Ok, this is an attempt at some grown up thread about a product (that strutless kite) that is interesting to me, primarily because:
- it's 3.5 kgs and can be packed hyper small, great for travelling.
- it's briddle connectors are sliders not pulleys and come with adaptators to fit any bar.
- it's 1150$ including postage and that is cheaper than the entire competition for a new kite without bar...
I would like to know if someone owns one of those or demoed it?
Cheers.
Opinions on the matter are great and all but this thread is not to be confused for the other one that ended up in a brawl...
Ok this is my attempt at a grown up post to help convince you to buy a real kite:
-Although a strutless kite weighs 3.5kgs, a normal one weighs only 4-5kgs... so why is it you need to save such a nonsensical amount of weight? most airlines let you carry 23kgs.
-Any good kite these days comes without pulleys and almost all can be converted to fit most bars.
-You get what you pay for... I would think it far better to pay $500 or so dollars more and have a kite with a bigger wind range and greater performance, or even buy one secondhand at the same price, than have something like this.
This kite would be ok for light winds and general cruising, but I don't think it's the solution to a light one kite quiver.
A 17m no strut kite that can perform properly to a max of 18 knots would be quite impressive. Those that I have witnessed and flown myself are flapping about fairly hard in sub 15's. I almost think that this wouldn't even be possible.
My "outbursts" (as you put it) aren't personal at all. I couldn't care less about who or what is promoting this style of kite, rather I'm trying to steer people away from making purchases that they would for the most part (imo) probably regret. (and to be honest you sound far more like an undercover pimp for this kite or brand than anything else.)
Also my "one kite quiver" line was obviously a stab at people thinking it's possible, not actually beliving myself that it exists... 
Here's a good tip I've discovered from everyday life;
If you can't decide if something is "worth it" chances are pretty high it's not.
But if you're really that worried about it, demo it yourself. You will never know for sure any other way.
No worries man, you do what you gotta do! I hope you find something good.
If you're after other low wind kites to try the Ozone Zephyr is pretty amazing in light winds. Probably out of your budget new but worth a try! (Yes I am affiliated with Ozone).
Check out Andy Yates ripping on it in some very marginal conditions -
For a great light wind kite that turns amazingly quick, and is Australian made, have a demo of the Griffin Trxv7 17 meter kite. If you are ever in the south coast of NSW I would be happy for you to try any size in my quiver for the wind range. 9 knots cruising, 12 knots jumping, but at 8 to 10 knots you can be riding waves.
Cost for a kite like that without a bar is similar to a Cloud. I can handle this kite to about 20 knots, (83 kilos). The quality has stepped up considerably from previous years. Three struts.....
I do like the idea of the cloud, and next time I am in Maui I will give one a spin. I love how people spend their lives improving and developing ANY idea. Shows passion and commitment.
Good luck in your pursuit
Da Frog
Dude, its easy to tell your hearts already flying in the "Clouds" :)
Just buy one and let us all know how you get on, it will be very interesting to read your review, other than what the designer has said...
And before it becomes a Naish kite
Griffin trx 17 mt 1150 no bar and comes with 3 free struts haven't tried one but the review says its the greatest kite in the world buy one let me no ill get 1 2
I'm in Hawaii for most of July, and when I am in Maui, I intend tracking down the guy that is making the Cloud and trying out either the 10 or 12m, because at that time of year, I don't think a 17m will get pumped up much. If I buy one, I will use my Blade Fat Lady bar and lines, because all my other bars are all 5 lines because they are all used on my North Rebels. Hopefully the Aussie dollar stays high!
just ran into a mate who has a 13m cloud with a bar. His description was it's fits in a tiny bag and had only tried it once in 25kn so well and truly found it's top end. Apparently without any tension on the back lines it flaps really bad. Looks like I might have to get some picks and try it out in some light wind.
yeh not sure why he was given a bar with long throw. But for now it's 8m weather and hopefully swell so it will have to wait.
Dafrog said...
As for the new Zephyr, I am very dubious as to the real low wind capability and the weight..
Be interesting dafrog to wait and see on that one, if they have built some edge into it - and it is pretty obvious they have, surely the light wind ability would have dramatically increased. Proof will be in the reviews and those that ride them I suppose.
I suppose someone over here has to bit the bullet and get one over (the cloud) and see. Thing is, do you want that person to be you?
My probem with this kite is as follows,
1) Kite will be made with a peice of spectra sewin into the trailing edge to help hold its shape. What happens when the rope streches?
2) All sail cloth streches. How will it fly after 3months of hard use?
A kite with struts will hold its shape for longer because its got something to support the cloth.
I believe that it will be F*^% after one season of use. Once it has streched there is no going back. It will flog like a pair of undies in the wind.
Interesting that the price is $1150.00. It would only cost maybe $300.00 to get it made in China.
I worked as a sailmaker. Seen all that can and will happen.
The only peeps out having fun in sub 15kns are skinny chicks and grommet kiters...
So I sent an email to Greg the designer,
There is no availability for the 17M until May as he is sold out.
So I have pushed the matter towards the Griffin Trix pro 2013 17M... I will start a thread on that at a later point, because what I get from our email conversation and the feedback available... seems like a great option.
Bummer for the strutless but I will have a look at how it develops in the future... I hear Naish is coming up with their own at the moment a 10M made for travelling...
Has anyone ridden a Airush Lithium 16m One strut?
Thought I might ask while on the topic of large, strange strut design kites...
disagree Hamburgler,
83 kilos, 12 to 15 knots of wind, 6 foot plus swell, and I had a blast. There are two photos on my 11 day thread last Saturday of those conditions. Do I prefer 22 knots and 7 meter kites on waves? Sure. But can have a blast in these conditions too. I would rather kite than work on my garden...
Infinity V3 out soon with the new bar too, just to add another possible demo to your growing list......
