2013 Slingshot Rally vs 2013 North Evo

[mp84]

Hi there,

I would appreciate any advice if you have ridden either of these kites. I am looking at buying a 12m all rounder kite with good depower/safety but that will allow me to progress.

I don't have a defined style yet, but I'm an intermediate rider - can go up wind, small jumps etc. I'm looking for an all round kite that's good for all styles of riding which has led me to the Evo vs the Rally.

The North kites seem to be a lot more expensive than the Slingshots which I was surprised about - are North that much better?

Any views/advise on these kites would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[markchatwin]

As far as price goes when you quote a brand new 2014 Rally and 2014 Evo the two kites are about the same. Both right around $1950 for the 12m complete bar/lines. These are quoted prices at some "name" online stores… I have found that on a great day in the USA you can get 20% off these prices. 15% on a good day and 10% if you talk to somebody. But prices are generally the same for the new release.

It's when you look at the one year old model (2013) that the price changes. The 2013 Rally seems to be discounted more than the 2013 Evo. I don't believe this is because Slingshot quality is not as good as North. They each have their pluses and minuses but generally are both great quality.

Some reasons why the 2013 Rally might be less:
1. Released earlier than Evo?
2. Dealer cost of a Rally less than Evo?
3. Rally made in higher quantity so less cost to dealers?
4. Perceived value of Slingshot less than North - i.e. A Honda may have more perceived value than a Mazda but both are great cars...
5. Kite buying public decided a 2013 Rally just wasn't as "good" as a 2013 Evo?
6. In 2013 maybe a Rally was a less expensive kite than the Evo? But not in 2014...

Some things to consider in the 2013 Rally and Evo:
1. Depower on the North is above the bar vs the Rally which is below the bar. The Slingshot bar can be difficult to depower in powered conditions.
2. The 2013 Evo can be ridden on the North 5-line or 4-line bar I believe. This opens up some safety/relaunch pluses but some tangle negatives if you choose 5-line.
3. The Evo on the 4-line bar flags to both center lines whereas the Slingshot is a single line flag out which kills the power more in a bad situation.

I ride the 2014 Dice (also have ridden some Rebels) and the 2014 Rally (also have ridden the 2013 Rallys and various other Slingshots) and find that both brands are top notch. Both models are Delta-based so grunt will be there when you need it. Both companies have offered me great support as well...

[gvironda]

hi mark
how do you compare the dice VS evo and rebel?
I currently fly rebel and evo 2013, and thinking about the dice, but did not manage to try one yet!
thanks

[knotwindy]

might want to look at the other North thread on their bar end plastic problems as well.

[markchatwin]

The Dice is fun, fast and less grunty than a Rebel. I haven't flown an Evo yet but can imagine the greater pull from the Delta design. I use the Dice on the North Quad bar and things are very simple and quick setup. It's a Ferrari and the Rebel is an Avalon! Here are some links that might help...







viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2383683&p=828371#p828371

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2382074&p=810677#p810677

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2381872&p=808497#p808497

[gvironda]

Thanks Mark
I've read a lot about westozzy post, but he's a super kiter spending 150 days a year on the water!
how do you compare jumping between rebel and dice?
thanks

[Westozzy]

Thanks Mark
I've read a lot about westozzy post, but he's a super kiter spending 150 days a year on the water!
how do you compare jumping between rebel and dice?
thanks

Haha I'm not sure I'd call myself a super kiter, but yes 150 days on the water for sure...

The dice is easier to jump once you have your C jumping technique in place. But for big jumps it is best being lit, or close to. You get good height and the float is very predictable. When lit we even use our 12m dices for airstyle...but get one size bigger than an equivalent rebel if boosting is your thing.

But the rebel with give you more hangtime due to its aspect. For out and out boosting the rebel will always win...

But the dice is far more versatile and as mark has said a lot of fun!! Better for hooked in and unhooked freestyle and many times better in the waves than the rebel.

[mp84]

Thanks for the post guys.

Mark, thanks for the breakdown. In the UK the Evos are still significantly more than the Rallys, even new. But I appreciate that both are great makes.

I think I'm going to go for the EVO, it seems to be a better all round kite and will allow me to progress unhooked, which I understand the rally is a little more limited - would you agree?

Also - do you know if the 2013 trust bar is compatible with 2014 Evo?

Cheers

[markchatwin]

Hey MP - since I don't ride unhooked and haven't flown the EVO I can't comment on that aspect of your question. But yes I believe the 2013 Trust bar is essentially the same as the 2014 bar and can be interchanged. I know when I demoed the 2014 Dice last October the shop gave it to me with the older 2013 Quad bar. I believe the changes in the bar were minimal. Bar diameter reduced but EVA foam thickened, maybe a better center hole insert for less friction, colors changed, that sort of thing...

[letsgoflyakite]

The Evo and Rally are both excellent. Rally has now got discounts and so is cheaper than Evo, so go for the Rally? Slingshots RPM was their big seller so left the Rally's being discounted, so take advantage of it ? (Rally is a more all rounder than Rpm, which has less depower and also not as good jumping,sudden rather than smooth, unless your going to do unhooked, in which case RPM is better IMO) Both have great build quality. I really dislike 5th line on North though. Pain in the arse but some love it.