So I have had the 10m 2017 rebel out now in 14-16, 17-19 and yesterday arvo 20-24 knots. Made notes after each session (because we have been wind starved down here and I would have forgotten what I had thought) so here is a basic summary of them.

I’m surprised we haven’t read yet a decent review of the new rebel considering it is reasonably different if you know your rebels. So in the name of adding to the body of knowledge here I go again…

Canopy Shape
First thing you noticed was the thinner kite depth on the panel each side of the center strut (i.e. higher aspect). Really square. My first thought was ‘oh fck, not 2013 again’. But when pumped up, you then notice how much rounder the leading edge is, which is probably the result of the extra segmentation in the canopy they talk about in their marketing waffle.

In the air looking up, I kept getting glimpses of a neo/evo like arc in the leading edge which was and is really weird. So you have this really flat (higher aspect) center canopy with this really rounded continuous leading edge. Strange indeed. In fact, when I rolled it up for the first time I was left with those rolled cigar shapes out from each tip as the deeper outside panels overlay the shorter center panel. Again…weird.


Light wind session (13, gusting to 16 ish)
Stuck it on my old north 27m bar, which is always handy as it gives you the luxury of looking closely at the kites shape and performance without being masked by higher winds. To give some indication my brother was on his 2014 14m catalyst. Hooking into the micro hook normally you have pull in some trim to stop the kite back stalling. Fully sheeted in on the micro hook with little to no trim pulled in, it wouldn’t stall! It just sat there in space, I think the higher aspect center section allowing for the high backline tension; then again who knows, I’m no kite aeronautical engineer. So back stall has been almost entirely eliminated on perfectly tuned bars, which mine always are. A tick for the marketing waffle.

Was it quicker on the turn? Maybe it is…but I think closer to the truth was the more rounded leading edge gives a much more linear, continuous power delivery. Sending it strongly across the window arcing onto your toes it drove around the corner so to speak much better. And no flutter…like I mean silent…again weird.

Did it have less static grunt? I think so…or more to the point it isn’t as obvious. I almost felt like I was on a 9 or 9.5m rebel and felt maybe I was lacking power…but then I noticed I was shooting upwind with ease on my normal sized TT. All characteristics of a higher aspect kite. Bar pressure on the same setting seemed slightly lighter as well, but still with the same direct, linear, short throw rebel like feel. This kite is weirding me out. Was still able to do a few vertical powered rolls, dark-slides, rode blind a bit bla bla…stuffing around like. Fun sesh.


Medium Winds (16 gusting to 20/21)
Same same as above but was able to test its jumping and looping characteristics on my standard 24m bar.
Due to the segmentation and hence more rounded leading edge, when sending the kite the more linear power delivery seems to give more potential for a greater vertical vector.

The float…still not sure is has more float but it should with that center section. Winds gusty all over the place, even mid air so hard to tell. I think it is quicker, my normal board off timings are all out. The kite redirecting quicker than normal and the increased vertical vector of the jump must also come about because it’s quicker. Needed to really lay over the opposite side of the redirecting kite to get board back on but hey this gives more hang-time anyway. My technique was getting sloppy anyway.

Loops are better for sure. It drives around the loop more consistently, giving you more time to get that down-loop in for the landing. Starting to think there is more hangtime especially through the looped kite coming above your head before the downloop landing. I can pull the trigger earlier and be more aggressive and not be worried about the kite stalling mid loop. The 2016 you had to really follow the loop around.

Higher winds (20 gusting to 24/25)
Finally FFS!!! Some ramps, relatively solid wind for once (although it still was relatively gusty). Okay it’s official the 2017 goes more vertical and has more hang-time. Can I be as bold to say it brought back some memories of my edges. I actually got a little scared a few times on the big air board offs because my timing is still not right, which is a good thing.

My buddy was going huge as usual on his 9m Evo 2016 and even he said the vertical component was better.

But I did notice in those winds that higher aspect center (I think, what would I know) starts to play a greater role than the counter acting rounded leading edge. While this is great for the hang-time (the landings even without down-loops were very soft and controlled), the kite does start to want to hunt the edge of the window more. This is felt through the bar.

When in the air, one has to pay a little more attention to the throw and kite position (aka like the edge) than last year’s rebel of this size. But this is a subtle change and by the end of the session I had adjusted…well nearly.

So there is more performance under the hood this year for sure. But it still has that balance with stability and predictability. I wouldn’t want them to take it any further though or I might as well be on a one trick pony edge.

Makes sense though, the evo’s development is producing a super jumping kite (and it is so fun to loop) so they seemed to have moved the rebel just a tad closer toward the higher performance (that is more efficient) end of the spectrum with a race foil kite being at the extreme of this. They segmented the paneling to produce a much more rounded leading edge to counter act this. Smart.

Is it better than the 2016? Depends on what you are looking for I suppose. It’s different that’s for sure, but still a Rebel.




25-30 knots, my next target...BOOST!!!!

do they handle junkies throwing sticks at them?

^^^^^

The larger sizes 10m and above in the new range have been optimized to dodge sticks a little faster by reducing the drag in the wingtips and the new optimized wingtip strut design. Smaller sizes have been optimized to avoid sticks through slower more progressive turn and new improved pigtail positioning.

If the latest model Rebel should encounter a stick thrown by an errant junkie, the new Dec-Hex (patent pending, copyright and trademarked) canopy cloth with 10 strong strands making it 10 times stronger than previous. It is rumoured that next years kites will no longer have any of the smaller strands and in fact will be made entirely of the strong strands making kites impervious to damage from everything apart from flaming comets.

Ah progression ....

DM

Banter in its finest form!
Love your work

Am I the only one here thinking Eppo has to be the highest payed teacher in Oz, or he married a sugar mamma either way your living the dream.......... Nice review makes me miss my 2012 rebel was a good kite

Is the north kites rebel etc then as strong as the naish quad tec material

Dm

The new Naish Quad-Tex is probably stronger but not by much. I have found the North double rip stop to be outstandingly durable, so if the Quad-Tex is better, that has to be a good thing and no doubt a lot of manufacturers will be using it in years to come.

Thanks for the review Eppo. Not sure why there is so much hate for the 2013 Rebel as I find it a great kite and the bottom end is there if flown correctly. However your review is making me want to upgrade my 12m...

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PRAWNDOG said..
Am I the only one here thinking Eppo has to be the highest payed teacher in Oz, or he married a sugar mamma either way your living the dream.......... Nice review makes me miss my 2012 rebel was a good kite

Nope...I'm down to a one kite quiver. Yeh I had the 2012, was a nice kite. Its improved a lot though since then.

I don't think the 10m has a top end, still quite comfy in 30 knots.

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lucy5 said..
Is the north kites rebel etc then as strong as the naish quad tec material

ive seen that quad tex get torn to absolute smithereens in every direction making repairs cost ten fold. instead of a clean split you get massive lightning bolt like tears which require panel replacements rather then just a length of sail tape. the panels need to be replaced because simular to punching thru something it stretches and stresses all the surrounding fabric.

definitely not a fabric that will be used in the long future.

the very idea of ripstop (simply adding a larger denier thread amongst others) completely voids its purpose and use if you just add more and more thicker threads.