Switchblade 14 ids or crossbow 13 ids to replace Switchblade2-2007 14
Kites 2007 10m & 14m SB2's (just got 10m SW IDS)
Board Nobile 555 134cm x 41 (just got cheap BIC 6'2" surfboard)
Weight 70kg
Wind ave.10-15knots, 15-25knots not so regular
Skill (not much) intermediate - want to try some unhooking
Flat water location and small wave location
Just got the 10m SB isd as my 10sb2 was due for replacement. So smooth, responsive and will stay flying in very light. wind, haven't had good test but seems to definitely lack a few knots off the bottom end of my old kite (had it on standard knot setting?). IDS system is good so far.
Not sure about replacing the SB2 14 ? I use it in 11-15knots (on 555, flat water) has a great bottom end, and I am often the only guy out in lower winds. Trade of is I am often overpowered in 15+ kn so have to pump up the 10 and hope the wind doesn't drop.
How are the IDS sb14 & cb13 kites going to compare? everyone here is on 12 SW ids but they all struggle or dont bother with the light wind days (11-14 knots) which we get alot of. (there are a few guys who ride 14m Rebels which do ok)
Heard the IDS CB 13 has good low end and top end but is slow to turn = not as much fun?
Where as the larger SB 14 is much faster turning which makes up for the larger size.
what is bottom end of both compared to SB2 14?
What is top end on both compared to SB2 14?
Should I stick with 14m I have?
Any one got these kites, how are they?
Thanks.
Hi. Last year in Maui I tried the Switch IDS 14 and I currently own a Crossbow IDS 13 plus a Switch IDS 10 and a Revolver HD 9 for waves. The Switch IDS 14 has a good low end is fast and responsive but in a smooth way. In this regard the Crossbow IDS 13 is even more powerful due to the flatter arc but again is a smooth kite to fly and loop even unhooked. I’ve chosen the XBow 13 because I’ve found it more stable in the top end than the Switch. I love my Switch IDS 10 too and I use it mainly for unhooked freestyle session. But you can trust me, when the wind drops there is a very special kite out there: the XBow IDS 13. It’s like having the old Contra 14 and the Switchblade 3 at the same time. With a Slingshot Glide I can easily go upwind starting from 8 to 9 Knots (I weight 70 Kilos…). It is good in flat water and waves and can be ridden hooked and unhooked without too much effort. I hope Cabrinha won’t change it for 2010. I’ve been kiting since 11 years and for me it’s the best medium kite I’ve ever had
….and I had a lot! I hope this helps.
