Air Rush Lithium Kites-Feedback?

Mikeb · Tue Sep 21, 10 5:47 pm **Air Rush Lithium Kites-Feedback?**

Anyone have an opinion on these kites?
I believe they are a 4 strut kite. Good Kite for a beginner?

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

I have a 13m lithium 2010, started kiting in July.
I really like it. Most of my riding been
At jones beach. It's been a good one
To learn on and I'm pretty certain it
Will be good to progress with. My other
Kites are ss keys and a rev but the airush
Is probably my fav. Of course I'm a noob
So I don't have much to compare.

Mikeb · Tue Sep 21, 10 6:47 pm

Thanks, that's a good comparision. Have you ever flown a smaller Lithium? A 13m is a big kite for a beginner (unless you're over 200lbs). I just don't see many AirRush kites in Oregon.

buttersmoothcarver · Since 08 Oct 2008 246 Posts Stoked

Hey Fellas,

The hybrid delta shape (not as bucket as a Waimian, not as flat as a SS Key) of a Lithium are incredible for surf, freeriding newbies (depower and range) and snowkiting. Although they lack the tighter pivotability and unhooking of Vapor x they are prefect for a beginners to advanced freeriders. I flown 8,10,13,15 and they all are sick in there own way. I'be been a team rider for other brands and believe there isn't a bad kite on the market this days, but what Dave Tybursky is doing with Airush is truly innovating in a direction on their own. I'll been a regional team rider for more than a year now, and had minimal issues with my kites and boards. Contact Airs dealers if you ever have questions or demo desires .

Sent from phone please excuse typos.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

I got it at windance in hood. Needed a bigger kite
For jones and western Columbia. The
Kite is very stable. I'm 180 lbs riding
A 150 board and the 13 was the ticket
For many sessions at jones. Yeah it's
Big for the gorge but the lithium
Is labeled "light wind". I liked it
For mid upper teens wind.

Sent from fone

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

I have been teaching on the school version of the Airush Lithium all summer. They have been great kites and I'm really happy with them. All my students have liked them also. Great range and depower, I use them in the surf all the time, great lift and hangtime. They unhook okay, kinda ruff on the arms for unhooking alot.
But there a great grunty powerful kite that relaunch easily. The 2011 Lithiums are lighter due to less struts.

I have been flying the airush litium and the f-one bandits all summer, love them both.

Mikeb · Wed Sep 22, 10 9:01 pm

Thanks for the response Brad. Nice snowkite shots.

Mikeb · Wed Sep 22, 10 9:03 pm

Looks like the 2011 Lithium are a single strut kite?! Kinda strange design.
Thanks for the reply.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Look closer... Three struts... Just that the non center struts are very close to the tips of the kite. Have not flown them yet, but will let you know my impression when I do...

Bams

Pepi · Thu Sep 23, 10 8:06 am

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Pepi,

Hmmm, guess you spent more time checking out all the different kites. But, this is the one that I am talking about... Maybe just three struts in the Lithium LW???

Jon

Pepi · Thu Sep 23, 10 9:36 am

tyrant · Since 08 Jul 2009 71 Posts HR

Hi All,

Bam Bam's picture is of the 2011 Lithium LW (lightwind). Although in the same family of the Lithium, they are a very different kite with a different outline and geometry and are only in the 13 and 15m dedicated light wind sizes. For 2011, the Lithium LW are 3 strut as opposed to 2010's 6 strut. This makes it more stable and more livelier turning, and of course lighter which helps relaunch.

The Lithium 4m-12M are a Hybric delta-C and keep the 4 strut config as per 2010.

To answer Mikeb's question. Yes, the Lithium is very user friendly and easy to learn on- PM me if you would like one to try!

-Dave

Pushpin · Since 23 Sep 2010 3 Posts Kook

I had problems with it back stalling a lot. Did you ever have this problem?

tyrant · Since 08 Jul 2009 71 Posts HR

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

The Lithium LW is a sweet lightwind kite. I was blown away on how light of wind this kite can relaunch in Shocked

I could have swore I would be swimming in but nope, up it went.

I can't wait to try out the ONE kite, looks to funky not to put it to the test.

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

Nice kite

I've only tried the 2010 10m, but found that it's really stable in (gusty) gorge winds, and it has quite some grunt even when it gets light.

still not as quick and light feeling as i like, but it would definitely be a kick ass beginner or freeride kite.

If you're not into kiteloops, or course racing, I would definitely recommend this kite.

also check out the Varial, its much lighter and sportier.

Maybe the 2011 will be faster with only 3 struts?