Hi all, got my new Flites a couple of weeks ago and while various things have gotten in the way of getting out much, I've now had a chance to ride these new kites (8m, 10m, and 14.5m) and offer my impressions here. Full disclosure: I'm an OR ambassador but was offered this after having already planned to switch to Flites!
The review below is revised based upon what I learned delving deeper into the technical details with Todd at Ocean Rodeo.
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Todd's techy details: • changes to the Flites for 2018 include materials that make for a stiffer and less flexible canopy and a more responsive kite: the canopy Dacrons (two types) are apparently the same high-end stuff being used by other manufacturers this year • this 2018 generation of the kite relies on a single line flag out, and this is why this generation requires use of the new bar. The previous generations had a 'roll-over bridle' to be compatible with the 2 line flag out system • the bridle is now less cord and only 1 pulley per side. The previous 2 line flag out system relied on 2 pulleys per side, and now those aren't needed. Overall, less bridle and fewer pulleys means less delay and less change in shape of kite when one creates input with the bar. • the above changes means that the kite 'doesn't give away power'
What I've noticed: • I mainly ride strapless and I continue to like this kite design because of mellower and quicker loops - many strapless tricks involve a loop to finish the trick off, and without straps its harder to stay on the board if you're getting pulled sideways, so it's nice to have a mellower loop. Also, it's just nice not to get destroyed if you time your loop wrong or a gust hits you - something that I would've appreciated when I was focused on strapped freestyle. • However, what I've noticed - consistent with what Todd is saying, is that the kite seems to be a bit better supported (noticeable on 14.5m) and feels a bit more like a typical kite and perhaps a bit slower (and more powerful) loop than the 2017 and 2016 models. Bar pressure seems a bit higher too. Not sure this is a direction I like for this model given my liking a mellower quicker loop for strapless riding, but the degree of change seems minor. Todd said that the kite actually has less bar pressure but it may feel like more because of a more 'direct feel'. Todd said that others also felt that the kite had more bar pressure. • Presumably a function of the kite and bridle on it, but also presumably a function of the bar (I'm currently testing the 2018 OR Pilot bar): you seem to get more rapid power shut off by sheeting out, and this is great for doing pops to blind 180s where you need some power to initiate the pop then you want total depower as you rotate in the air and land, slide, and 180 while hand on bar out above you. So I definitely like this characteristic! • The kites this year don't seem to need to be inflated crazy hard. The 2016 14.5m Flite in particular (but also the 2017 10m Flite) needed to be inflated really hard to not deform during resisted kite loops (such as when your board is dug hard and deep into the water and all the strain of the loop is on the kite (and your knees!) • Love the inflate/deflate valve: just a single valve with two parts: screw on the first part and attach the hose (no hose adapter required), then pop on the cap and cover over with the neoprene cover (uses velcro). Super fast and easy. To deflate, unscrew the first part and you're done. No messing around with adapters like the 2016 kites. • A (minor) problem I had with my 2016 and 2017 Flites was that when pumping up the bridles would half the time get around the wingtip and then if I didn't notice before pumping fully I'd have to strongarm the bridles around the inflated wingtip. The 2018 kites have a little velcro tab on the outer struts to tuck the bridle in when wrapping up your kite and that keeps the bridles out of the way of wingtips during pumping next session. A nice touch. • Graphics are nicer this year. • I've only had a couple rides on the big guy (14.5m) but I continue to love this size. People in Squamish (me too prior to getting on the Flite program) tend to have 12m kites as their biggest size, but the 14.5m Flite has more range and is a super fun and playful kite even at this size. I'm frequently the only person out when everyone else is in, or the only person still playing in the light wind! On Saturday June 2 I was out in the River doing fairly well on the 14.5m on 8-10 knots, but surely part of what helped was that i was on an alaia! • the bags are really useful this year: you can connect multiple bags together if you want to free your hands for boards or whatever. And the bag opens right up to easily allow fitting kite in, and there are key pockets and pockets for other doodads. Quite a difference from the topload 2011 LF bags that had only one zippered pocket! • On the Flite this year, and perhaps on OR's other kites, they have coloured bridle cord (blue, or was it red? kites are not with me at the moment), and on the attachment points for rear lines there is some red sewn on to the one side and green material on the other side, and then on the Pilot bar there is corresponding red and green to match up the rear lines, which are orange. I was confused the first time using the kite wondering what was supposed to attach to what. I asked Todd what the deal was with all the colours and he agreed that too many colours but said that it had to do with ensuring no issues in the production chain. Not ideal.
Verdict: I continue to really like these kites. I'm really curious to try freestyle twintip riding with them as I think they'll be quite exciting as well as provide for great hangtime.
If anyone wants to try these out, PM me or see me at the Spit or elsewhere. Chris
Last edited by ceejay on Mon Jun 04, 2018 8:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.