New Flexifoil Prolink Freestyle Handles

[.Joel]

Hi Guys,

Flexifoil are going to be releasing new handles, more information on that is soon coming It has been a tug of war for freestyle buggiers on handles to find handles that are both comfortable, strong and durable. I have in the past written about my failure of the Flexifoil handles, breaking multiple sets. I have also written about the failure of the Ozone Pro handles and just how close to being perfect they could have been. Well after all this waiting, it seems Flexifoil are now releasing a dedicated freestyle buggy handle. Or if not just for Freestyle, but a much stronger handle.

Flexifoil have presented these handles in the UK on demo days, and at meets. Feedback from those who have tried them so far has been comments such as;

SandMonster

but the most significant thing I noticed were the new style handles....

Don't know if my lad took any pics, if he did I will post them up, but the handles looked and felt fantastic.

Difficult to describe without pictures, but they are of a one-piece moulded contruction. The plastic feels reassuringly dense and solid without being too heavy.

The best bit of the new design is the main line attachment which is by means of a stainless steel pin approx 5mm diameter that screws down through a slot in the top of the handle - this means that any wear on the leader lines would be visible to the user and also means that a strop line can be attached using the same pin. The brake leader attachment was also via an aperture at the bottom of the handle moulding giving full visiblilty of the leader condition.

The rubber used in the grip had a nice solid feel with just the right amount of give.

The only downside (from Flexi's sales point of view) is that these handles really look and feel as if they will last forever!

Craig, iKiteMag Editor & Flexifoil Team Rider.

There is very little chance of the new handles snapping. Having had mine for some time they are still going very strong. They are extremely comfortable and safe for bugging as there are not knots in the strop line area to get jammed in pullys etc....

You will not be disappointed.

Regards,

.Joel

[Sand-Yeti]

Trouble with you freestylers is that you you let a little thing like a broken handle interfere with your kiting.

Just keep on flying when they break like I do.

On a serious note, i'm not a freestyler but have had about half dozen handles break. To be fair, Flexi have been very supportive when I've written to them about broken handles.

I'm hoping their embarrassing episode of breaking handles is now coming to an end. I spoke to one of the guys who has been testing the new handles and he is very positive that the new ones about to be released should do the trick. Let's hope FF have it right now.

[lickedysplit_au]

Handles look awsome! Looking forward to seeing some of them in the country, wouldn't mind having a fly of the kite he is flying too

[Frakke]

Hi All,

I've not been around on here for quite a while and Joel gave me a nudge to comment on these new handles.... so here goes

I've had a set since about september last year as I was at the top of Flexi's "most sets of handles broken in a season" list (or near the top anyway).

First thing to note is the handle is a bit shorter that the current ones so brakes will need to be reset wich is a minor point but the length difference is sufficient to move a couple of inches on brakes. Handle length is designed for line length and kite size so a change in handle size will need a change in one or other of the line sets to compensate...

The handle is a solid block of polymer with moulded strengthening shapes to it with the pin in the top for leaders and strop attachments and it is very quick and simple to strop up - all you need is a small screwdriver and a strop

The handle part is covered over with a very comfy and "sticky" rubberised grip where stickiness changes with the oil content in the handles - mine are prototypes so I have odd ones with different rubber compounds but both are comfortable and the top of the handle where your thumb would normally be is "thumb shaped" so your thumb sits at a comfortable angle and improves braking capability as thumb pressure is more easily applied when braking - hence one reason they could be shorter I guess...

The only noticable difference is that the softer handle (more oil) is more comfortable at extreme low temps (close to freezing) and doesn't seen to nick or scratch very much. I think Flexi have gone with the softer one

Now for performance I have had these handles out in very cold, very wet (sand and mud), very high winds (50mph+ :eek: on a couple of occasions recently) and have been OBE'd and dragged across beaches for many many metres at a time and hey haven't given up where current standard ones surely would have.

Under extreme loads i.e. high"ish" winds and a 4.0m or 4.9m kite I have felt some strain in the handles but they haven't given up yet and I can't see them ever doing so. My goal it to try and break at least one of 'em to give flexi R'n'D something to think about but I must say it's a tough job... (my confidence level in these new handles is therefore not surpisingly literally sky high).

My latest efforts in 45 - 55mph winds involved a 2.5m Rage and as you all know how fast these little bug-gers are in that amount of wind they generate quite a lot of grunt and lift so the handle strain is still high so even when I was airborne :eek: (yep I was airborne AND double kitelooping a 2.5m Rage in 50+winds) I was still confident....

I think Flexi have "very much so" cracked the handle problem which would explain why the after sales team (Wendy et al) were happy to replace the current handle sets FOC with these new ones in the bag...

Finally the number of situations I have been in where I have said "that jump or that OBE would normally have cost me a set of handles" hasn't changed but the number of handles I have broken since I got these new proto's is still a big fat ZERO

hope you all get some soon......

Frakke

[max]

i have an old set of flexi handles that have snapped, i just inserted a steel rod down the middle of the handles and glued them backtogether, they are a bit heavier but twice as strong now.

[Frakke]

@Max - that's one way to do it of course especially down under....we normally just send tehm back to flexi in the UK and we get free replacements within a week

F

[max]

HAHAHAHAHA

wellllll you could do that, but where is the fun and creativity in that:D

[.Joel]

As seen on the new BlurrKite video at 3:52

Regards,

.Joel

[scrabharlz]

Nice ....certainly sounds promising if nothing else.

The question is, when do they hit Australia? I know one of my set of handles is nearing the end of its life expectency after over 5yrs now.

K

[.Joel]

Nice ....certainly sounds promising if nothing else.

The question is, when do they hit Australia? I know one of my set of handles is nearing the end of its life expectency after over 5yrs now.

K

Handles will be in Australia with the new Flexifoil Blurr and will be available separately. The new handles are called "ProLink."

Regards,

.Joel

[Goz]

Very Nice looking bit of kit.

Looks like the boys at Flexifoil have put their thinking caps on for those.

[Andyfly]

It is reasuring to see how much effort companies are putting into the future of the sport.

Well done Flexi.

[koma]

Handles will be in Australia with the new Flexifoil Blurr and will be available separately. The new handles are called "ProLink."

Looks like they could also double as training nunchaks!

I must admit they do look quite good.

My only complaint with the different sorts of handles i've used so far has been that i end up with f'n blisters galore! I did try to HTFU, but maybe these and a set of dainty Audrey Hepburn gloves will fix the problem.

[scrabharlz]

Thank you.

Kev:yes3:

[Frakke]

@Koma - I normally use cycling gloves - the fingerless ones these give enough protection between your fingers and on your palms to prevent blisters... even so if you're out enough you'l ldevelop some callouses after a while anyway..

But in saying that the coating on the new flexi handles is a soft and pliable rubber coating soft and grippy so blisters should be minimal - if they're not then a pair of fingerless gloves will do the trick

F

[.Joel]

These handles are looking damn fine...

One really nice little detail about the new Flexifoil Prolink handles is that they have a metal pin you can see from the back of the handle. The top leader lines connect to this pin, you can remove it using a screw through the top. Which means you can now hook your strop directly into the back of the handle. Why is this so good ? Simple, no more fricken over as far as you can get it.

Some photos:

Regards,

.Joel

[Goz]

So when do you get a set Joel to see if you can break them.

Looks like your going to have to try real hard to break these handles.

[.Joel]

The guys in the UK have been on the prototypes for ages. One thing with handles is that when you design them you can't just release them. There's faults, pressures and wear that can only occur over time. You can't replicate these in a short period, you need a long period of R&D. Then after the improvement, release the next prototype for testing etc etc. These handles have been put through tests by the team riders for well over 6 months, if you scoot back through forums far enough you can see they were spotted on a beach etc with them.

After all the feedback I have from people I speak with, and those that have been riding them, the handles are literally flawless. A prototype is yet to break! Undoubtedly over time (a few years) eventually one will probably break, just like anything over a long period of time and extended use. For the casual one session a week flyer, they most likely will never need another pair of handles.

Regards,

.Joel

[Guest Anonymous]

nice ergos. I like the thumb indentation in the top too.

[.Joel]

So when do you get a set Joel to see if you can break them.

Hrrm not sure what will break first now, it used to be the handles, now it could be the lines

Frakke would be better at telling you, he's the mental one throwing double kiteloops in

Moving all my gear up to the Flexifoil Prolink handles & Ozone 360kg lines.

Regards,

.Joel

[Steve]

Finally got some info on the new handles and kites today, but did not even have time to look at it grrr!

We will get you guy some info within the shortest possible time, I hope to work up some prices tomorrow and am hoping that Jason Furness might skype me tonight to firm up delivery/availability times for both the handles and the Blurr (s?)

Big thanks to Joel and his late nights talking to the crews O/S about the gear!!

Some of my Anzac day break tomorow will be working out some preliminary pricing, when I post will depend on the wind!

[Steve]

Ok managed to get Peace to do some conversions today and these are preliminary prices. I doubt they will move much from this but we need to get the original prices in the normal currency we pay for them.

Pro Link handles, no safety, no strop - $89

Pro Link handles, with safety, no strop - $99

Pro Link handle safety system - $29

Strops

55cm - $20

65cm - $22

75cm - $25

Blurr kite - kite only ) no handles or lines, just backpack, instructions, stickers

2.5 - $519

3.5 - $649

5.0 - $799

7.0 - $949

Blurr kite - complete ) includes pro link handles with safety, lines, backpack, instructions, stickers

2.5 - $699

3.5 - $849

5.0 - $999

7.0 - $1099

No idea on availability yet, but should have an answer early next week, will post again on the topic then.

[.Joel]

Hi Guys,

I have put a review of the handles up: http://www.extremekites.com.au/other-reviews/bars,-handles-and-lines/flexifoil-prolink-handles-20080708325/

There's no other way to put this other then you have to try these things for yourself. It's like going from wearing a hard uncomfortable pair of shoes to a brand new pair of cushion heal runners. I was thinking they looked strong but "just another set of handles." They hype doesn't do them justice, they are better.

Huge thanks to Kitepower for supplying the handles for the review, really really appreciated.

Regards,

.Joel

[Buggy PAUL]

In a word there GREAT !!! ive been using a set for a couple of months now ,you wont break them . only small prob ive found is the clear rubber sleve where your main lines leave the handle is starting to perrish where it is stiched but a nice treat for yourself