€1599
C R A Z Y F LY H Y P E R The Hyper is a new addition to the CrazyFly line up. It has arrived just in time, as CrazyFly rider Posito Martinez has been using it to shred his way onto various podiums and to put in a very impressive performance at the KOTA. Build wise and the fact that CrazyFly are able to use their own production facility shows. There are some nice touches that you simply do not get in the main factories where 99% of kites are produced. The LE seam, for example, is beautifully tailored so that it sits underneath the canopy to improve aerodynamics in the center of the kite and allow a little more room on the valves. The kite then utilizes a Dacron load frame on the upper half of the canopy leaving the load bearing underside aerodynamically clean. The build is certainly not the lightest on test but it is an impressive piece of workmanship and for a kite such as the Hyper which likes to be ridden stacked, the slightly heavier build is no bad thing. The rigid air frame means that the Hyper feels very solid in the air which is reassuring when you consider that it has a very high aspect ratio for a modern kite. The five struts keep the canopy super tight, with no flapping at any angle of attack. If you are more familiar with flying an ‘all round’ kite then you will need to re-learn your jumping technique as the Hyper needs to be treated right to get the most out of it. The kite takes some skill to generate your initial speed with then once you are going it makes very impressive upwind angles. Once up to speed you can send the Hyper and the results are pretty breath-taking. You get some serious height even in moderate conditions, with a lift that seems to go on and on and then a gentle descent. Once you are dialed in to the technique, the lift is accessible to most riders and even when you are in the air you can still adjust the kite and it responds well. It was easily one of the boostiest kites we had on test, but with a modern feel and impressive control. It is great to see that brands like CrazyFly are not going down the ‘safe’ route and putting out generic three strut kites. This is a well thought out and relatively unique kite capable of pretty stratospheric performance.
Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT
UNITS SOLD
Upwind ability Downwind drift/leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift/leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test
9 5 6 8 7 9 9 8 5 7 6 6 8 10 7 7 9 9 8 10 7 10 6 8 10 7 9 10 10 8
Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability
Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability
Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime
T E C H N I C A L D ATA : Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points
12 4.25 0.354166667 No 10 3 5 16
7
Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No
Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type
R3 Triplex Dacron, R3 Triplex and Mark cloth 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlaid Standard Teijin Dacron All bar one 9 Boston
Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability
Linear power development on sheet Poor
Excellent
LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling
Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)
PARTICIPANT
Ease of relaunch
UNITS SOLD
Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at Zenith - front Pumping / deflation andstall valve system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size
9 8 6 8 8 7 9 8 6 8 8 7
Repair kit quality Pumping / deflation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size
AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference
Good
Usable range
15 206 455 249
Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor
T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T
Good
Excellent
55