11m Tribal 2 or 12 m Atom

[Tommy S]

Hi All

 

Having trouble deciding between the 12m Flexi Atom and the 11m Tribal 2. Both kites get some great reviews. I know the design is different for each kite, but has anyone any views on their relative good points/ bad points? I weigh 85kg, use a 141 Naish Thorn, ride in the North Devon surf (Saunton/ Woolie) and looking for a kite that will work in a 15-30 mph range. Style is more freeride than freestyle. The sad demise of Onshore kiteshop means that its not easy now to demo each kite locally.

[nickt]

Hi I can`t comment on the Tribal 2 as have never flown one, however I have had a 12 m Atom for a few months and I really rate this kite highly for my ability ( 2nd year kite surfing, and several years flying land kites ).It`s very easy to set up, has a simple and safe quick release system and so far has stood up to a bit of abuse and seems very well made. It`s very user friendly and has enabled me to take my kitesurfing to a better level over the winter months. The depower is excellent and the performance is great aswell, big floaty jumps etc. I`ve found it very good in the gusty and choppy south coast conditions we get down here. I think that you would be very happy with it for the freeride 15-30mph range that you wrote as this is pretty much similar to my requirements.

There are 2 "bad" points that I have found. Firstly, the depower strap is too far away to reach comfortably, and secondly it can take a while to get it to re-launch from the water sometimes. However these are irritations more than anything and in summary a great kite and in my opinion I would definitely recommend it.

[garybrazier]

Not sure if this helps as I have not yet flown a Tribal 2, but I bought a 7m Atom last weekend and have been lucky enough to use it Saturday B4 last at Hunstanton, and again yesterday at my home beach. Dovercourt. I am in my 3rd season of kiting, and have owned several makes of kites including Slingshot, Cabrinha, GK and Best. I currently have the 7 Atom, 9 and 13m Tribal 1's, and a 14 Caution Spitfire. The Atom is easily the nicest kite I have ever flown. Maybe it's because it's a small kite, and maybe the Tribal 2 has been improved. The Tribals are nice, and have served me well, but I find the Atom easier to fly, and I always know where it is in the sky, if that makes sense. It seems very powerful for it's size, my 1st outing with it, others were on 9's and 12s, but I had plenty of power. I understand it has a good top end also, which I cannot wait to try out. (40knts+) Build quality is excellent and features such as one pump and the tip valve just help to give it the edge. The tip strut valves on my Tribals are a real pain to deflate with cold hands, and the de-power strap is still very difficult to power up, even though both kites have been used extensively, although to be fair I think this may have been sorted. I do find the 5th line on the Tribals very handy for self landing and re-launch, have yet to need to self land or re-launch the Atom. In summary, if I were in the market for a 12m kite, I would go for the Atom.

[Kite Kid]

there 2 very different kites.

its not witch ones better its what you prefer in a kite but i would go tribal 2

[elmoncork]

Hey Gary, what's the low end of the 7m Atom? I have the 12m and think it's a great kite. EXCEPT for relaunch. It can be a real pain in the arse sometimes. But for everything else... its mint. So it's not enough of an annoyance to turn me off getting it as my high wind kite (hence looking into the 7m).

 

Not sure if this helps as I have not yet flown a Tribal 2, but I bought a 7m Atom last weekend and have been lucky enough to use it Saturday B4 last at Hunstanton, and again yesterday at my home beach. Dovercourt. I am in my 3rd season of kiting, and have owned several makes of kites including Slingshot, Cabrinha, GK and Best. I currently have the 7 Atom, 9 and 13m Tribal 1's, and a 14 Caution Spitfire. The Atom is easily the nicest kite I have ever flown. Maybe it's because it's a small kite, and maybe the Tribal 2 has been improved. The Tribals are nice, and have served me well, but I find the Atom easier to fly, and I always know where it is in the sky, if that makes sense. It seems very powerful for it's size, my 1st outing with it, others were on 9's and 12s, but I had plenty of power. I understand it has a good top end also, which I cannot wait to try out. (40knts+) Build quality is excellent and features such as one pump and the tip valve just help to give it the edge. The tip strut valves on my Tribals are a real pain to deflate with cold hands, and the de-power strap is still very difficult to power up, even though both kites have been used extensively, although to be fair I think this may have been sorted. I do find the 5th line on the Tribals very handy for self landing and re-launch, have yet to need to self land or re-launch the Atom. In summary, if I were in the market for a 12m kite, I would go for the Atom.

[Hentex]

Tribal 2 11m is the pick of the bunch its bloody awesome..I rate it the best kite out at the moment. Imrpoved over last years for sure. Easy to relaunch with a really nice range. Awesome for unhooked or just riding normally like i do. and mixing in some jumps and rotations. Never tryed an atom tho.. but have heared good and bad things.