Forum for kitesurfers
-
GregK
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 690
- Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:22 am
- Kiting since: 2000
- Local Beach: Comox, BC
CANADA
- Style: Average
- Gear: Lift V2 Surf & HA wingsets
Ocean Rodeo kites & wings
- Brand Affiliation: started Comox Kite Repair
- Location: Comox, BC CANADA
-
Has thanked:
55 times
-
Been thanked:
136 times
Postby GregK » Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:51 pm
nothing2seehere wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:58 am
The shift bar only comes in one size though? 52cm.
Correct - the main mold for the bar ( made from glass-filled resin for stiffness ) has to be cut from very hard tool steel, making it very expensive. If OR sell more Shift bars ( or Aluula kites ) then the economics will justify a mold for a smaller Shift bar.
Need to slow down the turning speed of your small kites flown with a 52 cm Shift bar ? Set the steering bridle lines on the kite to the slower turning speed connection point.
-
DefyInertia
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:41 pm
- Kiting since: 2021
- Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
- Local Beach: Bay Area, CA
- Style: Why not
- Gear: F-One Bandit
SLINGSHOT Misfit
Nobile NHP Split
Directional
- Brand Affiliation: None
-
Has thanked:
18 times
-
Been thanked:
15 times
Postby DefyInertia » Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:38 am
So what’s the verdict on Aluula?
-
leeuwen
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 857
- Joined: Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:16 pm
- Kiting since: 2014
- Local Beach: Anything in NL
- Style: Foiling around
- Gear: KauperXT 11M Falcon
Ocean Rodeo aluula roam 10m / HL Crave 8m/6m/5m
Slingshot ghost 4M
Sabfoil 1350L,633,699,671/ 83-103 kraken mast / Groove Skate L + Radical / Sabfoil T35 / Microchip
Lieuwe Shotgun
- Brand Affiliation: None
-
Has thanked:
84 times
-
Been thanked:
316 times
Postby leeuwen » Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:57 pm
DefyInertia wrote: ↑Tue Apr 19, 2022 6:38 am
So what’s the verdict on Aluula?
I think it is safe to say it has superior performance for sure.
Faster and lighter kites are generally better but with diminishing returns when the wind picks up.
There also doesn’t seem to be a wide spread hidden defect that pops up over time with the material, or at least after 1.5/2 years things still seem ok.
If the material had better availability at same price as Dacron I think that all brands would have switched now.
However, reality is that it is expensive and unless you really don’t care about the price I would not necessarily recommend them. Most people will be limited mostly by their own skills, not the kite, if they at least use the appropriate kite for what they want to do. (so e.g. use a one or no strut for low wind foiling).
One other thing to consider: the amount of aluula repair shops is still very limited.
-
Lamilu
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2021 12:42 pm
- Kiting since: 1998
- Weight: 110kg
- Local Beach: Cabo Frio, Cumbuco
- Style: Wave/foil
- Gear: Duotone Neo 8, Rebel 7 and 9, Chrono 11
Armstrong M800 and board
- Brand Affiliation: None
-
Has thanked:
35 times
-
Been thanked:
24 times
Postby Lamilu » Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:27 pm
I would invest in a one strut hydrofoil biggest kite in this material.
Nothing else…
-
Pana
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:46 am
- Kiting since: 2010
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Local Beach: Lake Champlain, Baie des Brises
- Favorite Beaches: Cabarete, Paracuru, Santa Veronica
- Style: Smooth, old school, wave carver
- Gear: Ocean Rodeo Roam HL 6-7-8 & 9m. Aluula 10-12 & 14m
Nomad wave TT
Shared gear with adorable wife
- Brand Affiliation: None
- Location: Qué./ Canada
-
Has thanked:
21 times
-
Been thanked:
66 times
Postby Pana » Wed Apr 20, 2022 12:15 am
Lamilu wrote:
I would invest in a one strut hydrofoil biggest kite in this material.
Nothing else…
Great ! Meanwhile a lot of people are enjoying what is available, each his own.. Perso my call was for all kites 12m and up, untill I tried a 10m in the waves, happy with that one also.
-
alford
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:53 pm
- Gear: all brands
- Brand Affiliation: None
-
Has thanked:
101 times
-
Been thanked:
47 times
Postby alford » Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:46 am
Due to the high cost of the materials and finished product, will Aluula kites ever be more than a niche product?
I also wonder how profitable the Aluula initiative has been for Ocean Rodeo. Yes they command a premium price but costs are apparently high as well. Is Ocean Rodeo better off now? Not hating on them, just sincerely wondering.
-
McLovin
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 10:52 pm
- Kiting since: 2017
- Weight: 124 kg
- Local Beach: The Columbia River Gorge
- Favorite Beaches: Rufus & Rooster - sandy ones with smooth wind
- Style: TT - Newbie Foiler
- Gear: Armstrong FOIL - SS Dwarfcraft - North Code Zero 7,8 - CORE Section 4,5 XR 7,9 Ocean Rodeo RISE (A) 9/10/11 Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5(A), CARVE Imperator 151cm TT and Crazy Fly Raptor 140cm Neon TT - Ocean Rodeo Ignites Drysuit - Mystic Majestic 5/4 4/3 other stuff...
- Brand Affiliation: Just stuff I like... THANKS Armie!
-
Has thanked:
42 times
-
Been thanked:
71 times
Postby McLovin » Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:53 am
Lamilu wrote: ↑Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:27 pm
I would invest in a one strut hydrofoil biggest kite in this material.
Nothing else…
Says he/she/they without an ALUULA kite...
Best ADVICE is DO NOT TRY ONE unless you are ready to BUY ONE or TWO or maybe THREE or even FOUR says he who actually has one and several more on the way.
Just sayin'
Life is short - get the RIGHT KITE!
Mc
- These users thanked the author McLovin for the post:
- DefyInertia (Thu Apr 21, 2022 6:44 pm)
-
GregK
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 690
- Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:22 am
- Kiting since: 2000
- Local Beach: Comox, BC
CANADA
- Style: Average
- Gear: Lift V2 Surf & HA wingsets
Ocean Rodeo kites & wings
- Brand Affiliation: started Comox Kite Repair
- Location: Comox, BC CANADA
-
Has thanked:
55 times
-
Been thanked:
136 times
Postby GregK » Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:30 pm
McLovin wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:53 am
Best ADVICE is DO NOT TRY ONE unless you are ready to BUY ONE or TWO .... Life is short - get the RIGHT KITE!
Exactly !
Once you get used to how fast the power comes on ( lift not drag ) when a gust hits, combined with ease of control when sheeted out, you will be sold, because going back to a soft & heavy Dacron kite is like flying a zombie.
- These users thanked the author GregK for the post:
- SENDIT! (Thu Apr 21, 2022 7:59 pm)
-
Lamilu
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2021 12:42 pm
- Kiting since: 1998
- Weight: 110kg
- Local Beach: Cabo Frio, Cumbuco
- Style: Wave/foil
- Gear: Duotone Neo 8, Rebel 7 and 9, Chrono 11
Armstrong M800 and board
- Brand Affiliation: None
-
Has thanked:
35 times
-
Been thanked:
24 times
Postby Lamilu » Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:42 pm
GregK wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:30 pm
McLovin wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:53 am
Best ADVICE is DO NOT TRY ONE unless you are ready to BUY ONE or TWO .... Life is short - get the RIGHT KITE!
Exactly !
Once you get used to how fast the power comes on ( lift not drag ) when a gust hits, combined with ease of control when sheeted out, you will be sold, because going back to a soft & heavy Dacron kite is like flying a zombie.
I believe you…
Just wonder why nobody yet made a 1 strut foil specific light…lightest…less expensive version.
A friend of mine says he can hydrofoil as long as the kite is flying…
A 10m 1 strut drifter would also be my first investment in Aluula, not a wave kite that also hydrofoils…
-
fernmanus
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:53 am
-
Has thanked:
37 times
-
Been thanked:
179 times
Postby fernmanus » Thu Apr 21, 2022 2:54 am
. DefyInertia wrote: ↑
So what’s the verdict on Aluula?
I think it is safe to say it has superior performance for sure.
Faster and lighter kites are generally better but with diminishing returns when the wind picks up.
There also doesn’t seem to be a wide spread hidden defect that pops up over time with the material, or at least after 1.5/2 years things still seem ok.
If the material had better availability at same price as Dacron I think that all brands would have switched now.
However, reality is that it is expensive and unless you really don’t care about the price I would not necessarily recommend them. Most people will be limited mostly by their own skills, not the kite, if they at least use the appropriate kite for what they want to do. (so e.g. use a one or no strut for low wind foiling).
One other thing to consider: the amount of aluula repair shops is still very limited.
I don’t agree with the diminishing returns in high wind statement. The Aluula fabric is helpful in high winds for a few reasons:
1. The lighter canopy makes it more responsive.
2. It is stiff, you can pump the leading edge to 9 PSI which means limited or no deflection on big airs.
3.Versatility- A lit of high wind kites are terrible in low wind and vice versa. The new OR Rise is amazing on the top and bottom end of the wind range.
Return to “Kitesurfing”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: arjas, Bing [Bot], Brent NKB, Carlos_C, decay, drone, elrizo, evan, Fliegermann, Gigi;), Hessel, IDAVIS, jannik, Kitemenn, Leon van Bergen, mede, Pepijn, rw30, Turbaani, Ventum, waynepjh, xoen and 477 guests