As a kiter for 5 years the only kites i have ever used are crossbow1 and switch blade1. I love these kites. My question is how different are the current model kites compared to these, are they really that much better or advertising hype.
Going from the gen 1 bow kites to the latest bow kites is a little like comparing one generation of car to one 3 generations on - there is no comparison and its pretty unlikely you'll prefer your old models after having tried the new ones, irrespective of brand. There are very few donkey's these days when it comes to kites, most of the brands have got it right. Remember the old box shape BMW's? This will be like climbing out of one of those into a brand new shape BMW.
In short, there is very little not to like about the new models. They turn faster, fly faster, have better feel, have more range, are more stable, jump higher, have better bars, etc.
Demo a new model and I'm pretty sure you'll be wondering how the hell you managed to fly the old ones for as long as you have.
(and this is coming from someone who doesn't fly Cabrinha so that should say something)
Thanks saffer, maybe its time to try something new, but hell these old crossbows are good.
Maybe thats because its all i know. What do you cabrinah owners think.
Huge improvements from years 1 to 3. Incremental improvements since then.
Gen 1-3 improved stability and handing.
All the generations improve robustness.
The recent generations are minor improvements in handling and performance and tweaking of bars and trimmers and stuff.
With all due respect the Crossbow 1 was crap. It started the bow kite revolution and had better range than anything that went before. Every kite that come out later was much better.
Thanks Gorgo, If you were in my shoes what would you suggest , i ride in small waves and general freeriding, not really into any tricks and would have to say i liked the wind range and depower of the crossbow. Any suggestions
Crossbow has more range (particularly top end), more glide in the air, better upwind performance, generally lighter and more dynamic feel. You have to be on top of your positioning in the waves. It doesn't like it so much when the lines go slack. I like Crossbows.
Switchblade is more of a sky hook. More grunt. Big dangley jumps. More forgiving if you forget to turn it back on a wave. Feels a but truckish to me. The more serious wave guys use Switchblades.
I used to ride Switchblades then changed to Crossbows. I have a demo 2011 SB 10m that I have put an hour on. It felt good once I changed gears. I still prefer my Crossbows. I'll give it a few more goes but my current leaning is toward the Crossbows.
Yes i to prefered the crossbows, bar pressure not a problem for me, so i don,t know if i can justify new kites.Thanks for the info.
Mate i like cabrina's as much as dracula likes garlic,but have to say if you rode the latest gear you'd find the difference astounding,technology has come so far in the last few years its not funny, go and get a test ride back to back with your current kites and you'll wonder why your still on them,also try some other brands there may be something else out there that more suits your riding style.
Yes i think your right. Instead of changing all 3 of my kites=$. I should gey myself a new 12 meter witch i use the most. maybe i should crawl out of that cave i have been in for so long.
definetly demo some new kites i am riding a 2011 10m rebel that has more grunt than my 08 havoc the wind range is amazing i have had it out in 14knts up to 28 very happy i upgraded
Rodney,
The Cabrinha kites ie Crossbows and Switchblades just keep on getting better and better year after year. If you like riding in waves you really could use either bow kite or even try the more dedicated wave kite which is the Cabrinha Nomad. The Crossbow and Switchblade are super stable kites with great windranges and are very smooth when flying. The equivalent of the old 2006 12m Xbow is the new 2011 11m Xbow. All Cabrinha kites now fly with a 1:1 IDS bar system which give a much more direct softer feel than the old 2:1 system. The new IDS system also allows the rider to no longer ride suicide when attaching their leash below the bar. Where the 2006 XBow and Switchblade still dominate is in the water relaunching. The new Xbows and Switchblades are fast to water relaunch, but not nearly as fast as when on the pulley bar system.
As you have been on the Crossbow Xbow for so long you will find a bit of an adjustment when flying say the new Xbow 2011, however after a few hours or less you will be wondering how you stayed so long with the older models.
Thanks for the advise iwb.I have since been looking at the 2011 griffen argo 11.5 as the specs may suit my syle of riding in small waves and freeriding and a big wind range. They are also local too.I also believe the 2to1 bar system is all but gone, so i will have to get with the times. Any one tried this kite. Thanks again Rod.
Virtually no kites have pulleys on the bar now.
Definitely try out any new kites before you buy. There is not really such a thing as a bad kite anymore, but the feel can be hugely different and you may not like the difference.
I like Cabrinha kites because the bar is beautifully clean and simple, the kites fly and last really well, and I get great service from my local shop.
Better kiters than me use the North Rebel and they are obviously excellent kites. I have a mental block when it comes to 5 line kites so they're not on my list. The North bar is reputed to be the best on the market but again I can't get past having 4!!! lines passing through the bar and a sh.tload of hardware all over the place.
There's also delta kites, hybrid kites, modern C kites to consider.
As for the new kites do they have huge depower such as my old 06 crossbows, this is partly why i have stayed with them.I was led to believe the 1to1 system did not allow the kite to depower as much, or have they become that much better.
