Description

The North Neo emerges in the North kites line-up as a comfortable and super easy handling all-rounder with easy relaunch and predictable bar feedback.

 

The 2013 Neo is a performance free ride kite that combines elements of the Evo, like smooth and predictable power development, with the simplicity of three struts into a stylish all-round package. The Neo’s short, round shape and pivotal turning makes it the perfect tool for tight, compact kite loops. The reduced weight of three struts allows for comfortable “drifting” in the waves and provides excellent park and ride surfing. The Neo can be ridden on 4 or 5 lines and is an ideal kite for riders with a keen eye on simplicity and ease of use. Super durable and made with our highest quality materials and construction methods, the Neo is built to last.

 

If you are looking for an easy, comfortable kite with huge depower and lively steering characteristics, you just found it. The softer structure of the North Neo is the key to high reactivity in steering, combined with the huge depower the North Neo feels also absolutely at home in waves.

 

The steering is lively yet absolutely predictable. The safety works fast and effective. The North Neo's round and compact shape flies equally well making it a great kite for a wide range of riders and riding styles.

 

Smooth, lively and responsive steering, even when de-powered, makes it the ideal kite for surfing and a blast to ride in any conditions.

The loaded 5th line design, in addition to providing safety, gives the Neo its short and aggressive power stroke that is up to 30% shorter than bridled kites.

 

This means huge range and top-end comfort on those super windy days and the ability to instantly turn the power off and on at will as you link your turns down the line.

 

The North Neo’s unique steering sensitivity and smoothness have also been improved by implementing a straight segment in the leading edge for an ultra clean, flutter-free canopy near the tips that keeps you connected and in-tune to the kite’s every movement.

 

Overall Geometry >
The change in geometry that is shared by all North Neo's is the reduction from three segements to just one segment in the span between tip and quarter struts. This is an idea North have tested and revisited over the years, but only now have hit upon the right way to do it.

 

From testing, and from observing some other kites on the water, North knew that having too few segments through the centre part of the kite – the part that has the most curve in the arc – has undesirable effects on canopy profile shape. Therefore, North knew they didn’t want to use single-segment geometry through the middle of the kite. However, nearer the tips, where the arc of the kite is normally not so curved and where flat canopy profiles are desirable because of their resistance to fluttering and flapping, the single segment approach makes sense.

The result of this use of single-segment geometry gives canopy tips that are cleaner, less draggy and nearly flutter-free.

This simple yet high performing kite can be used with any 5th line control bar providing the depower line is more than 45cm long.

 

North Neo 4 / 5 Line control:

The North Neo 2013 can be ridden on 4 or 5 line control bars, uniting new-school and free-ride in one kite. The Neo‘s delta shape also offers great sheet and-go riding, excellent wind range and high de-power.

 

The overall shape helps the Neo turn quickly and predictably while the new bridle geometry stabilizes the arc for a soft, consistent bar feel and extreme back-stall resistance.

 

The 4-line mode boasts an innovative new safety system and bar-feel prefect for those who prefer soft, easy handling.

 

In 5-line mode the 5th Element additionally stabilizes the arc, providing very direct bar-feel for new-school riding and the ultimate 5th line safety.

 

Auto re-launch means that you can go for it and never have to worry about re-launchng your kite. Just take your hands off the bar and let the kite do the work for you!

 

For 2013 the Neo features the new “Adaptive Tip”. In recent years, there has been a trend leaning towards more reactive kites with even lighter sheeting forces than in the past. Such kites are really comfortable, lively for wave riding and offer more forgiving kite loops because they pivot around the wingtip. However, comparison tests have shown that North team riders and testers actually prefer kites with a harder bar feel because they offer better feedback, precise steering and more dynamic turning, which in turn creates more power.

The new “Adaptive Tip” allows users to easily change the sheeting force and turning performance through a simple back pigtail adjustment, allowing you to customize your kite to your desired style and feel:

 

 

 

 

Profile >

Since North were looking for softer, less aggressive- feeling small kites, they reasoned that flatter profiles, which “pop” less when sheeted in, might be the way to go. This is exactly how it turned out.

 

A 7 percent reduction in profile depth at the centre of the canopy gave a softer feel, and a further reduction of about 8 percent gave an even softer feel. Interestingly, this overall 15 percent reduction in profile depth did not result in less low end power.

 

Line Attachments >

Most obvious is the change to a “V” attachment for the back pigtail. This has two benefits: (1) it permits a better, cleaner relaunch bungee design, and (2) it gives a more solid bar feel when the bar is pulled in for maximum
power.

One side benefit of the new relaunch bungee design is that the back pigtail “V” and back flying lines are less likely to snag on the tip of the leading edge.

 

Tunable Bar Pressure:
The 2013 NEO features an adjustment in the back line bridle that permits the rider to opt for greater or lesser bar pressure. Low bar pressure reduces strain on arms and makes turn initiation easier, but gives less feedback about kite position and load condition. Higher bar pressure is a little more athletic and is often preferred by more experienced riders.

 

Cam Battens >

CamBattens give the kite two key advantages: Lower drag at normal angles of attack and better profile stability at low angles of attack!

 

At normal angles of attack, the CamBattens keep the shape smooth and stable along the front part of the canopy.

 

Aerodynamic theory tells us that this is the most important part of the profile for generating power with low drag.

 

As you let the bar out to de-power, the wind tries to collapse the front part of the canopy and push the kite back.

 

CamBattens resist this by keeping a full, stable shape near the leading edge, allowing the kite to fly at lower angles of attack for more depower.

 

Combine the CamBattens with Trim Tips, the new tip geometry lets the kite tilt even farther, and de-power to the maximum.

 

All of this gives the North Neo a very direct feel on the bar, better low end performance due to reduced drag, and a much wider wind range. On the water you will notice that the wind just seems a lot smoother, with less holes and gusts.

 

Construction >
In 2012 North implemented several construction changes in their school kites – the kites that get the hardest, most unremitting beating of any.

One example of these, admittedly subtle, construction changes is the Fusion 10 strut-LE joint. Without going into too much detail, North can simply say that this method of attaching strut to the leading edge is more precise, repeatable and robust than any they have used in the past.

Now that this joint has a year of hard use by schools and riders, North feel confident putting it on all their models.

 

Another change can be found in the chord wise (front to back) seams of the canopy. Where these in the past have been more of a “butt” type of seam they are now the stronger and smoother overlap seam. The improvement can quickly be seen in a canopy that is more wrinkle-free than in the past.

North 04/05/06/07/08/09/10/11/12/13 5th Element Control Bars can be used but upgrading to the Iron Heart Chicken Loop is recommended.

 

Key Features:

 

• Perfect for Freeride / Wave Riding
• Loaded 5th Line Concept
• Adaptiv Tips
• Short and Direct depower stroke
• 3 Struts
• Smooth Power Development
• Easy, direct control bar feedback
• V-backline system with integrated relaunch bungees
• Super easy relaunch
• Comfortable, light and lively steering
• Direct and fast following steering commands, even completely depowered
• Low drag design
• Sizes: 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11/ 12

**Prices shown are complete with kite, bag and pump**

 

North Kiteboarding Neo 2013:

 

North Kiteboarding Neo:

 

North Kiteboarding Neo Features:

 

North Kiteboarding Trust Bar 5th Element Control Bar Features:

 

Complete with FREE North PUMP and Sandbag:

 

 

	* A Harness is required to fly this kite - click for harnesses >>
	* You can learn how-to setup and fly water relaunchable kites using the Kiteboarding Progression DVD - click for info >>

Wind Range

Model	Projected Area (sq m)	Aspect Ratio	Wind Range (knots)	Skill Level
5.0	2.7	4.7	23-40	Beg / Exp
6.0	3.3	4.7	21.38	Beg / Exp
7.0	3.8	4.6	19-36	Beg / Exp
8.0	4.5	4.6	17.-34	Beg / Exp
9.0	5.0	4.5	16-32	Beg / Exp
10.0	5.5	4.5	15-30	Beg / Exp
11.0	6.0	4.5	14-29	Beg / Exp
12.0	6.5	4.5	13-27	Beg / Exp

 

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

You can purchase spares for this item here >>

Depower Control Bar

North 2013 NEO Trust 5th Element Control Bar System:

Riders of all levels, from pros to newcomers, will all gain substantial advantages from the new North Trust Bar 5th Element system.   Safety - perform all moves with safety leash Water Start - without swimming Performance - increased performance due to wider wind range   The 5th Element will come already set up so there are no hassles on your first day and it doesn’t take any more effort to wind up or unwind them, and you don’t feel anything else but better performance when flying them.   All kites can be flown with the same bar, just the short line attached in the middle of the leading edge has to be adjusted to the different kite sizes. Instructions will be attached to all bars or upgrades.

Safety: The 5th Element line set permits anyone, from novice to pro, to easily and conveniently use a kite leash. The leash can be short and inconspicuous, or it can be a long handle-pass leash like the pros use. In either case, releasing the chickenloop quick-release while leashed-in causes the kite to depower immediately and totally and with no line tangles.   Whether you ride unhooked, spin, try a water relaunch for the first time or practice a handle pass, all maneuvers, including the latest tricks, can now be performed with the safety leash of the 5th Element. As soon as you pull the Quick Release or let go of the bar it slips up the safety line. The kite is then completely depowered and comes down without twisting the lines. One additional benefit of the 5th Element is that it makes dragging upwind to reach a lost board much easier.

Waterstart: When the kite is on the water after you crashed or let go of the bar, the 5th Element system allows you to relaunch without swimming a) Keeping tension on the middle line, reload the chickeloop if necessary, and hook in if you want. b) To get started again, use the middle line to pull the bar toward you. c) If you pull the back lines simultaneously, the kite will slowly come off the water. d) The harder you pull on the side of the bar, the faster and lower the kite will start in. e)If you only pull gently, the kite will move as usual to the edge of the wind window for relaunch. f) No unsafe pulls or drags. No more swimming!

Performance: The 5th Element stabilizes the kite’s arc and thus clearly increases performance. Enhanced profile stiffness brings considerable advantages in depowered situations and increases the kite’s wind range. As a result, the kite flies closer to the wind window and responds more directly to steering impulses.   While arc-shaped inflatable kites have a marvellous simplicity, they also have a tendency to change shape as the wind increases and decreases and as load goes from front lines to back lines or vice versa. While it's possible to control such unstable tendencies in conventional four-line kites, such control comes at a cost: more drag.   The 5th Element line set offers a low-drag solution to maintaining kite shape stability, thereby permitting higher performance in every respect. 5th Element-equipped kites have greater high end, greater range, and quicker turning.   Because of the better high end they also have better lift, which makes for higher jumps. Because low end power is in no way reduced by the 5th Element line set, such kites also have excellent hang time.

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

You can purchase spares for this item here >>

Reviews

Very Easy! Andreas Andersson >>

 

I just started kite surfing and I was looking for a good start package. I am very price conscious, so I spend a lot of time searching on internet for best price. Powerkiteshop had a lot of different package deals, I ordered a North NEO kite with a Gonzales Package and a mystic harness.

 

I ordered the package on Thursday and received it in Denmark on Monday morning without any cost for delivery.

 

I tried the kite yesterday and it was fantastic, great response in steering and very easy to launch. It was very easy to depower and easy to fly.

 

I really liked the North bar and the 5 line worked fantastic.

 

Overall I would like to say, fast delivery, a wide range of great products but most important great service I will recommend Powerkiteshop to my friends and definitely order from them again.

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