Bifins with a big angle

[trux]

Since I glide a lot during my bi-fin dives, and have problems keeping common fins in a streamlined position during the glide, I am looking for new fins that would offer bigger than usual angle.

I tested bunch of different longfin brands, but they are all about the same - Beuchat Mundial, C4 Flaps, Effesub Whalebone, Cressi Gara, Dessault's, Esclapez, Breier, ...

Any tips?

 

[KhioL]

What about the new Sporasub revolution fins ? according to their website the blade has a 26° angle, that's quite unusual for bifins . I don't know if they are currently available though...

 

[trux]

Yes, thanks, that's indeed an option, but I am little bit afraid that the shoes are too clumsy and won't permit efficient glide. I have also my doubt about the laminarity of the water flow over the blades without side rails, but that's a mnor problem, because I could add them alone. The Revolutions are definitely on my radar since they started to speak about them, and as soon as they are available I am willing to test them. However, I am interested about currently available models too.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

They make socks for cycling shoes for winter cycling that are made from neoprene, they go over the shoe and have a hole in the bottom for the cleat. No reason why you couldn't use the same thing over the shoe to streamline it? Kinda makes things a bit of a pain in the arse though. The new omer blade I believe are a 22 degree angle, so 5 degress more than the previous fins I think?

 

[trux]

They make socks for cycling shoes for winter cycling that are made from neoprene, they go over the shoe and have a hole in the bottom for the cleat. No reason why you couldn't use the same thing over the shoe to streamline it? Kinda makes things a bit of a pain in the arse though. The new omer blade I believe are a 22 degree angle, so 5 degress more than the previous fins I think?

Thanks! Yes, we already discussed the socks in the Sporasub thread, and although I think it can help with the friction drag, it won't influence the form drag (it won't reduce the bulky size). At normal use the drag is not of a big importance, but when you go for a max distance, and especially with the kick-and-glide style, such a small detail may have big impact. However, I'd love to test the fins anyway as soon as it is possible - they definitely look quite interesting.

Thanks for the Omer tip. Do you know which models exactly? Or all of Omer longfins? I'll look at it.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Not sure if all of them have the new angle, but the new millenium I believe have it. I saw the add in the latest IFSN I've got a feeling picasso are doing the same with their new range, so you could get carbon or fibreglass fins at that angle. Alternatively you could get Ray powell to make you a set of DiveR's with what ever angle you want, obviously foot pockets will be the issue. plus cost, they aren't a cheap fin, but I've heard from many they are the best they've used.

Just read the add. it says and I quote "THE NEW GENERATION FIN FROM OMER FEATURES A REMOVABLE BLADE SYSTEM COUPLED TO A NEW THERMO RUBBER FOOT POCKET. THE ANGLE OF THE BLADE HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 22 DEGREES, COMPARED TO THE TRADITIONAL 15-17 DEGREES." Yadda yadda yadda etc. I should see if they will throw me some product for this work? or at least offer me a job in salesroflroflrofl

 

[trux]

Just read the add. it says and I quote "THE NEW GENERATION FIN FROM OMER FEATURES A REMOVABLE BLADE SYSTEM COUPLED TO A NEW THERMO RUBBER FOOT POCKET. THE ANGLE OF THE BLADE HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 22 DEGREES, COMPARED TO THE TRADITIONAL 15-17 DEGREES."

Where did you find the text? I do not see any descriptions on their website, just a plain photo and a very short text not mentioning the angle at all Omer

EDIT: OK, I found it in their PDF catalog. It is not the Millenium, but the Stingray, which is not on the HTML pages of their website, but only in the PDF catalogue. Anyone tested those? Spago perhaps? I think I'll have to ping him.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

I didn't realise that the stingray was the model name, haha I just thought they were losing their marbles and had a weird sign on their add.

 

[trux]

Ah, I've found them here: chasse-sous-marine.net

Relatively inexpensive - 79€
I think I am going to get them

EDIT: also here: http://www.tuttopescamare.com/subacquea/pinne-subacquee/pinne-apnea/pinne-stingray.html for 74€

 

[cww180]

Also check out the DiveR blades from Ray Powell, they have a very big angle as well and are very good blades.

 

[cww180]

Here are the pictures.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Holy hell, I didn't realise Ray made blades with that steep an angle. Trux, from what I've heard from countless spearo's in AUS these fins are brilliant!!!! I reckon you'll get better distance per kick with the correct stiffness than you would with a plastic blade. They are costly but would probably be the last fin you'd ever need and you can get them in almost any colour and with patterns I believe. You'll be diving in style!!!

 

[trux]

Wow, they indeed look great! I am just afraid that together with the shipping cost to Europe I'd have to pay some 400€, which is much more than I currently want to spend for yet another pair of fins.

In fact I just discovered that the backup pair of fins I had in my car (Effesub Whalebones) have a much bigger angle than the Beuchats I use as primary fins. I did some photos and will post them in a moment, after measuring the angles. I bought them at stocks clearing after Effesub went belly-up for just 45€ (I think the original price was over 150€), so you can't beat that price. The angle seems to be around 20 degrees, so there is probably no point in getting the Omer Stingrays with similar angle. I'll wait for the Sporasub Revolutions though, and as soon as they are available in my local store, I'll borrow them and test them out.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Trux, get onto Ray powell through spearoz.org.au I think from memory the blades are AUS$395 shipping to europe wouldn't be rediculous, maybe around 40 euro. Ray can make blades for almost any foot pocket, so maybe getting hold of the omer foot pocket could be an option. Blades are fibreglass and can bend back on them selves so there is very little chance you'll break them. My next pair of fins will be a set of DiveR's. Just make sure you order the shorter blade style if you were to order as the others are HUGE!!! like 90cm blade then you have the foot pocket aswell.

 

[cww180]

I think its with the weakness of the AUS dollar, they won't be that bad, give Ray and call and see or PM and I'll give you his number. I have mine in the Imersion pockets and they are great.

 

[trux]

OK, there are the photos of both fins I mentioned. The Beuchat Competitions are rather flat - when measuring the angle between the blade and the foot pocket base, it gives some 12°. At Effesub Whalebones, the angle is much more pronounced - ~25°, which is actually more than at the above mentioned Omer Stingrays (22°), and practically identical to the Sporasub Revolution (26°). Well, I think I'll have to give the Whalebones little bit more chance than till now and test them better.

​

 

[spaghetti]

Mares Razor and Omer Stingray have the same 22° angle, if my memory doesn't fail.
But while the Omer Stingray are now only available with one type of plastic blades (I guess it's the same material of the Runner), the Mares razor are available in carbon medium stiffness, and 4 types of plastic blades (soft medium, green camo and red camo).
I'd give Mares a chance, why not?
The C4 Wahoo 2009 are 23°.
http://www.c4carbon.com/sub/prodotti/wahoo/default.aspx

 

[trux]

Thanks, Spago, for the additional tips. I think I'll first try giving the chance my Whalebones. Although I used them ocassionally in water, and found them OK, I sticked to my old Beuchats, and did not really test the Whalebones for some serious dynamic attempts. Especially not with my current style in dynamics that I am testing just lately, and where I need this big angle because prolonged gliding phase.

Fortunately my local store is really amazing - they borrow us fins for testing, or make test sessions with a biggers set of fins during our pool training, and are also open to ordering of models they do not have on stock. So I may indeed try asking them to get some Mares Razors too, and test them out. I hope though, that the Whalebones I already have can work fine for my style - I'll tell you if they perform as I hope at the beginning of June, when I attend the next competition

 

[mindset]

Trux, if you've got any thermoplastic blades you're willing to experiment on I encourage you to try to increase the angle yourself. I have pretty "stiff" ankles so I have increased the angle on a number of fins e.g. an old pair of H.D. Dessaults, beaten up Omers and even on a pair of Avanti Quattro Power (bit tricky here). Worked very well. Just remove the blades, heat up gently with a hot-air blower and mold to the desired angle. The trick is to do it patiently and with a bit of "feel". Another alternative could be just getting a pair of good, cheap Tigullio Grintas with their large angles e.g. [ame=http://cgi.ebay.com/LONG-Blade-FREE-DIVING-Fins-Flippers-SPEARFISHING-9-10_W0QQitemZ330304612612QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_MasksSnorkels_Flippers_SM?hash=item330304612612&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177#ebayphotohosting]LONG Blade FREE DIVING Fins Flippers SPEARFISHING 9/10 - eBay (item 330304612612 end time May-31-09 07:58:54 PDT)[/ame]

 

[trux]

Thanks for the tip, mindset! I may indeed try forming the Beuchat blades - I have a spare pair, and they are rather inexpensive, so even if I screw them up, it is not too bad.

Thanks also for the tip on the Tigullio fins - I did not even know that brand! 27° looks good too, and the price is fair. Wow, all together there is much more choice than I hoped for. Thank you guys for all the help!