Amongst the new toys we were looking forward to see in 2014, there is obviously the F.ONe Bandit. After days and weeks of never ending wait, F-One finally releases the info and the images about the new kite!
The big boss himself, Raphael Salles, tells us more:
What will surprise you the most will be to be in total harmony with the kite and to ride it like it was at arm length. You feel everything you do and it all becomes precise and easy, just like if you were a pro. The profile is stable, all the un necessary movements were eliminated and the sensations are cleaner.
We also reduced the lateral traction on the new Bandit while keeping the power and the ease to get going, which allows to ride with less physical effort. The result: you have more freedom in your edging.
More technical info:
Flat Sewing:
Stronger assembly of the panels: they are now glued and sewn together to make the canopy more rip resistant.
Vertical Cut Struts
The BANDIT struts are designed with a vertical cut in order to optimize the strength/diameter ratio.
Profile Leading Edge End Tips
The leading edge tips are profiled and have a reduced diameter to avoid any bridles tangling and drag effect.
Kite Tuning
Two different positions for back lines.
Front: more bar pressure, slower turning kite.
Back: lighter bar pressure, faster turning kite.
Deflate valve of the center strut
Makes packing the kite easier, since it was sometimes hard to empty all air with the one pump system when packing up.
One pump collar valve
- Easier to remove and put back.
- Practical during bladder replacement.
Canopy Reinforcement
DACRON reinforcements added on the front part of the kite profile strengthen this critical area and reinforce this high friction zone.
Kevlar reinforcement on leading edge
Most seams on the leading edge are now reinforced with Kevlar to prevent the seams to deteriorate on aggressive ground friction.
