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Test 201913 thin carbon booms

Manuel Vogel

 · 03.02.2020

Test 2019: 13 thin carbon boomsPhoto: Manuel Vogel
Test 2019: 13 thin carbon booms
"Skinny", "RDM", "Super Slim" - thin carbon forks are as trendy as the latest Brigitte diet. Almost all manufacturers have booms with reduced tube diameters in their range. We tested how big the differences in grip comfort, stiffness and durability on the water really are.

You can't do better with it - but you can do it longer! This well-known advertising slogan for a Swiss chocolate drink can certainly also be applied to thin carbon fibre forks. Not only in winter, with gloves and if you have small hands anyway, you benefit from the thinner diameter of these 13 models on the water - more relaxed and effortless gripping are convincing arguments. We would also have liked to present the products from Aeron, Streamlined and Duotone, but these were not available in time.

Squaring the circle

Maximum stiffness, light and thin - this combination is impossible from a physical point of view. In order to optimise two of the three factors mentioned, such as stiffness and weight, the spar diameter would have to be increased. Thin and light is only possible in combination with a reduction in stiffness. Thin and stiff only with a reduction in weight. If you compare the carbon forks in this test group with standard aluminium forks, you will notice that they are two to four millimetres thinner, but only slightly stiffer and not necessarily lighter. Two to four millimetres thinner may not sound like much, but it's a world of difference when gripping. Another advantage: carbon does not bend! So if you are heavy, jump a lot and have always left lasting impressions with aluminium forks, you can benefit from carbon forks in this respect - over the entire adjustment range. In our experience, it is not at all the case that thin carbon forks do not hold. As with RDM masts, the smaller diameter is compensated for by a thicker wall thickness - which also explains why the thin carbon forks have hardly any advantages on the scales.

Differences in stiffness are particularly noticeable when pumping and landing. Our testers themselves have been using carbon forks with a reduced diameter for years. In our opinion, durability is not a problem.Photo: Manuel VogelDifferences in stiffness are particularly noticeable when pumping and landing. Our testers themselves have been using carbon forks with a reduced diameter for years. In our opinion, durability is not a problem.

The entire article with all test results and technical data is available as a PDF in the download area below:

  1. AL360 E3 Carbon Slim
  2. Chinook RDG Carbon
  3. Dynafibre Carbon Boom Shaka Slim
  4. GA Sails Slim Carbon Pro
  5. Goya Super Skinny Pro
  6. Gunsails Select Boom Slim
  7. Neilpryde XC Carbon
  8. Point-7 Carbon+ Pro
  9. ProLimit Team C100 Carbon
  10. RRD Dynamic Pro Boom RDM
  11. Severne Enigma Wave
  12. Simmer Style SX10 Carbon Slim
  13. Unifibre Carbon PP Slim
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Photo: Manuel Vogel
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The SURF 6/2019 issuePhoto: Manuel VogelThe SURF 6/2019 issue

Downloads:

Thin Wave carbon forks (pdf)

Manuel Vogel

Manuel Vogel

Editor surf

Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.

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