djdojo gave me a good explaination IMO back in this thread;
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Another-NOOB-in-Brisbane-kit-advice/

Quote;
"Lots of tools with board leashes, no skills and bad attitudes ride cabs and often put them in trees but lots of skilled kiters ride them too. There are more negative instances with cabs than other brands simply because there are a lot more cabs, especially switchblades out there. Of course the negative incidents get the publicity. Nobody ever says, "oh, did you see that guy on his switchblade, he just pumped up, launched in the designated area and kited skilfully and respectfully for two hours before packing up and going home." It happens, you just don't hear it.
Don't listen to the haters. SBs are a superb allround kite." Un-quote.


I ignored all the bullsh#t you hear on here about cabs, did some of my own research, and took the advice from my instructor (yes, the shop did stock Cabrinha among other brands) and I decided on a Cab for the quality, safety aspects, resale value and the fact that the switchblade is an easy kite to fly.
The fact that they are so popular and there are so many around only added weight to this. I truly believe this has helped my progression come along in leaps and bounds since starting less than 4 months ago. Sure, I probably would have progressed similarly on another brand of kite, but the Cabrinha is working for me now and I have no issues with the kite or regrets thus far.
Ignore all the bullsh#t!

IMO it doesnt matter what brand of kite you decide on. When your starting out it doesnt matter anyway, providing the kite is suited for your ability (i.e a beginner). And every brand has a kite these days specifically targeting the beginner market. Delta's, hybrids, C kites, Bow kites, bridles, non bridles......who gives a toss!!!!
You will develop your own likes / dislikes over time that suit you, your ability and your style of riding.....

As long as your getting out on the water and enjoying the sport

I reckon about 80% of the kites I've seen in tree's are cab's whilst they don't quite hold 80% of the market share.

I think the big reasons are newbies entering the sport tend to buy what they see other people riding because they don't know how to make an informed decisions yet - if they see most people riding cab's they assume its the best kite and buy it. That means more newbies on Cab's vs other brands but as people progress they tend to look and experiment more with other brands so you tend to see people slowly filter out to other brands. Also lots more Cab's from the initial bow kite explosion where the majority of bow kites were Cab's so newbies entering the sport are advised to get bow kites and there tend to be more second hand cabs.

Saffer said...

I reckon about 80% of the kites I've seen in tree's are cab's whilst they don't quite hold 80% of the market share.

Saffer,
That's a large leap in statistical logic that you are using in your opening statement.

i.e. Your personal view of "kites in trees" is a very narrow window of indicator when comparing to a "Market share"

Is the "Market share" only for those kites that you view or is it the market distribution wordwide?

If you were an extensively travelled person associated with the kite industry, viewing kiting action across the world, that would add weight to your evidence comparing a global market to Cab incidence with trees.

If the comment was intended as humour, all the better

If it is merely anecdotal conjecture, then it is adding fuel to an unwanted scare campaign and "brand bashing".

A better statistical survey would be to find (as accurate as possible) how many kiters initially purchased a Cabrinha and consequently were dissatisfied that it did not fulfill its purpose and hence changed brands, vs. those who stayed with the brand and moved to a different type of Cabrinha kite to achieve their new objective.

I recon that Cabrinha would be curious about the result of this survey.

Also, I would be reasonably pleased if I owned a kite company that didn't "quite hold 80% of the market share" of world sales.

I am happy to disclose that I am a Cab owner.

I thoroughly enjoy the humour and quick wit attached to the Cabs in trees topics.

As I said (tongue in cheek), in a previous quote;

"We Cab riders are thick skinned......it helps with scratches from the trees

Fossil

To offer a practical answer for Skyrapist (even though I still think you'd do well to consider a name change), as a beginner you will be fine with a cabrinha if you're thinking of getting one (convert, switchy or crossbow all fine for beginners, though steer clear of the nomads).

If, in a few seasons you want a balls-out C-kite and cab still aren't making one, then that will be another question. But if, as your name suggests, you are looking for big jumps then any higher aspect efficient kite such as cab crossbow or Ozone Edge will serve you well.

But for now, work on the basics using a basic kite, whatever the brand.

Incidentally in my last several sessions at Brighton the kooks on Norths have outnumbered the kooks on Cabs.

Saffer said...

I reckon about 80% of the kites I've seen in tree's are cab's whilst they don't quite hold 80% of the market share.

Is that you RSC?

I ride cabs and even I dislike Cab riders. ha

Great, user friendly kite. Highly recommended. This is why noobs use them. This is also why they cop so much crap. Some times it tough being popular