slingshotrpm2016
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Bars, New Kites, All but Moses

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Slingshot graphic designer Carson Wiser catching some cosmic rays.

I have flown through Dubai many times but never actually left the airport, so I was excited when I heard about the trip to visit the new factory. We only had 4 days and the last day the factory was closed, so we spent every morning at the factory talking about everything from construction to graphics, our aim was to sign off on 2018 wake and kite boards.

We had an interesting factory tour, learning about each process and comparing it to the Moonshine factory. I was like a kid in a candy shop, I have only been to the Slingshot factory a few times and I always find it really interesting having spent so many hours of my life using these boards. Overall we were really pleased with the samples they had made, they had a really nice finish, plus they had some new graphic capabilities, which we we’re  excited about.  The graphics looked awesome!

Car loaded up with Slingshot test kiteboards.
Slingshot 2018 test boards ready to hit the water!

Now that we had talked about them enough it was time to get out on the water and test them out as there’s only so much you can check off in the office.  The true test is on the water. We headed down to the Al Forsan cable park in Abu Dhabi to test out the wakeboards.  After a long day on the water testing all the boards back to back against the  current production models we got a  good impression of the minor changes that needed to be made. We asked the factory to make a few other prototypes with the changes we wanted and then took them back to the cable the next day for more testing.

We managed to organize a ride on a boat for Jeff Mckee to test out  behind a proper boat. The guy who owned the boat was also a keen kitesurfer and was excited about the wind that day so we headed straight to the kite beach after the boat set.

Sam's setting up his 2018 Slingshot Refraction
The perfect set up.

It was great to check out the kite scene in Abu Dhabi and to get out and test the boards on a kite, not just in a cable park or behind a boat. The rocker line and flex changes of the boards are effected by the kite so much so it was really great that we were able to get out there.


Kiting The Persian Gulf

The factory was closed on our last day and we were lucky enough to have another day of wind. Apparently it is only windy a few days each month, so we headed straight to the Kite beach in Dubai for more testing and to meet the local dealer, it was really cool to check out the scene, the locals were so stoked to see the Slingshot crew show up and blow up unexpected. I had a really fun session and it was great to get another session under my belt to get an even better impression of the boards. After testing we had the rest of the afternoon and evening to get a few beers and check out the sights, including the worlds tallest building! It was a really productive trip, combining our wealth of knowledge from different backgrounds meant nothing was missed, we all left excited about this new chapter!

Sam Light haning with the kite crew from Dubai.
Hanging with the crew from Dubai

 

 

Slingshot RPM 2016 Water Relaunchable SLE Kite >>

Slingshot RPM 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Slingshot RPM 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Slingshot RPM 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Slingshot RPM 2016 Features:

Open-C:
Combines C-Kite performance power, stability, edging, control and direct connect with the advantages of the latest advancements, including low end power, maximised range, upwind ablity, depower, relaunch, hangtime and safety.

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

One Pump: 
One Pump is the leading inflation system available in the market today. 
Slingshot's integrated single-point valve inflation system allows you to inflate your entire kite in 1 step, using 1 valve, with no pinching of the valves.

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

IRS Bridles: 
Truly customised kite performance for riding style and conditions. Easily set to wake or freestyle settings to match your preferred preference. Mega Loop, Freestyle or Freeride.

Slingshot Rally 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Splitstrut Integration:
Splitstrut integrates the strut and canopy into one rigid wing creating a lighter, stable and more durable kite. 
This construction is proven to enchance power delivery under heavy load and creates efficiency in the overall frame.

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Tri-Tech Protection:
Ballistic Kevlar, Mark Cloth and Neoprene.

Individual scuff guards, strategically placed in the most vulnerable areas of the kite to optimize durability.

Slingshot Rally 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Surf Tough Seams:
Sets the standard for minimizing and containing canopy tears.

Now with improved, reinforced trailing edge durability.

Slingshot Rally 2016 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Diamond Leech Trailing Edge: 
Reduces flutter and aids canopy stability to maximize efficiency while still allowing the trailing edge to open and flex.

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

DP 175 Dacron:
DP 175 Dacron is a high tenacity, high modulus material that is extremely resistant to bias stretch and retains it's structure.

Used in every strut and leading edge. 

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Scuff Guard:
Protects the wing tips and leading edge against wear.

Slingshot Rally 2015 Kite Surf LEI Water Relaunchable

Slingshot Asylum 2016 Kite Board >>

Slingshot Asylum Kitesurf Kiteboarding Board

Slingshot Dually Footpads available as a separate item:

Slingshot Asylum Kitesurf Kiteboarding Board 2008 08

Slingshot Asylum Kitesurf Kiteboarding Board 2008 08

 

REVIEW: SLINGSHOT RPM 8M 2015

 

While the newest2016 models of Slingshotare just released, we noticed a shift in models. It seems that the new wave kiteWave SSTpushes the Rally 2016 more to the position the RPM used to have. Will this fifth version of 2015 RPM be the last version of the famous RPM? We tested it while admitting the RPM appeals to us much more than the Rally, mainly since the Rally seems much slower.

2015-07-17 11.03.13

the RPM 2015 is the fifth version of a kite which became famous when Youri Zoon won the 2011 PKRA freestyle competition with the RPM. But Slingshot is also a brand with a big name. It is generally known for its bomb proof quality, but for the RPM we have heard too many rumours that it has a weak point which makes the kite snap after a couple of years of usage, or even sooner. However the 2015 version -as mentioned in theSlingshot product video– should be reinforced on this point.

2015-07-17 10.59.32

Slingshot was one of the first brands to introduce a one-pump system to its kites, so no need to worry about that. What is kind of late is the introduction of a large inflate, but it works very well. It needs a pump that has a hose with an opening like North has. The wide hose exit, like a lot of brands have (like Ozone, Best etc), won’t work. No wonder Slingshot provides standard a hose on each RPM.

The major changes that should affect the way the kite handles, are on the (complicated) bridles, called IRS;Intuitive Response System.They are now without pulleys.

bridles rpm 2015
Complicated bridles (no pulleys)

A remarkable detail is that it is close to impossible to find any recommendations from Slingshot on their website on details that matter, like the settings of the bridle or the pressure that the kite needs to perform best. In theRPM 2015 videoa lot of promises on improved design, durability and performance, but no explanations how to rig the kite for different purposes. Something that we think is the major pro for the RPM; its versatility due to the multiple settings that are possible. Looking at the product video from Slingshot, it is almost only unhooked tricks that are shown. Is Slingshot showing in this way the RPM is intended for the hardcore unhooked freestyle rider?

So when reading any RPM review you need to know on what settings the kite is used. The RPM 8m has three important options. The first is on what settings the bridles are set. Either on wake style settings (inner) or on freeride (outer settings). The second is on the line lengths; either with 23m lines or with 20m lines. There are also 3 settings for the back lines.

Slingshot 17 inch Compstick Bar and lines

2015-07-17 13.39.56
3 settings steering lines

For kites from 4 until 8m a 17inch or a 20inch bar can be used. This 17 inch bar has 20m, lines the 20inch 23m. Those 3 meter differences give quite a large different feeling. 20 meter lines a way more direct, but also lose some of its low end reach. Kite loops on 20m lines or 23m gives a whole different feeling. With 23m the kite needs a lot of input and is slower in the turn, the 20m lines will give the real yank a mega loop needs. But at 20m lines you need a knot or 4 more to really get high enough to do such a mega kite loop.
The front lines are, as they have been for years, bigger (in diameter) and stronger than the back lines. The bar is a bit rough (especially for the ladies)and we don’t like the huge swiffel (which is there for years). It doesn’t do its job (rotate) on its own and it is unnecessary heavy. Another issue is the under the bar depower system. When this is on full power, it is too hard to get it depowered again. Apparently Slingshot finally realised it and now from 2016 models on offer a bar with both under and above the bar depower systems.

The test

We tested the RPM 8m with a 17inch bar both on 20 and 23m (3m extensions) lines. We set the bridles on both positions and tried it while adjusting the back lines.

2015-07-17 11.03.40
RPM bridle setting on wake style

The wakestyle setting (see photo) gives a lot of pressure on the bar, even when the back lines are at the lightest setting. Too our opinion this is too much for the average rider. A freestyle oriented and stronger rider will like the stability and will like the feedback you get from this setting. We needed the stopper ball a lot in this setting…

When the bridles are set on the outer positions the kites changes a lot. It becomes lighter and softer. It is better to set the back lines one or even two steps back for a kite with a bit more bar feel. We did most of our testing with the 23m lines on this settings.

The kite, all though only having 3 struts and no battens feels very firm. The RPM is quite fast and responsive, even with the 23m lines. The pop is quite short and aggressive, although (on 23m lines and on free ride mode) not as aggressive as theBest TSor theGP. The RPM is not a magic low end kite and neither keeps you air born like a North Rebel or a Ozone Edge, but it can handle a lot of wind. Depowering is quick and easy. It also has some raw edges which has to do with its freestyle capabilities.

For example looping the kite gives a certain moment in the loop a typical delay. It is also felt when steering quickly; it reacts immediately but it feels like the kite come to a stand still a little while later. We found the RPM (on 23m lines on free ride bridle mode) to have some similarities with theOcean Rodeo Razorand a bit of theNorth Dicealthough the RPM can be set much more aggressive by resetting the bridles.

 

 

SLINGSHOT RALLY 2016 10M

 

By the looks of the pointy open Delta-Cprofileshape the Rally belongs in the hang time corner, competing with for example the Ozone Edge and North Rebel. The Slingshot Rally is around for about six years now, but we always wondered what its unique selling point is. The best we can come up with is the great low end together with its long, floating jumps. But we will remember it as a slow motion kite, because of its slow responses. We just had a go with it for a couple of hours, so this review is not the longest we have written.

Slingshot Rally 2016
Slingshot Rally 2016

Frankly we didn’t mind the test was this short. After a dozen lofty, but very long jumps while struggling to get the kite with all our efforts in front of us again at the landings, the tremendous amount of bar pressure was really getting to us. The bar pressure is also its big, and we mean huge, difference with the Ozone Edge, which also has great incredible hang time. Both are pointy shaped kites with five struts kites where the Rally even has a few stick shapedDSCN0609 (Large)“battens” which successfully helps keeping the kite in shape in powered conditions.

As for build quality of Slingshot, no doubt about it generally is very good and there is not much to worry about. We just hope some day the Slingshot bar gets an manual twistable depowerline, so they can get rid of thatenormous big and heavy swiffel (which in 2017 is replaced at one bar by a more simple version). The bridles cannot be adjusted but the back lines can be set at 3 positions. We, and probably everybody, will set them at “fast”, the last connection towards the tip.

Obviously kites shaped long and narrow (high aspect ratio) like the Rally will create efficient and powerful kites. But that usually also means large turning circles and less responsive kites. The Rally has en enormous turning circle. Meaning kite loops -for example- will take some time, and during the loop the pull isn’t as a proper kite loop should be; powerful and short. It is rather the same pull during the entire loop.The same is for the amount of power you get putting the bar up and down to power/depower. The power reach is long, very long. It does help in the air, to pull you up even more by just pulling the bar a bit more. But it will take some muscle power to achieve it.
For freestyle moves it misses out the necessary aggressive pull while building up the load by edging hard. Old school moves, like board offs or dead mans is more to the game of the Rally, but again it takes a lot of effort in the landing to put the kite forward to have a proper landing.

It was fun to be riding so powerful while everybody was just barely cruising with a even bigger kites. But as explained it is getting boring and tiring too quickly. Therefor we don’t understand that Slingshot puts so much wording on the Rally that it isthe ultimate all-around weapon of choice for kiters across the spectrum. It is something arguable and personal what you think of a kite with a lot of such specific power, but to our opinion it is far from the most appealing kite for intermediate kiters to get the most fun out of an average kite session. Something an Ozone Enduro,Cabrinha FXorNorth Dicefor example will suit much better for those kiters.

 

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