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Construction : Thermoformed ASA skin CTS / Sandwich for high impact resistance
Reinforcements : Glass fibre + Carbone UD towards the rear.
Fittings
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Footstraps : Ergoform x 4
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Positions : 2 + 1 centre rear on 3 position inserts
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Pads : 5 piece / 4 mm thickness with 8 mm under the heels.
Techno 2 160 : Universal Funboard
The new Techno 2/160 has been developed for windsurfers of all skill levels looking for a board which planes early, is high performance, easy to ride and good fun, for their summer sessions. Bye-bye to those extra-wide funboards from 2000 / 2001 ; hello to the new 160 which is altogether more reasonably proportioned for the average rider and delivers superior performance : width kept to 82cm, comfortable 160 litre volume evenly spread along the length of the board, and a light bow section. That means it’s possible to ride in light wind without the front end wallowing. The new Techno 2 will be THE universal funboard for the post 2000 generation, a lightweight board that’s great for learning to windsurf, ride funboard style in light winds and learn to jibe without the problems of wide-body boards. The Techno 2/160 is the ultimate fun summer board, as lively as it is responsive under your feet.
Fin : Select Ride 50 cm (moulded pre-preg) in Deep Tuttle fin box.
Techno 2 148 : Versatile and accessible
"On this board, whatever the conditions, you’re always at ease, stable and comfortable, still able to post a decent speed, which, after all, is about all you could ask from a freeride board !”. That’s what WIND magazine said in their last test review of the Techno 2/75 which changes name, becoming the "148" from 2006. A current best-seller, this is still the benchmark board for light to moderate wind freeride. Extremely stable, it allows you to learn how to ride in footstraps and nail your jibes, all at your own speed. Turns are made easily and it’s very forgiving of rider error. Fast up to planing, the 148 is superbly balanced under your feet. For the more performance minded, this is an excellent choice with acceleration and straight line speed among the best in its category. It’s a board that always feels good under your feet with easy control and excellent glide.
"Despite being made from thermoformed, this Techno 2 freeride board is very surprising, specially regarding performance where it easily competes with lots of top of the range boards made from more expensive sandwich construction, sometimes outperforms them too! All that plus top class manoeuvrability !"
WIND TEST July 2005
Fin : Select Ride 48 cm (moulded pre-preg) in Deep Tuttle fin box
The Techno 133 has been developed as the big brother to the Techno 118. Shaped by the legend Marco Copello, it is a board that has the same turn of downwind speed as the 118, but with its additional volume and plenty of V in the front section, it offers more versatility and range for sailing upwind.
It is perhaps the ideal board for those riders moving on from the Techno 148, who are confident in the inboard footstraps and now progressing into faster sailing in the outer footstraps. As a transitional board to high wind sailing, it allows you to commit to faster gybes and a smaller more exciting board. The Techno 133 keeps the renowned Techno characteristics of good acceleration, a balanced shape, exciting speed, and great manoeuvrability. It also keeps a little security and stability of a bigger board for up-hauling and light wind sailng. While this board really starts to get going in 15-18 knots of wind with sail sizes between 7.2 and 7.8, it is so versatile that it has the potential to be the only freeride board in your quiver. The new Techno 133 is so easy to ride you can fly both upwind and downwind, and really get yourself into some fresh air!!
Fin : Select Ride 44 cm (moulded pre-preg) in Deep Tuttle fin box.
Techno 2 118 : Speed with a dash of freeride
The Techno 2/118 is the most slalom-oriented board in the Techno 2 range. That doesn’t mean it lacks versatility. In fact it’s the ideal choice if you just want one board to ride in a maximum variety of conditions. Fast up to planing, comfortable under your feet, this is a board for long sweeping runs with sails from 6.5 to 8 m2. A steady board but which accelerates hard with excellent downwind performance. The 118 gives you smooth fast turns for your jibes and powers up quickly again afterwards. A great board for winds force 4 – 5.
Fin : Select Ride 38 cm (moulded pre-preg) in Deep Tuttle fin box.
Bic Techno 2 118L Windsurf (UK) 4/06
At a Glance
This is the first time we have tried the Techno 2 118, despite it being available on the market for a few seasons now. Produced in thermoform construction its weight is nevertheless comparable to that of its sandwich counterparts, whilst its fittings are excellent with easily adjustable straps and comfortable deckpads. Similarly, the Select fin supplied is of high quality, although we are still none the wiser as to why fiddly Allen-key bolts are supplied. The design of the 118 is modern, with a few notable features, namely the distinct bevels in the nose and shoulders to compliment its short rounded outline. Wide in the tail, there is a lot of volume placed between the rider’s feet, whilst the shoulders sit low, the 118 possessing a lot of rocker flat.
Ride and Handling
Superbly stable and forgiving at idle, in marginal conditions the Techno 2 is a fantastic performer, making the most of every gust available. One of the quickest onto the plane in this group, its acceleration is incredibly smooth and measured, as if providing stabilisers to tutor the nervous passenger. Cruising up to an impressive speed, its stance on the water is very low, thanks to its flat nose shape trimming the board close to the water’s surface. Ideal for use on flat water, the ride is secure and comfortable, the straps and pads cushioning the ride whilst the dome of the deck provides an excellent edge to push against. Such is the versatility of the ride, in fact, that it can adapt to suit a wide variety of sailing styles and abilities. Stable and easy when sailed at half speed, if you load the 118 it responds surprisingly well, providing a distinctively smooth ride (which can in part be attributed to its construction – you can feel the board flexing slightly, especially in harsh chop). With a good deal of feedback from the fin, it offers a high level of performance as it points well and rewards an assertive riding style. The only Achilles Heel of the Techno 2 becomes apparent when you take it into coastal conditions, the low shoulders often catching and stalling as you sail over confused choppy waters.
Manoeuvres
On manoeuvre, the Techno 2 responds in a predictable and assuring manner, giving the rider plenty of confidence to commit. Carrying its speed into the gybe, the board’s control helps to initiate the turn, carving instinctively and maintaining its speed well. This remains the case in severe conditions, the low shoulders cutting into the water and helping to hold the board banked over into the carve, whilst the width and volume in the tail absorbs the impact of clumsy footwork. Similarly, in the tack, the width is there to support the rider at idle and provide a wide margin for error. As such, the Techno is an excellent tutor for the intermediate sailor, providing the ease and practicality with which to learn those first planning manoeuvres.
Verdict:
Smooth and easy to use, the Techno 2 is best suited for flat water conditions, providing the intermediate sailor with masses of room for growth. With a performance range more than comparable to its sandwich-constructed rivals, it comes at a price that is hard to beat. |
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2008 Bic Techno Core 148 now $749 (plus shipping). |
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