Description
Presentation of the F-One Bandit 2020 kite
Splitting the BANDIT into two distinct lines has allowed F-one to radically change the way the smaller sizes of the BANDIT 2020 work. The 7, 8, 9 and 10 m are now fully geared to overpowered riding, big air and kite loops. The larger sizes from 11 m and up offer incredible control and free-ride abilities with a huge wind range. Key to this new concept is the updated spider 4 or 5 points bridle set up, which is different to the classic 4 point bridles on the BANDIT S. The new bridle helps keep the profile arc of the kite stable even in extreme overpowered conditions.
This adds a massive amount of control and comfort to your riding, making it the perfect tool for events like the Megaloop Challenge and the King Of The Air. The leading edge is slightly larger in diameter too, further enhancing the stability of the kite in the air. New wingtips with a squarer, more drawn out shape allow the kite to rotate fast through the turns due to less drag thanks to the narrower angle on the rake of the tip. This new design generates a wide dynamic turn that delivers lots of pull and power through the turn for huge kite loops.
Comfort on the water is key to everything we do here at F-ONE and the BANDIT 2020 takes that to new levels. Less lateral pull, especially in overpowered conditions, will not fatigue the rider and you won’t feel like you are being beaten up on the water.
The BANDIT 2020 has been designed not to deform when it is de-powered; instead, the kite holds its shape and remains in the same spot in the window no matter the wind strength. This means it generates smooth and comfortable forward momentum even in the gustiest of conditions. This leaves you feeling more energized and able to stay on the water for longer with impressive upwind performance. The kite keeps flying and provides a constant power distribution.
The turning speed and reactive steering is another feature of the BANDIT 2020 you will enjoy; the bar pressure is a little more positive than the BANDIT S allowing you to feel where the kite is at all times. This is particularly important when kite looping; however, while there is a little more bar pressure, the steering is incredibly quick to react and very dynamic. The turning arc of the kite is always predictable and under the control of the rider. The speed back to the zenith is fast and clean. This allows you to throw huge mega loops and feel safe and supported for the landing.
The fast nature of the kite allows you to send it back in the window for explosive takeoffs, and we’re expecting this kite to top the WOO leaderboards this year. You can still ride waves with the new BANDIT 2020; it’s geared to be a great all-round kite just like every BANDIT. The emphasis this year was on the kite loops and big air though.
The larger sizes of the BANDIT 2020 feature all the excellent characteristics of the smaller sizes, but the design profiles and arcs have been tweaked to offer even more low-end wind range and lightness. You no longer need different styles of kites to fill your quiver, just choose the BANDIT that best suits your riding style and get on the water in as little as 10 knots while being confident in over 50knots too!
The new BANDIT 2020 will excite you like never before; great power is nothing without control, this kite has that and more. Big jumps, huge loops and loads of hangtime, perfect for freeriding too, get ready for the future, get the new Bandit 2020.
Program
Sizes
| SIZE (m²) | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIND RANGE (knts) | 25+ | 20>35 | 15>30 | 12>26 | 11>24 | 10>22 | 8>18 | 8>16 |
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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
