Cabrinha FX 2016 vs 2017

[danidr]

Hi!

Anybody had a chance to fly both model years of the FX? I'm getting a new one 12m, the 2016 is US$ 899 and 2017 is US$ 1,650. My question comes based on the fact that the same size for the Switchblade comes at US$ 1,789 for the 2017 vs US$ 1,295 for the 2016, a much lower difference in price. So either there's an overstock of the 2016 FX's that they need to clear or maybe there's something wrong about the 2016's that I don't know? Or maybe the 2017 are that much better!

[Frank82]

new graphics, not much else in it.

[TimS]

I've heard the bridles from the 2017's will not stretch , or at least alot less then the 2016's .

[danidr]

I've heard the bridles from the 2017's will not stretch , or at least alot less then the 2016's .

I heard this affects all the 2017 range, the question is if there's anything else on the kite worth US$ 750, apart from the graphics and the ability to be seen on the latest gear (which i don't really need/care). That price difference get's you a ticket to a cool place to actually use the kite and maybe some spare coins for a new bridle if it stretches.

I did have a bridle stretch on one of my 2014 Switchblade's after lot's of abuse, but both my 2016 drifter and switchblade are flying perfect. Anybody care to share if they suffered from bridle stretch on their kites?

[Hpr]

What happens when the bridle stretches or how can you identify it?
Cause I have a well used 2014 switchblade that flies perfectly in 15 - 25 knots but when it gets over 30 knots or gusty conditions it just fucks off to the left until it hits the water and becomes almost impossible to control.

[dylan*]

What happens when the bridle stretches or how can you identify it?
Cause I have a well used 2014 switchblade that flies perfectly in 15 - 25 knots but when it gets over 30 knots or gusty conditions it just fucks off to the left until it hits the water and becomes almost impossible to control.

That's what happens when the bridle stretches

[Hpr]

What happens when the bridle stretches or how can you identify it?
Cause I have a well used 2014 switchblade that flies perfectly in 15 - 25 knots but when it gets over 30 knots or gusty conditions it just fucks off to the left until it hits the water and becomes almost impossible to control.

That's what happens when the bridle stretches

Aah ok thanks. time to visit the local Cab shop and give away lots of money.
so is it very obvious and easy to see the stretched lines when comparing the left and right bridles? and is it typically all the lines or could it just be one line that needs replacement cause i imagine there's more stress on some bridle lines than others.

[danidr]

What happens when the bridle stretches or how can you identify it?
Cause I have a well used 2014 switchblade that flies perfectly in 15 - 25 knots but when it gets over 30 knots or gusty conditions it just fucks off to the left until it hits the water and becomes almost impossible to control.

That's what happens when the bridle stretches

Aah ok thanks. time to visit the local Cab shop and give away lots of money.
so is it very obvious and easy to see the stretched lines when comparing the left and right bridles? and is it typically all the lines or could it just be one line that needs replacement cause i imagine there's more stress on some bridle lines than others.

Basically that's what you would feel. I have a 2014 Switchblade with the same behavior and it looks like bridle stretch. I honestly didn't fix it as I have a new 9m kite that I use and I'll probably just sell this kite to someone learning. Best way to confirm if it's a bridle is switch them from side to side. If after switching the bridle it goes to the right, then you found the issue. If it doesn't, then it's either the bar lines, canopy stretch or probably a twisted bladder.

[ktflyer381]

Excellent call, that should help out a beginner!!


KT

[danidr]

Excellent call, that should help out a beginner!!


KT

The kite is rideable and probably pulls to the side less than most people out there who have uneven line lengths. For a begginer that's just learning to ride upwind a kite that doesn't fly perfect is not an issue. I'd say it's far better for a begginer on a budget to have a kite like this with a bar with decent security than a really old kite.