Review Lithium Zero 2013

Kite

18m strutless light wind kite

Designers goals

The Airush Lithium introduces a revolutionary new kite size and configuration to the range, taking the all-terrain performance of the name into the lightest of wind.
The Airush Lithium 18m Zero takes the concept of making lighter kites to a new level by eliminating all struts. With four years of development along side the Airush One, the result of reducing struts and overall weight highlights the obvious benefit, resulting in the most innovative light-win d kites on the market. At 3.4 kg the 18m Zero is comparable in weight to a regular 10m kite.
Large kites do not need to be sluggish and slow. Quick and live ly, the Airush Lithium Zero, eliminates unnecessary material and drag, making response and steering effortless and fun. Boasting unbeatable power to weight ratio the Zeros jumping and hang-time capabilities are amazing.
Not only quick, the Zero is ideal for the lightest wind wave riding with minimal drag giving the words “drifting” and “stability” a whole new meaning. Just park your kite and watch the Zero follow you as you ride the wave down the line.

Features

• The unique wingtips found on the Zero no strut design allow high exposure of canopy, assisting in light-wind relaunching. In addition, the high sweep of the canopy reduces the contact of leading edge to the water.

• The Airush Lithium Zero breaks the barriers of lightwind riding on a LEI kite.  The Zero is extremely light at 3.4 KGs making it stable to fly and manoeuvre in such lightwinds.  At 3.4 kgs, the 18m Zero weighs about the same as your average 10m kite.

Bar

The 2013 Smartbar 4 becomes the first and only bar on the market with four size options, fitting the smallest to the largest Airush kites. In addition to the 45-55cm push pin adjustment, the Smartbar 4 features an additional two sizes (52 and 62) of adjustment with the all-new PU rubber coated Airush bar ends. Maintaining its position as the definitive bar choice for all riders by integrating the industry-leading Brain Quick Release, the Smart Bar 4 remains simplistic yet highly intuitive. The 2013 Smartbar 4 is extremely tunable, safe and easy to use. Line combinations of 3/6/14m segments gives the rider more customization, allowing the Smartbar 4 to be flown on 24, 21, 18, 15, or 10m lines! Improvements include the new Low Y System, which integrates a single front-line flag out that ensures peace of mind and meets safety standards, while also increasing kite performance. Airush keeps the hardcore rider in mind with double PU coated line – the only choice for a durable sheeting line – which will give you years of usage. With these new additions to 2013, the Smartbar 4 is a truly smart package.

Kite review Airush Lithium Zero 18m

Test conditions

Wind: 7 - 16 knots

Water: flat

Board: twin tip 145x45

Conclusion

The no strut Airush 18m kite is a kite with extremes. It had from all the light wind kites the best feedback, steering reaction and smallest turning circle. But it also had the least depower, smallest windrange, and most difficulty to go upwind. So great & playful in its low-end, the more wind the less performance!

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