I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BOTH GOOD KITES BUT I TRIED THE OZONE INSTINCT AND HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK.
MAYBE CONSIDER A TEST FLY

If you want a Kite that feels like a c-kite get a rebel if you want a bow kite buy the SB. Both are High Depower kites, good warrenties, good construction, good bars and lines, good safeties, good in the surf, good high and hang time. Basicly there both good kites one but ones a c-kite and ones a bow. It's what depends on what flying style you prefer.

I'm in the same boat as mr bean...own the SB2 and haven't ridden the Rebel....but have followed the threads on this and other forums. Both kites get positive marks from riders for how they fly, but the rebel seems tricky to relaunch (until you learn the secret method) and prone to luffing if the lines go slack, seems to break its LE battens easily, and has a multitude of line connection options that confuse people no end. Also the rebel is the 1st generation SLE from a company that has spent most of its time making C-kites.

The SB2 has single connection points, is dead easy to relaunch, and virtually luff-proof. It is a second generation bow from a company that was one of the first to adopt and develop the bow design, and now only makes bow kites in a range of configurations.

Try both and see what you like. If you were leaning toward North then I'd be tempted to go for a Rhino 7, as its had more R&D time spent on it and hopefully they improved on what they learnt from the Rebel.

I ride a SW2 and as far as the kites performance and ease of use it has got to be one of the best available. Very easy relaunch, plenty of depower, lots of hang time, low bar pressure.

Unfortunately I am not convinced about the construction quality. I purchased one in october and for the first two sessions it was fine and then on the third it hit the water for the first time and the canopy ripped from the leading edge to the trailing edge not sure in which order. I am told ( by others on the beach ) it did not even hit hard.
After this I purchased a new one in November which has hit the water more than a dozen times since and so far no problem with the kite however last week the trim strap snapped (seat belt type material )It is only 2 and half months old I do kite most days so it has done some hours but I never leave my bar in the sand ( always or 98% or the time on grass )so it should not be caused by sand abrasion I think they should last longer than this.

So far that is my experience.

It is worth noteing that my first kite was repaired under warranty.

They're both good kites, it will all come down to what sort of safety system you prefer, and what sort of performance you're after....
The switchy is a 4 line kite with a push-up safety system located on the bar itself (people seem to like it as they ride with their hands on their safety) and comes with a one-pump system.
The Rebel is a 5 lines with a standard quick release on the chicken loop and it has separated inflation points for the struts.
The boost is a lot better with the Rebel (jumps higher and longer hang time), both are super easy to relaunch and have a similar wind range/depower....
I personally prefer the Rebel (feels more like a "C", always liked the 5th line system, the boost is wicked and I prefer having my struts separated from the leading edge: a lot of people like the one pump system (it really only saves you about 30 seconds when rigging...), but fixing kites quite often, I really do prefer having my struts separated (fixing a one pump system leak is a nightmare... me think...)).
It will really come down to what YOU feel good with (people who fly the switchy will tell you to go for that one, people prefer the Rebel will tell you to buy it. I believe they're both good kites...).
All together, you can't go wrong by purchasing any of those two as they both had excellent reviews this year.
My call would be to demo them, as they still do FEEL very different and find out which one YOU are the most comfortable with....
Take them both for a go (most of shops nowadays offer demo before purchasing), and within 10 minutes, you will know which one's your buddy...
Hope this helps...

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Originally posted by neoniphon

the rebel seems tricky to relaunch (until you learn the secret method) and prone to luffing if the lines go slack, seems to break its LE battens easily, and has a multitude of line connection options that confuse people no end. Also the rebel is the 1st generation SLE from a company that has spent most of its time making C-kites.

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That's quite shocking... really... Have you actually flown or even seen one before making your review????
The Rebel isn't a bow/SLE, whatever you want to call flat kites... It's the first of a generation of hybrid kites (which you can expect every single brand to turn into in the future...), combining all the positive of bow's ("depower"...) and all the positive of C's (no bar pressure, boost, direct feeling on the bar etc).... from a company who didn't believe 'BOW" was what customers wanted... but rather "depower"...
The Rebel is a wicked achievement and everybody's who's flown it did wonder how they were going to make it any beter next year as the kite is so close to "perfect" already now...
It's easy as pie to relaunch it -there is no secret method at all!-, it doesn't have multiple connection point (it has no bridles...)... oh, well, will stop here...
Won't go into an argument in here, as I said, both kites are good and both made happy customers.... But just thought that may be (a simple suggestion, really) it could be wise to have actually flown a kite before making a review on it....
Have flown both, liked both, knew which one was the most suitable for my type of riding and that's what "DirkB" needs to find out now....

Hey Neoniphon

I have been riding my SB2's since they first came out. I ride mainly in the surf and have taken some fairly decent poundings, without any equipment failure or damage so far. (touch wood)

Personally I think these kites are robust, but sometimes it is just a matter of luck or bad luck.

Although I was told these kite don't invert, I have managed this on a couple of occasions.

Cheers

Ian

PS> Neoniphon I have read that you have spent a bit of time at Lizard island and I have a few questions. I will be there for a weeks kiting, (I mean honeymoon) in April. I'll PM you if thats OK.

Thanks for all of the advice!!! I currenttly have a switchblade 1 (9m2)and am very happy with it, so I am leaning towards the SB2 - the advantages of one pump, less bar pressure + fewer pulleys will hopefully be worth the cost of the upgrade. I aim to give the Rebel a try as I see it has great reviews as well, but probably best to stick with what you know.

will give my 10 cents worth on the gear reviews once i have bought and flown the new kite a few times.

adios

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Originally posted by coastflyer

then on the third it hit the water for the first time and the canopy ripped from the leading edge to the trailing edge not sure in which order. I am told ( by others on the beach ) it did not even hit hard.

I had a Crossbow1 for about 8 months and hit the beach quite slowly with bar realeased and full depower. Canopy split full chord of kite and 90 degees along leading edge!! I was a bit annoyed at this and after repair, had bladder blow out at inflation point so this cost another $90 to fit new one. Then later while attempting self landing had bridle wrap around tip and kite power up, dragging me down beach! The kite itself was always great to fly and relaunch, but I feel the constuction a little on light side. I now have a North Rebel 12m and it is definately a bow kite in looks and handling and the 5th line is brilliant for self landing and safety. It also has 100% depower WITHOUT bridles or pulleys. So I guess I am a Rebel convert and love everything about it, especially the bag and inflation system. Just my 2 cents worth!

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sorry coastflyer but the rebel isnt a bow its a hybrid!the last time i walked down the beach in 35knots even with the kite in the bag in blew me around how can any kite offer 100% depower?any company,shop or person that claims 100% depower needs their arse kicked in the court room and for all you bow kite **** try something-hook in put ya kite at 12o'clock turn it to the ground let go of the bar and see what happens,thought so!!!

Doesn’t the sb2 have 6 pulleys but all on the bridle? - That was what put me off getting one... imagine in 2 years time the bridle wear and the cost of replacing the pulleys. Anyhow was in the same situation as you - owned a sb1 9 meter and looking at my options...either the rebel or the hypertype...ended with the 10 meter rebel, though does need to be tuned if you change from shop setting but now I got it sused I am happier than a pig in shyte with the kite.. Def different though coming from the sb1 but then the sb1 was always marketed as a beginners kite and the rebel has way more performance compared to it.

Give both a try...first time I rode the rebel I thought - bloody hell this is different, way more direct without those pulleys.

Yeah they have 3 pulleys on either side of the kite, 6 total. On a given side, one is attached to the LE, and the other two sit down in the V of the bridle lines.

Yes, you have to take care to get the sand out of them and check the wear regularly. Yes, they allow the back lines and the front lines to be linked via the bridle lines, so that you get close to 2:1 depower and total control of the full power range of the kite with relatively little bar movement and little bar pressure.