2015 Airush Lithium 16
Rider: Weight 100kg ,intermediate. 9 years kitesurfing
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 12-16 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Buy my own gear.
My Comments:
2015 Airush Lithium 16m
I have had a few sessions on this kite now and thought I would share my initial views on this kite. I decided I wanted a bigger kite to sit under my 12m North Rebel so sticking with my 33% rule I was after something around 16m that would have me well powered in the waves on a twin tip at around 14knots... It needed to be light, pivot turn, good depower, quick relaunch, big inflate valve and have the D2 canopy. The Lithium 16 had all that, plus it was a lot cheaper than anything else in that size.
Bar & Lines- 8.5/10
I like the simpleness of the setup, red on left, black on the right. The quick release is a gem, Simple and easy to reassemble. Not real keen on the adjustable bar as it has more parts to loose or fail. Saying that, once it is set for the kite, you don't think about or notice it and if you only have one bar for multiple size kites I can see its value. Bar grip is great. Lines all have kook proof connectors, rear lines are colour coded and front lines are heavy duty. Personally I would like more of a throw on the depower line, but that is a personal thing.
The Kite- 9/10
Materials and finish is second to none. Only has one strut and the leading edge to inflate, so no one pump. The leading edge takes some serious air though...its big and long.
In the air the kite is stable and responsive, turns very well even on a narrow bar. On the wide bar it turns very quick and really pivots. The kites acceleration is smooth, predictable and doesn't require apparent wind to produce power which is a God send on the knees in choppy water. Upwind is awesome for a low aspect kite, but not in the league of high aspect kites, close though. The lower board speed needed to produce power allows you really dig that rail in to get up wind.
Jumping is good and landings are so soft. The kite drifts well for a 16 and when heading towards the kite it just slowly climbs up through the power zone. Most surprising is the lack of trailing edge flapping, which I expected a fair bit of due to it being a single strut design and having what appears a very deep profile.
Overall I really love this kite and I am disappointed when I have to put up a smaller kite. It is versatile, user friendly and makes a great freeride/wave kite. I would be happy with an entire quiver of these.
The Airush Lithium is an ideal kite for newbies, old fellas with shot knees and everyone else in between who enjoys kiting for themselves and not the peanut gallery.
A big thanks to Jas & Ollie at BRISKITES for getting the kite the day before I left on my holiday.
B
I liked your review until the point where you say " I am disappointed when I have to put up a smaller kite"
You must be taken the piss or just plain "CRAKAS"
I still gave you a green thumb tho
I bought a Lithium One from Sunshine Coast Kite Co at Cotton tree, a month back
Brilliant light wind kite, it is built light with strategic reinforcing, to stay in the sky.
# Does not back stall easy, kite stays up to get you back when the wind drops away
# Turns really quick for a sixteen - I mean really quick - comparable with some 13s.
# Heaps of low end power.
F - One dont make a light wind specific kite, otherwise I would have looked hard there, I cant go past the F-One Bandit it is #1 for all round performance and simplicity in smaller kite sizes .
I liked your review until the point where you say " I am disappointed when I have to put up a smaller kite"
You must be taken the piss or just plain "CRAKAS"
I still gave you a green thumb tho
If my smaller kite was a rebel i might feel this way