Hey guys,
So I've done my lessons, starting to get up and I'm ready to buy my own gear so I can forget all other life responsibilities and become obsessed with wind.

I'm tossing up between 2 differs setups

Setup 1- 2016 Cabrinha fx or switchblade (most likely switchblade) with 2016 Cabrinha ace

Setup 2- 2016 North Dice with 2016 Jamie

I can get both for pretty much the same price.

Any advice/opinions would really be appreciated.

Cheers

Cabrinha better quality (less issues) and better resale (check s/h prices). Switchy better all rounder

dice or fx more advanced and not ideal for beginner, gotta laugh when I see a beginner yanking a 14m vegas.

Thanks mate.
Any thoughts on 5strut compared to 3
Or 5 lines compared to 4... Or none of this really matters??

Not too sure about the better quality comment, but I agree the switchblade would be the best option at your stage. Power delivery will be more obvious for you. IF you wanted to go a north kite the Evo could be a consideration (if that is even an option?).

The Switchblade is a true and tested platform (over many years), a very good kite imo. 5 struts versus three...doesn't really matter at your stage. 5 line...dice prefers 4 but can be ridden on 5.

Resale...it's a supply and demand issue. They sold a bucket load of dices in 2014, has dragged down the price for sure.

Cheers Eppo
I hadn't considered it but will look into it????

I have both a 2015 switchblade and a 2015 Dice.

I disagree with the comment about quality, however its still early days for the Dice. Construction quality seems on par with cabrinha.

I agree that the cabrinhas have better resale.

I think the cab bar is more user friendly, but this isnt a deal breaker.

Switchblade is overall more user friendly to get you started (better upwind performance (personal preference)), but I like the dice being 3 struts with battons. It drifts better than switchblade and in my opinion more versatile once you are a competent rider.

Honestly buy whatever you like the look of in terms of kite design and colour and also have a good hold of each of the bars and safety systems and choose which one you prefer and feel more comfortable with. Read up on the differences between hybrid c kites and bow kites because that is essentially the difference between the switchblades and the other two but as far as individual feel goes it is exactly that, individual feel and every single person will have a different opinion on each kite. In my experiences (haven't ridden the switch but iv ridden similar fuse/rebel ect) the switch will have a better low end, boost bigger and have better relaunch. The other two will drift better and be more forgiving while practicing unhooked (also make you look cooler ) but then again even the switchblade is looking more hybrid c than bow these days so I doubt there is too much difference.

All these kites a very user-friendly and fine for you to learn on, unless you buy a companies flagship beginner kite or wake style kite most lie somewhere between in terms of flight characteristics and all these days have top notch safety systems and enough depower to not kill you unless you do something completely wack. Both cabrinha and north are very top of the line build quality, anything anybody says beyond that is biased because they have owned a good one or the other or a bad one.. sometimes you get a dud regardless of brand and both companies/shops u buy from will be happy to fix most problems. Don't worry at all about the resell value, that is something pretty stupid to consider when buying a kite lol.

5 struts adds weight to a kite as a payoff for strength/rigidness for relaunch ability and canopy flutter ect. and 5 lines is considered a truer full depower (goes onto a single line attached to the nose) but can cause problems in the surf and complexity in having more strings..

EVERYTHING IS OF PERSONAL OPINION WITH KITES just trying to cut through some of the BS.

Thanks for the advice fellas. Taking all into consideration in going to go with the switchy.

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Coza22 said..
Thanks for the advice fellas. Taking all into consideration in going to go with the switchy.

this is the kite more so targeted at beginners so I will say you made a wise choice, you will have many happy years or kiting ahead of you to find the perfect kite that ticks all the boxes.

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Coza22 said..
Thanks for the advice fellas. Taking all into consideration in going to go with the switchy.

Now have a look around for last years model.... You might be able to get 2 kites + 1 bar and board for the same price as the 2016 version.

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mywisdom said..

Coza22 said..
Thanks for the advice fellas. Taking all into consideration in going to go with the switchy.

this is the kite more so targeted at beginners so I will say you made a wise choice, you will have many happy years or kiting ahead of you to find the perfect kite that ticks all the boxes.

Wouldn't say the Switchy is targeted at beginners, Cabrinha's Genesis and Radar kites are their entry level kites. The Switchblade will however give you something to grow with as you progress rather than grow out of.

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Smithy said...

mywisdom said..

Coza22 said..
Thanks for the advice fellas. Taking all into consideration in going to go with the switchy.

this is the kite more so targeted at beginners so I will say you made a wise choice, you will have many happy years or kiting ahead of you to find the perfect kite that ticks all the boxes.

Wouldn't say the Switchy is targeted at beginners, Cabrinha's Genesis and Radar kites are their entry level kites. The Switchblade will however give you something to grow with as you progress rather than grow out of.

Well if you actually read my post it says "more so" implying the SB is better for beginners than the other options he gave.

Do not buy 2016 gear for a first kite!

That's stupid!
Your going to crash, your going to break & tear your gear. Everybody has done it and been there.

For the amount you will spend on one kite, you will be able to buy a quiver of second hand kites.
That will mean more kites for more weather scenarios and ultimately more kiting.

You don't need shiny new gear. My kites are 2008 models.... But when they tear or break I'm not outta pocket for $3000..... And, my 3 kite quiver was under $500 bucks!!

Your crazy man!!