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2020 EVO - Designer Interview with Ralf Grösel

Duotone Kiteboarding Evo 2020

For 2020, Ralf had the infrastructure to go for an overall performance update, exploring different methods that would ultimately open up the arena of performance potential, whilst keeping the Evo’s award-winning reputation for its target audience.

Duotone Kitedesigner Ralf Groesel Interview

WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR 2020?

The Evo has always been the ultimate all-round kite; an easy jumper, huge depower, stable, reactive, forgiving and with huge sheet-and-go. Those qualities and performance characteristics satisfy pretty much any rider.

Magazines worldwide say that we have unique handling characteristics in all of our kites and that‘s what I always have in the back of my mind when developing. That‘s our trademark and it‘s not going anywhere.

However, this year I wanted to find a way to make the Evo even more playful with enhanced aerial performance. How did you achieve this and how does it translate into performance?  For the first time ever, I removed the pulley within the kite bridles. This small change has a big impact on handling and in-flight characteristics. The biggest benefit is a more compact Leading Edge frame, which can hold more energy in general, resulting in much higher jumps and a more playful ride.

This is not a major design innovation, but a major design change that opened up the arena of performance potential and more specifically its characteristic within the range of allround kites.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE UPDATES FOR THIS YEAR‘S MODEL?

Besides the fixed bridle, the Evo is equipped with the new TE wave patterns which are lighter, reduce flutter marks but remain as strong as the previous Dacron reinforcement.

In addition, the applied and newly developed 75 g Ripstop material has similar stretch and ageing characteristics to the D3 canopy material. The reason for these updates is to have a more harmonious transition between these two materials.

I also adjusted the Trailing Edge tension to fit the new material specifications, which also created more playful, lighter model.

The profile is now more efficient in terms of upwind abilities and jumping performance, whilst the back pigtail has been repositioned due to enhanced overall stiffness and liveliness of the EVO.

WHO WILL ENJOY THE 2020 EVO?

The Evo is loyal to its target audience and the focus is always on delivering the most accessible, desirable and versatile design that leaves you wanting more. The Evo has all the qualities and performance characteristics to satisfy anyone looking to get into the sport, all the way through to the most well-rounded rider out there. It‘s an easy jumper with huge depower, it‘s stable, reactive, forgiving and has effortless sheet-and-go. In short, the 2020 Evo just has more energy and performance.

Duotone Kiteboarding Evo 2020 blue
Duotone Kiteboarding Evo Launch 2020
Duotone Kiteboarding Interview Ralf Evo launch

WHICH LINE LENGTHS YOU RECOMMEND?

I recommend using a short Click Bar with 22 m lines from sizes 5 m2 to 11 m2. 

12 m2 - 14 m2 Evo‘s should be used in combination with the wide Click Bar and 24 m lines.

 

WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE DIFFERENT SETTINGS?

The Evo maintains its 3 highly versatile pigtails, positioned at the tip, which influence the steering and general in-flight characteristics. I always suggest you try them all. From softer to harder Feedback, from more drift to less, you can adjust it to your preferences. Or just simply use the well balanced factory setting.

2020 EVO IN A NUTSHELL

Playful and reliable, the 2020 Evo is designed for ultimate satisfaction. Undergoing some small changes that have a big impact, this lively design is the greatest all-round and free ride formula to date. With 3-Struts, a huge wind range, superior stability, precise power delivery and responsive handling, the Evo is fun and versatile across Freeride, Freestyle and wave riding.