Review North Rebel 2015
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| Riding type: | Freeride/Allround |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2015 |
| Brand: | North kiteboarding |
| Size: | 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 14m, 18m |
| Type: | SLE |
| Share: | |
| Buy: | Buy Now |
Kite
High performance Freeride kite
Designers goals (manufacturer text)
The North Kiteboarding Rebel doesn’t need an introduction; it has been the pinnacle of freeride kites for so long now. There are countless riders around the world who enjoy its amazing performance, and once again, for 2015 a Rebel, is a Rebel! The loaded 5th line offers amazing depower and unparalleled sheet and go power delivery. This year the profile has been tuned to improve the upwind ability even more, and of course you get the smooth and predictable handling that is part of the Rebels DNA. The biggest sizes are pure hangtime machines and the 18 comes as a 18 airstyle edition! It’s the most user friendly, performance orientated kite we make. If you’re a freerider then the Rebel is the go to kite for the best jumps, longest hangtime and smoothest ride on the water.
Features
- Weight optimized construction
- More lively handling
- Faster turning
- New Size 18m² »Airstyle«
- great top end & best hangtime
Wind range North Rebel 2015
North Rebel 2015 kite characteristics
North kiteboarding 2015 bar
Movie North Rebel 2015
Details:
| Riding type: | Freeride/Allround |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2015 |
| Brand: | North kiteboarding |
| Size: | 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 14m, 18m |
| Type: | SLE |
| One pump: | Yes |
| Bridles: | No |
| Number of struts: | 5 |
| Colours: | Various |
| Line length: | 19m-22m-24m-27m |
| Bar length: | 40cm-45cm |
| Bar: | 5 lines |
| Depower: | Clamcleat |
| Safety: | Push |
| Swivel: | Yes |
| Variable bar length: | Yes |
| Oh shit handles: | No |
Kite Review North Kiteboarding Rebel 9m 2015
Test Condition
Wind: 18 - 32 knots
Water: flat Board: 140x41 cm twintip
Bar setup: 22m lines
Kite setup: standard (Fabric set up)
Detail Pictures
Conclusion
The Rebel series has been there for a long time. It's developed over many years. The 9m Rebel can handle a very wide wind range (15-32 knots) without losing performance. The Rebel shows its best performance in its high-end.
The new Rebel excels best in hooked-in riding, big floating airs and controlled glides. Play with your kite position, try transition with downloops and expect kite control without too much boost.
This kite is suitable for playful high performance hooked-in riders.
Basics
Kite re-launch
Just pull on the steerline
Safety system
5th line, so total depower. Be careful in the waves if the kite rolls over
Kite stability
Total depower
Windrange
The wind range for this 9m to ride is very high. Best performance in its high end
Oldskool
Lift
Gradual in low end, bit more explosive in its high -end. Still very solid and controllable
Low-end
Good for riding and playing
Glide phase
High-end
Wave
Turning circle
Fast reaction, bit wider turning circle (tip turn) because of its wing like shape
Drift
We tested lots of wave kites, the drift isn't bad but if you are really going for the big waves, take a special wave kite
Reaction to steering action
Great but this is the 9m. The Rebel is a high aspect ratio kite so the bigger sizes would probably a bit slower. Test the bigger ones and find out!
Feedback at edge of wind window
One of its strong points, always feedback always in control.
Steering with low line tension
always in control
Race
Kiteposition in wind-window
depends a bit how you tune your Rebel
Going upwind
love the upwind performance
There are 2 reviews on this product:
This kite is a 6 strut monster with no center strut. First minutes it felt like an 18m foil kite like the new Flysurfer Speed4 or Ozone Chrono, but its a bit faster in reaction, has more turning speed and direct de-power.
Those big foils are all about light wind kiting or big airs between mountains, this airstyle Rebel claimed to be a flat horizon Hang-time specialist. So I tested it with more wind and small waves for kickers. I had the control and de-power to ride in 16 knots. With speed charging to some small waves, ready for the big boom, it just didn't happen for me! Tried again and again, but misted the explosive lift like most of the bigger kites. At the end, I think a smaller and explosive 15m size would maybe give me my flat horizon hangtime record. But not today! Today gravity won.
So I have to go back to the overpowered stormy sessions or sofa surf. Watch video's and learn the big kite, big air skills from the airstyle master Toby Braeuer.
Replys to this review
Hi,
I have bought the 18m and tried it. My biggest problem was the relaunching. Tried different techniques, but it was down with the leading edge, it just wouldn't turn...
Gave it to a friend and he gave up after 25 min. or so trying...
Did you have that trouble too?
In the air it was good, but when it goes down your screwed.
I returned the kite to my kite-shop. North isn't helping them out. Strange, i love my Rebel 11m. But this is definitely a bad product. North recommends it on thei
Replys to this review
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