Rider: 105Kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding
Weather: 8-13knots (18-20knots gust)
Having been amazed how many days of the year the wind is "just not quite enough" I finally did a deal for a 19M (2012, Peter Lynn Fury Lite). WHAT A JOY!! Together with my 154 x 45 TT , I have gone from 20% to 80% time avilable on the water. Despite the size, it turns well and really light bar pressure. I'm 105Kg and have been out in 8 - 13knots....the 18-20 knot gust were scary but manageable. All in all much better experience than I had imagined.
Agreed daddy cool totally. The zephyr I got 2013 is currently my all time fav kite. So good having power to burn off rather than extracting power.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Agreed daddy cool totally. The zephyr I got 2013 is currently my all time fav kite. So good having power to burn off rather than extracting power.
Hey Eppo, if it's not a personal question, ... how heavy are you, and what wind range do you normally use your zerphyr in? The product info recommends 'intermediate -> advanced' riders use this. Any opinion as to why this is?
Is it just because if you ditch it, it's a pain to relaunch?
Select to expand quoteSaltySinus said...eppo said..
Agreed daddy cool totally. The zephyr I got 2013 is currently my all time fav kite. So good having power to burn off rather than extracting power.
Hey Eppo, if it's not a personal question, ... how heavy are you, and what wind range do you normally use your zerphyr in? The product info recommends 'intermediate -> advanced' riders use this. Any opinion as to why this is?
Is it just because if you ditch it, it's a pain to relaunch?
In my opinion the zephyrs the easiest kite to use out of any kite I've ever tried, I expect the intermediate advance tag is just because if u exceed the wind range or reall stuff up being attached to something that big.. Bad things could happen fast...
Select to expand quoteSaltySinus said..Is it just because if you ditch it, it's a pain to relaunch?
If you're bigger, you can hold down more kite for longer and still be grinning . . . unlike the "average" kiter of 75kg. As wind strength increases as a square of the speed (IIRC!!!) then just a few knots can make for a big difference, if you're a featherweight.
Perhaps it's relaunch . . . this month in Thailand, I watched a guy with a Reo 12 spend lots of time just pulling on a rear line, trying to get the kite to relaunch. No joy.
One of our light wind morning sessions, I got sick of downwinders so we all swapped our gear around. He took my Flite for a run and I nursed his Reo. Thought I might have a go at relaunching it, see if I'm better than him 
Nope, no joy just hauling on the line . . . hmm, wonder if the ol' front line/opposite rear line trick would work - yup, almost instant relaunch!
. . . perhaps they consider that an "intermediate/advanced" technique?
That's one reason I really like the Ozone bar - low split.
Select to expand quoteSaltySinus said..eppo said..
Agreed daddy cool totally. The zephyr I got 2013 is currently my all time fav kite. So good having power to burn off rather than extracting power.
Hey Eppo, if it's not a personal question, ... how heavy are you, and what wind range do you normally use your zerphyr in? The product info recommends 'intermediate -> advanced' riders use this. Any opinion as to why this is?
Is it just because if you ditch it, it's a pain to relaunch?
How dare you ask me about my weight......
75kg, 76 at the moment because there hasn't been much regular kiting for a while.
On my cruiser I'm good at 12, having fun at 13 and have been out in 17 to 19 on a smaller TT, still powered, but hey I'm used to the edge and used to having more power than you need and using it rather than less and having to work a kite. That's on the shortest know to. I should start dropping it back for winds above 15 as it jumps better on the middle knot, same as the edge. But with these winter winds it changes so damn fast during a session I just go for broke. Heavier guys nearing 90 on a normal TT for them it really wouldn't be a true lightish wind machine unless coupled with a more efficient board. But to be quite honest anything under 11/12 knots I cannot be fussed anymore. I have had it in 10 just holding ground on the cruiser but honestly who can be farqed with that?
I'd say the average rider would be at the 80kg mark for a rider, not many I know at my weight.
I think the intermediate to advanced is there because the advanced guys are unhooking and doing all their wakestyle stuff on it as well. It has the capabilities to keep advanced riders happy. For pure freeriding it is a very easy kite to use, but not boring either. Has such a good blend between efficiency and static grunt. It's perfect for me but you have to fly all the big kites to find your wing. They are all pretty good now, just gotta find the one that suites you.
How many bloody kites do you own Eppo?! Seems you've tested nearly every kite there is to own!
I was up at 3 kites about 7 years ago....but happy with my one kite quiver now
Only three man. But yes I demo and ride a lot. Hence I feel sometimes I can help crew out when choosing a kite. I enjoy riding different gear, gives you a good Perspective on how good all the gear is and how differentiated it has become. There is a great wing out there for everyone! What I don't subscribe to is bagging out kites just because it doesn't suite my style or disposition. Nor do I subscribe to naive comments about how the kite someone has is the best out there. No such thing.
Also I do find myself biting my proverbial virtual tongue quite a lot. 
