My 2012 Rally has become a "no-fun" kite. Anyone else had similar experience?

It turns fast, bar pressure is light but it just acts like there's something wrong with it--almost like it's over-sheeting, even when the back lines are still slack. Powered up it feels like a bucking bronco, shooting back and forth and the canopy flapping. I've tried all three back line positions on the kite tips and it's pretty much the same.

Used to love my REVs and REV 2 but this one has been a big disappointment since I got it.

There are no adjustment points on the bridle, there's nothing to stretch or wear out on the bridles and the pulley's aren't binding--I don't even ride it that much and it's had very little use (Gero is 7m conditions for 90% of the time), so it's practically like new, but it's just not a satisfying kite to fly.

I recall flying demo models at Kitestock before I bought it and I thought they flew great.

Are there any known issues with the 2012 Rally (9m) that have been identified that might explain what I'm experiencing?

Thanks for your thoughts/ideas.

Messed around with a locals 8 that was acting weird , it wasn't at the bar, it was at the bridle, we swapped the pigtails for aftermarket longer ones, added knots above and below factory ones, Mitch had a lot of backstall and stalling through transitions, you could see it from the way it flew, bring it down and we can nut it out

Rally don't have the power size for size of Rev.
Rally when hit with gust will flap across the top of canopy from just behind the leading edge, which is a little un nerving.
Plus they don't respond very good with a lot of depower on.

Check line lengths, back stalling under full power (with out a lot of kite speed) is a worry, so as said, maybe back lines to short.

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..
Messed around with a locals 8 that was acting weird , it wasn't at the bar, it was at the bridle, we swapped the pigtails for aftermarket longer ones, added knots above and below factory ones, Mitch had a lot of backstall and stalling through transitions, you could see it from the way it flew, bring it down and we can nut it out

Yeah, that's my feeling as well. Bar seems fine, but it seems that the bridle isn't properly aligned somewhere. Have tried all combinations of trim with the knots and kite tip option, but none seems to feel right. Sounds like a good reason to head south one weekend! ;-)

Select to expand quote

Craig66 said..
Rally don't have the power size for size of Rev.
Rally when hit with gust will flap across the top of canopy from just behind the leading edge, which is a little un nerving.
Plus they don't respond very good with a lot of depower on.

Check line lengths, back stalling under full power (with out a lot of kite speed) is a worry, so as said, maybe back lines to short.

Yep, exactly what it feels like to me. Under lots of depower, the kite just flies like crap. Jumping is really different than the REVs too -- up fast and down fast. Back lines are trimmed correctly, but even before oversheeting, it flies like it's oversheeted. Weird. Can't say I'm a big fan. When I go back on my REV or to my 7m Griffin Argo both those kites just feel right and intuitive and well-behaved. There's just something not right with the Rally and I can't identify it.

Select to expand quote

Robbo2099 said..

Craig66 said..
Rally don't have the power size for size of Rev.
Rally when hit with gust will flap across the top of canopy from just behind the leading edge, which is a little un nerving.
Plus they don't respond very good with a lot of depower on.

Check line lengths, back stalling under full power (with out a lot of kite speed) is a worry, so as said, maybe back lines to short.

Yep, exactly what it feels like to me. Under lots of depower, the kite just flies like crap. Jumping is really different than the REVs too -- up fast and down fast. Back lines are trimmed correctly, but even before oversheeting, it flies like it's oversheeted. Weird. Can't say I'm a big fan. When I go back on my REV or to my 7m Griffin Argo both those kites just feel right and intuitive and well-behaved. There's just something not right with the Rally and I can't identify it.

Sounds like your flying the rally in wind that is too strong for the kite, but not too strong for your skill level and also maybe the rally's characteristics do not suit your kiting style. From what I have seen most rally users fly small size in light wind on surf boards to catch waves.

I have an 11 and 15 Rev, the 15 was my go to kite 80 % of the time, only using the 11 in stronger wind. I ripped the 11 so looked to replace it with a simular size rally but I didn't like how they handle in strong wind with my weight.

I got the Argo 11.5 instead, the wind range is great as it fly's in light wind so the 15 Rev next to never gets taken out of the bag, its stable with depower on, jumps great, landings are soft, etc etc, (back to back my 2012 Argo 11.5 has more power than the 2013 argo 12m (go figurer), and the 12 is ever so slightly smoother)

Select to expand quote

Robbo2099 said..
My 2012 Rally has become a "no-fun" kite. Anyone else had similar experience?

It turns fast, bar pressure is light but it just acts like there's something wrong with it--almost like it's over-sheeting, even when the back lines are still slack. Powered up it feels like a bucking bronco, shooting back and forth and the canopy flapping. I've tried all three back line positions on the kite tips and it's pretty much the same.

Used to love my REVs and REV 2 but this one has been a big disappointment since I got it.

There are no adjustment points on the bridle, there's nothing to stretch or wear out on the bridles and the pulley's aren't binding--I don't even ride it that much and it's had very little use (Gero is 7m conditions for 90% of the time), so it's practically like new, but it's just not a satisfying kite to fly.

I recall flying demo models at Kitestock before I bought it and I thought they flew great.

Are there any known issues with the 2012 Rally (9m) that have been identified that might explain what I'm experiencing?

Thanks for your thoughts/ideas.

sounds like the power bridle line is to short where the top pulley runs, if possiible compare with ur 7m and if the same will have to get 1 for a 9m or 10m ... any way can use the rpm pulley system on the rally if u like

Sorry, I am confused...your 2012 Rally has pulleys!?? I have a 2012 12m Rally and it does not have pulleys. The pulley-less bridle was one of the selling points of the 2012 rally! Did someone "customize" your Rally?

Select to expand quote

WeirdEd said..
Sorry, I am confused...your 2012 Rally has pulleys!?? I have a 2012 12m Rally and it does not have pulleys. The pulley-less bridle was one of the selling points of the 2012 rally! Did someone "customize" your Rally?

You're absolutely correct.

My apologies -- I'm confusing the Rally bridle with the Argo bridle and I fly the Agro about 10X as much as the Rally. (I had to go out to the garage just now and pull the Rally out of the bag to check it to make sure!) No pulleys on the Rally!

Pulleys or not, it still flies like a dog. And the demo that I flew at Kitestock seemed very different than the one I have.

Don't you just wish you had a direct-connected bridle less kite sometimes Rob? When your having issues there are so many less variables to consider....

I've been trying really hard to like my 4-line bridled up RRD religion 7 but to be honest after half a season I'm still enjoying more the days I pull out the old familiar over stretched floppy sock 7m NEW.... from 2007!

Not as much depower sure but at least when the wind is honking and its totally overpowered i can still send it down the line and get the power and feedback i want at the moment I need it most... when I'm on the wave :) Each to their own for sure and I'm stuck way deep in an ancient mindset I realise


Sorry a bit off topic but I'm not looking forward to the inevitable day my kites bridle starts to act like a fishing net too :)

and yeah my experience with rallys is they suck when they are overpowered

Select to expand quote

beefarmer said..
Don't you just wish you had a direct-connected bridle less kite sometimes Rob? When your having issues there are so many less variables to consider....

I've been trying really hard to like my 4-line bridled up RRD religion 7 but to be honest after half a season I'm still enjoying more the days I pull out the old familiar over stretched floppy sock 7m NEW.... from 2007!

Not as much depower sure but at least when the wind is honking and its totally overpowered i can still send it down the line and get the power and feedback i want at the moment I need it most... when I'm on the wave :) Each to their own for sure and I'm stuck way deep in an ancient mindset I realise


Sorry a bit off topic but I'm not looking forward to the inevitable day my kites bridle starts to act like a fishing net too :)

and yeah my experience with rallys is they suck when they are overpowered

Yeah mate. Totally agree. Even though my REVs were slower they were a lot more satisfying kites to fly. Perhaps, as someone else has suggested, the 9m Rally is just a dud size for this design and that the smaller and larger ones are better behaving. The old C-kites with no bridles were great, (Fuel 06 and 07 for example) but 5-lines is too many, so there's a plus and minus impact when you change designs. But the Fuels were also fun and responsive kites to fly, even if the depower was limited. Very happy with the 7m 2014 Griffin Argo though -- even with the pulleys. ;-)

Have you tried the Slingshot rider help line? I have found them to be very helpful.

Select to expand quote

horey69 said..
Have you tried the Slingshot rider help line? I have found them to be very helpful.

Thanks for the tip. Searched the SS web page and couldn't find anything but I just emailled their support desk. Let's see what they come back with. Thanks again for your help.

Robbo

Hi Robbo, Ive had the SS Rev in the 7, 9 and 11m then switched to Rally in 2010 when they first came out, I found the 10m Rally to be a great all rounder and enjoyed it more than the Rev because of its better turning speed and it was even easier to fly. I then bought a new 8m Rally in 2012 which I also love as again it was a lot quicker than the Rev, anyway I then ended up buying a new 10m rally in 2013 to replace the 2010 and found that it flew like crap as it alays seemed over powered even in the right wind strength, I fiddled around with the settings and different pigtail knots and ended up using second knot from kite on front lines and third knot on back lines which has made it a joy to ride, in fact I think it's better than the 2010 model as it also has a bit more grunt. Anyway if you want any more info let me know I'll be glad to help. By the way it's been an interesting journey as I started off with SS Fuels about 9 years ago and gradually moved to Revs and then to the Rally as I find them better behaved in the surf (which I know many wouldn't agree with). Cheers

Apologies I'll get the knot positions right, the front lines I tie off at the nearest to the kite (3rd knot) and the back line the middle(2nd knot) effectively extending the rear lines. Cheers

Select to expand quote

Carboneutral said..
Hi Robbo, Ive had the SS Rev in the 7, 9 and 11m then switched to Rally in 2010 when they first came out, I found the 10m Rally to be a great all rounder and enjoyed it more than the Rev because of its better turning speed and it was even easier to fly. I then bought a new 8m Rally in 2012 which I also love as again it was a lot quicker than the Rev, anyway I then ended up buying a new 10m rally in 2013 to replace the 2010 and found that it flew like crap as it alays seemed over powered even in the right wind strength, I fiddled around with the settings and different pigtail knots and ended up using second knot from kite on front lines and third knot on back lines which has made it a joy to ride, in fact I think it's better than the 2010 model as it also has a bit more grunt. Anyway if you want any more info let me know I'll be glad to help. By the way it's been an interesting journey as I started off with SS Fuels about 9 years ago and gradually moved to Revs and then to the Rally as I find them better behaved in the surf (which I know many wouldn't agree with). Cheers

Hey carbo, out of interest how often do you use your depower ? and how much ? as that in itself "easily" and effectively extends the rear lines.

I have found on a few different types and brands of kites a little depower can allow you to go upwind better even when you really don't need to use depower on the day.

I have seen some guys play with their depower all of the session and then others just set up and don't touch it apart from landing at end of the session.
And then there is the really keen guys that will come in and change kites in the middle of a session as the wind changed a fraction in strength or direction.


So Robbo, maybe you just need to spend a session playing with the depower.

And don't forget, pressure in the kite can change how it flyes, less pressure = more flop, get it good and hard

I've had a 2012 and a 2014 9m and I always set them up the same. Long front lines short back lines( front lines knot furtherst away from leading edge rear third knot closest to the trailing edge) rear connection point always close to the trailing edge as possible. Then I play with the depower as needed dependent on wind direction and speed.

Select to expand quote

horey69 said..
I've had a 2012 and a 2014 9m and I always set them up the same. Long front lines short back lines( front lines knot furtherst away from leading edge rear third knot closest to the trailing edge) rear connection point always close to the trailing edge as possible. Then I play with the depower as needed dependent on wind direction and speed.

Thanks for that. That's the same setup I've always used as well. I have noticed that in the years after 2012 that the Rallys have an additional small strut a the wing tip on each side. What's your view of the impact of this on how the kite flies, given that you've owned both of them?