Interesting Konrad have just released their new Freak system www.konradboarding.com/foils which allows to interchange with different brands of front wings & tails plus the masts mount connections are compatible with AXIS, Cedrus etc
Potential to open things up so people don't have to make such a huge financial commitment to try different brands
Rear fuselage appears very similar to Starboard, which is a system I've often thought was under appreciated.
Foilparts and Alchemy started that off, Konrad gets it to mass market. That said, I've spent a lot of good foiling time trying to tune different foil from different stabs and masts.
I spent more time trying to get the right feel than ripping lol.
I looked at the prices. exxy even before you add a front foil and i can't see it being the last you buy. only encourage you to buy more !
Foilparts and Alchemy started that off, Konrad gets it to mass market. That said, I've spent a lot of good foiling time trying to tune different foil from different stabs and masts.
I spent more time trying to get the right feel than ripping lol.
This is exactly right. More connections = more weight, more things to flex, and more things to break. I have also experienced other aftermarket adapters and I have found that there are often little differences in angles vs stock that can really screw things up and take a long time to sort through. Combine a bunch of brands and adapters and it just compounds these minor angle differences.
I'll mix and match tails, but I think I'm done with universal stuff until there are actual universal standards.
...Yes, this would be the last foil I would ever buy...
Looking at this system
I'm thinking to move away from my old armstrong setup due to needing to upgrade basically every component except the fuse and the extreme cost that will entain.
I'm basically over armie charging 20% more than others for no apparent reason
This system seems pretty cool with the anode, lots of brands supported and decent price points (apart from the fuse being a bit exxy). if I buy the armie adaptor I can also keep an old armie hs1850 and 232 for my wife to learn whilst I progress and then can sell most of my armie setup.
Axis does seem to be the future for the universal standard, at least with Konrad, and one supporting it and this is a decent value way to buy into a system with an HM mast.
The lift rip off konrad wing (lx970) sounds intriguing too for me as a winger/learner proner.
concerns would be build quality, long term support, re sale (but axis compatible probably helps that).
has anyone seen these in the flesh? seen the quality? tried all or part of the setup?
Foilparts and Alchemy started that off, Konrad gets it to mass market. That said, I've spent a lot of good foiling time trying to tune different foil from different stabs and masts.
I spent more time trying to get the right feel than ripping lol.
This is exactly right. More connections = more weight, more things to flex, and more things to break. I have also experienced other aftermarket adapters and I have found that there are often little differences in angles vs stock that can really screw things up and take a long time to sort through. Combine a bunch of brands and adapters and it just compounds these minor angle differences.
I'll mix and match tails, but I think I'm done with universal stuff until there are actual universal standards.
...Yes, this would be the last foil I would ever buy...
I too went down that path. Glad I landed with Omen...and Axis...and saabfoil...but I sold the rest!
Looking at this system
I'm thinking to move away from my old armstrong setup due to needing to upgrade basically every component except the fuse and the extreme cost that will entain.
I'm basically over armie charging 20% more than others for no apparent reason
This system seems pretty cool with the anode, lots of brands supported and decent price points (apart from the fuse being a bit exxy). if I buy the armie adaptor I can also keep an old armie hs1850 and 232 for my wife to learn whilst I progress and then can sell most of my armie setup.
Axis does seem to be the future for the universal standard, at least with Konrad, and one supporting it and this is a decent value way to buy into a system with an HM mast.
The lift rip off konrad wing (lx970) sounds intriguing too for me as a winger/learner proner.
concerns would be build quality, long term support, re sale (but axis compatible probably helps that).
has anyone seen these in the flesh? seen the quality? tried all or part of the setup?
There's a whole LX970 thread on here, where I go into some thoughts, but I just bought the LX970 and it's flipping brilliant. Basically the foil I've been looking for - easy to ride, turns well and pumps like a weapon.
In terms of build quality, I've given mine some bit hits on the reef and into the rocks at a shallow dockstart spot and also dropped the whole board onto the wing tip on the jetty, and it's scratched up, but handling it well. The very tips of the wing are thicker than you'd think, which gives me hope it'll hold up well. Konrad have been around for a fair while now, so I think they'll look after you long term. They're certainly awesome to deal with - I asked a few questions online and they gave me a call and talked foils for a good while :)
As an aside, you mentioned Armstrong; I have a theory that now that there's a new mast/fuse connection for their ali masts which is more in line with what everyone else is doing, they're slowly move across to that system across the board. Maybe not, but we'll see.
You wont need to worry about wobble or flex in this system. It's built to be very strong and can handle lots of abuse.A lot of riders still don't understand this concept of a modular foil. It is slowly catching on. We will be adding more front wing mount option this coming summer.Being carbon and alloy it does need some TLC. We have used Alloy where you want the stiffest parts and it has paid off with a decent weight and very rigid setup. If you are on the Gold coast or in Sydney hit us up for a ride!