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We got out on the 14m Contra Bow today after work. Winds were probably averaging around 15-16mph, with some gusts to around 19mph, and some lulls around 10mph. The current was ripping really hard in the same direction as the wind, so it took a lot of the power of the wind away. Here are some initial thoughts:
Construction: Looks really solid. Not that the Crossbow or Switchblade were made bad, but this looks a little better in terms of stitching, layout, etc. Also, the one-pump system on the kite is really nice and re-inforced. Overall, very nice.
Bar/lines: The bar, lines and pulley are pretty much the same as the standard crossbow or switchblade bar. The biggest difference is the overide system and the depower strap adjustment. It is really nice and super easy to just pull down and lock it down, and really cool how you can depower the kite, or let the power back in with the depower cords. A big improvement from the bar on the Crossbow and Switchblade. It still has the pulleys on the bar though...not a big fan of those personally, but that is just me...
Looks of the kite in the air/ground: To me it doesn't really look that much different than the Switchblade...when I got it in the air, I was thinking what is the difference? Daryl came up at the same time and said it looks like the standard Crossbow... I guess it is different in shape, but we really didn't notice it too much.
Bar pressure: Way less than the Crossbow, about the same as the Switchblade in my opinion. It isn't super heavy, but is isn't light by any means. I would say the Caution Answer, Best Waroo, GK Sonic, and Flexifoil ION are still lighter.
Speed of the kite: It is not a super fast 14m kite. I wouldn't call it SLOW, but somewhere any between fast and slow. Way faster than the Crossbow, but about the same speed as the Switchblade. The Caution Answer, GK Sonic, Best Waroo and ION are faster. The Turbo Diesel and Naish Shockwave are probably a little slower than this one... For those who are happy with the speed of the Crossbow or Switchblade, you will be more than happy with this kite. For those who want a big kite that turns like a 12m kite to do kiteloops and other things with, you will probably find this too slow
Power: Very nice! I would say it at least has the power of a 17 or 18m C shape kite. I also rode my RRD Type HIR 16m kite and the Contra Bow 14m had a lot more power than that kite. The RRD was way faster than it, but definitely didn't have the power of this kite. Also, this kite pointed upwind like a charm.
Low End: Since the winds were in the 15mph range, we didn't really get to test the super low end of this kite. I do know what I can ride my 16m HIR in, and that is around 10mph with a good light wind board. Since this kite has more power than my 16m HIR, I know it could at least ride in 10mph, if not less.
High End: again, didn't really get to test, but I would think it would be somewhere in the low 20's.
Overall: A very solid kite and a definite improvement over the Crossbow. For those who like the pulley style bow kites(Crossbow, Switchblade, Turbo Diesel, Assault, etc..), you will love this kite. For those who like more of a C shape feeling bow kite with light bar pressure, you probably won't like this kite as much. If you are into unhooked tricks, kite loops, etc, there are better kites out there. If you are into staying hooked in and just crusing, jumping, or riding waves, this is a good choice for you. I weigh 170lbs, and the 14m would be the biggest size I would ever go with. I think most riders at 180lbs or less can get by with the 14m as their biggest kite. If you weigh more than 180lbs then maybe go with a 17m.
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