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Hey, I could really use some gear recommendation. I have these quiver options:

1. 9m2 Bandit + 12m2 Bandit (2015 + 2014)
2. 9m2 Rebel + 12m2 Rebel (2014)
3. 9m2 Rebel + 12m2 Evo (2014)

I'm a beginner/intermediate, doing freeride and hooked freestyle jumps, not so much wave/race/wake. Assuming equal price and sharing one bar between the two kites.

Which of the 3 options would you recommend for me and why? Thanks in advance!

To help with an answer ?

How much do you weigh?
What board size(s) do you ride?
What are typical conditions in your area?

I weigh 75kg.

Current board is 138x40cm.

I live in Copenhagen. There's quite a few flat water spots within reach (and regular beaches don't get big waves either, if I wanted to go there). Winds are anything between 12-30kn. Since the wind often comes from the sea, it's not very gusty, especially <25kn, afaict.

I can't compare the Bandit to the Rebel/Evo... Haven't ridden the Bandit... But as far as the North lineup is concerned you're looking at the correct kites for the riding you're describing. Both the Rebel and the Evo are meant for freeride/hooked-in freestyle. Both will jump great and are very comfortable for freeriding, offer the most range of any of our kites, relaunch well, go upwind very well, and are very forgiving all-around kites. Both will work from beginner to expert riders. They'll both also work decently well in waves and will hold up for basic unhooked maneuvers if you start down that path. The difference Evo to Rebel is mostly in feel, not as much in performance. You cannot make a 4-line bridled kite have the same direct feedback as a 5-line kite, but this is a personal preference thing... There are those who prefer the feel of bridled kites and those who prefer the feel of the direct connection.

As far as 9 Rebel/12 Rebel vs 9 Rebel/12 Evo, I'd stick with both models the same if I were you, so I'd recommend going with the Rebel 9/12 setup. That way you can use a single 5-line bar. You could use the 5-line bar on the Evo and the kite will fly fine, but generally I recommend flying our 4-line kites on a 4-line bar. Also realize that our bar has adjustable bar ends so that you can change the bar size as you go from the 12m to the 9m, so you can have the 12m turn as fast as possible while slowing the 9m down a bit. Not sure if you'd need 2 different bars with F-One or if they've switched to an adjustable system yet. You can use any North 5th Element bar from 2005 to 2015 with any North kite from 2005 to 2015, regardless of size or year.

As always, your best bet is to try to get a demo of each kite and see what you think, but if that's not possible hopefully this helps. If you have any other questions about the North lineup feel free to hit me here or PM me anytime.

-Dan

Bandit 9 & 12 will need separate bars and lines. The North kites will work on the same bar. The bandit is fast and will work you hard. The Rebel is more forgiving. Both kites are awesome and you cannot make a mistake..............

Dan and dt, thanks a lot for the replies.

Dan, it looks to me like you prefer the Rebel yourself, seeing what you write about the 5th line - am I right?

F-one don't have adjustable bars. I would be using just one bar (to avoid paying for two and for travel convenience). So the control would be suboptimal, but still ok, wouldn't it? With the longer bar on the 9m2 I would have to turn the bar less for the same effect on the kite, is that right?

dt73775 wrote:Bandit 9 & 12 will need separate bars and lines. The North kites will work on the same bar. The bandit is fast and will work you hard. The Rebel is more forgiving. Both kites are awesome and you cannot make a mistake..............

52cm bar is fine for 9 and 12.

I ride the 45cm bar for 7m and smaller

Robertc-

I do personally prefer 5 lines for many reasons... I think it offers small performance and safety advantages, but mostly I just like the way it 'feels'. However, as I said, it's totally subjective and I know there are some who prefer the feel of bridles/4 lines.

As far as using a single size bar, I'm sure you'd be fine. Though you can slow the kite down on a bigger bar by being more conservative with your arm movements, people generally like smaller bars with smaller kites for when they make a mistake with the bar... A smaller bar will be more forgiving to improper bar input. No matter how careful you try to be, a smaller kite on a bigger bar will generally feel a bit twitchier. I always ride my 9m on the narrow bar setting, but again, that's also subjective. Some people, especially wave riders, would probably prefer the faster turning wider setting. As fourperf said, I'm sure one bar length will work for both. I wouldn't consider it a game changer but it may be something to consider.

-Dan

I have a 9m,12m, 14m 2014 Rebels. Great kites, work as advertised. 80 sessions and zero problems with 5th line, and there is no doubt that the 5th line has saved my kites several times in the waves. I also love the bar and lion heart release, when things get sketchy knowing my kite will flag 100% in a nano second is very reassuring.

I have 85 kg tops, with all the gear on (wetsuit, harness, etc).
I had only to kites for the previous 2 seasons: Spleene X19 and Bandit5 11m.
The B5 was the main kite, used from 12 to 28knts. Learned a lot on it, both kiteboarding (hooked & unhooked) and kitesurfing.
If you want to kite under 10 knts, go for a Bandit in 14meters, and complete your quiver with a 10 or 9 meters. Only one bar, and you are set!
The Bandit relaunches from the waves very fast and goes upwind really good. My kite was abbused but it holds tough.
While other riders with Rebel 14 are doing the walk of shame (not being able to go upwind), I jump or do unhooked tricks with my Bandit 11.

Rider safe, but go BIG!