Description

Presentation of the F-One Bandit S kite

Surfing with a kite presents a considerable challenge to the rider, the ocean is ever-changing and moves fast, the wind is a force in constant motion and all the while you need to control the kite and the board to maximize every second of the wave. F-One’s goal with the BANDIT-S is to create a kite that allows the rider to focus on riding the wave and not worry about the kite.

The bar pressure on the BANDIT-S is very light; you never really feel the kite pulling or any fatigue on the arms. With just small input from your fingertips, you can engage the incredibly responsive steering. The leading edge is thinner, allowing the kite to twist, and the wingtip shape further enhances the response. This is perfect for onshore riding conditions where you need to steer the kite around the wave as you ride. The turn is pivotal, meaning you can quickly redirect the kite for a powerful bottom turn, allowing you to follow your surfing lines with precision.

Power is nothing without control; when you push the bar out on the BANDIT-S, you can completely dump everything in the kite. This instantly releases any pull from the kite, allowing you to truly surf the wave from top to bottom. It’s impressive how it changes the feeling of your board; suddenly, you will find yourself totally free on the wave. From sharp snaps in the pocket, to cranking a bottom turn at Mach 10, the kite will deliver the exact amount of power and response you need the instant you demand it.

Stability was another area F-One worked on allowing the BANDIT-S to drift perfectly down the line in side-off conditions. The kite is lighter this year, thanks to the new 130g Teijin Dacron with ripstop material used. Not only does this help with the kites ability to drift, but it also improves the turning speed. You’ll find the BANDIT-S is always precisely where you want it to be in the window at all times.

One of the best qualities of the new BANDIT-S is just how easy it is to fly; it’s one of the most intuitive kites on the market. IKSURFMAG Editor Rou Chater had this to say after he flew it “The kite is incredible, it’s just so easy to fly and was always where I wanted it to be, fingertip control, incredible speed, I almost forgot I was flying the kite, it was so natural”. It’s the kind of kite that you get dialled into in an instant, meaning you can concentrate on the wave in front of you.

For strapless riding, the BANDIT-S is designed to jump high, which will help you score points with the judges or the crowds on the beach. The loop it delivers has a small radius in the turn and won’t pull you sideways too much, so you can stay in control of your board. The instant depower also allows you to stay connected when throwing front and back rolls too. All this control at your fingertips leaves you to work on your next big trick rather than thinking about the kite.

These qualities make the BANDIT-S a phenomenal kite for foiling, the fast turning nature means you can generate lots of power early on to allow you to ride a smaller kite and allow easy carving. Its lightness and stability are essential features for foiling, and it’s great for gentle breezes, with a big wing and small kite you can have endless hours of fun.

If you want to boost some jumps on a twin tip, the S can do that too, it’s a very easy kite to jump around on and is packed with performance. It’s easy and forgiving when learning strapless airs, and for the freerider on a twin tip, this is true too. Whatever board you are riding you’ll find the Bandit S intuitive to get airborne.

The BANDIT-S is the most natural and intuitive wave kite we have ever created; prepare to take your riding to the next level.

Technology

DELTA C-SHAPE DELTA C-SHAPE technology design offers unmatched stability and steering response when fully de-powered, with the possibility of connecting the front lines higher on the leading edge of the kite. This shape was the result of a design research towards maximum optimization of the aerodynamic performances of the kite and of its depower. It gives the possibility to fit more canopy area in the middle sections to create more projected area while the C Shape makes sure the kite remains responsive and fluid.	DELTA C-SHAPE is a patented design used by F-ONE on all kites for the past 15 years.
REACTOR VALVE Our fast inflation & deflation valve.
AUTO RELAUNCH Once the kite is sitting with the leading edge flat on the water, its C-Shape associated with the Delta Pivot allows the kite to automatically roll over onto one wing tip.
The kite will then glide towards the edge of the window, ready for quick and easy water re-launch.
STAGGERED SEAMS This brand-new F-ONE’s design innovation offers an amazingly sleeked profile for more efficiency and sharper performances. Original staggered seams have been implemented on critical parts of the kites. The seam’s tension line is broken offering a perfectly leveled canopy profile when the kite is fully powered.	The fabric is orientated towards tension. The perfectly even canopy profile brings a sensational stability without feeling disturbances in the bar.
TECHNOFORCE TEIJIN’s TECHNOFORCE™ is the most reliable high density polyester fabric. Its tear-stopping structure using thin and high tension yarn makes the fabric ultra-durable. It has a great proven track record of lightness and durability.

Details

BACK LINE TUNING How to adjust the settings?	SHEETED IN The back line is released and the forces go through the front connector. The bar pressure increases and the maneuvrability is less direct. It offers a very progressive bar with a feeling of a sheeted out back connector while we sheet in, therefore the pressure increases progressively.	SHEETED OUT The kite tilts and the back line stiffens. The tensions move to the trailing edge which has several effects: - less flapping - better start - maneuverability with less pressure.

	HIGH TENSION TUNING When the kite is sheeted out with the upper knot tuning (1): -kite’s maneuvrability increases -bar pressure reduces	LOW TENSION TUNING When the kite is sheeted out with the lower knot tuning (2): - kite’s maneuvrability reduces - bar pressure increases

FLAT SEWING Stronger assembly of the panels: they are now glued and sewn together to make the canopy more rip resistant.
STREAMLINED LEADING EDGE END TIPS The leading edge tips benefit from a reduced diameter, they are streamlined to lower the drag and equipped with a strap to avoid bridle tangling
TRAILING EDGE The internal outline of the trailing edge panels is no more linear but with a series of arches.		In the center, DACRON has been replaced by a double layer of canopy fabric which improves spreading the tensions, maintaining the profile and brings new gains in stability and performance.
VERTICAL STRUT CUT The kite's struts are designed with a vertical cut in order to optimize the strength / diameter ratio.
F-ONE PULLEY Pulley structure is extremely resistant.		Bridle is integrated in the lower part of the pulley, working in its axis and not sideways. Pulleys can be removed independently from the bridle, you can change the bridle and keep the pulley or vice versa.
KEVLAR® REINFORCEMENT ON LEADING EDGE Most seams on the leading edge are protected with an abrasion-resistant Kevlar® fabric to prevent the seams from deteriorating when the kite's profile is subjected to aggressive ground friction
ONE PUMP COLLAR VALVE Easier to remove and put back.Convenient for bladder replacement.
TEIJIN 130G DACRON RIPSTOP F-One have built their kites for 20 years in the most state-of-the-art cloth from Teijin’s factory in Japan. They have developed the best technologies and quality material for the kites over the years. Teijin has worked on a few major developments with the double Ripstop on the canopy cloth and durability treatments.	The kite industry was lacking choice of cloth density. Kites could be build with a 52 gr per square meter for the canopy and about 160 gr for the leading edge, strut and reinforcements. Having only two choices was not easy because on some parts the 52 gr was too light and the 160 gr too heavy. After developments and tests with Teijin F-One can now use a new Dacron 130 gr double Ripstop on the 2020 kites.	By using that new 130 gr cloth, F-One have saved weight while keeping an excellent strength. The new BANDIT 2020 is more reactive and of course feels lighter, which is particularly important for the bigger sizes, in the light wind or for the turning speed during kiteloops.