Rider: Weight 85
Level-intermediate Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Build Quality: 9.5/10
Satisfaction: 9/10 Disclosure: Alliance Gear
My Comments: Also wrote one of these for another brand and though i had better spread some love. Had an early showing of the new 2014 Liquid Force range, im not going to give away too much before its released to the public but here is a bit of a teaser... love the new stuff this time of year, hate the lack of wind :(
Unfortunately i did not get a chance to fly or ride anything, we did spend some quality time with the product designer and manager who explained everything down to the smallest details of why they did things etc. LF has been around for a long time, they are not the biggest but is a what i call a core company, they cater for the wakestyle riders heavily but still have a little something for the all round or even surf based guys.
NRG - last years kite jumped very well and hung like a monkey in a tree! this season see's small changes to last years kite with minor tweaks, the main thing is a newer type of print on the canopy to reduce weight, still flashy stand out graphics.
ENVY - last years kite had a lot of low end and was good for learning and even un hooking. This season's envy has seen minor tweaks to the canopy for improved performance, the big change is the bridle. The new bridle is supposed to take the delay from the turn and give a more direct feel, i think its a winner just from looking at it. graphics have been toned down a little but still a nice looking kite.
Harness's - there are a few additions to LF's harness range, a new model that is similar to the mystic shadow with some crazy graphics. another new model that has a clasp system that allows you to take your harness on and off with out having to readjust the size....its super fast and easy!
Boots - in my eyes LF have always had the best boots, they don't just rebrand wake boots they have a heavy development program for kiting and throw a lot of support into the sport. This season sees some cool colours and new features that improve comfort, putting on and off and adjustment to make everything simplified.
Board range - this is another area that LF excel, their background in wake makes them possibly the strongest board manufacturer on the market and they throw a lot into development! the range this year has not seen any radical changes to the standard line up, newer graphics mainly. Their are a few newer models that fill the range out to cater for every rider. the stand out for me was the new lightwind board that is not just a monster door, looks like a board that will not only go upwind but will be fun for tricks in the light stuff.
lastly there is a new foostrap/pad system that is a huge improvement over the luxury from last season, kick ass colours and better adjustment and feel.
There are some other cool things in the impact vest line which more info will be released shortly, if you want to stay up to date with pics and news etc follow us on FB!http://www.facebook.com/AllianceGearAustralia
Taking the pulleys off, shortening the bridals and changing the wing tips on the nrg....wouldn't call that minor...sure you were looking at the right kite?
eppo im just giving a run down on what was seen at the dealer meeting.
markey ill leave it till the official release and they can answer that Q.
K will wait and see. Looking forward to trying three kites right now, the NRG, the chronic flysurfer and the dice by north. Also the RRd obsession.
Oh that's four dammit.
rode the new envy today very different than last years
nice all round kite, no pullies or transfer bridle
very powerful, light bar pressure, it drifts well and drops back in the window,
not so good for unhooking as it just keeps pulling but it was quite windy, will take it out on a less windy day.
what this kite does really well is boost. sh#t myself first time, very straight up lift and floaty on the way down.
overall nice kite much better than last years (didnt like the 2013) well worth a demo
Select to expand quotepedleym said..
rode the new envy today very different than last years
nice all round kite, no pullies or transfer bridle
very powerful, light bar pressure, it drifts well and drops back in the window,
not so good for unhooking as it just keeps pulling but it was quite windy, will take it out on a less windy day.
what this kite does really well is boost. sh#t myself first time, very straight up lift and floaty on the way down.
overall nice kite much better than last years (didnt like the 2013) well worth a demo
Did you have the new bar ?
Select to expand quotepedleym said..
rode the new envy today very different than last years
nice all round kite, no pullies or transfer bridle
very powerful, light bar pressure, it drifts well and drops back in the window,
not so good for unhooking as it just keeps pulling but it was quite windy, will take it out on a less windy day.
what this kite does really well is boost. sh#t myself first time, very straight up lift and floaty on the way down.
overall nice kite much better than last years (didnt like the 2013) well worth a demo
Hey where'd ya get the demo man? Wouldn't mind having a blast on this kite. Yeh they do go big, but I found they also come down at a rate of knots comparatively (aka wave kite) but sounds like might be a little different this year. Decent for wake style though it seems from what I've seen.
eppo
Jason has the 9m
feels like the kite is geared towards all round and wave riding this year mabey a bit too much pull
stil a bit slow compared to say a wainman
but hang time seems really good for a 3 strut kite
personally I wouldn't get this kite for unhooking
as an all round really fun kite this is it
Okay will get in touch with the ugly bastard then.
All round with some pull, jumps and drifts. Sounds perfect! 
