2013 Slingshot Rally Observations
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:07 pm
(disclaimer: The observations below are purely my opinion and are provided for the sole purpose of sharing information about new 2013 gear. I am not paid by Slingshot, nor did they ask me to post any of the following):
I've been flying Slingshot Rally kites for the past 3 seasons, mostly in the surf, but also at Sherman and in the Bay. I've had a few sessions on the 2013 8 and 10 meter kites and thought I'd share what I'm seeing with this year's model and about the changes they've made to the bar.
1. The 2013 Rallys are more stable. I'm not sure if this is due to the addition to some really small diameter (<2") struts on the wingtips but they handle gusts better and seem to fly in one area of the window better. Older models tended to race forward in the wind window in gusts. These aren't doing that nearly as much. My observation: Like.
2. The 2013 10 meter Rally has a good amount more grunt than previous models. Sadly, it also turns slower. My observation: Given the additional stability and power, yet slower turning, I'm calling this a 'glass half empty or half full' situation. It's all how you look at it.
3. The 2013 kites are somewhat heavier. This is due to the extra struts as well as slightly beefed up areas where kites typically tear/fail. My guess is since Patrick Rebstock is now riding Rallys, he's had some input in terms of durability in the surf. My observation: Heavier: Don't like. Stronger/more durable: Like.
4. Bar pressure seems the same as the 2011 and 2012 Rallys. It's medium to light, which I like as it doesn't make my elbow and forearms hurt after multiple sessions, day after day. My observation: (Still) Like.
5. Speaking of the bar, they've made the grip a bit softer. I think it could still be softer yet, but it's a step in the right direction. My observation: Like.
6. The bar is still hella heavy. Compared to bars from other brands, the Slingshot bar is a beast. My observation: Don't like.
7. They've made the hole through the bar for the chicken loop rope have a little ridge (they call it a "volcano""). Due to this and the resulting smaller diameter hole, there's less tendency for your finger to get pinched and rubbed by the chicken loop rope as the bar sheets in and out. My observation: Like.
8. in 2012, Slingshot started using WHITE grip on the left side of the bar (black on the right). I think all bars should have red on the left so there's consistency between bars of any brand. I wrap some red hockey tape around the left side on my bars but it's dumb to stray from the industry standard of 'red on the left'. My observation: Don't like.
9. They've added some velcro on the end of the floats/Oh-SH*t handles to secure your lines after wrapping them up. It works OK, but I still prefer bungee or something to just pull over the lines at the end of the bar. My observation: Meh, not a big deal, I still mod the ends of my bars with small bungee cord to pull over the lines when I'm done wrapping up.
That's the news as it's fit to print...
Kirk out
I've been flying Slingshot Rally kites for the past 3 seasons, mostly in the surf, but also at Sherman and in the Bay. I've had a few sessions on the 2013 8 and 10 meter kites and thought I'd share what I'm seeing with this year's model and about the changes they've made to the bar.
1. The 2013 Rallys are more stable. I'm not sure if this is due to the addition to some really small diameter (<2") struts on the wingtips but they handle gusts better and seem to fly in one area of the window better. Older models tended to race forward in the wind window in gusts. These aren't doing that nearly as much. My observation: Like.
2. The 2013 10 meter Rally has a good amount more grunt than previous models. Sadly, it also turns slower. My observation: Given the additional stability and power, yet slower turning, I'm calling this a 'glass half empty or half full' situation. It's all how you look at it.
3. The 2013 kites are somewhat heavier. This is due to the extra struts as well as slightly beefed up areas where kites typically tear/fail. My guess is since Patrick Rebstock is now riding Rallys, he's had some input in terms of durability in the surf. My observation: Heavier: Don't like. Stronger/more durable: Like.
4. Bar pressure seems the same as the 2011 and 2012 Rallys. It's medium to light, which I like as it doesn't make my elbow and forearms hurt after multiple sessions, day after day. My observation: (Still) Like.
5. Speaking of the bar, they've made the grip a bit softer. I think it could still be softer yet, but it's a step in the right direction. My observation: Like.
6. The bar is still hella heavy. Compared to bars from other brands, the Slingshot bar is a beast. My observation: Don't like.
7. They've made the hole through the bar for the chicken loop rope have a little ridge (they call it a "volcano""). Due to this and the resulting smaller diameter hole, there's less tendency for your finger to get pinched and rubbed by the chicken loop rope as the bar sheets in and out. My observation: Like.
8. in 2012, Slingshot started using WHITE grip on the left side of the bar (black on the right). I think all bars should have red on the left so there's consistency between bars of any brand. I wrap some red hockey tape around the left side on my bars but it's dumb to stray from the industry standard of 'red on the left'. My observation: Don't like.
9. They've added some velcro on the end of the floats/Oh-SH*t handles to secure your lines after wrapping them up. It works OK, but I still prefer bungee or something to just pull over the lines at the end of the bar. My observation: Meh, not a big deal, I still mod the ends of my bars with small bungee cord to pull over the lines when I'm done wrapping up.
That's the news as it's fit to print...
Kirk out