I am looking to replace my larger kite with a 13m 2012 North Rebel.
I've never flown a Rebel.
People are saying that the wind range of the rebel is impressive.
I'm 92 kg and ride a 140cm twin tip. What real world wind range do people reckon I'd comfortably get with this combo?
13 to 25 knots...
13 and you would just be mowing the lawn though. At 15 it would start to come alive.
I had a 12 and am about 82 tacos, and 13/14 knots would get me going on a 141 or a surfboard.
tks dafish!
BTW: By 'comfortably' I mean not making like the ABC symbol at the low end or using your nose as an extra skeg at the top end. i.e. the useable, fun windrange....
tks saffer.
Yeah, going to demo one but unlikely that I'll get the opportunity to test the wind range during one session.
Lots of hype about the rebel. Justified?
the rebels are great kites, I would say any hype is well warranted. Pricey though, and if you ever have to replace your bar, (mine has nearly snapped) prepare to bend over to buy another bar...
That was a contributing factor in moving over to the Argonaut 11.5
Funny that, I'm going the other way: the kite I'm replacing is a 2010 Argo 11. It's been a good kite but almost tore the entire wingtip off the other day. Repairable I think but using it as an excuse to buy a new toy. Needed a proper 17-18 kts to get going on the argo hence going to 13m in the Rebel so can capitalise a little more on lighter winds we've been having here in the past couple years.
Adrenal, im 92kgs and ride a 140cm TT and a surfboard, this year im running with a 8m and 11m Rebel. Ive moved over from Vegas' so have downgraded my kite sizes. Havent had 2 many sessions on my 11m but am expecting to b up and running comfortably on that in 15knots on both the twinnie and surfboard. The low end on the 8m surprises the hell out of me the first time i rode it. Didnt even expect to get up and riding as it was barely white capping yet i could still get up and riding and even try a few tricks.
Ive been riding North for nearly 6 years now and have never had a problem with them at all. I upgrade every 2 seasons generally but have had no issues with the bar, lines or kites. Not sure if this helps but i dont think ur going to be dissapointed.
Saffer: Yep, missed the surfboard bit. Makes more sense to me now.
13m is the getting the gurnsey I'm thinking.
Hopefully the demo will reveal more. Maybe should pick a cr*ppy day with wind all over the place to put the thing through all its paces!
Must be heaps of us out there at 92kg! Me too!
I have a 12m 2012 Rebel and its by far my favourite kite. It gives me a 5-7 knot overlap with my 10m CORE XR nicely.
I looked at the 13m, but it has the same lower end wind as the 12m. (claimed 12 knots on North webpage)
The 12 gets me going in 13-15 knots on a 137cm board. My 13.5m Kahoona - which has a reputation as a very grunty kite - is no better at the lower range than the 12m rebel.
I guess like most kites, the rebel needs some apparent wind built up before you will really get going, but then it goes upwind in 13 knots ok.
If I were you I'd be more concerned about the top end, where you may get overpowered a bit too early with the 13m.
11m at 85 kg on cb wave ,15 knots no probs. Great low end grunty and heaps of power control. Rarely have to sine kite.
Captash,
Thanks for your comments. Being overpowered too early was one of the main reasons I asked my original question about the wind range of the Rebel. Because based on what I'd heard, the Rebels wind range is pretty generous so theoretically I could go a bit bigger and retain some control at the top end....
Had a look at the North page - yeah you are right, same bottom end of 12kts for both 12 and 13m??? If you were to base your choice solely on published data, you'd go the 12 every time since same bottom end but extra couple knots at the top! WTF?
Psychologically, I guess I'm more concerned with being in control at the upper end (because you can DIE!) than picking up a couple knots at the other end.
Now I want a whole weekend of sessions on this thing before I commit.
For what its worth, I had a 12 (82 kilos) and at 25 knots I was not worried about being over powered. The kite behaved well and stayed in control.
If the 12 and 13 are no different in the low end, go the 12 for that slightly quicker turning ability. The cross over to a nine is fine as my next size kite down was a 9 then 7.
If the wind was already up in the high teens low 20's I would just jump on the 9. If I started out on the 12 and the wind ramped up into the low to mid 20's, I would just stay on it and adjust the trim a bit.
YMMV
I have a 2012 10m rebel and have just had a session with wind between 19-29knts.
I'm about 80kg and ride a surfy, i had no bother holding it down and am blown away by its range. I moved the knot under the floaters to the middle knot and it worked great, i could still steer the kite like it was fully powered.
So glad i bought it!!
Mate I can give you an honest test review of the 13m rebel 
I'm 110kg and have flown my 13m2012 rebel from 10-28knt
10-20knt on new Nth spike 156/46 lightwind board
15-28knt on nobile 50-50 141.
At 10 knt its just going through the motions but it was going both ways and beat sitting on beach.
At 25knt i still only had half depower and totally in control,it was ready to spank me if i let it 
I also have a 2010 9m rebel that takes me to 35knt, all in all 2 kites and 2 boards is my complete quiver,everyone who has riden my 13m has either ordered one or is about too.
Hope this helps
Richard
Thanks saffer, makes sense.
Though...yes... I have a 9. But what I was refering to is when you get caught out (before the switch to smaller kite) and having a bit more under your kilt in the control dept (not that I've ever had any control over whats under my kilt).
Anyway, I feel somewhat more informed about choices after everyones input - thanks guys.
Next step: test drive the 13....
).
yes, different settings have a big effect on the way the argo flys, and gives it a huge wind range I only bother have one kite now(10m) where I used to have 3(multiple boards though). setting it up for lightwind makes a huge difference.
I did fiddle with settings earlier in the piece but that was when I was learning and I wasn't really good enough to discern the difference. So what's you favorite light wind setting?
92 big ones with a 10m Rebel, I need 15 knots to have some fun, and only switch down when it hits 30+ knots. Schinn Pro, can't remember what size (I'm guessing 138).
Great quality kites from North, I'm buying some new ones in Jan. Torn between Rebels, Evos, and Fuse. I'm going to spend more time in the waves now that I'm moving to AUS, so buying a surfboard, too. So need a kite that drifts downwind nicely... Probably end up with Rebels again 
Hey Benny,
I am feeling a little like a simpleton here so can you please explain,(I have asked this question on another thread with no response)
What does 36 AC relate to.
Griffin site has a recommended setting for what I am looking for BB36.
What I can see on the kite is
123
and ABC
These are the different points of attatchments. Where is the 36 component, or on your setting AC. I assumed BB meant B on both sides. I am really rather clueless right now and wouldn't mind experimenting with different settings, especially with drifting.
Thanks
DF
