I'd consider a Rebel but those rubber bunnies that the steering lines connect to just put me right off...
Out of interest why?
The rubber bungies are only there to help prevent the lines getting caught in the wing tip to make relaunch easier. I flew an older Rebel without them and it makes no difference to the flying characteristics - and that was the generation of Rebels that used to invert through the front lines as soon as it touched the water (2009). I had thought the bungy was removed when they became duotone kites but it seems they are still on my 2019 but I hadn't even noticed. The old rebels I've owned have generally all had working bungies even 6 or 7 years old so from a maintenance point of view they don't seem to be an unreliable part.
Feels weird, and it's another link a chain to fail, basically. But it sounds like I'm being paranoid, and if you can take them off that might be nice too.
I had a 2019 12m for a demo, and the day went from underpowered to just nicely powered. Bar had exactly the same mushy feeling the whole time...but if you can take them off, that might help!
I recommend to not remove the bungees from Rebel, I did it a few years back, kite flew a little more direct, but I got a line wrap on launch and broke my ribs ( I launched carefully but still got me). Bungees are there for a good reason due to the shape of the wingtips, suggest you leave them there!
With an unrestricted approach to product design and material development, we brought together a collective of the most influential leaders in our industry, and created Cab Design Works; A group of people whose sole focus is to push the boundaries of the sports we know and love.
One person who is a key part of this team is Pat Goodman. Pat was there from the near beginning of Cabrinha. His designs allowed the brand to lead and direct the future of our sport, and we are extremely happy to have him back reunited with the brand and part of the Cab Design Works.
“It’s so great be be back home and be a part of the Cabrinha family! With the new ownership and Cabrinha Design Works development group the sky is the limit! I am very excited to be a part of the team and look forward to all of the new projects ahead of us!”
Pat has been working closely with the rest of the team and our material suppliers for the past month and we are on a great path for the future, and cannot wait to share the products he has been working on.
"It’s with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome back Pat Goodman to the core development team. He is coming back to a re-energized group on an upwards trajectory, where his experience and capabilities as a designer, will play a key role along side the rest of the members." - Lars Moltrup, Product Development Manager
Love the fact they pay someone that specialises in new materials yet the orbit 2022 about to be released stil has basic d2 material every one else accept fone who always seem to be the last to move on, moved on from ages ago?
I am not a ripstop expert but as far as I understand it:
Of all the material innovations that is happening the triple, quadruple, quintuple, hextuple etc ripstop is probably the least interesting and pretty much just marketing.
The threads they are adding are all in the same direction and diagonal forces will still stretch the fabric the same amount.
The coatings is where thé biggest quality differences are made but those are not marketable because you cannot see them.
This is really interesting to hear. I was a little paranoid about my new 2022 orbit only having D2 rip stop. Does anyone have information on the quality of coatings NORTH is using? thank you.
So far my 2020 Carve is holding up beautifully. I just did a porosity check on the canopy last week and it's still excellent. The whole construction is aging much better than my 2017 Rebel did. I'm very happy with quality and reliability so far.
Cab needs to bring back a high-aspect big air kite (like the AV8) and lighten up the maddening bar pressure if they want to compete with the Core XR, Duotone Rebel, Ozone Edge, and similar kites.
This is really interesting to hear. I was a little paranoid about my new 2022 orbit only having D2 rip stop. Does anyone have information on the quality of coatings NORTH is using? thank you.
A quick google shows that they claim to use Techno Force D2 Ripstop Fabric by Teijin.
I think Teijin is considered one of the better/leading manufacturers of ripstop.
Does this D2 that North uses have the best possible coating, even within Teijin?
I have no clue about that.
Also with material shortages all over the place who knows if they use it exclusively?
I personally would not worry about it. It is probably not any worse or better then any other brand.
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I picked up a 2020 Reach 12 brand new in late April this year, after not even a handful of sessions on it, maybe 9 or 10 I was seeing the canopy full of white wrinkle lines. I just thought that was rather quick to happen, maybe its not a big deal really. By August I found a pin hole in the canopy, never has the kite been crashed and have always been careful where I land it and roll it up. over all quality of the kite feels good but I am surprised at how quickly the material is aging. Ive had other brand kites for way longer and more use not show as much age in a few years time.
not sure I wanna buy another North kite or not after this one. or is this normal?