Postby SSK » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:14 pm
The following assumes you are sticking with Cab.
I agree with with what Bob (toyletbowl) and IWB2 said. As mentioned the SB is more versatile in that it will give you a very large wind range. It is good for wakestyle/freeride. The XBow is more focused on just going real fast and jumping high and good for light wind. They are also expensive, so for the average rider looking for a more all around kite, I would look at something besides the Xbow.
I have an 8,10 SB, I weigh 170 and this covers 90% of rideable days for me. If you ride a lot under 15kts you will need something bigger or alot over 30 you will need something smaller. If you way much more or less than your sizes would be different.
There is little difference between 2010, 2011, 2012 SBs in performance. Although the 2012 fabric is better than previous years, I would not say the other fabric was bad. So if you can get a 2011 for cheaper than 2012 I would consider going with the 2011. The 2012 bar had some neat ideas, but some significant problems with resetting the quick release. I actually prefer the older bar over the 2012 bar. There is, however, a significant difference between the 2012 and 2013 SBs as Bob mentioned. The 2013 is a more versatile kite than previous SBs. It turns much faster, relaunches much easier, and I would say the bar pressure is noticeably less. Although there are great deals now on the 2012s, if you can get a 2013 or wait then I would go with the 2013. Also as Bob said the 2013 bar fixed the problems with the 2012 bar. So that makes the 2013 bar worth it.
If you are a beginner to intermediate rider or you want the option for going in the surf you may want to consider Vectors in your smaller sizes. I have a 7 and 9 and they are really fun easy kites to ride. They do not have the range or performance of the SBs and you will probably not win any contests, but they do everything really well. They have low bar pressure, turn well, super easy relaunch, very stable, and decent pop. You can put them wherever you want. These are also the least expensive kite and do not have the name recognition as SBs or Xbows. You can pick these up pretty cheap. Not sure about the larger sizes because the do not have the low end like other Cabs.
The Drifter is a pure wave kite and the Chaos is the freestyle bridled C kite.