Review North Rebel 12.0 2008

[dazza5172]

Review for North Rebel 2008 12.0

Times tested: No Comment
Range: 12kn to 30kn

Good: Turning speed, light but feedback bar pressure, increased low end grunt

Bad: Nothing at all

Review: There is a consistent theme riding the new North Rebels:
More power from low end grunt and most impressively true increased in power from apparent wind, Faster turning speed in the 12m, and canopy stability. These characteristics are consistent now having flow the 10m, 12m and 14m.

The 12m turning speed is very impressive, to those who ride it regardless of coming from Rebels or other kites there is a surprise at how fast the 12m turns. Combined with more grunt means faster whip back into jumps and very solid pop.

The kite loops very nicely and performs as you want it too.

Bar pressure is defintely reduced, again not from just my personal preference, but also from others riding the kite.

As a light weight rider i was fully lit in 14 - 15 knots, as you would expect having been on the 10m in the same wind previously to this. i would expect that I would easily be planing in 12 knots on a twin tip and as per the 10m easily on a surf type board.

The 12m in the 2007 was an extremely nice kite, this seriously cranks up the characteristics of the 12m Rebel to one of the nicest kites you can ever consider.

Some noted differences are the reduced catching points for kite lines over the canopy and the thin trailing edge of the strutts with no catching points at the tips.

As the kite has such great low end power you can over sheet it in very marginal winds as you suddenly loose the grunt and realise that there simply is not enough wind to fly in.

Hang time even in the 14 - 15 knots winds I rode in was long, and I can't enpahsise enough the additional pop with the increase canopy grunt does = super lift.

If you have not ridden one don't hesitate, serioulsy this kite is so nice to ride.

more photos etc
http://www.southcentralkiteboarders.com/rebel08.html


Rider Profile

Weight (kg): 61-70
Ability: Advanced
Style: All
Preferred Water: All
Preferred Power: Good
Preferred Kite Size: 10.0
Most Used Kite Size: 10.0
Preferred Board Style:
Preferred Board Size: 121-130
Brand Affiliation: Shop
Similar gear used: Rebels




For pictures and more reviews click here

[Sake]

Thx for the reviews.
I'm still not sure whether to get the 10 or 12 as biggest kite...
Hopefully I will be able to test it soon myself.

[dazza5172]

Thx for the reviews.
I'm still not sure whether to get the 10 or 12 as biggest kite...
Hopefully I will be able to test it soon myself.

I also was confused again as the speed and smaller feel of the 12m 2008 does mean I can get the feel of a smaller kite with the extra power. I have decided to think about it a bit more and ride it again too.
For the 10m as a 68 kg rider waiting on my freestyle fish it is certainly enough but now after riding the 12m and 14m I am rethinking as I can legitimately get a strong ride with power and pop in a large kite (12 or 14) with a small kite feel.

Daz

[kitesyl]

hello can you tell me the low end of the 12 2008? I have a 14 07 rebel and i want to change it by the 12. Is it a good choice for the low end. Rider 68 kg with noseless and tt 129/37. Thank you.

[dazza5172]

hello can you tell me the low end of the 12 2008? I have a 14 07 rebel and i want to change it by the 12. Is it a good choice for the low end. Rider 68 kg with noseless and tt 129/37. Thank you.

hey Kitesyl for sure you can easily get away with the 12m 2008 in place of the 14m 2007. The considerations would be style, so if you had regular 12 - 15 knots and wanted super pop and hang time for moves and board offs etc go the 14m. however if in Hoss you want to ride those waves and kind of forget the kite and are using a surf type board the 12m will rule.

having said that at 68kg the 12m is kind of lit and does have a lighter bar pressure and more ride all day feel. (I am not saying the 14m has hard bar pressure it does not but the 12m is certainly lighter again)

pm me again to discuss more bro

Daz

[Stefan]

Thx for the reviews.
I'm still not sure whether to get the 10 or 12 as biggest kite...
Hopefully I will be able to test it soon myself.

I also was confused again as the speed and smaller feel of the 12m 2008 does mean I can get the feel of a smaller kite with the extra power. I have decided to think about it a bit more and ride it again too.
For the 10m as a 68 kg rider waiting on my freestyle fish it is certainly enough but now after riding the 12m and 14m I am rethinking as I can legitimately get a strong ride with power and pop in a large kite (12 or 14) with a small kite feel.

Daz

Daz, The low end on the 10 is close to the 12 at my weight (88kg). The biggest difference is the 12 will float in less wind than the 10 and has slightly less bar pressure making it absolutely perfect for light wind wave days for me. 10 is a bit more direct, has slightly more bar pressure(less at rear settings) and is a better jumping kite. 10 is still faster and at your weight I might seriously consider it for light days especially if your riding a fish.

[dazza5172]

For sure Stephan, I think that the 10m is the pick with the fish so I will get plenty of time on my mates bigger kites and will ride it for a while.

Cool

Daz

[nicor]

Intermediate skill, 85 kg (190 pounds), currently ride the 16M 2007 Rebel, but need to add another kite in order to enjoy the 18-30+ knot days. No waves, and a lot of chop where I am.

I was going to order a 12M 2008 rebel, but now wondering if I should consider a 10M as the 2008 rebels have better lower end. Any thoughts? It seems like a large gap (10/16), but if the 08 10M has the low end of a 07 12M, perhaps this is the way to go.

[zgur]

For your size, I would for sure go w/10m vs. 12m kite.

Good winds, Zeev.

[gorilla]

where you based nicor?