the loaded 5th is a big part of what makes the rebel a great kite, but it comes with a downside.

had a look at the New bar which has a fix for 5th line wraps, ie a trip-pin that enables release of the 5th with an alternative connect point for the leash (on the steering line if i remember correctly.)
www.buydomains.com/lander/newkiteboarding.com?domain=newkiteboarding.com&utm_source=newkiteboarding.com&utm_medium=click&utm_campaign=TDFS-OO-BDLander_Invisible&traffic_id=TDFS-OO-BDLander_Invisible&traffic_type=tdfs&redirect=ono-redirect

anyone done a conversion? pros/cons?

i realise the kite flies like a pig without the 5th, but it'd fly better than a pig with a bowtie.

maybe i didn't describe it well.

New kites normally release to the 5th. but, in the event of a wrap, they come with the option to clip the leash to another point (steering line like the old cabs?) which offers a backup QR whereby the kite could flag to a single line if needed. the idea is you can still fly the kite in the event of a 5th-line wrap, relaunch, get back to the beach, land it, sort it, go back out. it's not paranoia, just saves packdowns and tangles.

i've had the thing bowtie after hitting the QR by mistake (adjusting the harness) and the kite rolled midair. it was behind the surf but it can happen anywhere and it's a nuisance. and while it is also possible to persuade the 5th to drift off the canopy after a wrap, it's fiddly.

dunno if that's clearer than before, but i tried.

and i'm yet to find a kite i prefer to the rebel, but i'm looking.