2011 crossbow 13m vs. 2010 ss rpm 14m

[monohusche]

Hi there,

I have started kiting just recently (have been out maybe 10 times), right now, I am comfortable to go out on my own, riding both sides and upwind as well.

As rental prices are just crazy, I wanna buy my own kite before the "season" starts here in Hongkong.

I am looking for a kite which is

- good in light wind conditions (10knots) but with a large range for the typhoon days (don't want to buy another kite too soon)
- beginner friendly (stable, easy to launch, forgiving)
- easy to depower
- easy to ride upwind
- weight 180lbs

Obviously, too early to pick a style for me, but it wouldn't be freestyle , but rather freeride.

I have two offers for a 2011 cab crossbow 13m and a 2010 slingshot rpm, at almost the same price (780 EUR vs 710 EUR), and after reading a lot of reviews, I am leaning towards the crossbow, even though the rpm seems to be a pretty great kite

any thoughts ?

thanks nick

[locofighter]

I'd pick the RPM, as I can see what is done with it.
But why a 14 or 13m?? What is the wind you regurarly get in knots?
In Holland we mostly get wind for the 10m. So that's what we recommend for beginners who want one kite in the begining.

[Kamikuza]

10 knots isn't much wind

I have the 13m 2011 Crossbow and it won't get me riding in 10 knots, not even on a 170x50 door. 15 knot minimum, that kite ... for me. I find it has a good top end though.

Now the Slingshot, I don't know - we got a few of the new ones at the local beach here and the light wind expert guys were riding around on that in some very low wind. The 14 did pretty well in the light stuff. But I doubt they weigh more than about 65kg ...

[jumarcil]

I had the crossbow 13m 2010 and it would get you going in these conditions on a big board. I weigh 165 lbs. Really slow kite though but it has a great top end, it is also very very stable in gusty wind. One of the nicest freeride kite. A bit of too much bar pressure for my taste; that is why I sold it.

RPM's aren't very good lw kites.

[monohusche]

Thx for your comments, 10 knots was maybe an exaggeration, but 12 knots is definitely common around here.

So far, I am hearing conflicting responses, what about my other cpmments (relaunch, upwind) ?

[monohusche]

checked the wind range chart on the cabrinha website, it states that the crossbow 13m covers 10knots-18knots.

Now, the low end might not be correct, but I would expect that 12knots is ok (rather than 15knots as kamikuza said)

[ronnie]

I have an 09 13m Crossbow and I'd say any of the 13m Crossbows meet your list of requirements, although 10 knots is going to depend on the board and your skill. How they compare to the 14m RPM I've no idea. Mine relaunches very easily.

[monohusche]

anyone has an idea about a 2009 Best Waroo 13m ? This just came up for a very good price as it had a rip and was fixed.

how does a waroo 2009 compare to the requirements as above ?

[jumarcil]

anyone has an idea about a 2009 Best Waroo 13m ? This just came up for a very good price as it had a rip and was fixed.

how does a waroo 2009 compare to the requirements as above ?

Forget it; you can't compare a waroo 2009 with a crossbow. It is really far from being a grunty kit. It is a decent kite but it doesn't excel in light wind. You want nice LW performance in LW in the Best lineup on the used market; get a Kahoona 13.5. Or check for an airush lithium 13m LW or an Ozone Edge 13m.

[Kamikuza]

I weigh a bit more than you do though

2010 16m Crossbow has a LOT of bar pressure when you sheet in (turning is fine) but the 2011 13 has MUCH less - but it has a different bridle. Going from one to the other is a bit of a shock. Friday I went from 19m Flysurfer to 13m 2011 Xbow to 16m 2010 - the 16m Xbow was by far the worst

Huge difference between the 16 & 13m kites, both in bar pressure and speed ... I'm assuming it's the year of development - or the bridle if I don't sell the 16, I'm going to mod it

Today, one of the locals (bigger chap, well-muscled - 80kg maybe) went out on a 2011 13m in what I measured at the water's edge as no less than 20 knots, gusting up to 30. He was over-powered but the kite was stable in the air. I'd just landed my 16 cos I felt dangerously over-powered - was getting lofted when I sheeted in J-met office published 9m/s with gusts at 14m/s but that was probably inland, if anyone wants to argue
There was a guy out with a 7m 2011 Crossbow too and he was working it like a $2 ho. Most everyone else was riding 9 to 12's ...