I am considering updating my Crossbow 12 and have noticed some good feedback on the Rebel 12.
1.does it have a one pump system such as the SS or Cabrina kites?

2.what is the best way of self landing it in strong wind conditions, as I have never used a 5 line kite before? The CB12 only has the single front line ring and I have had the kite start spinning out of control when I have tried this before and I am very wary to try this again!

3.does anybody know of any bowkite self landing videos, other than the excellent sand bag one at St Kilda?

4.due to location, I tend to kite alone.

Any feedback greatly appreciated!!

Its a great kite i've had mine since the day it arrived in Aus.
To answer your questions
No its not one pump, but thats ok
Self landing and launching are a sinch. launching i fold over a wing tip and sand it like you would with a normal kite
Landing, fly to edge of window, pull fifth and it flops LE down....usually. Alternativly just release to the 5th, easy as pie.

The kite has a few quirks like any other and spending time just you and the kite crashing and relaunching are important. It does relaunch from almost any crumpled position, but it is a technique that needs to be learnt. I have only had to swim in once and have had it in all sorts of messes.

Set up is pretty much out of the bag, with smaller sizes you may have to adjust rear line length and fifth line length, and dependant on how long your arms are depends on where you set the cleat. But all is done in a matter of minutes at the beach with the help of a friend.

all in all its a great kite, turns fast, boosts huge lots of hang time, plenty of grunt, consistient power, ie no on and off like the Xbow.

Or you might want to wait and update to the new North Rhino its like a Rebel on steroids!

The new Rhino is a 2 pump like the vegas.

Didn't they only come out in like July/August?

Yeah came out in Oz about August...I got the first one around my stomping ground! :-)

Yeah they were out in Europe earlier!

Thanks for the help everybody, I have jusy got back from a Christmas break with the family and have only just logged on. This will definitely be my next kite as I have had problems with leading edge bridles and pulleys. The North website is a little confusing when watching the video on the two pump http://www.northkites.com/zms/content/index_eng.html

Anyway, it appears to be a brilliant kite, so I wonder what will come next to blow us all away!

Yeah I know, just stirring! I actually don't mind the pink!

just unwrapped my black n pink 12m rebel today.
I also have a Crossbow2 12m.

the rebel is an impressive kite. Put the steering lines in the foward setting and you have a fast gradual depowering kite that has less bar pressure than a CB2.
The only main difference I feel is the 12m rebel is not as grunty as the 12m CB2 due to the different flat sections and flying profiles, it feels more like a 10.
relaunching when there is adequate wind is a sinch and will roll on its leading edge well. In light winds this will be harder than a CB2 as the leading edge is slightly flatter.
The 5th line system excellent!
all in all Im stoked after 1 fly, 3-400 bucks cheaper than a CB2!

ive found that not folding the rebel properly into its bags causes the white battens to eventually break. They are very flexible but if you fold it away and put kinks in it they are more likely to break on impact in the water. They're not hard to replace and you should keep some spares with you. The kite will fly fine without a few missing battens anyway.

I don't know about any rebels traveling in Europe at May. I got my rebel 12 at the end of the North distributors meeting that took place in Fuerteventura. It was at the end of July and my kite was a prototype.

Niv

dont hook in. keep the bar out just where you feel the kite giving nice amount of power....travel in line with the wind. keep the kite fairly high. yank that bar hard in the opposite directing...and edge hard at the last minute and pop. as you do that pull the trigger on the bar and hold it in and dont let go and youll boost.

little kickers are great to jump off too

Sorry to start the Rebel topic up again, but I was hoping those that have the 14m could share the wind range they have had the kite out in and how much they weigh?

I have just got the 14m after upgrading from the 12m and just wanted to know what sort of range I would by safe with (without trying it and killing myself that is!). I weigh 98kg and had the kite out fully powered in about 16 - 18 knots gusting to 21 and it felt pretty comfortable. Based on this I'm guessing it would probably be good up to 26 - 28 knots fully depowered.

I weigh 69kg and my 14 is good until the mid 20's. Normally I take my 9 out once it starts blowing over 22ish.

quote:

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Originally posted by DPH

Sorry to start the Rebel topic up again, but I was hoping those that have the 14m could share the wind range they have had the kite out in and how much they weigh?

I have just got the 14m after upgrading from the 12m and just wanted to know what sort of range I would by safe with (without trying it and killing myself that is!). I weigh 98kg and had the kite out fully powered in about 16 - 18 knots gusting to 21 and it felt pretty comfortable. Based on this I'm guessing it would probably be good up to 26 - 28 knots fully depowered.

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many different factors influence the safety factor when using a particular size kite in given wind ranges. With everything else being equal, the 2 main considerations are riders ability and wind density, i.e. the colder the wind is the more power it will have at the same wind speed.
The manual considers a 12m safe for an expert rider (80kg) from 13-24 knots. Riders who are significantly heavier, or lighter should use, for a given wind speed range, kites that are one size bigger or smaller respectively.
IKO instructors manual states that when teaching someone 30kg heavier than yourself use extreme caution. Therefore 20kg is significantly heavier.
Living in VIC(??? or is it saudi arabia) the 14 was a good choice and you have the wind ranges of your new kite pretty good, but 25 knots should be the maximum limit as gusts can be up to 40% stronger thant the average wind speed!
Cheers DPH

I'm 80kg and find that I can use my 14m in up to about 26kts - I'm just sailing though and not having much fun as the performance of the kite when fully depowered is not that good for turning or wave riding. Also, when overpowered, you're just surviving and there's not much room for error. It's much better to use a 10m in anything over 22kts.