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macgruber
Since 06 Dec 2011
490 Posts
SE PDX volcano
Obsessed
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1470 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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Tue Jan 06, 15 4:50 pm |
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I've been flying RPMs since 2009.
I demo'd a prototype of the 2015 this past summer.
I kinda sorta noticed the kite was more stable in the gusts.
But what I really noticed was the immediate response and direct feel for the kite.
The RPMs have always had quick and direct response to bar control. But the pulleys are act like a buffer between you and the kite. Like wearing a condom.
With the pulleys removed there's nothing between you and the kite - I experienced more feel and control of the kite. Pull on the bar and the kite moves - no hesitation, no lag time.
It's a nice upgrade to a kite that was already high up on the evolutionary ladder.
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dcfordo
Since 19 May 2011
60 Posts
The Dalles
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Tue Jan 06, 15 8:08 pm |
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Ha ha.
Rip off that condom!
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bwd
Since 04 Aug 2007
385 Posts
Obsessed
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Fri Jan 09, 15 10:01 am |
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Interesting for sure. I remember a year or three back a guy posted on kf a no pulley rpm setup he had worked out. But no bungees, just normal fixed lines....
Love to try one when they make it to my area...
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Lurk
Since 04 Apr 2009
355 Posts
Obsessed
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Sat Jan 10, 15 10:25 am |
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Hope someone comes on here has tested it.
Some people like the pulleys. A slight delay in turning is good for unhooking when you don't want the kite to react to bar input.
I like the direct feel better, no delay in sending the kite... may improve jumping on the kite as well.
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2015 RPM.jpg |
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bungee bridal RPM.jpg |
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eric
Since 13 Jan 2006
1803 Posts
XTreme Poster
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Sat Jan 10, 15 11:46 am |
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Yes. I rode a 2015 6m on a 5-40 mph day in August. One of those days where getting from the Sandbar to the wind-line at Wells is an exercise in patience, and a bit of luck. I was kiting with Laird who was on a 2012 6m RPM. Anyway, the wind near the Hatchery was 15 to 45 ish--about as punchy as it gets. I really was completely unable to compare stability, jumping, drift, upwind etc due to the super funky wind, to my 2014 rpms, nor was I able to see any difference looking at my, and Laird's 2012 kite in the air. But THE thing I did notice was the direct steering.
It was very evident, even on a small kite, which tend to feel direct anyway. I'm not talking about kite speed, rather the time it took for a bar input to get to the kite. Really, it made me realize that the pulleys do induce some lag, though I don't mind that at all on the smaller kites--8 on down. When I was given the kite I was not told what I "should" notice. I don't remember if I noticed if the demo had pulleys or not when I was rigging. When I returned the kite I was asked what differences I noticed. "Steering response" is what I told him.
My hunch is the 2015's will be a hit, and that the benefits of a direct connect will be increasingly noticeable and beneficial as the kite size increases. I plan on filling some holes in my 2014 quiver with '15's, and I might spring for a 12m. Usually the largest kite I can tolerate is a 10m due to turning rates. Removing the lag on the larger kites might just be the ticket for me to appreciate kites larger than 8m. I ride a strapless surfboard and for the most part don't jump anymore, so some of the possible '15 improvements would go unnoticed by me regardless.
Eric
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Windance Crew
Since 18 Apr 2008
473 Posts
Hood River Kite Shop
Obsessed
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Thu Jan 15, 15 1:27 pm |
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Another big plus for the 2015 RPM is the new over-sized fill valve. It's way faster to inflate now. The fill valve fits most existing pumps and use the twist-lock hose end without the restricting nozzle. Then the fill valve on the pump gets covered with what looks like a mini-neoprene sombrero. As well SS includes a new hose with each kite just to be sure you are compatible.
[img][/img]
New bag too, way easier to get the kite in and out of.
[img][/img]
_________________ Windance Boardshop- Hood River
www.windance.com |
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Lurk
Since 04 Apr 2009
355 Posts
Obsessed
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Thu Jan 15, 15 2:25 pm |
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I remember the "briefcase" bag. That was a challenge. No pump just Hose...hmmm. I assume its the same attachment as the Cabrihnas?
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Windance Crew
Since 18 Apr 2008
473 Posts
Hood River Kite Shop
Obsessed
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Fri Jan 16, 15 11:08 am |
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Yup, same as valve as Cabrinha.
_________________ Windance Boardshop- Hood River
www.windance.com |
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knotwindy
Since 25 Sep 2011
598 Posts
Addicted
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Fri Jan 16, 15 2:45 pm |
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Does anyone know what the bungees actually do? If there was just a line there instead, what would the difference be? is the bungee string enough to make a difference in the feel of the kite or…?
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1470 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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Fri Jan 16, 15 2:56 pm |
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explained in the video at 1:10. it's basically a shock absorber.
".... auto-distributes the line tension throughout the kite resulting in smoother feel on the bar".
knotwindy wrote: | Does anyone know what the bungees actually do? If there was just a line there instead, what would the difference be? is the bungee string enough to make a difference in the feel of the kite or…? |
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nathaniel_e
Since 28 Jan 2015
1 Posts
New Member
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Wed Jan 28, 15 4:08 pm |
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Anyone know if this bridle would fit on an older RPM? looks like the attachment points might be the same as the 2014 2013. Just wondering if i needed to replace a bridle if i should get a 2015 bridle.
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