Westozzy wrote:Kite stalls in the critical sections when you need to turn it back, then due to its aspect builds too much speed and pulls you off the wave. For general purpose wave freeriding it would suffice, like any kite you need work within its limitations. But for those who want to move closer in the spectrum to pure wave riding, even with the need for some freeride as well, there are much better kites.
But when one giveth, one taketh . You want serious boost, glide and power then these design needs are counter to wave riding. And hence kites sit all along this spectrum, you just have to find what suits you best.
Agree with all of that, nice kite but not the perfect do everything kite that I often read people on the Forum describe it as.
Found the 2011 8M Rebel I had to be a bit stall-ey...was kind of surprised that it did that, with all the very enthusiastic reviews I've read over the last few years.
Also did not notice the "super direct" feel that the five line no bridle arrangement was supposed to provide.
My bridled C kite is more direct feeling and much quicker turning and boosts as high, but floats a bit less.
My Rebel was very well built, great boost and float, good power, good depower, but not unlike other 5 strut medium/high aspect SLE shaped kites I've had.
Really like the color schemes North has moved to, simple and clean.