, just by bringing the kite from 12 to 11ish. I'm sure that you pros out there could have brought the kite down and edged against it in that much wind, but the book I got from Cab shows the top end at 30 mph! I know all of us kiters are at least a little crazy, but flying that 9 in 30mph winds has gotta be over some line.
Sure would be nice if we had really accurate wind measurements so in reviews people could talk about how much power they had at a certain wind speed. Then we could annotate the manufacturer's ranges with a rideable wind range and a "get back to land before you get killed" range.
Wind ranges vary widely with rider level, weight and riding style.timothymcmackin wrote: I had a great downwinder a week ago on my 9m switchy. We started out with wind at about 20mph but by the end of the trip, the wind reports were showing 25. As a 155-pound beginner, I was LIT on that kite; I could get going at full speed, fully depowered, just by bringing the kite from 12 to 11ish. I'm sure that you pros out there could have brought the kite down and edged against it in that much wind, but the book I got from Cab shows the top end at 30 mph! I know all of us kiters are at least a little crazy, but flying that 9 in 30mph winds has gotta be over some line.
Sure would be nice if we had really accurate wind measurements so in reviews people could talk about how much power they had at a certain wind speed. Then we could annotate the manufacturer's ranges with a rideable wind range and a "get back to land before you get killed" range.
Agree with this... I'm a bigger rider, 105kg, so 9m weather for me is quite different to other riders with fewer pies on board. And even at my size there are more skilled riders who will head out on a 9 when I would switch down. At my local spot we often see huge kite size variations as each rider chooses what works for them. Must say that although I like to be slightly over powered I do tend to switch down kite sizes early...because it increases the safety margin. In my view if you have to pull in the depower just to ride normally you're cutting into your safety margin. It's a simple equation that each rider has to learn to judge for him/her self and to act accordingly in the circumstances.g00se wrote:Wind ranges vary widely with rider level, weight and riding style.timothymcmackin wrote: I had a great downwinder a week ago on my 9m switchy. We started out with wind at about 20mph but by the end of the trip, the wind reports were showing 25. As a 155-pound beginner, I was LIT on that kite; I could get going at full speed, fully depowered, just by bringing the kite from 12 to 11ish. I'm sure that you pros out there could have brought the kite down and edged against it in that much wind, but the book I got from Cab shows the top end at 30 mph! I know all of us kiters are at least a little crazy, but flying that 9 in 30mph winds has gotta be over some line.
Sure would be nice if we had really accurate wind measurements so in reviews people could talk about how much power they had at a certain wind speed. Then we could annotate the manufacturer's ranges with a rideable wind range and a "get back to land before you get killed" range.
Most wind range charts are based average rider of good ability and average weight (180 lbs ish?)
At 155 pounds and a beginner, I you qualify for neither of these and should have sought further advice from seasoned kiters rather than looking at a manufacturer chart.
For many kiters, 25 knots is perfect 9m weather, and only gets uncomfortable at 30+.
Common sense seems to be the most overlooked requirement in many instances. Know yourself, know your limits, if any doubt at all seek advice from others.
In becoming mainstream, kiting has attracted many people who refuse to accept or understand the sport is easy to access, easy to do yet with very serious potential consequences if things go wrong.
You and you alone are responsible for your own safety. Blaming manufacters, instructors etc is pure bullshit. Take responsibility for your actions!
Users browsing this forum: AKBL, andrzej351, Bing [Bot], DanielorDani, ffoil, Google [Bot], headintheclouds, Kitemenn, mati, Musto, nothing2seehere, Pepijn, tilmann, UrosR, Windigo1, Wrenit, Yahoo [Bot] and 159 guests