Rider: 80, intermediate to advanced (freestyle and wake)
Guys & Gals - just asking for advice on a more modern set of quivers that are similar in style and performance to what the old North Rhinos and Rhino IIs were.
I know they are dangerous on other levels, but I am not a beginner.
I really loved their power and upwind abilities, especially the 12m variant. Sadly I've let them go years ago, and have only been playing more recently with Cabrinha Switchblades, Slingshot Fuels and Ozone C4s.
But is there a kite nowadays similar to what the Rhino was like?
Any positive advice appreciated.
Cheers
-Connor
Doubt it,
Sold mine to a guy who wanted to try them first
I commented on how he was jumping
He said he wasn't trying to jump
A similar feeling kite, urmmm na
Select to expand quotecauncy said..
Doubt it,
Sold mine to a guy who wanted to try them first
I commented on how he was jumping
He said he wasn't trying to jump
A similar feeling kite, urmmm na
Thanks, but that's good ain't it? That it's so good for boosting? It's been years now, but I remember the feeling of like being on a snow chair-lift with the Rhino. It just wanted to lift me all the time. I could only use it with a seat-harness which gave that impression even more. But when the winds were light, I was riding out there and guys on 15m kites were parked at the beach!
I had rhino 10 7 bladder then 5 bladder ,if not wrong 2005 model .extremely heavy ,every kite novadays much better.much lighter and alive was the rebel with same feeling
rhino 10 could be now rebel 8 or 9
... the old Rhino and Rhino 2's are old school C kites which had lots of lift and not so good depower with a pretty narrow wind range especially compared to todays equivalent.
The current equivalent would be some thing like the 2015/2016 Vegas which of course, would have all the modern conveniences like better upwind, decent depower and a hell a lot bigger wind range.
I reckon if your into wake or freestyle, then a modern C kite would be your choice!
My mates had the R1 and R2 and had to own 3 kite quiver to cover what you could just about do with 1 or maybe 2 kites nowadays.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Old-School-Kites-2/
Hope this helps.
Robbie 
Select to expand quoteColoColo said...cauncy said..
Doubt it,
Sold mine to a guy who wanted to try them first
I commented on how he was jumping
He said he wasn't trying to jump
A similar feeling kite, urmmm na
Thanks, but that's good ain't it? That it's so good for boosting? It's been years now, but I remember the feeling of like being on a snow chair-lift with the Rhino. It just wanted to lift me all the time. I could only use it with a seat-harness which gave that impression even more. But when the winds were light, I was riding out there and guys on 15m kites were parked at the beach!
Depends what y want, for sure the rhino was a constant powered kite, but today you have kites with that drive and pull but you can instantly dump most of that power, with the rhino you'd have to stamp your edge in and tease the bar and kites position to stop yourself getting pulled up the beach, from memory I've had 5/6 arse twitching moments, 1 on my flexifoil, 2 on my old wipikas and 3/4 on my rhinos,
Something like a rebel, edge, nitro, rabbit v3, has great drive but the ability to dump it when reqd
As Robbie mentioned the Vegas , this has been in my top couple of kites I've recently flown, core gts too but req a lot more input to get that power delivery of a rhino, loved the bar feel of the Vegas, really surprised as for an old fart like me I wouldn't of thought it'd suit
Definitely the Vegas. I still own that exact kite you are speaking of and it is soooooo beast. May have to get the old girl out for a legacy run in the next decent winds. I equate riding the rhino to being a kiting hipster.
Well thanks for the replies guys. It's been very helpful. I'll have to keep my eye out for a good Vegas 12m or so and try it out. Does it work with any normal 4-line bar? And what line length do you recommend.
Cheers again to cauncy, robbie and eppo.
Select to expand quoteeppo said...
No mate it's a no pulley loaded fifth line kite.
That 5th loaded line really holds everything together in strong winds too would you say epps, I read a article from kite worlds chief kite tester Chris bull on a current test of multiple brands and models in Cape Town, he was frothing over the Vegas and it's capability to stay so stable in winds that you shouldn't be out on
Matt988 is often out on his 11m Vegas Hadlow style pulling 15m high boosts when I am approaching overpowered on my 8m Neo.
Think that one has a split 5th, so its a 6 line bar and kite. As Cauncy and Eppo have said, looks super stable if you want to go big!
Yeh it does cauncy same as the rebel. Nothing holds itself together like that kite when nuked. Pretty sure that 6 line setup is just an option right? Can be run like the traditional fifth only. Might be wrong but ...
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
No mate it's a no pulley loaded fifth line kite.
Cheers eppo. Guess I'll have to make sure I get the kite with its original bar or one like it.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Yeh it does cauncy same as the rebel. Nothing holds itself together like that kite when nuked. Pretty sure that 6 line setup is just an option right? Can be run like the traditional fifth only. Might be wrong but ...
Yeah, the Hadlow bar comes with the 6 line setup but you can use a normal trust bar with 5 lines. Kite is the same.
Yeh one of the peculiarities of the north line up, still using fifth lines and a high Y as well. Ya best using their bar and lines.
Try if ya can though, every brand has it's own feel...but i suppose ya loved the Rhino's...so north then. Personally I can't go past the north feel, but I wouldn't be as stupid as some (or with vested interest) and claim one brand is better than another. it all depends on if you click with this feel or not.
Suppose a GST4 - core might be worth investigating as well if you can be bothered. Heard good things about it from those I rate, think it also uses a high Y as well and it pretty damn stable under load. has that C still in it.
Mate I was out putting up a 10 in a monster northerly a few weeks ago when everyone was too scared to ride their 7's. I did get a bit sketched out but all in all turned into an ok session. The Vegas has the most unbelievable top end out of any kite i have ridden. Don't use the Hadlow setup, it is terrible. I have both bars, which i ride my 10 on the trust bar for big boosting sessions and the wakestyle on my 14.5 for unhooked. I freaking love the Vegas in case you didn't get the message.
Select to expand quotedaveisthekotz said...
Mate I was out putting up a 10 in a monster northerly a few weeks ago when everyone was too scared to ride their 7's. I did get a bit sketched out but all in all turned into an ok session. The Vegas has the most unbelievable top end out of any kite i have ridden. Don't use the Hadlow setup, it is terrible. I have both bars, which i ride my 10 on the trust bar for big boosting sessions and the wakestyle on my 14.5 for unhooked. I freaking love the Vegas in case you didn't get the message.
Agree totally. Had a crack at the hadlow set up on the 11 to see what it was all about, found it ok for unhooking but pain in the ass having the 6 line set up on the kite but wanting to use the trust bar for boosting and having to put the centre "Y" back on. Gone back to 5 line on the wake bar makes no difference for my ability. Have a 7,9,11 and 14 got 15-50kn covered
Yeah I am hanging out to get my hands on a Vegas. I have a 2008 model a guy wants to sell me around $500 mark with bar & lines. Is it worth it?
Nope...kites have come a long way since 200 and bloody 8. No matter what the punters say. 2013 was a damn nice free ride Vegas, just got better from there with added C and more spunk.
Select to expand quoteColoColo said..
Yeah I am hanging out to get my hands on a Vegas. I have a 2008 model a guy wants to sell me around $500 mark with bar & lines. Is it worth it?
Perhaps a six pack of beer but make sure you inflate it and let it sit for half an hour (valve issues). Vegas 2013 and 2014 were pretty similar and if in good condition they are great kites. Hopefully you get a newer bar with it though as the original one will probably have fallen apart by now (2013 that is).
