For 2012 the focus really remains on simplicity with the Bandit 5 being the flagship kite. Once again the Bandit has been made to do everything well and answer the needs of riders from all disciplines – surf, freestyle, speed, freeride, raceThe all new F-One Bandit 5 (V) is a totally new designed kite offering better performance and safety than ever before yet performs at all levels no matter what your skill level.
F-One's goal was not to offer just a versatile kite but the best kite for each discipline and every style of rider whether you are just a beginner or pro athlete - the F-One Bandit 5 (V) is for you!
F-One set their goals for the F-One Bandit 5 (V):
Range:
To further increase the Bandit 5's range, F-One needed both a kite that you could easily power up in the low end anda kite that was even more forgiving in strong and gusty conditions.
Lightness:
In order to improve its performance when under powered, and add to the ease of use at the bottom end its lightness was a priority.
Handling:
To immediately position the kite where you want it, to precisely manage its rotation during a kiteloop, and to have the most responsive kite in larger sizes, its maneuverability is crucial. This is why we have focused our attention on this particular aspect.
F-One Bandit 5 (V) Improvements:
The whole structure of the kite, its profile and its bridles have been reworked in order to achieve these goals. Its construction has also been fundamentally updated both in the choice and the distribution of materials and in the manufacturing processes. Because the structure of a kite is soft, it can deform and twist allowing the kite to rotate. A fully rigid profile wing will not turn at all. Therefore, manoeuverability and responsiveness of the kite depends directly on its ability to twist, one important point that F-One have greatly improved on thanks to a thinner leading edge, a new 3-point bridle system and a new shape for the struts. All these features were made to free the kites profile. Reducing the diameter of the leading edge with almost 25% less air volume, brings an important gain in terms of weight and aerodynamics. The result is better performance in the low end, but also at the top end thanks to an improved handling thinner profile.
F-One have also gained in terms of set up comfort as the inflation time has been reduced. A new type of flatter profile was employed by reducing the profile curve depth making the Bandit 5 (V) easier to depower and keep control at the top end. In the low end, a flatter profile is more efficient when powered-up and fully sheeted in providing constant power. The result is a better control of the kite aerodynamics, less lateral traction and less pressure and therefore effort through your legs and into the board when the wind picks up. Finally, some important work was undertaken on the bar feeling and pressure . The feedback from the bar provides you with constant information and lets you know what’s going on allowing you to adjus the position, the pull and the speed of your kite in the wind window at any given time.
These sensations must be precisely delivered so you can receive them all without the steering becoming a physical burden. The F-One Bandit 5 (V) puts more effort through the harness and less through your arms. The direct bar feeling allows for the transmission of all necessary information you need to make your riding better. Each year, F-One test more than sixty prototypes in order to meet all your chosen criteria and spend more than 120 days on the water to develop each new collection. With the Bandit 5 (V) F-One have largely achieved all initial objectives over the Bandit 4. Lighter, more manoeuverable and responsive; the Bandit 5 (V) is even smoother and ultimately more enjoyable and more effective regardless of the type of riding you do.
The new F-One Bandit 5 (V) now comes with a one-pump system and the bridles are cleaner and more comfortable to use.
The F-One Bandit 5 (V) kites has a higher aspect ratio giving you more lift and stability as well as an increased higher wind range.
This 2012 Bandit 5 (V) kite has less bar pressure when you are overpowered allowing for more of a comfortable ride and more confidence to unhook and try new manoeuvres even when overpowered.
The higher aspect ratio canopy profile allow for squarer wingtips making the overall performance of the kite more stable and more direct and precise during jumps.
Featuring the Life Line and the Auto re-launch, it brings superb comfort and safety to the rider.
An innovative C-shape kite with 4 line simplicity for no compromise performance, safety and control.
Developed and patented by F-One, it has proved reliable in all disciplines and for all levels of rider.
This single design is solution for all types of riders for one clear choice.
It combines strong features such as safety, performance, wind range, easy auto relaunch, simplicity of setup and unhooked riding without any compromises.
Beginner to Pro:
Speed, control and easy upwind tracking on a large wind range are eseential qualities for anyone. The front line orientated traction makes it easier to stay upwind and find the balance on your board whether you are just getting up and riding or landing your first kiteloop!
Freeriding:
The F-One Bandit IV's large wind range lets you ride a whole session without feeling the strongest of wind gusts! Traction from the window edge makes the board lighter and eases tacking on choppy waters. The shortened power/depower bar travel and reduced traction on the rider's arms grant an optimal riding position. While jumping, sending the kite to the zenith will be easier with optimised lift maintained for smoother landings.
In all conditions you can enjoy all the benefits of the Delta and its natural relaunch ability, you will particularly appreciate its immediately available power and its comfort and control. The versatility of the kite is unique and allows everyone to excel in all disciplines. All F-One pro team riders, from the snow to wave riding, to the hard core PKRA and speed guys, everybody strictly uses production Bandits. Also used by some schools, the Bandit can follow your progression from your first day all the way to the pinnacle of your performance.
Freestyle:
With easy power control, easy over power riding and simple adapting to the changing winds, you are all set to go big! Even when jumping in the high end its easy to fly the kite to the zenith thanks to depower and optimised window edge. With its aerodynamic improvements, the Bandit 5 launches you higher and glides longer than other kites on the market. The precise and inituitive control bar comforts you on the kites position and trajectory. Your attention will be free to focus on tricks and new figures. When kitelooping, the Bandit 5 (V) retains its speed as it flies back to the zenith and guarantees a soft landing. From the smallest to the biggest Bandit V, the flying characteristics and feeling on the bar are similar and you will be able to switch from one size to another without any adaptation time.
Riders will particularly appreciate its intuitive steering, better handling and lightness. During a jump, the timing is easy to find, with fine and constant control, it goes up to the zenith quickly and with all its aerodynamic performance its lift is also greatly improved. You always know where the kite is making it easy to make corrections.
Wave Riding:
For a relaxed surfing session, the use of a smaller and more responsive kite is necessary. Bandit's have great power, its wide wind range and depower make it an outstanding wave riding kite. The wind window and front orientated orientated traction eases the board into the waves and sets it free for carving. The Bandit 5's quick and short depower and the upfront traction makes it perfect for offshore conditions and engaging in off the lip manoeuvres like never before. With 25 knots onshore you can use the 6m for responsiveness and comfort when entering the rollers! The auto relaunch will get you out of tricky situations and the force frame structre of the Bandit V will resist anything!
In onshore conditions, light weight, maneuverability and depower capabilities are the Bandit 5’s main assets. F-One gave particular attention to maintain the manoeuverability even when depowered, which is so important in onshore surf conditions. It's power in the low end allows the use of a smaller kite. In offshore winds, control, finesse and ability to depower reduces the pressure on the board, allowing for a looser feeling with the board much lighter under your feet. With the Bandit 5 (V) your board rides free and is more reactive. When riding strapless, the progressive control of the power makes it easier to maintain your balance or to quickly reduce its traction, which is so important during the surfing phase. The new Bandit 5 (V) ensures all transitions and airs are smoothly controlled.
Unhooked:
Thanks to the F-One's entensive research on the bar feeling and the power / depower bar travel, they have controlled the influence of the backlines when riding unhooked, allowing you to unhook with no stress violent boosts. The gain on the window edge also helps you keep control with less side traction. It will ease the edging of the board and reduced any offside deportation during your jumps! The setup of the frontlines makes it easier and no longer needs continuous adjustments for a better ride. The Bandit V tracks when turning or kitelooping making a much smoother and more natural ride. The feedback returned from the control bar is extremely precise and you will always know where you are even with a one handed central grab. The chicken loop remains accessible and presented in front of you when you need to hook back in also. Thanks to the suicide loop which is built around the upper part of the chicken loop, you can directly attach the leash onto it. In addition the connector rotates around the loop keeping you leash clear and in perfect position.
Unhooked, its lightness and fine control reduces the sideways drag allowing better control of the trajectory during the jump and delivering smooth power and constant pull throughout. F-One's goal was to achieve the perfect balance between the qualities of the C-Shapes and those of modern wings. The results exceeded our expectations. In the hands of our best freestylers, with the kite low we were amazed by the tweaked moves they were pulling, both in terms of commitment, amplitude and height. Thanks to these qualities, you can commit to a kiteloop earlier than before on the way up. The Kiteloop is one of the areas where the improvement was the most impressive. The qualities of the profile, its handling and responsiveness allow a great gain in control, and being able to quickly get the kite to the zenith allows for smooth reception regardless of the commitment. Finally, for all the old school moves, the gain in lift will give you some valuable time to complete all your moves.
Racing:
Racing competitions are often won or lost on the upwind tack. This is where the Bandit V is excellent with its efficient window edge riding and available depower on a wind range. The Bandit's flying position helps control wide racing boards as well as the foil effect of large fins. On downwind tracking, the acceleration and max speed will remind you that the Bandit is the world speed record holder!
Long Distance:
The Bandit's wide wind range, its speed, constant and ideal traction properties makes it great for long downwind runs. Add to that a stable and responsive kiteboard and you will want to go for your own ocean crossing!
Speed:
Flying an 8m in over 50 knots can be a nightmare but with the Bandit V you can keep cool as the flying properties keep you in control and the kite control doesn't distort. The great control is what world speed record holders need to beat their own records! Your attention is no longer focused on the kite and those crazy wind gusts but on your trajectory and optimising board speed!
F-One Bandit 5 (V) 2012 Main Features:
- Increased wind window for a constant forward pull
- Legendary low end Bandit wind range
- New oustanding high end control
- Excellent stability over the entire range
- Shorter bar clearance for full power / depower
- Smooth bar traction while unhooked
- Increased Upwind and Speed Performance
- Maximum Depower with a shorter depower rope
- Lighter bar feeling and direct confident feeling
- Better control of the profile and shape in high wind range for impressed performance and control
- Delta C-Shape Techology:
- Delta C-Shape technology is a new F-One patented design offering unmatched stability and steering response when fully de-powered, with a proven C-shape design that maintains the highest standards in performance.
The Delta C-Shape features front line attachment points positioned higher up the leading edge, offering un-matched stability and steering response when fully de-powered, with a proven C-shape design that maintains the highest standards in performance.
EVO De-power & Life Line Combo:
The EVO De-power concept is a simple 4 line system with a 4m long Life Line featuring a V shaped bridle with a pulley system on each of the front lines. This simple system offers complete safety and allows for increased de-power by finely tuning the angle of attack of the kite.
When the quick release is activated the EVO system becomes the Life Line and the kite lands safely on its back with immediate and total power kill.
EVO De-power offers complete control with direct and responsive steering in all riding conditions.
Sheeting the bar in and out is very progressive even with the kite fully de-powered.
Unhooked the kite remains light and very predictable, inspiring confidence so you can progress faster.
Auto Re-launch:
Once the kite is sitting with the leading edge flat on the water, the well balanced Delta C-Shape allows the kite to automatically turn over onto one wing tip.
The kite will then "glide" towards the edge of the window, ready for quick and easy water re-launch.
Force Frame:
Kites with extended de-power ranges sustain more pressure across the canopy as they experience an increased frequency of use over a wider wind range.
Consequently F-One has developed a completely new structure for the Bandit, offering optimized durability with no additional weight gain.
The Force Frame is a solid Dacron structure consisting of the leading edge, the trailing edge and the struts.
This high strength skeleton structure is then covered with lightweight Spy material in the least vulnerable areas.
Fusion Struts:
The struts are integrated into the leading edge of the kite. This increases the rigidity of the Force Frame and reduces drag by creating a clean and well balanced structure.
This ‘One Kite Does It All’ approach makes so much sense.
