Source: Tonic Mag Issue 11
There’s been a lot of hype already about the Strike V2. Tonic Mag dives into the tech to tell you more.
It doesn’t feel like that long ago that F-ONE bought out the original ground breaking design of the Strike V1. They were the first company to use two longer handles instead of multiple smaller ones. It proved to be a popular wing! But what could be improved? Read on to find out.
- Adaptive Wing Design: Controlled Power, Performance, and Comfort
- Pre Loaded Canopy: F-ONE’s unique canopy tension allows the wing to keep its shape at all times
- Perfectly balanced center of traction between your two arms
- Legendary lightness, essential for freefly
- Dynamic stability for a fully controlled ride
- Exceptional forward traction to increase upwind and reduce fatigue
- Extended wind range, guaranteeing performance and control in all your sessions
- New sizes from 2.5m to 5.5m
Adaptive Wing Design
While the industry trends towards the “all-rigid”, F-ONE have developed the Adaptive Wing Design, a unique concept offering the perfect balance between performance and comfort.
It is difficult and uncomfortable to handle a stiff, handheld wing in the high end winds, especially without a harness. A wing must be able to absorb that power, just like the mast bend or the opening of the leech in windsurfing or the depower in kitesurfing.
The STRIKE V.2’s Adaptive Wing Design transforms every gust into positive energy and enables perfect control of the traction. This new wing is designed to adapt through a controlled deformation that allows the preservation of a high-performance profile and unprecedented stability throughout the entire range of use.
To reach this result, F-ONE worked on the leading edge and modified the shape of the central strut. Its cut is now segmented, allowing for improved control of its curve and its deformations. They also enhanced the wing’s twist.
Materials
Standard materials like Dacron and Polyester are still perfectly suited for exploring the Adaptive Wing Design’s world, and both offer a huge range of design possibilities. F-ONE’s experience and the feedback received on their previous designs have allowed them to better analyse the structural and reinforcement needs of a wing. The STRIKE V.2 will be even more solid and durable.
Pre Loaded Canopy
From the beginning, their wings have had a unique canopy tension that can be compared to that of a harden up windsurfing rig. F-ONE’s wings are therefore “pre-tensioned” and made to adapt. This ideal tension of the trailing edge when riding guarantees much better performances upwind and in light winds.
Center of Traction
Throughout the entire development process, F-ONE took great care of the center of traction’s stability, so power distribution is always balanced between both arms. The wing is stable and barely requires any adjustments from your front or back hand, thus offering maximum comfort.
Handles
F-ONE’s wings are quite literally at your fingertips. Right from the start, they picked handles with a small diameter and a rectangular shape, with flatter parts that fit right into your phalanges. You don’t have to firmly grasp the handles constantly.
Once again, they went for softness instead of rigidity, so you always have the perfect angle between the wing and your arms. As their wing is already extremely stable, rigid handles weren’t necessary. With their softer, lighter, more comfortable, and well-thought-out handles, you won’t hurt or exert yourself, nor damage the canopy while packing your gear.
Fast Forward
One of the unmatched qualities of F-ONE’s wings is that they pull you forward, not sideways. The traction of the STRIKE V.2 has been improved particularly for strong winds: you only need to sheet out to feel the power decrease and the traction going forward. It offers great navigation comfort upwind and allows you to push the limits of the high end with less effort. In the low end, the traction is steady and does not require any adjustments. Just sheet in and the wing works for you.
New V.2 sizes
The ideal minimum area of a wing can be 2.5m and the maximum 5.5m without using F-ONE’s 3-strut CWC patent. The STRIKE V.2 will offer a new size distribution of: 2.5 m – 3m – 3.5m – 4m – 4.5m – 5m – 5.5m.
The STRIKE V.2 is passion, smooth performance, power and control, lightness, strength, and durability. Its dynamic stability in flight makes everything easier for you while on your foil. It provides remarkable forward traction over the entire range of use, allowing incredible feats. Whether a pro rider or a beginner, your potential with it is exceptional.
The STRIKE V.2 is much more than a wing. It is everything you need to reach your riding flow.
