If you were wondering how is the new 012 Signature check the IKsurfMag review.

“Quad fins are faster, looser and offer more drive off the back foot”

“The 6’0″ is shaping up to be somewhat of a beast”

More here.

“The Bandit has some of the most adaptive handling out there, with great  upwind power, comfort and easy handling it’s great whether you’re in waves or flat water.”

SBC Kiteboard Names F-One Bandit V One of Top Three All-Terrain Kites.

The Criteria

“These three kites posted the top scores, with great marks in all categories and a prowess in every discipline, pushing them to the top of the list. They each all had that X factor that put them slightly above the rest in terms of the total package, being adaptable to any condition and catering to the widest range of skill levels. Abilities that are the most adaptable and refined—smooth control and pull, good levels of de-power, quick and direct steering and plenty of boosting ability”

"Testers were impressed with the light, crisp handling, fast turning and improved upwind drive."

What the SBC Test Team Said About the Bandit V

-Testers were impressed with the light, crisp handling, fast turning and improved upwind drive.

-The kite was also faster pulling this season

-Reduced diameter in the leading edge made it easier upwind,with better speed and fluid drive across the window

-With the right back-line setting it offered great feedback for easy jumps, soft landings, and plenty of de-power to tame gusts or reduce being pulled off the wave face.

-It could unhook and deliver good pop for flatwater freestyle

-It’s forgiving enough for intermediate level riders to build skills.

Click here to read the full review

Ready to start your light crisp handling, fast turning, improved upwind drive sessions right now? Click here to find an F-One dealer near you.

by Brian Friedmann
US F-One Team Rider
Location: Wadell, California

The Bandit heritage is carried on with the next version of this popular Delta shape kite. Had a chance to get out on the 8 meter B5 kite this afternoon and it did great in the non steady wind conditions with overhead surf. First thing that you notice when pumping up the kite is the greatly reduced leading edge diameter. It appears to be almost 1/3 smaller than last years kite. The struts are also smaller and the kite is a little flatter than the Bandit IV and the front bridles have been shortened to eliminate any possibility of being caught up on a wing tip. The construction and build of the kite is exceptional, something you would expect if you have ever owned an F-One kite.

The wind was fairly inconsistent with some longer lulls. Regardless the kite showed it’s strengths with more low end than last years model allowing me to stay upwind even during the lulls. Most folks were kiting on 9m-11m kites and the 8m B5 was managing fine and staying upwind. And although the wind was on the light side at times, you could tell the kite turned faster than last year. Bar pressure also seems to be reduced slightly from the prior year model. With the lighter wind conditions there were times when it was easy to outrun the kite when going downwind. They B5 drifted great and never hesitated or started to fall out of the sky. It’s as stable or more than last years kite. Overall the performance has been improved from last years kite with more low end, faster turning and smoother handling. Really nice kite and looking forward to trying the other sizes.

Overall impression of my new 12’6 F-One SUP Race board – by Danny Alvarez, F-One Americas

Its good to say that the initial impression of this special board is that it was ..really worth the wait..!! It was10pm on a Friday night and we were still waiting at the cargo airline hanger waiting to receive the board.  The skipper meeting for the downwind race was 7am Saturday. So the first test on the actual board was gonna be the race.  Yikes!

by Shane Thompson / SBC Kiteboard Test Team

The F-One Bandit is a real standout in the unhooked, and powered freestyle category. SBC Kiteboard head-to-head surf tests (Issue 12.1).

Highlights
• Stylish design with wave-built construction
• C-kite style handling with direct steering and control
• Higher levels of all-terrain performance than ever before

F-One has totally redesigned and revamped their legendary Bandit IV for 2011 with new canopy shape profile, leading edge arc, a reduction in struts to three and widened wing tips. Still with Delta shaping the new Bandit promises better C-like quality performance, improved handling, low-end power and faster turning.

Control Bar and Safety Systems
The new Airlite Aluminum Monobloc bar is free of any clutter and streamlined. It features an aggressively narrow, smooth and comfortable EVA grip that feels light but solid in your hands. The one-piece aluminum construction gives it a solid feel and polished finish. The above-the-bar trim cleat system is reliable and easy to adjust on the fly. Underneath the bar floats there are adjustable length leader lines so you can efficiently tune any back stall from the kite. The Velcro quick-release system is an effective, if not underrated quick- release safety system. It avoids the downfall of most systems which if underused, unkempt or grunge filled, might be prone to seize, corrode or fail. The safety handle can be set on either side of the chicken loop depending on your preference. It would be important to keep the safety knob on the same side for consistency of engagement. The mini fifth-line engages full flagging of both the front lines of the kite. Good polish and functional safety systems get the Airlite Aluminum Monobloc bar top marks.

Kite Performance
The new Bandit IV had the most distinctive and different feel than any kite of the test. It has a solid shape and is supported by a quality Force Frame build with one pump. Classic and stylish graphics, Fone has done well with this kite’s appearance as it occupies the heart of the brand. The Bandit seems much less Delta this year but with a more C-kite look to it with wider wing tips and three struts. It maintains its simple bridle system and the welcome addition of settings on the wing tips allows for adjustments to the IV’s turning speed and bar pressure. Its light weight brings some better low-end power from the IV also has some more dynamic turning speed and reaction to bar input that the III lacked at times. The lightweight feel to the three-strut design makes it more nimble and reactive in the waves. Depower is solid but with more available power, there still some pull and reactivity to kite input. The overall control is good, jumping is C-like with good lift, and more manageable drift than earlier Delta shapes. The wider wing tips give the kite smoother power through the arced turns. It is important to tune out the bandits back lack lines for optimum stability and depower.
The new Bandit has impressive speed, even in lighter winds and its solid upwind capability give it good race capability. Water relaunch is still Delta-like and the kite’s lighter weight ensures the Bandit IV is quick to flight in lighter winds. The all-terrain capability of the kite and enhancements in direct feel impressively suit the Bandit IV to the intermediate to advanced rider that wants a do-it-all design without limitations.

Reality Check
The increased C-kite shape of the Bandit is a trade off for some of the instant depower of the more Delta-shaped kites of the test.

Bottom Line
The aggressive overhaul of the Bandit IV has delivered some positive improvements for this Delta-evolved design. The Bandit will be sure to excite current compadres and inspire intermediate to advanced riders to push the limits in new conditions and disciplines.

F-One 2011 Bandit 4 (B4) Analyze This Kite Review – The Kiteboarder

TESTED: 8m
AVAILABLE SIZES: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14m
TESTED IN: La Ventana 24-28 knots, large chop

ROM THE MANUFACTURER:

For 2011, the Bandit 4 has a brand new shape. We modified its span, tips, profile, leading edge diameter, and lowered the number of struts to three. All this was done in order to get an extremely homogeneous kite. The sharp Delta angle at its center (patented by F-One) is identical to the B3, which gives the kite plenty of stability, depower, and auto relaunch. Three struts mean a lighter, smoother, and more dynamic kite. The squared tips allow two different back line settings and a cleaner aerodynamic flow during turns. The profile and the structure of the Bandit 4 is more rigid for better control and greater depower in high wind conditions. With the B4, we overcame a difficult challenge: It excels in every program with an unmatched feeling. It suits every style and disciplines without any adaptation time.

THE KITEBOARDER REPORT:

Out of the Box: The F-One Bandit, the original Delta kite, is now in its fourth generation and it has undergone a major redesign for 2011. It is now a three-strut one pump kite with square wingtips. The three struts are integrated into the canopy instead of being attached to the bottom of it. The bridle still features three pulleys per side but now the rear bridle is adjustable to change the turning speed of the kite. Despite the changes, the Bandit retains its Delta shape. Once inflated, you can see that the leading edge comes to a subtle point in the middle.

For 2011, F-One has released the Airlite bar which is the first bar to be built from one solid piece of aluminum. The ends, tubes, and center make up one single piece as opposed to separate pieces that are assembled together. This new bar feels light and rigid and every member of the test team enjoyed using it. F-One has decided to stick with a Velcro and pin safety release as they feel there is no chance of it being jammed with sand.

On the Water: The Bandit 4 is a very stable kite in the sky and we immediately fell in love with the feel of the Airlite bar. The bar pressure of the Bandit 4 is in the light-medium range, much lighter than the previous Bandit III. Turning speed is fast and the kite’s handling is very direct. Power delivery from the Bandit 4 is very smooth and the kite depowers a great deal within a short amount of bar travel. The Bandit 4 goes upwind well and is easy to relaunch. While carving on the large chop of La Ventana, the Bandit 4 drifts back in the window and responds to inputs instantly. Jumping performance is also very good and the kite zips back up to the top of the window after loops.

PROS:

• The F-One Bandit 4 is a fantastic all-around kite that truly does everything well.
• The unique one-piece Airlite bar was very well-received by our test team.

CONS:

• The Velcro safety release can only be operated from one side.
• Some riders may not like the European-style graphics.

THE VERDICT:

The F-One Bandit 4 fits the bill as an all-around kite that seems to do everything well. It simply seemed to handle anything our testers could throw at it. It has a wide wind range, excellent jumping and upwind abilities, smooth power, and fast and predictable handling. It’s stable and relaunches easily. The new Airlite bar felt like the perfect size and the grip felt just right. We would like to see F-One move to a safety release that can be operated with either hand in an emergency. The nimble and direct handling makes it feel like you can put the Bandit 4 wherever you want it and the stability and responsiveness should serve well in the surf.

TIPS:

• Get in the habit of always putting the safety release on the same side so you know where it is if you need to use it.
• If you unhook a lot, consider moving the rear lines forward to slow the turning speed of the kite. This will make the kite more forgiving to small bar inputs during unhooked moves.

TESTER COMMENT:

“The very direct handling combined with the nice feel of the Airlite bar make the Bandit 4 feel like a kite that you can quickly place anywhere in the window you want it.” –Paul Lang, 200 lbs., Surf Kiter

F-One is coming out in 2011 with a brand new 2011 Airlite Bar, which the main feature is to be a monobloc bar, as opposed to every other bars on the market that are made of separate parts glued together. Julian Hosp, F-One team rider, did a video presentation and is showing us how to trim it, use the freestyle setup, and some more tips of how to use it properly and safely!

by Vali Puscasu

Bandit 4 size 12, Lens Jim Hopkins

I finally got my first session on my Bandit 4.

First thing I noticed is that it felt like a small kite when I took it out of the bag. It is light. Once I started inflating it, it turned into a bigger and bigger kite. This is a big 12! Looking at the details: the construction is awesome and the kite is well finished.
The reinforcements are good. There are two connector choices on the back lines.

It inflates really easily and the one pump works like a charm. A pleasant surprise right here—the new inflating valve has a stopper ball! It took a few years for F-One, but they finally listened to the general feedback. So you really don’t need to get out your gloves when you inflate your kite on a cold beach. There are no zip ties on the one-pump valves and minus two struts, suddenly you cut a lot of weight off the kite. If you compare it to the B3, the B4 is a race-car. Reduced weight.

So, I am self-launching the kite – there is no one else on the beach. I choose to drift launch. While the kite is drifting I am looking out on the water and don’t see any white caps. Well, I think, this is the true test. The kite drifts into the power window. I pull the back line and it is in the air. That was easy. The wind is light, maybe too light. 12 gusting 14. And I am on a small board. I wondered if I would even be able to float. From the first dive I am out… cruising and going faster and faster. The kite generates a constant pull and has a lot of grunt. I realized that the B4 delivers most of its power when it is parked at 11:15 instead of at 11:00, like the B3. My impression is that the 2010 13m B3 flies a bit further in the wind window but delivers a little less power. I looked up at the kite while riding. It felt like a delta, but it looks a lot like a C with its squared tips. Although the Delta angle is the exact same between the 2010 and 2011 version; I actually got confirmation of that.  There is constant pull and no lag on the bar feedback.

Onto turning — I went out on a 55 cm bar and later on a 45. For sure the bigger bar helps a lot. The kite turns much faster, and there is a lot less bar pressure. Of course on the 45 cm bar, turning will be slower, but even then the kite delivers constant power. The feeling I have on the turns is very direct. You pull and the kite it is already where you want it to be. If you are not careful that can generate a little bit of lift in the transition.

The wind picked up a little more.

Onto jumping — it takes a little time to get used to jumping on the kite. Yeah, here is where it feels different than the B3. You load and pop and expect the same lift like on the B3. Well, you do get the same lift and a little moooooore hang time… actually a lot more. If you are not careful it’s really easy to over steer the kite, but due to the hang-time, you still have time to correct the position of the kite and land safely. Not a lot of wind today to jump, but still I got enough lift and hang time. The kite is super stable and even when the lines are slack it doesn’t Hindenburg.

Onto top end — Not enough wind today day to test the top end of the kite, but I feel certain that I can take it out in the mid 20s. This 12-meter for sure will be my light-wind kite. I know that I might even be able to get away with just an 11.
I ended up the session in a beautiful sunset with a smile on my face!

Chesapeake Bay, sunset session, lens Jim Hopkins

by Julien Hosp, F-One team rider

The Trax is Fones High-End-Allroundboard! It provides the best parts out of every aspect of kiting, no matter if for Waves, Handlepasses, High-Jumps or just cruising! The Trax is THE Board-2-go!

Compared to the the Trax from 2010 the new 2011 is pretty similar, except for the graphics and fins, which I had already explained in the Acid report yesterday, as the board had been such a great success over the last year, we did not want to change to much, just as Never Change a Winning Team…

The Board has a quadruple concave and therefore planes really early, while going great upwind and being very stable, just as the word Trax=Track suggests. It feels as if you are riding above the water, and is very easy to handle for every level of riding. Just like the Trax last year, and the Acid this year, the 2011 Trax has a Carbon X in the middle, to provide more flex in the tips, but more stiffness in its center. This leads to more control while still being very comfortable to ride!

Compared to the Acid, the Trax is easier to ride, but also offers less performance. It stays better in its Track, and is more forgiving. However it is more high-end than the TX, which is more for beginners or Intermediates. If you want to do everything in kiting, Jumping High, going into Waves, doing the one or other handlepass, then the Trax is YOUR board to go for!!!

The board is available in the following 5 sizes:

132x38cm
134x39cm
136x40cm
138x41cm
140x45cm

Tomorrow I will present you Fones beginner/intermediate board, the TX 2011!!!

Cheers

Jule