Hey guys

Calling any TS riders out there - thinking about getting a set of TS's for my next quiver and stuck for sizes. I'm 80kgs, intermediate level on twintips, thinking about getting more into directionals.

Tried the 10m on demo and loved it, so now trying to decide. I usually ride 14/15knots up to late 20's, and will have the occasionally chance to get lit above 30 knots, but that'll be rare. I first thought maybe the classic 9/12 combo, but I may have the chance to buy a silver ticket off a buddy which may convince me to splash out to a 3 kite quiver.

That'll mean I could do 7/10/14m or even a 8/12/15m. What do y'all reckon? With the first combo I may not be bringing out the 7m much, but if I'm getting into directionals it maybe used more. The latter combo I think I'll get more use out of, but I think I may miss that 9/10m sweet spot.

Thoughts appreciated!

My TS quiver is a 12/9/7 and I have an Ozone Zephyr 17m to cover me in light winds. I haven't had a session on the 12 yet, but I've ridden my 9m and it has a surprising amount of range for its size.

I have yet to encounter winds strong enough for my 7 :/

I rode the 15m and it was pretty good in light winds. I'd recommend being on 25+m lines when riding it, though.

All that said, I'd say go for a 15/12/9 combo.

I have a quiver of Best TS; I am 80kg riding on TT's but I just received my Jimmy Lewis thruster yesterday.

I have a quiver of 4 TS; 8, 10, 12 and 15. The first one I had was the 10m and I really fell in love with that kite. I then decide to go with a 15 + an 8m for those nuking session. But while I was waiting for my 15m and 8m I had the chance to try a 12m demo which I had for a couple of weeks. I loved it so much that I finally bought it. I had bought 3 gold ticket so my quiver was not too expensive.

If you go with 8-12 and 15 you will miss on the 9 and 10 but if you go with 7-10 and 14 you wont have a lightwind kite since the 14m and 15m are totally different. The 15m is higher aspect and it is designed for lightwind as opposed to the 14 which is for heavier riders.

Maybe 7-10 and 15 would be your best bet. 10 and 15 is a pretty big gap but I think it isnt so bad:

at 80kg :
7m 25 +
10m 15-30
15m 9-22

Jules

Thanks for the advice. Question then - what winds you going out in the 9m? And what would you be looking for to get the 7m out?

Currently pricing out my potential quiver and the best in terms of cost vs range seems to be the 7/10/14 combo. 14m seems to be ok up to 20 knots, and then the 10m will take it from there to about 26/27 knots. Not sure whether the 7m will come into play then (if the wind ever gets to that stage!) or maybe I'll get more use out of an 8m?



Haha, dilemma again. Alberto the Best area manager has the same quiver and swears by it. Thing is I don't often have those nuking high 20s/early 30s sessions, so after reading what you've just written, I'm now thinking 9/12/15 maybe a goer? I mean, I was always going to go with the 9/12 if I did an initial 2 kite quiver. Dilemmas!

Actually though, could you describe how the 14m and 15m are different in your opinion? Would be really grateful!

When you think of 15 and 14 you tell yourself ; Hey it is only a 1m difference. It is true but what's more important is the difference in shape.

Actually if you look at the advertise range of the TS you will see that :

TS 14m range is: 12 to 23
TS 15m range is: 9 to 22

You have a 3 knots gain on a 1m size difference. I have tested the 15m in sub 10 knots and was able to ride on a big TT. Pretty impressive.



The 14m is actually an oversize 10m or 12m but the 15m is a different shape. The aspect ratio is Higher than the Aspect ratio of the 14. The 15 and 17 are also made to be lighter. So it is not like comparing the same kite with different size but more like compairing two different models. They have 3 shapes for the range : 4-5.5 low aspect; 7-14 mid aspect; 15-17 high aspect.

One thing that is also very nice for a big kite is that it relaunches really easily in light wind. Last week I dropped my 15m in +- 9-10 knots and it relaunched fast and easily.

Jules

jumarcil, or anyone else who can comment:
understand the 14 and 15m are two different shapes, but which one turns faster? I live in a place where we are entering our sea breeze season, which is on average 15-17mph winds and small waves. So, I'm looking for a fast turning (as fast as a big kite can be) kite for riding the waves in these conditions... which one would you think would be better?? I'm 170lbs and will be riding a surboard... almost wondering if the 12m would have enough low end to work??

thanks

Kitenb you would be good on a 12m if you are riding a directional with any volume; provided the current isn't running too hard with the wind. I work for Best and live on Hatteras; as long as the lull stays above 13 and the average is in the 15-17 range I have enough power to stay up wind. The only time I need more kite is when the current is running too fast and ruining the apparent wind.

You might have a look at the BEST forum too. Might get more info/perspective there from more riders if you need more convincing.