New set: XR/GTS or Rebel/Dice

[Kerplow]

When I was younger, I was a bit of a geek. I had the same problem with computers.
I could not choose between different parts as every tests said it was wonderful (for example CPU AMD/Intel or GPU ATI/NVidia ...). And just like in kiteboarding, there was always a new model coming in the next few weeks. But I wanted to be sure to buy the right componant so I also had to wait for the reviews and benchmarks. So instead of playing and enjoying my computer, I spent most of the time comparing and reading test and waiting for the new model

It is indeed a sad story... Just to refresh your knowledge - Red team is winning on all deps

As for the Kitesurfing - Last summer season (for 5-6 months) we were living and working in our Caravan, that was 70 meters away from the water. Trust me, had one of the best summers of my life. Btw reading tests and testing by myself - its a big diff. I lack some info in some place, so I'm asking people to share their knowledge.

[Kerplow]

Not sure about looping with XR's. My friend, she is a Core rider (1st female in WOO big air rankings overall), told me that if you want to loop XR you need to go really big, as kite does not catch you so fast as GTS does. But again, the power of yank you get from GTS during the loop is much greater than XRs, so its less comfortable to learn it.

Yah about other brands - go ahead, I don't mind. Although, I probably will stay on these two, because of availability, discounts, etc.

Did demoed North Orbit 2020 12m. Fun kite, but what I did not like it's bar pressure. It was so light (even on medium settings), that few times I needed to doublecheck with my eyes, where the kite was
Missed a demo day on Eleveights, but as it' s (and other new brands) newish brand on the market, it's value wont last so much in second hand market as those two above. I know its funny to consider that, but cmon, i'm taking about ~9k eur set.

I wouldn't want to learn to loop on an XR/Rebel either . Staying with Core/Duotone, the Nexus and Evo are great loopers to learn on. They won't jump quite as high as easily though. For your weights, the 3v5 struts won't matter as much and they won't spank you badly. I'd definitely go with the Evo over the Nexus though.

The Orbit is a different kite. It's really hard to describe. But you're right, it takes a while to learn how it flies. The main positives are that it boosts like a D and turns like a C. It would be a great kite to learn to loop on as the catch is pretty automatic. However, it's super quirky and it's a bit of frustration for a while. The 2021 toned down some of the quirks, but thankfully didn't really change the lift/loop.

That's the thing - I have tested few Evo's before. Really old one like early 2010s and 2019 I think. Everything was good - speed, lift, hangtime. One thing I was terrified by was - it had no depower at all. Wind was ok for any 12m and I took that 12m Evo. Every single fart (gust) made me go downwind, even with full depower and bar sheeted out.

Could be that Norths, Reedins, Ozones are nice option too. But its already a lot of info to decide on these two and it would be time intensive to manage testing for those. E.g. we dont have Reedins, Ocean Rodeo, Takoon and many other brands in our country.

Plus - I have some discounts on Cores and Duotones, so I be focusing on those

[SolarSet]

+1 core is their great Sensor bar, never used duotone by had similar design bars in my hands and Core bar it is just great, size, weight simplicity. Would prefer it to be low V so it's easier to self land kite and more compatible with rest of kites but they had to do it their way...

[Blackened]

That's the thing - I have tested few Evo's before. Really old one like early 2010s and 2019 I think. Everything was good - speed, lift, hangtime. One thing I was terrified by was - it had no depower at all. Wind was ok for any 12m and I took that 12m Evo. Every single fart (gust) made me go downwind, even with full depower and bar sheeted out.

The old Evo was a slightly more all-around Rebel with 4 lines. The new one (2018+) is a full all-rounder with an edge towards jumping. It's super easy to fly and handles gusts extremely well. Never heard of it not dumping power when sheeting out. I'd say there was a problem with the kites you were flying.

To summarize between the XR and Rebel, try the new Rebel with the flex struts and see how you like it. Between the 2020 models, I think the XR has a slight edge overall. However, because it is so close, I'd probably pick the Rebel. I'm not a fan of black/white and prefer brighter colours in the event of a disaster. This is completely subjective though.

[flipper231]

Well, the XR is more playful than the Rebel, more like an Evo but closer to the Rebel in jumping. For the GTS, this is the allaround kite for unhook. Don’t forget to test in freestyle mode on the front bridle.

I ride Nexus, Dices before and in freestyle mode on the front bridle they are very similar kites, the Nexus having a better low end. I am a 200 pounder and I ride the Nexus 12 when a friend who is 135-140lbs rides her Dice 13m.

XR7, Core is now using a lighter material on their big kites for the LE and struts and just on the struts for smaller kites. Kind of an SLS (10% weight reduction for that lighter material) without the higher price. XR has the CIT on front bridal but I never tried it.

For info I owned: old Rebels (2008, 2009, 2010), XR3, XR6, Evo 2016 and 2020, GTS3, Nexus 1, Nexus2, switchblades 2012 and 2013, Dice 2016 and 2017. I tried Evo 2019, Dice 2018, 2019, Rebel 2019 and 2020, GTS4-5-6

[Kerplow]

Well, the XR is more playful than the Rebel, more like an Evo but closer to the Rebel in jumping. For the GTS, this is the allaround kite for unhook. Don’t forget to test in freestyle mode on the front bridle.

I ride Nexus, Dices before and in freestyle mode on the front bridle they are very similar kites, the Nexus having a better low end. I am a 200 pounder and I ride the Nexus 12 when a friend who is 135-140lbs rides her Dice 13m.

XR7, Core is now using a lighter material on their big kites for the LE and struts and just on the struts for smaller kites. Kind of an SLS (10% weight reduction for that lighter material) without the higher price. XR has the CIT on front bridal but I never tried it.

For info I owned: old Rebels (2008, 2009, 2010), XR3, XR6, Evo 2016 and 2020, GTS3, Nexus 1, Nexus2, switchblades 2012 and 2013, Dice 2016 and 2017. I tried Evo 2019, Dice 2018, 2019, Rebel 2019 and 2020, GTS4-5-6

Thanks for your insights!

Actually, I pulled a trigger on North. 13-11 Reach's and 10-8-6 Orbit's + boards +accessories. Could not get a good price on Core and Duotone seller was not responsive. So back to North after 5 years Very excited to start new season with new toys.

[McLovin]

Actually, I pulled a trigger on North. 13-11 Reach's and 10-8-6 Orbit's + boards +accessories. Could not get a good price on Core and Duotone seller was not responsive. So back to North after 5 years Very excited to start new season with new toys.

Yo Kerplow!

Interested to hear your experience with the "New NORTH" REACH / ORBIT - asking as a fellow old Rebel user who's kites are aging - my 2017's are almost 12 in dog years. I am drawn to the simplicity in design elements and lack of specialization (ie just want an all-around kite) Love to hear your 1st hand reports if you are getting out or when you do...

Cheers!

Mc

[Kerplow]

Actually, I pulled a trigger on North. 13-11 Reach's and 10-8-6 Orbit's + boards +accessories. Could not get a good price on Core and Duotone seller was not responsive. So back to North after 5 years Very excited to start new season with new toys.

Yo Kerplow!

Interested to hear your experience with the "New NORTH" REACH / ORBIT - asking as a fellow old Rebel user who's kites are aging - my 2017's are almost 12 in dog years. I am drawn to the simplicity in design elements and lack of specialization (ie just want an all-around kite) Love to hear your 1st hand reports if you are getting out or when you do...

Cheers!

Mc

Thanks and sure!

[Havre]

Well, the XR is more playful than the Rebel, more like an Evo but closer to the Rebel in jumping. For the GTS, this is the allaround kite for unhook. Don’t forget to test in freestyle mode on the front bridle.

I ride Nexus, Dices before and in freestyle mode on the front bridle they are very similar kites, the Nexus having a better low end. I am a 200 pounder and I ride the Nexus 12 when a friend who is 135-140lbs rides her Dice 13m.

XR7, Core is now using a lighter material on their big kites for the LE and struts and just on the struts for smaller kites. Kind of an SLS (10% weight reduction for that lighter material) without the higher price. XR has the CIT on front bridal but I never tried it.

For info I owned: old Rebels (2008, 2009, 2010), XR3, XR6, Evo 2016 and 2020, GTS3, Nexus 1, Nexus2, switchblades 2012 and 2013, Dice 2016 and 2017. I tried Evo 2019, Dice 2018, 2019, Rebel 2019 and 2020, GTS4-5-6

Thanks for your insights!

Actually, I pulled a trigger on North. 13-11 Reach's and 10-8-6 Orbit's + boards +accessories. Could not get a good price on Core and Duotone seller was not responsive. So back to North after 5 years Very excited to start new season with new toys.

Cool. Had it all lined up with 3xOrbits myself before SA shut down. Could I ask where you got them from?

[Kerplow]

Well, the XR is more playful than the Rebel, more like an Evo but closer to the Rebel in jumping. For the GTS, this is the allaround kite for unhook. Don’t forget to test in freestyle mode on the front bridle.

I ride Nexus, Dices before and in freestyle mode on the front bridle they are very similar kites, the Nexus having a better low end. I am a 200 pounder and I ride the Nexus 12 when a friend who is 135-140lbs rides her Dice 13m.

XR7, Core is now using a lighter material on their big kites for the LE and struts and just on the struts for smaller kites. Kind of an SLS (10% weight reduction for that lighter material) without the higher price. XR has the CIT on front bridal but I never tried it.

For info I owned: old Rebels (2008, 2009, 2010), XR3, XR6, Evo 2016 and 2020, GTS3, Nexus 1, Nexus2, switchblades 2012 and 2013, Dice 2016 and 2017. I tried Evo 2019, Dice 2018, 2019, Rebel 2019 and 2020, GTS4-5-6

Thanks for your insights!

Actually, I pulled a trigger on North. 13-11 Reach's and 10-8-6 Orbit's + boards +accessories. Could not get a good price on Core and Duotone seller was not responsive. So back to North after 5 years Very excited to start new season with new toys.

Cool. Had it all lined up with 3xOrbits myself before SA shut down. Could I ask where you got them from?

Local guys. Very aggressive guys in terms of riding and pushing new products into the market (marketing, PR, pricing, etc.). Last summer they took over with North most of the best riders and schools.

Btw, its eastern EU