Rider: 91kg

General overview -
-top end?
- big air?

2012 kite

fantastic review. after reading that informative review i think i will go out and buy a crossbow

About as informative as some peoples reviews.

If you want info just start a new topic crossbow v rebel

LOL, damn you are a sh!t stirrer. LOL....

MY CABRINHA CROSSBOW REVIEW

Colouring

Nice tree matching green and yellow colouring. Looks good.

Construction

First rate construction. Lines are easy to cut when you can't get your kite down from a tree.

Turning speed

Turns fast. Fast enough to get it stuck in a tree almost instantly from take off, even quicker if it's a low bush. Old kites flew slower into trees, this one is like a magnet to trees, especially for beginners.

Range

Range on the kite was massive. I could hit big trees and small trees.

Relaunch

A bit slow depending on the tree. Small bushes were quick but big trees were slow, even pulling both back lines. Relaunching from power lines were surprisingly quick but it seem to fly to one side repeatedly after that. Might have something to do with the lines being burned off one side but at least it loops well.

Jumping

I could jump higher than a tree, but a tree can't jump

Conclusion

All in all, if you like trees, this is your kite. It hits trees like no other kite i've seen, with the exception of maybe other cabrinha kites which also hit trees very well. This might explain the fact that most people think cabrinha's grow on trees, but in reality, they're just attracted to them.

To finish off, if trees are bad publicity, then this is the Lara Bingle of kites

Does the type or size of the tree matter?
How does this compare to a BWS or rebel?

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bjw said...

Does the type or size of the tree matter?
How does this compare to a BWS or rebel?

The Rebel is completely tree resistant which is probably a good thing given the 5 lines on the Rebel would make it impossible to get out of a tree. On the down side, its not kite resistant so the ghey colours have a tendency to make it into other kites.

The BWS is too stable to fly into trees. Its also too stable to turn in the direction of trees. In fact, its so stable, my friend got rid of his wife and married one to make sure he had a stable home for his kids.

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eppo said...

LOL, damn you are a sh!t stirrer. LOL....

I couldn't help myself Eppo looks like i'm not the only one though, did wonder how long before the tree comments would start

Yeh what's up with that. It's turned into an urban myth.

I think i'll buy it anyway.. cant wait to hit my first tree

If you want world championship winning efficiency (course racing) and big-air hijinks but without the pulleys and the tree-seeking tendencies then give the Ozone Edge some consideration too. Similar performance brief to the Crossbow but delivered in a simpler (no pulleys, 2 less struts) and comp-proven package.

To be fair, all of Saffer's pics are switchblades, except the first which is a convert. Crossbows are perhaps less tree prone?

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eppo said...

Yeh what's up with that. It's turned into an urban myth.

Cant be a myth mate if there's pics to back it up

Adziz if you are a new to kiting please stick to shrubs until you have a bit more experience, only then should you consider trees...

I think it is best to start with spiky grass and learn about slow leaking bladders.

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djdojo said...

If you want world championship winning efficiency (course racing) and big-air hijinks but without the pulleys and the tree-seeking tendencies then give the Ozone Edge some consideration too. Similar performance brief to the Crossbow but delivered in a simpler (no pulleys, 2 less struts) and comp-proven package.

To be fair, all of Saffer's pics are switchblades, except the first which is a convert. Crossbows are perhaps less tree prone?

In all of the examples above, the switchblade went into the tree to try and save the crossbow. The switchblade is a brave kite, far braver than the crossbow. It's like the fireman of kites, always there to help a fellow cabrinha. I once saw a 10m switchblade fight off a 12m Rev that was picking on a fellow 6m convert. You don't see that kind of bravery every day.

The problem created was the switchblades got a bad tree rap when in reality, it's the crossbow that is the true tree kite.

LMFAO lol forum is seriously not helpful except for djdojo - thank you

but saffer deserves recognition - honestly thought kites were meant for flying on the water rather than tree bashing

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Adziz said...

LMFAO lol forum is seriously not helpful except for djdojo - thank you

but saffer deserves recognition - honestly thought kites were meant for flying on the water rather than tree bashing

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Adziz said...

LMFAO lol forum is seriously not helpful except for djdojo - thank you

but saffer deserves recognition - honestly thought kites were meant for flying on the water rather than tree bashing

seriously though, 2012, not a whole heap of bad kites out there especially from the likes of cabrinha and all you were likely to get was pimping or anti-pimping. Even the guys who try it are likely to give you the "best kite in the world, better range, better jumping, better turning" pitch which is what you'd expect from the 2012 vs previous years. Best suggestion is just to try it out, if you can kite, then you'll know whether you like it, if you can't, you won't know the difference anyway. Most of the shops worth their weight in salt will have a demo available.

Thanks Saffer.

The Edge is really appealing. Is there anything else that performs like the Edge but cheaper..

Saffer is 100% on the money in saying try before you buy, sometimes hard when you are new to the sport and the shops are a little hesitant to hand over a demo kite.

Before to select a kite know what you are looking at, i.e. park and ride, wave, race orientated etc. and try more than 1 so you have some point of reference.

After many years with crossbows I found that the 2011 had become more race orientated and more technical to fly requiring attention to bar position to get the most out of it. I switched to switchblades for the more park and ride feel, would never have known if I hadn't flown a demo and would have been disappointed. Wouldn't have known any better if I didn't have a point of reference.

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Adziz said...

Thanks Saffer.

The Edge is really appealing. Is there anything else that performs like the Edge but cheaper..

Yes, a second hand Edge.

But it's a bit like asking "The world championship winning car is really appealing. Is there a car that performs like it, has the same level of construction, and quality of sales and after sales service, but somehow costs less?" The answer is, "well, what departments are you prepared to make sacrifices in?"

There'll be those who nominate other kites, but despite their premium price tag I've never met an Edge owner who hasn't been stoked with their investment. Extra durability and wind range may bring comparative costs down too. Of course you can order a quiver with just one bar and pump ... so there are options.

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djdojo said...

Adziz said...

Thanks Saffer.

The Edge is really appealing. Is there anything else that performs like the Edge but cheaper..

Yes, a second hand Edge.

But it's a bit like asking "The world championship winning car is really appealing. Is there a car that performs like it, has the same level of construction, and quality of sales and after sales service, but somehow costs less?" The answer is, "well, what departments are you prepared to make sacrifices in?"

There'll be those who nominate other kites, but despite their premium price tag I've never met an Edge owner who hasn't been stoked with their investment. Extra durability and wind range may bring comparative costs down too. Of course you can order a quiver with just one bar and pump ... so there are options.

I guess my department will end up being jumping, im naturally agressive. Grew up digging holes, planting trees, climbing trees, breaking down trees so when Saffer brought up trees i knew i found the kite for me.

Ultimately what i meant by my question is this - say two guys, same weight, same wind, same ramp, same size kite but ones an edge, ones a crossbow.. who will jump higher?

if edge wins, which other kite is likely to match the jump or come second?

If she jumps good, ill sacrifice looks, stability ;) i'd want to ride her hard

P.s. yes im a newb.. ill probably get on the water and **** bricks.. BUT i still would like to know :D

OK, if you're a noob that changes things. Get a decent all-rounder to learn on before shelling out on a performance thoroughbred. For a few reasons -

1, Your learning curve will be quicker on a more forgiving beginner-oriented kite.

2, You'll probably trash/unwittingly abuse your first kite so make it less of an investment.

3, You may wish to go for a more C type kite as you may prefer the sudden rip-you-off the-water style of jump rather than the elevator-glide of the Edge and other wing-ish kites. Don't specialise until you have a basic feel for the different types of kites - get basic skills happening then demo to find your style.