Cabrinha Kite Crossbow IDS 2009

An article has already been written about Cabrinha Crossbow 2011 edition, but I think the majority of all kiters buy second hand kites, so I think a review about the older Cabrinha Crossbow is in place, the 2009 version to be more precise. In fact I´m just looking to buy some new second hand kites, since my old 2007 Cabrinha Crossbow 9m and my 2008 Cabrinha Switchblade 12m is getting a bit to torn… or actually the kites are in great condition, but the bars are almost falling apart! A guy is selling three 2009 Cabrinha Crossbow IDS, sizes 9, 11 and 13. The price is reasonable, $1600 for all three including bars, bags, pumps etc. But I though that I better do some research about the 2009 Crossbow edition before I strike, don’t wanna buy a pig in a poke…
So here is a summary about this kite, i.e. info collected from various sources on the net.

The Crossbow IDS (Intelligent Depower System) was released 2009 and is of course a fancy and cool name and people might buy Cabrinhas products just because of that. The IDS is however not just another depower system. It’s true that it doesn’t differ to much compared to the old depower system, but the quality and design of the bar and the depower system is nicer and better compared to the predecessors.
Further, Cabrinha claimes that the new IDS deliver power in a wider wind range which is due to the dynamic arc construction. It works like a sort of flexible arc, the more power you get in the kite the more curved does the kite become. The largest kites have a more flattened arc which allows them to grab more wind and thus provide you with a better low end. The smallest kites have a more tradionally shaped arc which make them better to handle strong winds.

The unique design of the Cabrinha canopy makes it to a chameleon when the wind is changing. Lightning fast and quick turning in strong winds and still with a great wind range. This combined makes the new Cabrinha an absolute high performance winner for many riders no matter what kind of conditions you’re riding in.

The new features that Cabrinha list for the 2009 Crossbow IDS kite is:

• Absolute depower – pull the bar over the stopper and the kite will actaully fall down
• Sprint – I guess they mean the sprint to the quick release
• Improved LE Closing Seam – My previous Cabrinhas have been super strong in the seams, so the new seam must be undestructible!
• Ultra Bomb canopy reinforcement – don’t exactly what it means, but it sounds good =)
• Flat seams
• New bridle pulleys
• New Pulley bridle line
• Industry Leading QR – Cabrinha here states that their quick release is the best in the world.

Cabrinha has something they call Powerdrive IDS. Which is another cool word for the depower stuff. It means that you have full control over the kite whether you´re flying fully powered of if you are fully depowered with the kite in the air, on land or in the water. I guess that the “full control” probably also comes down how skilled you are as a kiter. The bar has new “streamlined” design and some other new features are:

• IDS activation below the bar
• Soft EVA bar ends – don’t ask me what EVA is…
• Lower pivot point
• No pulleys
• Left/Right designation – like this would be something new… the colors are blue and red.
• 22 meter lines

A more detailed description of the bar features might be appropriate.

Soft EVA Bar Ends – This is accordingly to Cabrinha some kind of multifunction ends. If I understand it correctly, the ends and the bar is one big seamless molded piece. The ends are both ergonomical designed and protective in the way that are no hard steel pieces or something like that on which you can hurt yourself. Further, since the ends are a sort of extension of the bar, you can use them for aggressive turnings or if you just prefer to keep your grip extra wide. The design also facilitates when you tie the lines around the bar.

Lower Pivot Point – I guess that they mean the point where the lines are attached to the bar ends. This point is closer to the bar, which apperantly reduces the turning impulse that is required for steering the kite.

Floatation – The bar has enough buoyancy to float in the water even when the lines are tied to the bar. This is handy if you need to put your bar away for few seconds, no need to search for iy beneath the surface anymore.

No Pulleys – The Powerdrive IDS control system is free from pulleys which results in no bar pressure whatsoever at the same time as you get rid of annoying extra lines and pulleys.

Quick Release – Cabrinha has one of the markets best and safest quick release system. The new powerdrive QR is based on the old construction which means few moving parts, unsensitive to salt and sand. The technique is tested for many years and proven to be outstanding, so there is no reason for Cabrinha to change its QR system at this state.

QR2 – In case you need to completely separate yourself from the kite, simply pull the secondary QR which is attached to the harness loop. You’ll now how total depower and the kite will fall down from the sky.

That’s it. I think I´ll buy those kites after all. The price is good and the kites seem to be great even though they are 2 years old. I´ll of course get back with a full review of the kites if I buy them =)

Stay tuned!