What a fantastic review!! Really great to see such a down to earth review when there is so much hype going on, especially around the new materials.adamj2281 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 1:14 pmI realized based on the 14m review post that there's not a ton of reviews oriented to the 12m Roam Aluula with a focus on mostly surfboard riding. I've had the kite for roughly 9 months now and probably 50 sessions on it. I would say the split is roughly 85/15 surf to foil. Here's a quick review and comparision to non-Aluula 12m Roam (I had both generations previous).
Initial Physical Observations:
-Extremely light obviously, I didn't think it was a kite when first delivered, actually ignored the box. It's a significant difference in weight.
-Durability - I tomahawked it pretty bad on the beach one day when I got crossed up on a kiteloop, no issues. I will say the material seems to grab sand a bit more, but that's the only other observation I have. Bridles, connections, etc. all solid. I've also dumped it in the waves a few times, no issues.
Performance:
So.......what's the significant increase in performance between the non-Aluula and Aluula? I think ultimately the cost/benefit analysis comes down to how many sessions will it save/give you? If you are foiling most of the time, it is a signficant upgrade, I think that's been covered, but what about on a surfboard in waves? My primary observation on advantage is two areas:
-Upwind: I can outpoint and create a better angle to get upwind far better than on my non-Aluula Roam. I had a bit of time with both kites and it was pretty significant.
-Slack/Drift, so the other big thing is when I slack the lines going down a wave it drifts better and floats with me better. The Roam is a pretty good kite at drifting, better than the Prodigy, and far better in my opinion than the Flite. The Aluula just makes it even better.
-Low End: I think in gustier areas, it will definitely help cover the lulls. It's not going to be a noticeable difference in power, but better coverage on the lulls.
-High End: I think it has a bit more bar pressure than the non-Aluula kite, but I also have had no issues holding it down in higher winds.
-Overall Range: I covered it on the low end/high end, but to give some context, I'm roughly 175 lb/78kg, and ride a 5'4" Hydroshort. It's kinda pointless to give wind ranges because of so many variables (rider skill, current, etc.).
Ok, so should you buy it? I would say it's kinda like the upgrade to the Stick Shift bar, at first I didn't really see the significance. Then after a few sessions I started understanding that I could dump power without changing my stance which helped a ton coming into the flats on waves with the SS. Now, in waves, it's all I use.
Similar to Aluula, in waves on a surfboard there are little nuances that make it hard to go without once you are used to it.
It would have been the previous year model. I stacked them next to each other (should have taken a picture, but I'm slack on that), and the main differential was the LE diameter being thinner on the Aluula (which probably does help with angling upwind and overall efficiency). Of course the smaller diameter LE is only possible because of the stiffer Aluula.magnusod wrote: ↑Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:25 pmWhat a fantastic review!! Really great to see such a down to earth review when there is so much hype going on, especially around the new materials.adamj2281 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 1:14 pmI realized based on the 14m review post that there's not a ton of reviews oriented to the 12m Roam Aluula with a focus on mostly surfboard riding. I've had the kite for roughly 9 months now and probably 50 sessions on it. I would say the split is roughly 85/15 surf to foil. Here's a quick review and comparision to non-Aluula 12m Roam (I had both generations previous).
Initial Physical Observations:
-Extremely light obviously, I didn't think it was a kite when first delivered, actually ignored the box. It's a significant difference in weight.
-Durability - I tomahawked it pretty bad on the beach one day when I got crossed up on a kiteloop, no issues. I will say the material seems to grab sand a bit more, but that's the only other observation I have. Bridles, connections, etc. all solid. I've also dumped it in the waves a few times, no issues.
Performance:
So.......what's the significant increase in performance between the non-Aluula and Aluula? I think ultimately the cost/benefit analysis comes down to how many sessions will it save/give you? If you are foiling most of the time, it is a signficant upgrade, I think that's been covered, but what about on a surfboard in waves? My primary observation on advantage is two areas:
-Upwind: I can outpoint and create a better angle to get upwind far better than on my non-Aluula Roam. I had a bit of time with both kites and it was pretty significant.
-Slack/Drift, so the other big thing is when I slack the lines going down a wave it drifts better and floats with me better. The Roam is a pretty good kite at drifting, better than the Prodigy, and far better in my opinion than the Flite. The Aluula just makes it even better.
-Low End: I think in gustier areas, it will definitely help cover the lulls. It's not going to be a noticeable difference in power, but better coverage on the lulls.
-High End: I think it has a bit more bar pressure than the non-Aluula kite, but I also have had no issues holding it down in higher winds.
-Overall Range: I covered it on the low end/high end, but to give some context, I'm roughly 175 lb/78kg, and ride a 5'4" Hydroshort. It's kinda pointless to give wind ranges because of so many variables (rider skill, current, etc.).
Ok, so should you buy it? I would say it's kinda like the upgrade to the Stick Shift bar, at first I didn't really see the significance. Then after a few sessions I started understanding that I could dump power without changing my stance which helped a ton coming into the flats on waves with the SS. Now, in waves, it's all I use.
Similar to Aluula, in waves on a surfboard there are little nuances that make it hard to go without once you are used to it.
When you compare it with your non-Aluula Roam is that the same year or an older model? If it's an older model some changes such as the upwind performance also could be due to design changes from year to year.
Regis-de-giens wrote: ↑Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:18 pmI tested my 12m roam three times:
- Foil in 7 knots
- foil in 10-18 knots
- TT in 13-25 knots.
(...)
very easy, agile, enormous depower, very stable , jump possible but low hangtime, loops very gradual, and relaunch perfectible in light winds when on its trailing edge
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