2009 Cabrinha SwitchBlade IDS

Aww Steve...saying trimming just reminds me I have to mow the lawn.......or of a jenny craig diet.........or of that shocker haircut when I only asked for a trim....... nothing wrong with dropping a few "old c words" every now and then. Power to the people

I have to 2nd all the positive comments about Switchblade and Crossbow IDS.

I haven't bought new kites for two years, which is a long time for me. So this year I tested heaps of stuff. I was keen to go something different. Trading up from 12m Switchblade 2 and 9m Crossbow 2.

I quite liked the new 09 Helix at first - it had some good things going for it. I really wanted to like it... Very stable in strong winds, and the Sigma shape really does work to stop the canopy deforming like no other kite. You sheet out and don't disrupt the airflow like other kites. But the downside was that that the 12m wasn't grunty enough for me, and I really don't want a kite bigger than a 12m.

I tested and bought the new Switchblade 12 and 9m Crossbow. Was out on the Switch yesterday and it was great. Grunty in the light stuff, more maneuverable and lighter than my old Switch, stable in stronger stuff (especially Crossbow in high winds and for speed for me).

Anyway - I am very happy I have stayed with the Cab kites. 2 kite does a massive range of things for me in a massive windrange. Can't go wrong.

Ewan,
in those high winds (37knots plus) how did you find the stability of the 6m IDS? Do you still kite loop in those winds? Do you use the very last knot or always the middle for those extreme winds?
What is your take on the new Cabrinha board, ie flex, comfort, spray in choppy conditions, edging and boosting?

Thanks,

I just brought a new 10 SB (4) IDS and am a bit surprised no one mentioned about the change on the stopper clip , it now has a moveable stopper that can always move up the centre line.
Anyway,what brought this around you my ask it was, People complaining about the SB3 wear on the black plastic on the centre line and the bar through hole, which is true but if maintained and the screw checked is a good seasons kiting anyway
I think it is better the old way having a positive lock on the centre line(grub screw), reason being when wave riding and kite looping it is easier to switch and spin the bar out with the power ride locked in.
Now with the floating stopper it holds but will not hold on a kite loop it will pull all the way to full depower, which the only way to hold it now is to use arm force to hold the force of the kiteloop, why bother when you used to let it just hit the stopper??
I have owned all the SB series and always a great kite last years 10 3 being the best yet, but I want to mention this as I recon it's no good and needs to go back to last years design, trouble is this years kte has a bigger black shroud on the centre line and the old plastic klete won't fit....hmmmm
I've super glued mine in place and will mod a cut one from last years if that one pulls up the centre line.
Anyway needs a mention and changed back imo.

Ok my take on this kite is as follows the kite is good ,10m IDS, it's easier to self land given the IDS thing , the kite flys virtually the same as last years trimming doesn't need to be dialed in as accurate as previous models.
But and it's the big but ...the bar set up is no way as good as last years SB3
the IDS is really just a gimmic and more clutter and line than is needed around the bar area, a waste of time really as an experienced kiter can easily self land last years model.
My first ever real gripe on these kites having owned all previous models from the first switchblade, is they stuffed up with the centre line trim adjustment the locater sleeve that used to be grub screwed in place is now floating on the centre line, this is just dumb and makes the bar harder to operate in the surf and wave riding as it always pulls up on kite load and you always have to hold the bar no more resting it on the stopper and spinning out lines after a kite loop etc.
Bad move Cabrinha.Last years model overall was a better kite wish I never traded it to tell the truth
Anyway I haven't tested out the top end of the kite yet but had it settled in 16knots- 20 knots, I weigh 90kgs, so the bottom end is good.

Mate reading through this whole thread again , I'd have to say your post is right on the money and your only 14 nice one.
Your right the bags are too small and even smaller again this year,not that that has anything to do with the kite but it's good to see yourself and a few others comment on the override lock system being gone, it is stupid and not a good move from Cab, anyone that has riden these kites in the past and in the surf should know this, but it would seem most here have just pimped the thing out when infact last years bar set up was better,The IDS is just a gimmic it's only into it's own in self landing big wind, otherwise it's not necessary really, also the ergonomics on the bar ends you will also find they are now a catch area for your steering lines given they get a loop around them easier if you spill out causing steering pull until you realise and pop the loop off the bar.They should have kept with the movable ends as previous years.
I am interested in this fix mod you talk about Steve? can you explain that a bit more please?
As when I was in the shop we just tried to super glue the stopper in place, which pulled first ride anyway I want to mod mine back to last years system but the stopper doesn't fit the new centre line, being too small?? so interested to hear of your mod? Also the IDS line can go up to the trim strap as it's a waste of time having it run through the bar, (if your an experienced kiter, but would be useful for a beginner) and put your safety leash back to the centre line position rather than keeping it on the chicken loop using IDS system.

Sent you a PM

Steve

If you are happy with the nemesis then get a 10M SB IDS, there will be good overlap between he two kites. Is it a nemesis HP SLE kite or an older nemesis 14M C kite?
If its a C then get a 12M SB IDS, if you are using the 11M waroo the most and upgrading it.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

88kg's
131*39 (08 jaime pro)

New SB12 IDS in marginal conditions. just went down to the beach hoping to rig up and maybee a bit of a downwinder as it was very light and was only there cos I had a new kite. To my surprise there were a few other kiters out and were able to hold ground. Didn't know how I would go as I was expecting the SB4 to not have as much bottom end as my old SB3. Was pleasently surprised. I was able to easily hold ground and do tricks in the gusts. The kite turns real nice and is nice and quick through the air. I was prepared to give up some bottom end going to the SB4 for some faster turning and speed, but I really dont think it has lost anything - the speed means the kite gets you going in much the same winds. I Really liked the bar feel and the speed and the user freindliness is even better. The IDS line bar setup isn't cluttered IMHO and I I like how the IDS single line means the front lines dont twist together like on my SB3. Also I think it is a heaps nicer feeling unhooked.
THE BAG SUCKS ARSE.

whats wrong with the ids. i know most advanced riders will never feel the need to use it considering the huge depower anyway and you can self land it without the ids.

once you get used to it you dont notice the ids anyway its just kinda, there.

ewan

P.S i dont see why you couldnt remove it. it would jsut then be like the last years bar setup.

I agree with everything you've said mate your on the money, and as far as modding it yes you can so I've been told what you do is this,
Shorten the red IDS line when fully powered up positon it is just past the power trim threaded triangle ring, then tie a red stopper ball, that is obviously bigger than the triangle size then use this set up when landing.
The IDS does serve a purpose though and in 30 knot winds you can land it safer than before.
You can still self land it without using the IDS but it seems to behave a little differently than the SB3 doing the same thing , obviously the floating bridle pulley has something to sdo with that little problem.
As far as Cabrinha saying to glue stuff onto the bar well, thats really uncool and I won't be following this kite anymore if thats there final say on it, which I hope it isn't
I'm going to either change my bar back to a SB3 50cm or change the power cord back to the SB3 power cord that should fix things!!!

I was struggling to work out how the "tap out" thing worked with the IDS, but now realise that it is not supposed to "tap out at all". I think that the idea is you slide the bar up to the stopper and if you want to depower more, slide the stopper up the line as well using the bar. When you want to put it back, you slide the stopper back down of course. So the "depower on demand" is easy up to the stopper, then requires more pressure (depending on how tight you tighten the black clip). The total depower is via the QR. There is a new video on the cabrihna web site that made the penny drop for me (slow learner!)

http://www.cabrinhakites.com/gallery/?g2_itemId=650&

This works for many kites to my understanding, i have done it with Best and Ocean Rodeo myself, but in principle it should work for all kites, not just the super pimped up crapinas