Ive heard the first iteration of ocean rodeo wings used a different way of measuring area than most other brands so they are smaller for the size. The number I heard was that a 5m OR is about a 4.6 in the way most other brands measure (projected vs actual area maybe?). This convention was apparently changed on the new AA glides so that they are comparable to other brands in size. This also seems to line up with my experience. I have a hybrid 5m and it feels a lot smaller than my 5.5 strike.
The flux and or aa are both on my radar for a new wing. My current beater is a strike v3, and no matter how much I use it I can never get used to the lack of low end. I want a stiff wing from a different brand to finally settle whether the lack of low end just is a consequence of the newer generation stiff wings or if the strike v3 is especially bad
I had a 6M strike cwc v1 since it come out and I use it a lot for 2 years but not much in the last 6 months. Last week the wind was light so I used it again and found its low end was very disappointing even compare with the newer but smaller wing.
It may too baggy or the newer wing is a lot better I really don't know.
Select to expand quotemiamiwngr said..
I want a stiff wing from a different brand to finally settle whether the lack of low end just is a consequence of the newer generation stiff wings or if the strike v3 is especially bad
Cannot compare to Strike v3 but Ozone Flux has a great lowend. Actually better than my previous NP Fly which is also known for having a very good lowend.
But you have to learn the technique. Using the traditional pumping technique (large circular movements with full body effort), the low end of the Flux was pretty bad. I needed several sessions to understand how to pump the Flux.
Flux has good low end compared to strike v3, similar to swing v3.
My waist leash on my flux has stretched ridiculously long! Anyone have the same? Guess I can just shorten it near the belt?
Mike
Just a word of advice.
The Flux are built well but if not treated properly, the strut bladder can get punctured easily.
It is important to always inflate strut first, then LE. When deflating, the opposite, i.e. first LE then strut.
Second, minimize flipping and turning the sail when not inflated. Do not dry it by hanging the sail deflated from the safety handle. Always better to let it dry with some air on. This will prevent pinch flats due to the rigid handle rubbing on the bladder.
Hope it helps
Select to expand quoteSlowlyButSurely said..
Just a word of advice.
The Flux are built well but if not treated properly, the strut bladder can get punctured easily.
It is important to always inflate strut first, then LE. When deflating, the opposite, i.e. first LE then strut.
Second, minimize flipping and turning the sail when not inflated. Do not dry it by hanging the sail deflated from the safety handle. Always better to let it dry with some air on. This will prevent pinch flats due to the rigid handle rubbing on the bladder.
Hope it helps
Do you have a Flux wing?? On all four I have, the indication on the wing to inflate and deflate is completely opposite than you write in this post. Already many sessions on them and no problems with punctures of the strut bladder at all.
Select to expand quoteNPN said..SlowlyButSurely said..
Just a word of advice.
The Flux are built well but if not treated properly, the strut bladder can get punctured easily.
It is important to always inflate strut first, then LE. When deflating, the opposite, i.e. first LE then strut.
Second, minimize flipping and turning the sail when not inflated. Do not dry it by hanging the sail deflated from the safety handle. Always better to let it dry with some air on. This will prevent pinch flats due to the rigid handle rubbing on the bladder.
Hope it helps
Do you have a Flux wing?? On all four I have, the indication on the wing to inflate and deflate is completely opposite than you write in this post. Already many sessions on them and no problems with punctures of the strut bladder at all.
Hi NPN, it's not correct - according to Ozone website:
ozonekites.com/wings/flux-v1/
Set Up:
Attach the pump leash to the wing, around the leash line connection loop.
Inflate the Strut first.
Check the valve is clean and free from sand/grit around the rubber seal.
Screw the valve in firmly to the base.
Open the top valve cap.
and of course the opposite order to deflate.....
Cheers
Peter
Select to expand quote
Hi NPN, it's not correct - according to Ozone website:
ozonekites.com/wings/flux-v1/
Set Up:
Attach the pump leash to the wing, around the leash line connection loop.
Inflate the Strut first.
Check the valve is clean and free from sand/grit around the rubber seal.
Screw the valve in firmly to the base.
Open the top valve cap.
and of course the opposite order to deflate.....
Cheers
Peter
OK, thanks for the info.
Have also sent an E-mail to Ozone and they confirmed that the info in the manuel is the correct one. Thus: Inflate the Strut first.
hows the low end of the flux?
i was going to get a Flux @ 5.0m, but will also need a 6m for the summer....ozone do a 5,7m....that on paper seems a bit small / close to the 5.0 so maybe consdering a Unit in the 6m size for the extra grunt.....Thoughts??
Why not take the 6.5?
When you are not doing competitions 6.5 + 5.0 is a very good combination.
6.5m too big...I really only want to ride waves and swell (sea only) although this was also be used for freeriding in the flat in sea breezes...and I'm a short arse at 5'9 (yet 85kg + wetty) so smaller the better.
Today I have 4,5,6 (strike V2) and I'd say ride them 25/50/25 %. So want to keep the 5m as my main wing and build up/down from that
Select to expand quotenorthy1 said..
hows the low end of the flux?
i was going to get a Flux @ 5.0m, but will also need a 6m for the summer....ozone do a 5,7m....that on paper seems a bit small / close to the 5.0 so maybe consdering a Unit in the 6m size for the extra grunt.....Thoughts??
For me 5m Flux is enough even in lightest summer breeze, if you pair it with a HA foil and correct pumping technique. Needed some days to find out how to pump the Flux, very different to Strike v2 pumping.
My 6.5 Flux is still unused in the bag.
Select to expand quotenorthy1 said..
6.5m too big...I really only want to ride waves and swell (sea only) although this was also be used for freeriding in the flat in sea breezes...and I'm a short arse at 5'9 (yet 85kg + wetty) so smaller the better.
Agree. For your size and that purpose the 6.5 is too big. I am riding the 6.5 in flat water and thermic winds and am using small frontwings for racing. For these conditions the 6.5 is great.
As said above. If you prefer the manouverbility of a 5.0 you can also use another frontwing for low wind. Nowadays several brands have (bigger) frontwings in their program that have a low stall speed and are still fast, manouvrable and having a very good glide. These are absolutely not "beginners" frontwings and could be perfect for your conditions using a 5.0.
I have the 3.6, 4.3, 5.7 I came off strike and swing v3 6,5,4,3m combo.
I think the flux's are about 10% bigger than stated size. I laid my fluxs over my 4,5,6. Virtually no difference in size on 4 and 5m and I think the 5.7 is a bit bigger than my old 6.
Mike
6.5m is a great wing for light wind, although the span is massive, almost 3.9m hence unless you tall its not that friendly.
Add to the fact that in v light wind it can backstall easy when jibing, hence the need to do duck or Heineken jibe which, given the span, is not as straightforward compared to say more compact 6s such as the XPS.
I was totally sold on the Flux, but when I tried the XPS I found them so much easier for maneuvers. I traded some Low end for ease of moving them in the air
I find mine a dream to manoeuvre around, just as easy as my strikes and swings, but able to flick my wrist with the handles and spin them quickly.
Select to expand quoteMikedubs said..
I have the 3.6, 4.3, 5.7 I came off strike and swing v3 6,5,4,3m combo.
I think the flux's are about 10% bigger than stated size. I laid my fluxs over my 4,5,6. Virtually no difference in size on 4 and 5m and I think the 5.7 is a bit bigger than my old 6.
Mike
Found out the same. The Flux seem bigger than stated by direct comparison to other wings.
The 5.7 Flux is plenty for my 93 kgs, still has decent handling and has a good lowend if you've learned how to pump it and paired with a 6'8 x 23 midlength and a 1240 MA/HA frontwing.
No lack of overlap to my 4.3 Flux, but for highwind i'll get a 3.6 now, which will be plenty in 20+ knots.
Select to expand quoteNikOnFoil said..northy1 said..
hows the low end of the flux?
i was going to get a Flux @ 5.0m, but will also need a 6m for the summer....ozone do a 5,7m....that on paper seems a bit small / close to the 5.0 so maybe consdering a Unit in the 6m size for the extra grunt.....Thoughts??
For me 5m Flux is enough even in lightest summer breeze, if you pair it with a HA foil and correct pumping technique. Needed some days to find out how to pump the Flux, very different to Strike v2 pumping.
My 6.5 Flux is still unused in the bag.
I've got a 5.7 Flux which I love but I'm not convinced I'm getting the best low end performance. Can you explain a bit more about the pumping action you use? Thanks.
Select to expand quoteI've got a 5.7 Flux which I love but I'm not convinced I'm getting the best low end performance. Can you explain a bit more about the pumping action you use? Thanks.
Pumping technique of the Flux?
For me works well...
Initially small movements with high frequency holding the wing in a small angle with respect to the wind. When getting some speed make the movements progressively bigger and increase the angle of the wing both by mostly using the back-hand.
Select to expand quotespikefoil said..
Can you explain a bit more about the pumping action you use?
I think in general there are 2 techniques: (a) pumping on vertical ellipsis with low to medium frequency and (b) on horizontal ellipsis with higher frequency.
For example Strike v1 v2 and NP Fly work best if pumped on vertical ellipsis with both arms and slower cadence (a).
Flux however works best on vertical ellipsis and main input from back hand (b). High frequency. If done right, it becomes almost effortless.
In case my description of the pumping technique for the Flux raises confusion it is the same as the one used by NikOnFoil:
'Flux however works best on vertical ellipsis and main input from back hand (b). High frequency. If done right, it becomes almost effortless'
Select to expand quoteNikOnFoil said..spikefoil said..
Can you explain a bit more about the pumping action you use?
I think in general there are 2 techniques: (a) pumping on vertical ellipsis with low to medium frequency and (b) on horizontal ellipsis with higher frequency.
For example Strike v1 v2 and NP Fly work best if pumped on vertical ellipsis with both arms and slower cadence (a).
Flux however works best on vertical ellipsis and main input from back hand (b). High frequency. If done right, it becomes almost effortless.
Thanks NPN and NikOnFoil, will give it a go.
Select to expand quotenorthy1 said..
hows the low end of the flux?
i was going to get a Flux @ 5.0m, but will also need a 6m for the summer....ozone do a 5,7m....that on paper seems a bit small / close to the 5.0 so maybe consdering a Unit in the 6m size for the extra grunt.....Thoughts??
My 5.7 flux is more powerful than my 6m cwc, I think all the flux are about 10% bigger than stated.
Is it possible to remove the handles on ozone flux when traveling so you can pack it down in a small suitcase?
The carbon bar of Flux is fixed by screws. When you unscrew these I think that you can completely disassemble the handle. Personally I would not do this and I have also my doubts if by removing them you gain a lot of space.
Some have gone so far as to get rid of those nasty sticks permanently.
www.instagram.com/p/CxtqgL9PFxB/
I have had my fluxes for about 4 months now and as I use them more and more I can't say that I pump them any different to my six meter takuma RS. However increasingly the Takuma feels inefficient by comparison (and it is not a bad Wing!).
The more I use the flux the more I realise what an extraordinary range they have. They seem to be incredibly good at generating a lot of forward drive and as a consequence a lot of apparent wind which makes them a joy to use in light winds but they also don't overpower easily.
I'm sure as things progress we will see more wings with similar efficient profiles, but for now the flux really has it
Select to expand quoteMikedubs said..
That was a proto/ pre production version.
Not.
To quote KA directly, " I altered them to a semi ridged soft handle, I still prefer soft handles. Especially for back winding."
