Was able to fly a whole bunch of kites one after the other the other day including the Revolver, Switchy, Rebel and Convert and I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say the convert sits between the other two in an overall comparison.

A few obvious features when comparing between Cabrinhas:

*The SB generates the most power and Revolver the least.
*Revolver has fastest turn speed
*Convert has easiest relaunch, Revolver the least
*Revolver fastest to depower

The Rebel is certainly comparable to the Convert

Have a go on a demo kite to see which one you feel most comfortable on and bear in mind which style of riding you plan on focusing more. Definately a good all round free-ride kite for the price. Hope that helps!

bennie said...

I have been having a hard time finding any reveiws about the convert. It sounds like it could be a good kite, Cabrinhas best 'allrounder' possibly. Has anybody got any experience with them and hoew does it compare to other so called allround freeride kites like the rev,cult, waroo, rebel ect?. Also am I correct in assuming it sits between the revolver and the switchblade?

The Convert is a redesigned Omega, the Omega was released at the end of the 2007 season. It pioneered the new construction technique of the 2008 Cabrinha range. Omegas and Converts are very good vlaue for money.
The Convert is a full bow kite design with far better relaunch and and bottom end than the Omega it replaces. The Convert works better in 1:1 mode.


The Convert is a convertible as the name suggests. Similar in that respect to the Revolver.
The Convert is a good all round kite, it has easy relaunch, and fast depower in the 2:1 setup. Bar pressure is a bit higher than average in 2:1, and turning speed would be medium and turn radius not too tight.
In 1:1 the kite loses some of the feel from the backlines and the depower throw is much longer, so it can be harder for begginers to "feel" the kite and fly it.
They were the last of the kites to be released this year and maybe not a lot of shops ordered many, so there are not many around?

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

bennie said...

Full contact, were you riding the revolver in 2-1 setup? because one of my mates reckons the switchblabe turns alot quicker than the revolver when its in 1-1 set up. Also which set up did you ride the convert in? Steve and Rasta both like it in 1-1 mode better.

Steve, when you say that in 1-1 mode it can be hard to feel the kite, does this mean there is no bar pressure?. I dont like heavy bar pressure but I do like to be able to feel the kite move when not looking. Also how would you rate the turning speed of the convert in 1-1 mode?

One more question, as I am a newbie to the whole bow kite phenom, can you breifly explain the advantages and dissadvantahes of the 2-1 vs 1-1 setups.

Thanks

Bennie

Hey mate,

Used everything in 1:1 on the day (agree with Steve and Rasta, I personally prefer 1:1 setup). For sure there's always a healthy spectrum of opinions on a kites performance but I really dont think you could say that that switchblade turns faster than the revolver.

1:1 is good, I like riding and being able to sheet and steer the kite with one hand which is made easier (minimal force needed from one hand) in 1:1, the drawback is that you must move the bar a relatively long way to achieve a desired amount of de-power when compared to 2:1.

2:1 allows the same controls to be given to the kite, however this can be achieved without moving the bar as far/much to de-power/turn the kite. Sounds all good but the catch is that this is achieved at the cost of needing to apply more force to the bar.

One set up isn't better than the other, both 2:1 and 1:1 have areas where they excel- it's all personal preference but you get them both with the convert anyway

Unhook679 said...

Hi guys, what does mean 2:1 , 1:1 , 1:2 ????
Thanks

2:1 means its a pulley bar, there are pulleys on the ends of the bar, that have a doubling effect on the amount the rear lines are shortened or lengthened, relative to the front lines.

1:1 means its not a pulley bar and the rear and front lines change length relative to each other by half the amount compared to a pulley bar, for an equal movement of the bar, towards or away from the kite (sheet out or sheet in).

1:2 not sure what you mean, I understand the ratio, but where have you seen it on a kite bar?

When I said that in 1:1 the rear lines get harder to feel, that because the bar pressure is a lot lighter, its not meant to be a negative comment.
A rider would get used to it quickly anyway, it was more about how the kite felt for me compared to what I normally ride and prefer, which is the SB3 1:1 setup and feel.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

I appreciate the info guys. Thats what I like about this forum, straight answers and no sales pitch. Anyway enough talk I really need to go and demo one now.
Thanks again

Bennie