Received my 6.0m Strike yesterday and rode it for 2.5 hours between 1 to 4pm today. Winds 12~17mph. Location Mission Bay San Diego. Set up = Armstrong 1850 / 60cm fuse / 72cm mast / 200V tail / 5'2" 52 Foil Co board @ 93 liters 12lbs / rider weight 200lb / 58yrs. Comparing it to a 5.5m A-Wing which I've been riding for about 9 months. Previously riding a 6.0m V1 Wasp. Pumped the Strike up to 9psi compared to 8psi with the A-Wing.
Beginning of the session was pretty light winds but the goal here was to see how low it would go. My initial impression was it didn't quite have the low end grunt of the A-Wing. It's definitely not as stiff as the A-Wing. After an hour or so I figured out the pumping technique needed is different. Short, quick "circle" pumps worked with the Strike vs bigger longer pumps with the A-Wing. Also figured out I was over sheeting it and stalling it out a bit when trimming once on foil.
Summary:
- Low end grunt : I'd say it's a draw once I figured out the technique. I was hoping for more low end as we are always on the verge of doable here in no-wind-diego
- Top end speed : For today's wind I'd say I was going faster on the F-one (sorry, don't do GPS) - so that's pretty subjective
- Gust / rotor handling : I'd say the Strike has a more progressive approach to backwinding than the A-Wing - giving you a bit more time to adjust before getting slapped down
- Up wind : I'd have to give the nod to A-Wing (holding the bottom of the Y-handle). You can get the Strike to move into a really vertical trim and it will go upwind well but then you have to worry about dragging the tip in the water a bit
- Turning : It's got a lot more dihedral than the A-Wing. First attempt at tacking I struggled to get the Strike to roll over as I was putting the wing over my head. Figured it out after a few tries and learned to really like how you just point the nose of the Strike where you want it to go and it will change direction nicely.
- Handles : Strike and A-Wing are on opposite end of the spectrum. Strike are narrow (diameter) and long. A-Wing are thicker and shorter (with several options vs the Strike just has two). Initially didn't like the Strike set up as I felt the length of the handles just makes your hand settle in to the center of the "v" created when it's pulling. I was trying to move my hands towards the back to get more pull when pumping up and getting through lulls. Then I stopped fighting that and just let my hands settle in the middle. I like the narrow diameter so that you can lock in by wrapping just the ends of your fingers on the handle (much less forearm pump for me) - and no, I don't like harnesses. I can ride for 3 hours without one and prefer the simplicity.
- Jumping : Gusts were not very strong so didn't get much air when jumping and felt I was stalling it when sheeting in. For the time being, I'd say the light wind jumping nod goes to A-Wing due to it's stiffness. Seems I need change up my technique a bit for the Strike.
- Weight : I haven't weighed them both yet but Strike definitely feels lighter (even with the 3 struts)
- Windows : Wish the Strike had em... I know it's a touchy subject but I like windows. Although little, they work for me on the A-Wing. Maybe it's just me but I like to see where I'm going when I jibe and also what's coming at me. Of course, you can lift up the wind to get a quick look around but when the wind is lite you are giving up precious speed to make that move.
- Wingspan : I haven't measured or looked either of them up. No issues with either in terms of catching when pumping up on foil.
Verdict: I'll keep the Strike for now. It's quite different than the A-Wing (which I really like - except for the weight). It's fun being on the bleeding edge of this nascent sport and getting the opportunity to experience different design approaches and progressions. Very interested to try a 6.0 Wasp V2 and also Ocean Rodeo Aluula when that comes out.
Thanks, great to get opinions on new stuff. The CWC concept was my hope for a breakthrough in low end but that does not seem to be the case. I wonder if wing design/construction has reached a plateau (for now) as far as low end.
Thanks Rpwduda, it's refreshing to hear an honest opinion about new gear in this sport.
Select to expand quoteemmafoils said..
Thanks, great to get opinions on new stuff. The CWC concept was my hope for a breakthrough in low end but that does not seem to be the case. I wonder if wing design/construction has reached a plateau (for now) as far as low end.
They are coming out with 7m and 8m versions - not sure I'd bother with something that big but still potential for light wind riding.
Select to expand quoteemmafoils said..
Thanks, great to get opinions on new stuff. The CWC concept was my hope for a breakthrough in low end but that does not seem to be the case. I wonder if wing design/construction has reached a plateau (for now) as far as low end.
It's amazing how fast and through say 2-3 gen's, how good the wings have got. Man things move fast now. Surely the next breakthroughs will have to come with materials such as allula and the like applied to interesting ideas like this 3 strut one.
I'm just about to pull the trigger to get a 6m f-one strike looking for a bit more low end than my 5m wasp v1 gives.
I like having no windows to be able to use it in winters, spanish winters aren't so cold compared to other european standards though.
Have you tried it against ozone wasp v1 6m?
Select to expand quoteBoemix said..
I like having no windows to be able to use it in winters,
The brands using TPU windows won't have the cold issue. The brands using PVC windows are the bad ones in cold places.
TPU is your bladder material. So if your bladder works in cold, so does your window. It's just thicker bladder material being used as a window.
Another small review from a mate of mine on the Strike CWC 7m:
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3998942833493294&id=100001328501161
The span of the 7m CWC is smaller than the 6m Swing V1.
Pictures:
Select to expand quoteFoilnut said..
Link seems broken?
Works for me, its only very small. He says it works in 5-9 knots with the F-One Gravity 2200, didnt even have to wait for a gust to get going. He's ~80kgs. Getting upwind angles of 60 degrees (to the wind), despite the quite fat leading edge. It feels smaller than the Swing 6.0, with heaps more power. Thats about it.
Oh yeah, it takes a while to pump compared to a Strike 5m ??
I tried the 7m last we, it is clearly a Strike: very light feeling, great balance, great handle positionning, good power, very good gust handling (never backwinds), perfect freeflying it...
DId touch the water with the tips a few times but I guess it is a matter of getting used to it (have the Slingwing 6,4 which has a vrey very short span!)
It doesn't feel bigger then the slingwing 6,4 once in your hands
Pitty it is only available from august over here... Would have bought it straight away
Select to expand quoteBoemix said..
I'm just about to pull the trigger to get a 6m f-one strike looking for a bit more low end than my 5m wasp v1 gives.
I like having no windows to be able to use it in winters, spanish winters aren't so cold compared to other european standards though.
Have you tried it against ozone wasp v1 6m?
I've ridden the Wasp V1 5m. I've owned the Wasp V1 6m. I switched from the 6m Wasp to the 5.5m A-Wing. In order of low end grunt I would rank as follows (first being most / best low end):
- A-Wing 5.5m (V1)
- Strike 6.0m
- Wasp 6.0m
You may want to check out A-Wing V2. They just released it. Blue Planet has a review. The Armstrong team rider in the review says the V2 has more low end grunt than the V1 which has me very interested. They have windows - which I really like and use although they are small. Armstrong claims their windows will hold up to cold, folding, creasing better than PVC (Not sure of the material. Another post above mentions TPU). Only down side I have with the A-Wing is weight. It's pretty heavy.
I am waiting for Ocean Rodeo Aluula 6m to come out. Seems like a great low end option - lite with a stiff frame. Definitely expensive tho...
Just had my first session on the 6.0 Strike. Really like the wing. Span is not an issue on tips touching the water. Can feel the low end pull. Once up keeps going and really nicely balanced in the jibes. It's heavier but I believe lighter than the Armstrong V1 5.5 I used to have
Very happy with this wing. I was riding the Phazer 90 l with Armstrong 1850/232/60/85. Lots of other wingers slogging although mostly on 5.0's
