TKB REVIEW: 2017 F-ONE BANDIT X “RESPONSIVE AND FEELS VERY ALIVE”

Source: thekiteboarder.com

TKB REVIEW: 2017 F-ONE BANDIT X
February 13, 2017

Sizes Available: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17m
Sizes Tested: 8, 10, 12m

F-One Says:
For its tenth edition, we wanted the Bandit to keep all its qualities but become even easier and more comfortable to fly. The new Bandit provides a unique traction powerful enough to achieve early planing, the kite seems to self-regulate naturally to pull you effortlessly. What is most surprising is that we have got rid of the lateral pull so that you can ride with less pressure on your back and in your legs. Riding upwind is amazingly easy, traction is softer and totally regulated. You will also notice a change in the shape: the wingtips of the Bandit are slightly wider and squarer. This brings more maneuverability and a lighter feel. Each size feels a little smaller and more responsive while remaining very intuitive. It’s hang-time, boost and lift during the jumps have also been improved, along with the progressiveness of the bar pressure as you sheet in.

Visit for more info: www.f-onekites.com/Products/Kites/Produit/BANDIT

Our Testers Say:
“A beautiful, colorful kite that’s fun, responsive and feels very alive.” // Marko Bartscherer.
“A flexible design for surfing or boosting, F-One’s incremental changes this year made a great kite even better.” // Rob Shea.
“Great for those who want to go into orbit. The Bandit’s a predictable boosting machine that zooms upwind and won’t let you down.” // Jabe Harpole.

Meet the 2017 Testers

TKB Says:
In its 10th year, the Bandit has been through a number of big and small changes that have made it one of the industry’s most successful examples of a kite that does-everything well. The Bandit’s classic medium aspect 3-strut Delta shape was the first of its kind back in the day and it has since evolved into one of the top leading delta-shaped kite that meets the needs of riders in the freestyle, freeride and surf category. The Bandit comes with a narrow diameter 9mm inflation and 11m dump valve, two wingtip steering settings that allow you to select between shorter depower/direct steering and long depower stroke/light steering impulse and a single setting front bridle that uses one pulley. Instead of using screened ink, the bandit’s graphics are sewn into the canopy to save weight. Testers praised the Bandit for its easy boosting chops, excellent range and lively feel, all the while exhibiting excellent overhead stability in gusty conditions. The Bandit is known for its tight pivot style turning radius with crisp steering response, which is always surprising given the smaller width of the F-One bar. The pulled back leading edge and delta shape gives the Bandit a quick and reliable relaunch, especially nose down from deep within the window, and the quick steering and progressive sheeting and power delivery make big airs very attainable for intermediate and advance riders. Overall, testers recommended the Bandit as a freeriding machine with the turning response you want in the surf and aggressive freestyle.

The Bandit comes with the Monolith control bar which is a fixed length bar (45 and 52cm) that is machined out of a single piece of aluminum block. It has a plastic coated sheeting/throw line, no sliding stopper, double center-line depower, high-V, and above bar depower Clam cleat without an attachment option to keep the depower control toggle from tangling. The safety system utilizes a push away quick release with a quick release travel guard, but no hand swivel. The center and outside lines all have looped pigtails and while the length of sheeting/throw is not adjustable, the Bandit design delivers all the depower you will need within reach of most people. This year, F-One took away the centerline tuning above the depower cleat and changed bar colors from red and blue to red and yellow. The padded floats attach to the hard bar ends and the outside leader lines can allow riders to adjust the length of the outside lines for stretch or tuning. Testers praised bar’s rubber grip with slight texture and overall simplicity and functional features.

Visit for more info on the bar: www.f-onekites.com/Products/Accessories/Produit/1MONOLITH-BAR