9m flexifoil atom

[Peter Riley]

I have the chance to buy a 9m flexifoil atom for four hundred and sixty pounds complete rtf, is this a good price? plus is it a good kite to start on the water with? I have been flying traction kites for about 8 years and am wanting to try out kite surfing. any advice would be most appreciated.http://community.flexifoil.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[GSter]

Hi Peter, it depends on your size/weight, the length of board you intend to use and the force of wind you fancy going out in. I am sixteen stone and have used an Atom 9 without much success, but have got an Ion2 10.5 which really works for me. I use a Spleene Door (Fat boys board!) and this combo rocks. I have been taught to go for a smaller kite, longer board as being the way forward. £460 seems a good price, how old is the kite and what condition is it in?

[Peter Riley]

Thanks gster for your quick reply to my questions, I am six foot in heigth and weigth 14 stone, actually I have the choice to buy either the 9m or the 12m atom, the 12m costs 60 pounds more to buy, there is a end of stock sale here in Norway at a shop in Oslo, I guess the kites offered are pretty new.

 

I have noticed that most guys at the local beach use kite sizes between 9m and 14m, most of them look about my size and build, average winds are between 15-25 mph and occasionly above. I am using this observation to gauge what size of kite to purchase. What do you think about the 12m, is it a better option considering the wind speeds and my weight?http://community.flexifoil.com/images/icons/unsure.gif

[si-fly]

The 9 is for high winds unless you are very light, or just want to get used to flying a kite. It is quite a fast kite as its small which can be tricky to learn on. If you want a one kite quiver go for the 12m ion/atom or the 10.5 ion2.

I ride a 12m from 14-30mph and 14 stone, the 9 from 23-45mph

Si.

[garc]

Depends on condition of kite. Sounds like a good price if OK. I've had my 9m still working in 16 knots, which I was pretty impressed by. That's at 85 kg on a 122 sx board. Underpowered but still do-able and with some walking back upwind but that's because I'm rubbish. My 12 TD only starts to work at around 13 knots. To the point where I almost considered the 9 as a one kite quiver and just get a bigger board !! Buy it, you'll love it. I'm getting a 12m as well soon.

[nickt]

Peter go for the 12metre it will be perfect for you, the 9 metre will be a little underpowered for your weight unless the winds are very strong.

I use my 12m Atom for all conditions from about 15-30mph winds and it works very well even near 30mph as it has so much depower and so is very controllable. ( I weigh 12 stone ). The Atom is an ideal beginner through to advanced intermediate kite, very user friendly , well made and can pop some huge floaty jumps all good fun. If the kite on offer is almost new then it is a pretty good price with the bar and lines.

[Jofski]

if you are gonna buy, then it has to be the 12m. the 9m will be too fast to learn with and you'll need much stronger wind to get up n going so its a no brainer.

 

Good luck !

[T42]

I will follow everyonelse and say go for the 12. I have a 9and 12l but as said the 9 only comes out in 25knts +. You will get more use from the 12 initially while you get used to the water.

[garc]

Might be worth checking the wear on the chicken loop and the bar as mine snapped yesterday. Never had that happen before but sounds like it might be a common problem.

[paulie_amoose]

If your average wind is 15-25mph get the 12m... It's a no brainer..

[kyle2brown]

Get both, then you have a great combo from 15 knots to 35 knots

[Crob203]

12m definitely. Its so much harder to learn when your not powered up enough as you have to fly the kite alot more, and get really frustrated!