Hi all,
Hoping you can help.
I am a 95kg beginner/intermediate rider who is looking to master jumping, toe-side and back-rolls before spending more time in small surf. I can ride toeside and jump, just not mastered.
I have been riding a 2010 Cabinha SB 10m and 14m. It's been a great and reliable kite to learn on. But I am not enjoying riding them as much as I used to due to the heavy bar pressure, that takes a lot of energy turning with one hand whilst riding.
I took the 2013 North Rebel out over the weekend and loved the feel of the kite. The only problem is the 5th line, which caused me huge issues after a few big wipeouts. The fifth line wrapped around the leading edge and there was no way it was re-launching.
From trawling through the seabreeze blogs, I have seen comments that the 2013 Cabinha's are better on the bar pressure but still have a 'truck' sensation. I have also read the safety system is a little tricky to get back together on the 2013 model.
I am now looking at the 2013 Evo as a possible alternative to the Cabrinha and would like any riders with experience on both the Evo and Cabrinha to comment on ;
• whether the Evo bar pressure is less than the latest cabrinha's ?
• are they quicker on the turn ?
• I have also read that the Evo's are traditionally pretty crap at going upwind compared to the rebel. Not keen on going backwards on-going upwind.
• Whether the big size Evo's perform as well as the smaller ?
Thanks all for any advice you can give,
gilmerp
Hey Gilmerp
I've just upgraded my 2010 SB 10m for a 2013 SB 10m (about 3 weeks ago) and match pretty closely with your weight and riding ability.
No affiliation to Cabrinha other that it's the only brand of kite I've used since learning in 2008.
The bar pressure is virtually non-existent on the 2013 and while this makes riding one-handed really easy, I have found a tendency to over-sheet. However, I am starting to get used to the bar pressure and "feel" the sheeting more.
I have found the turning speed far quicker on the 2013 and can turn off the face of a wave better as a result (I mostly ride a tt). In fact in the beginning I had in the water a few times when it turned faster than I expected!
I've also noticed that it flies further forward in the window than the 2010 did (not sure if this is operator driven). This has taken some getting used to.
I really like the safety system but haven't used in anger yet (no issues when testing).
In summary, it's probably taken me a few sessions to get to grips with some performance differences, but all in all I'm really stoked with the kite.
Hope this helps - good luck with your new purchase, always good to unfold a crinkly kite for the first time!
[Instructing with and riding Cabrinha]
The 2013 got a lot less bar pressure than previous models. It turns a little quicker as well. But it don't got the raw power of it's preceders so you might find it a a little power-less to what u are used to.
To sum it up u can say it's a more technical kite this year than it have been earlier.
The safety system is a little messy to get back together but the '13 is better than the '12(but on the other hand, how many times per season do u activate it?)
I haven't used this years Evo(used last years for instructing) but last years was very similar to the Rebel, nothing fancy, just a stable pull.
the cab bar QR from 2012 and 2013 is retarded, IKts a shame as i love the bar and de-power system, but no way will a newbie be able to reattach the QR in the sea ever.
So go the cab kite if you like it, and just buy a bar from another brand.
thanks guys...as I supected, the saftey is a bit of an issue to put back together but to vwpete and number comments, how many times will I need to pull it and could I get a different bar ? Though, I think the IDS bar is made to work with the cabrinha bridle so I am not sure if a different bar would work.
Good to know Monkel that the bar pressure is virtually non existent and the turning speed is good. I think I now need to try them both and see how they feel, demoing two kites is easier said than done in Sydney.
thanks for the feedback.
I have pulled the safety on mine and wasn't too hard to put back together, knowing what goes where, before you need to know helps
both kites are different in the way the fly and handle.
The Evo is quicker and more responsive compared to the Switchy. The Switchy is more stable and a bit more forgiving.
The North kites have a short bar throw and the Cabs a pretty long throw.
The Evo's bar pressure is def reduced compared to last years models same with the Switchy. The Switchy would be a big lighter on the bar.
Delta's usually dont go upwind as good as a hybrid or bow kites- same applies to Evo/SB.
We use a 2013 14m Evo for our school in lightwinds and it works a treat.
Best for you is to test-fly them back to back and you will know which one you prefer.
However, i really like both kites and they are improved to the last years model and both two of my favourite all-round kites this year.
