Review North Rebel 2011

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Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2011
Brand: North kiteboarding
Size: 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 14m
Type: SLE
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Kite

North's 2011 SLE Freeride/wave/race kite.

Designer goals

Whether you're ripping apart waves, getting huge, lofty jumps or just blasting around on flat water, the 2011 Rebel is a stylish 5-line all-terrain free-ride/wave machine that gives you an unmatched "connected" feel and virtually limitless performance in all conditions.
The Rebel has become famous for it's direct de-power, smooth, predictable turning, even when de-powered, and short bar stroke. And this year is no exception! Flutter-free wingtips have again greatly improved the smoothness and consistency of the Rebel's turning. This smooth turning combined with optimized canopy profiles that are highly resistant to back-stalling provide seamless power delivery ideal for surfing. Improved bar feel and de-power in the small sizes means even more comfortable and accessible top-end so you can keep having fun even when the wind gets nuclear.
The loaded 5th line design provides the highest level of safety as well as being responsible for the unique short de-power stroke and direct lively feeling. Mainly due to the floating strut construction, the Rebels get a very direct and precise feeling – even when depowered. Our highest quality standard "Progression 10" construction means the Rebel is built to last and withstand the demands that serious riders put on their kites, as well as providing a long list of other slick details like back line V bungees and snag free strut ends. Now stop dreaming and go ride!

Features

• Loaded 5th Line Concept
• High Performance Freeride
• Floating Strut
• Direct Steering even when Depowered
• Short and direct Depower
• Smooth, Seamless Power Stroke

Bar

north trust bar 2011Still one step ahead, the fifth edition of our tried and tested 5th Element Bar is possibly the most effective and trustworthy safety system on the market. 2010 nearly any Kiteboarding magazine declared it the test winner. The Iron Heart VI requires minimal release forces and is not affected by harsh sand and saltwater conditions. The double de-power line in combination with the Sliding Stopper and Stopper Ball ensures that the bar is always where you want it to be in all situations. Our small, lightweight Vario Cleat allows you to quickly and easily adjust it to your desired de-power stroke while the system automatically trims your lines to the perfect length. If the dangling trim line has ever interfered with your flow in the past, you can now forget about it focus on your riding: Simply Velcro the dangling portion to the stopper ball so it’s never in your way. The Micro Loop is no longer an integrated feature, but for those who like the comfort of riding with fixed power, the system can quickly and easily be fitted.
Riders of all skill levels, from newcomers to pros, will benefit from the simplicity and functionality of the new 5th Element Bar Trust Bar and Iron Heart IV.

North D2 canopy material

 

 

Details:

Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2011
Brand: North kiteboarding
Size: 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 14m
Type: SLE
One pump: Yes
Bridles: Yes
Number of struts: 5
Colours: Various
Line length: 25m
Bar length: 46cm-55cm
Bar: 5 lines
Depower: Clamcleat
Safety: Pull
Swivel: Yes
Variable bar length: Yes
Oh shit handles: No

Who is the kite meant for?

North Kiteboarding 2011 Rebel

Off-water

In the 2011 Rebel, North Kiteboarding paid extra attention to the materials used and the finish of the kite.  The canopy is made of a new material called D2.  You can recognize the D2 by the double squares in the fabric. Furthermore, North incorporated a "floating center strut".  Watch the following clip for more info about the floating center strut.

On-water

One of the first things you notice when flying the 2011 Rebel is the very small turning circle and the reaction speed. This has very much improved over the 2010 model. The feedback you get at any point in the flight-line, the boost and the small turning circle make the kite just right foor kiteloops.The good low-end and the control you have in the high-end give the Rebel a great range. The 2011 bar has been tuned on a few points, and the loaded 5th line is great when the safety is used. However, when the powerlines are streched after some time the relatively shorter 5th line might influence the profile of the kite.

Key characteristics on-water:

+ High-end

+ Low-end

+ Boost in small turning circles (excellent for kiteloops)

+ Glide-phase

+ Maximum speed (partly because the Rebel likes to move towards the edgo of the wind window)

- Stability. Worst case scenario is that the kite can tilt and drop. This is also due to the tendency to go to the edge.

- Loaded 5th line which is good for safety but a disadvantage in the waves and when thepowerlines are streched. If this happens just add a pigtail (comes with the kite).

- Short sweetspot, so less good for freestylers.  For this North offers the Vegas.

Conclusion

The North Rebel is a multi-functional kite for advanced and technical riders. There is a lot more to get from the 2011 model than the 2010 Rebel.  Main improvements are the turning circle, the boost and the feedback through the steering-lines. The rider has control over the gradual power buildup.  The kite has a high maximum speed. All this makes the kite a great free-ride kite. The more skilled the rider the more that can be gotten from the kite.

Benchmark North Rebel 2011

Basics

Kite stability

Unstable Stable

Kite re-launch

Difficult Easy

Total depower

Still pressure Total depower

Windrange

Limited Wide

The High and Low-end of the Rebel 2011 is good, giving it a large range.

Safety system

Difficult Easy

Oldskool

Lift

Gradual Explosive

Glide phase

Short Long

High-end

Small range Large range

You can keep control a long time. Even in overpowered conditions full depower.

Low-end

Small range Large range

Wave

Steering with low line tension

Not so good Good

Feedback at edge of wind window

Minimal Great

Turning circle

Large radius Small radius

Reaction to steering action

Slow Fast

Race

Maximum speed

Difficult Easy

Kiteposition in wind-window

Middle Edge

Going upwind

Hard Easy

Acceleration

Slow Fast

There are 1 reviews on this product:

North Rebel 2011 10m
Name:
Luis 
Weight:
32 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat, chop, small-waves, big-waves  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 12 knots up to 30
Number of test sessions:
100 
Kite size:
10m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
durability
 
ShortLong
up wind
 
HardEasy
windrange
 
LimitedWide
safety system
 
DifficultEasy
high end
 
Small rangeLarge range
glide phase
 
ShortLong
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
slack line steering
 
SlowQuick
drift
 
HardSoft
kite reaction
 
SlowQuick
lift
 
GradualExplosive
boost
 
SoftStrong
kitefinder.com - 31.12.2014 at 17:37 hour
Comments:
Good freeride kite. Easy to go upwind and good for progression.
Overhall good kite construction, durability and ridding. 
2 kudos - +

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