NSW
70 posts
ok just wondering if anybody has been riding the switchblades much and if so whats ur style?? and what does the kite suit.
I'm really trying to improve my wake style moves. trying to get a few variations on my kite loops and stuff like that. so just wondering how the switchblade fairs up with this sorta style. seen the vid on cabrinha but of course pros can pull all the tricks out of the bag. but for ur normal decent kiter hows it go? and if you have feedback on the different sizes as well that'd be great to!
cheers nathan
NSW
226 posts
i am bias for sure but...i use the 12 and 9 switchblade and the majority of the time i am doing wake style tricks.
These kites have awesome pop, which also means there is a moment of weightlessness trying powered handlepasses which is what you want. Also droping the bar learning passes means you are not going to get axed and simplest relaunch ever.
Riding wakestyle you can easily rule out getting a 16 as the 12 has a great bottom end and if you want to unhook the 16 is probably a bit of a handfull. The 7m is also amazing though i haven't bought one (Yet?) if you are a lighter guy i would problably go with a 12 and a 7 and easily cover the gap. i was out on a 7 the other day in less than 20 knots trying loop passes and had plenty of power (great bottom end again)
Don't listen to any "heavy on the bar" nonsense, it is a kite and generally they want to sheet out on you. I don't see it any worse than the normal kites for that.
Other benefits not wakestyle related: Wave riding with the massive depower, jumping super high like the xbow, and massive range both high end and low end.
if i had just one, and im 80kg it would be the 9m.
WA
13 posts
Hello,
I just got my 12m Switchblade, and I haven't had a chance to ride it yet as the wind is 25knots gusting to almost 35 and is slightly offshore. (I'd be crazy to attempted 25knots+ right? even with a bow, and weighing 85kg...) I have however pumped up the kite in the living room, and the only problem i found was that the pump's screwy valve nozzle adapter doesn't fit properly to the pump hose, meaning that after around 6psi no air is blown into the bladder, it all just escapes at the connection point of the pump hose and screwy nozzle adapter.
Why didn't Cabrinha leave the old normal valve as well as the new screwy valve.. Oh well.
Should i ask the shop for a replaced adaptor?
WA
13 posts
actualy don't answer that here, as it's a bit of a thread hijack, sorry.
NSW
226 posts
4dice,
i have done some minor modifications: staRting with cutting off the donkey dick and adding a knot to the bungie on the quick release so i don't bump it open by accident. i have a leash from my back to the metal bit on the chicken loop. I actually use the xbow bars since they are much better suited to one hand unhooked riding than the switchblade bar. If you want to unhook a lot with the switchblade bar i would rig the bar to the kite so the yellow side is on the right since the offset chicken loop hole is better in the hand that way. Be carefull as you get used to having the yellow on the right.
as far as line lengths go i have added a extra knot in the leader lines about an inch in and then i alway use the middle knot at the kite.
QLD
158 posts
have you ever heard of puttin an extra stopper ball on the cord the bar slides on (between chickin loop and control bar) so it cant power up as much? would it help me?
NSW
226 posts
Sorry 4 dice...
I forgot to mention i have done that on both my bars as well. the little red one that comes with the bar is fine. I added the balls to reduce the rang/power for one, but also I have had a my hand pinch (and cut) between the quick release and the bar hole and i found a ball reduces the chance (hasn't happened since). I generally don't have to touch the trim when riding now.
