should i try a C kite?)

zheton · Since 11 Nov 2011 4 Posts MN Kook

Hello everyone. I have a question a can't answer myself. I've been kiting for a year and a half so far and have lot's of sessions behind me) I guess i'm trying to say that i don't think i'm at begginer level any more. In this time i've had lots of different kites but never "c" kite. My last quiver of kites was: 17m t3, 14m naish hellix, 9m naish charger. I have upgrated my 17m t3 with zephyr, and replaced 9m charger with 8m bolt. I'm thinking of replacing my 14m hellix with something 12m one. I can't decide between park or torch. I could go to up to 30mph with my hellix, but i don't fell very confident) also zephyr has very good high range, so i guess it will be smart to have 12 instead of 14m.
I'm 200lbs, and i have no experience with a c-kites. Also i'm riding inland, here in MN we ride most the lakes and fields where wind is super gusty. Should i try the one of the newest Torchs or should i stay with bows/hybrids
Thank you all

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

Given that you are 2nd year and riding in gusty conditions, I think you'll be happier on the hybrids...

Not that you would hate a good C kite. Thumb's Up

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

Mike D · Since 28 Apr 2011 195 Posts Hood River Stoked

agreed. If its super gusty, you'll probably have more fun on the hybrid. C kites can be great too, but it sounds like you might be better off with a little more depower.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Shameless gear plug!!!

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-24507.html&highlight=

I have a super crispy 2011 Airush 11m Razor for sale at a stupidly cheap price. Replaced it with the same 2012 11m C Kite...

Yes, I am a C kite lover...

Jonny Rotten

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Try = yes,
buy = maybe.
Personally, I like 'em...

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Maybe you should get something "almost" C 1st. Like the RPM maybe or as you said the Park

Also consider if you do go to a full-on C-kite you generally need more kites since C-kites tend to have a little less range

Pepi · Fri Nov 11, 11 2:50 pm

This is in no way to be taken as a jab, but best served as a metaphor to consider when thinking of "C" kites.

It's kinda like saying "I've been driving around downtown in my Automatic transmission Honda Accord and I've been kinda thinking about picking up a Dodge Challenger tricked out with a double-clutch shortshift tranny and hemi-supercharger. Would that be a nice car for me to consider driving around town in a lot of stop and go traffic?"

Joby drives the General Lee with the pedal floored and no brakes Twisted Evil

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

And... you may want to get a new board... a little bit narrower and a tail that you can dig in, in order to control the power of the kite, by being able to send the kite to the edge of the window, when you get powered up.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot...You will want to get a pair of kite pants. Ahhh, 2002, the year my "C" kites made 3 attempts on my life. Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

If you wanna try a C-kite then try an RPM. The RPM's are C kites with a bridle and some other assorted bells and whistles.

Most people who flew C-kites are now on a hybrid. The folks who are not usually are looking for wake style riding, or on on pully bars..Heinster.

I learned on a Caution C kite. It had very little de power and it made it tough to learn how to go up wind. I did learn how to accidentally jump, really high too!!!

Good luck Very Happy

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

I have some c kites for sale.. bro a kite is a kite, and C kites these days have just as much depower as any other kite.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

tpcramer · Since 26 Jul 2010 71 Posts

Best decision i have made is to try one, the RPM for me was the next best thing, but almost nothing like a c kite in my opinion.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

i would say the resale should be a consideration......

what ever kite can be made to work usually.

North BoUND · Since 30 Nov 2010 22 Posts

I ride MN and ND so I know exactly the type of gusty conditions you ride in. I was considering the same dilemma but I took the RPM route and I love it. If I was in your shoes I'd try to borrow a c kite to try it before you make your decision but I think you would be much happier with an RPM or Park when the wind gets gusty.

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

My North Vegas has two line attachments. The Freeride attachment gives it full depower and fast steering. It is a very fun but well behaved and controllable kite. If you want to go new school and be drug around with less depower and slower turning for unhooking, you put the lines on a different attachment point. As a twin tipper, I prefer the Vegas to the other North kites as an every day freeride weapon and rarely put it on the new school setting. If I were buying a new C kite, I'd want to be sure I wasn't buying a kite dedicated to new school riding because those qualities are not what you want for everyday riding. Especially in a gusty place like the Gorge. All in all, your best bet is to find some demos. I suspect other brands have done similar things with their C kites, but have no experience with them myself.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

If you have to ask then you are not ready for C-kite. Many things to consider but take a look at who out there is actually riding a C-Kite.

1. guys who have been kiting since the beginning and never left the C-kite in the first place. Expert level riders.
2. guys that started kiting with flat or hybrids and have maxed out their tricks and kite performance. Meaning they are also Expert level riders.
3. Professional riders

I second the Slingshot RPM. This is basically a C-kite disguised as a flat kite. With shortest possible bridal it is going to give you the max C-kite feel.