My Comments: thinking about getting a switch blade 2011, i have been kiting for about 5 years now, and i have ridden a few brands, but have mainly been using best kites for the last couple of years. i had a fly of a 10 switchblade for about 1 hour, and it felt pretty good. i need some opinions from anyone out there that has kited for a while, flown a few brands and doesnt have any affiliation with shops, brands etc. these are some of the questions im looking at. probably dont want opinions from people that have only ridden cabrinah kites, as they might be a bit biased, and cant really compare to anything else.
1. is the 11m much different to the 10m
2. seeing how the kites been out for over a year, how was the build quality.
3. how did the bar hold up.
4. any heavy riders (95-110) out there with their opinion on the 11m if they have got one.
5. what are the problems that come up while riding the kite.
5. top end for the 11m.
Tutahi83,
1. The 11m Switchblade will be more powerful than the 10m Switchblade and so the difference is about 5 to 7 less on the highend and about 2-3 kts more on the low end.
2. The 2011 Cabrinha build quality was improved over 2010. The flying performance not a huge difference. The bar was a big upgrade from 2010. The 2012 bar just takes the IDS system to a whole new level and definitely should be looked at if above beginner level.
3. The 2011 IDS bar as mentioned was much better built than the 2010. 2010 bar was good for its time but I would never go back after riding the 2011 bar and now the 2012 bar which just takes the whole control system to an improved new level. Saying that the 2011 bar is still at the level where i dont mind using, where as the 2010 which doesnt have the recoil is not preferred. The swivel on the 2012 bar which allows the rider to manually unspin the lines while still being leashed into the IDS system makes this a very polished system.
4. I am a lighter rider so can only tell you from what i have seen in respect to the heavy intermediate/advanced rider out on the water. They can push the 11m up into the mid 20 kts no problem.
5. No issues encountered with the construction of the kite. Keep it out of the trees/rocks and you will have no issues. The SB is a very popular kite as it is a fantastic all round kite for pros to beginners ie wakestyle, freestyle, freeride, waves, speed...
6. All i can say is that if you are pushing 30kts out of your 11m your gonna be lit and throwing some big, floaty airs if you can hold that edge.
Im taking a guess that your getting your kite from surffx. Ive bought a 11 aswell from there picking it up on saturday if all goes to plan.
I did alot of research and the switchblade was easily the way to go. And the 2012 is a bit pricey so thelarge disount for a brand new kite isawesome.
Im around 80kg and iride a 2012 cab caliber 136
Ill post after the weekend to say how itgoes
GOOD KITE I RIDE AN 8M SWITHCBLADE IN ANYTHING FROM 17KNOTS-25KNOTS. ITS GOOD FOR UNHOOKING WAKESTYLE BECAUSE THE POWER NEVER STOPS ALTHOUGH YOU DO HAVE TO TRIM THE KITE TO PREVENT IT BACK STALLING. IT IS A VERY GRUNTY KITE. HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING A PROKIT WITH IT IF YOU GET T THOUGH BECAUSE IT MAKES IT TURN FASTER.
1. is the 11m much different to the 10m
Can't answer this as I have only used the 12m
2. seeing how the kites been out for over a year, how was the build quality.
Build quality is good. Bag is at least big enough to allow for easy pack up unlike older models. Has two small battens towards each wing tip for stability.
3. how did the bar hold up.
The bar is great. I had a lot of issues when learning on an old kite with too much de-power from a long bar throw causing inversion after crashing hard. The recoil system holds enough power in the kite to keep it incredibly stable both on the top of the water and in the air.
4. any heavy riders (95-110) out there with their opinion on the 11m if they have got one.
I am 110kgs and I fly a 12 meter. Generally struggle with anything under 15knots but that is partly also due to technique.
5. what are the problems that come up while riding the kite.
Kite is a little heavier then previous models but doesn't feel heavy. There is an A and B setting on the kite for a different response. i tried to use the B setting in light winds to try and assist with kite movement and I found that it stalled a fair bit but this is also part of light wind kiting.
Cab did a recall on the lines they used on at least my 2011 Switchblade 11m, I would assume they got it sorted by now but would be worth checking if buying used or maybe old stock. There's some info on the Cabrinah site...
I was really impressed with the Customer service recieved, I just went into the nearest dealer and got replacement lines without any questions asked (I purchased the kite overseas).
Ciao
Got my 11 yesterday and took it out today, wind was anywhere between 15-30 knts over the day and the locations i went. I weigh 78kg and the size was awesome, im on a new board aswell that has greatly improved my riding but i was comfortable to around 25knts and then it started gettng pretty hairy in the chop.
Im happy with the construction it is a extremely solid kite, the material feels good quality and the bar and lines are great.
The man thing i found is the boosts were huge once i got used to it, i found that i was landing quite a distance downwind with heaps of speed.
So yer the kite was really easy to fly and seems to pull really well through the lulls, so im really happy. And opening that brand new kite without the huge pricetag felt good.
