Review Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014

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Riding type: Light wind kites
Year: 2014
Brand: Ocean Rodeo
Size: 14.5m, 17m
Type: SLE
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Kite

High performance light wind kite

Designers goals

First on, last off. Designed around a grin-inducing three strut frame, the Flite is a brand new super-light kite that will turn those faint blue arrows on the forecast into a brilliant orange. 30% lighter than its forebear with an agility and lightness of touch unequalled in its class, we’re confident that the Flite is the world’s best light wind kite.

From the first power stroke the Flite lets you know what it’s all about. It tracks through the sky like a monorail, turns so sweetly around its wingtips and is positively hydrophobic on relaunch. Race it, unhook it, loop it, send it, slay the mush with it, the Flite is so good you’ll be dodging Frisbees.

Features

Total depower

Bar

bar fusion ocean rodeo

 

Movie

Details:

Riding type: Light wind kites
Year: 2014
Brand: Ocean Rodeo
Size: 14.5m, 17m
Type: SLE
One pump: Yes
Bridles: Yes
Number of struts: 3
Colours: Various
Bar length: 48cm or 55cm
Line length: 24-27+3m extensions
Bar: 4 lines
Depower: Clamcleat
Safety: Push
Swivel: Yes
Variable bar length: No
Oh shit handles: Yes

Light wind kitesurf review Ocean Rodeo Flite 17m

Wind: 7-18 knots
Water: lake
Board: Twintip & raceboard
Bar set up: 23m & 27m lines

Detail Pictures

Ocean rodeo 2014 Flite kite review Basic bridles Ocean rodeo 2014 Flite one pump Ocean rodeo flite safety system ocean rodeo 2014

Most prominent Characteristics

Pros

Cons

- Enormous wide usability range

- Basic finishing touch of bar and kite

- Stability & feedback

 

- Fast turning

 

- High-end

 
- Low end  

Conclusion

We tested the Ocean Rodeo Flite in 7 knots and gusty 18 knots. This 17m works great in both conditions. Great low end and great fun with 18 knots. We loved the control & fast turning of the Flite, this makes the kite playful. Lack of explosive pop and lift makes it easy to ride in gusty conditions high end conditions. The durability we couldn't test, but the finishing touch is pretty basic. We think a shame because its characteristics are comparable with the best brands of our industry.
Overall the Ocean Rodeo Flite is a great all-round freeride kite for a wide usable wind range!

Basics

Safety system

Difficult Easy

Basic but it works well. We think this kite deserves more tuning on the bar and kite. Like a better easy pump system

Total depower

Still pressure Total depower

Long depower range, kite stays stable and no fluttering of the canopy. Well done!

Kite re-launch

Difficult Easy

Tested in 7 knots. Pulling on both steering lines and the kite went up immediately

Windrange

Limited Wide

Biggest we tested so far.

Kite stability

Unstable Stable

Stable in low end with direct steering. Also a very stable leading edge and kite feel in its high end. And ... no fluttering of the canopy!

Oldskool

Lift

Gradual Explosive

Very gradual, that makes this lightwind kite easy to ride

Glide phase

Short Long

Gradual lift with a great float

High-end

Small range Large range

Enormous great high end. Stable, fast turning and trustful. Don't expect to much explosive power!

Low-end

Small range Large range

Plaining with a big twintip in around 8 knots

Wave

Feedback at edge of wind window

Minimal Great

Turning circle

Large radius Small radius

Steering with low line tension

Not so good Good

Reaction to steering action

Slow Fast

This kite is very reactive for a 17m size

Race

Kiteposition in wind-window

Middle Edge

Acceleration

Slow Fast

Going upwind

Hard Easy

There are 5 reviews on this product:

Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014 17m
Name:
peter 
Weight:
78 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
Personal page:
Water conditions:
chop  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 10 knots up to 15
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
17m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
windrange
 
LimitedWide
high end
 
Small rangeLarge range
kite relaunch
 
DifficultEasy
up wind
 
HardEasy
lift
 
GradualExplosive
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
kitefinder.com - 07.06.2014 at 21:42 hour
Comments:
very sweet kite, easy feeling after first touch,
fast reaction and turn,
very light kite with good lowend,
goes upwind like a charm,
easy relaunch,


!A must have toy! 
6 kudos - +

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Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014 17m
Name:
Mark Saunders 
Weight:
74 
Riding style:
allround, big-air  
Years of experience:
11 
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat, chop, small-waves  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 10 knots up to 17
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
17m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
slack line steering
 
SlowQuick
glide phase
 
ShortLong
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
sweet spot
 
ShortLong
price quality
 
PoorGreat
durability
 
ShortLong
high end
 
Small rangeLarge range
boost
 
SoftStrong
kitefinder.com - 16.05.2014 at 23:43 hour
Comments:
I'm an "older" kiter and really enjoy those cruising and floaty jump sessions. I have owned quite a few light-wind kites but the OR Flite 2 17m has become a firm favourite in a short space of time.
I have no affiliations with the manufacturer but have to say that this kite is a great piece of kit! It does everything a big kite needs to do although I've not yet been underneath it when the wind has picked up and pushed to the 20 knot mark so can't advise on how it handles that.
But for light wind free-riding it offers everything. Great response, huge floaty airs, stability and relaunching that must be best in class. It's also forgiving if you get your timing wrong so perfect if you use a big like like I do to learn new moves.
Highly recommended!!  
3 kudos - +

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Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014 17m
Name:
Maikel 
Weight:
140lb 
Riding style:
allround, wave, big-air, unhooked  
Years of experience:
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 8 knots up to 12
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
17m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
windrange
 
LimitedWide
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
safety system
 
DifficultEasy
up wind
 
HardEasy
kitefinder.com - 07.04.2014 at 20:44 hour
Comments:
Really a quick kite for a 17m, also really stable. In its low end not very easy to get upwind. Its a nice and playfull kite, also very friendly and easy to fly. 
2 kudos - +

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Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014 14.5m
Name:
steveelmhirst 
Weight:
185lbs 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
Personal page:
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 10 knots up to 15
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
14.5m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
boost
 
SoftStrong
kite relaunch
 
DifficultEasy
high end
 
Small rangeLarge range
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
durability
 
ShortLong
sweet spot
 
ShortLong
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
drift
 
HardSoft
slack line steering
 
SlowQuick
kitefinder.com - 14.02.2014 at 17:21 hour
Comments:
Living in Ontario, I need a good light wind kite.
I have had flites before, but the 2014 one is much lighter than the previous generation.
Effortless relaunch, quick turning for a big kite, and super stable.  
10 kudos - +

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Ocean Rodeo Flite 2014 17m
Name:
Todd 
Weight:
230 
Riding style:
allround, big-air  
Years of experience:
Personal page:
Water conditions:
chop  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 12 knots up to 17
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
17m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
windrange
 
LimitedWide
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
slack line steering
 
SlowQuick
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
boost
 
SoftStrong
sweet spot
 
ShortLong
drift
 
HardSoft
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
high end
 
Small rangeLarge range
glide phase
 
ShortLong
lift
 
GradualExplosive
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
kitefinder.com - 23.01.2014 at 19:57 hour
Comments:
If you want to have fun in light winds, you really need to try this kite.  
5 kudos - +

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