Kite Scoop Forum

what up scoop,
I just can't figure out if I should go for the 2013 switchblades or the cabrinha chaos. The fucked up issue is that I cannot demo the kites. I have 2008 switchblades atm and negative is that if I unhook they pull like a mother fucker freight train. Are the 2013 SB any better or shall I go for the chaos.

basically if someone has tried the kites should drop me a line with their thoughts....

I have ridden both a fair bit and they are both really nice, but different kites.

If you are riding a boots board like the custom that has a bit more rocker/drag then 100% no questions asked get the Switchblade. IF you are riding a flatter board, with straps then the Chaos will work pretty well.

The new Switchblade is a really nice kite (more C kite feel than before) and has more low end torque and wind range that the chaos. Its slightly heavier on the bar, and a bit more powerful unhooked. The chaos doesn't have the bottom end or wind range, but is lighter and faster turning that the Switchblade.

Chaos needs board speed to work well, and this is fine on a flatter/faster board but is harder on a boots orientated setup. Unhooked the Chaos is awesome and feels amazing, but has a limited wind range compared to the Switchblade.

For me its pretty easy to choose - Boots = Switchblade. Straps OR perfect conditions = Chaos.

Both are nice, and you will love either but they have their strengths/weaknesses.

p.s. if you are ordering a cabrinha setup and are riding boots. Make SURE you order one of the new Customs. They are a big step up this year.

Super smooth, poppy and predictable. Ptex base for sliders. WInner winner, chicken dinner!

That's why I got rid of my 2012 switchblades after only having them 4 or 5 months. Our conditions make it annoying to ride boots most of the time and it just pulls so fucking hard unhooked. I switched to C-kites that have a freestyle setting (that I use for straps) and a wakestyle setting and have progressed more in the 2 weeks I've been riding them than I did in the entire time I had sbs... but if i could ride flat water with boots on a 9m all the time I would have stuck with them. conditions matter a lot

The 2013s look a lot different though, so can't comment on that.

Hey dyyylan, I ride an LF influence with Cells so I will stick with the SB given that is working better with boots. Getting a kite with less wind range and less low end torque is not really an option with the shitty wind we are getting on the lake I am kiting. btw the 2013 SB tips look rather different (more square)....

jelico, riding C on the gusty wind we get her on the lake is like a mission impossible..... although some people do... so I guess I am a pussy lol

Thanks bros.

Another option would be the SS RPM unless you are set on having a Cab kite. I used to ride them and they were great for gusty wind and close to the feel of a C kite. My first kite was a Switchblade 3 (i think... 08 kite) and it pulled like a truck unhooked. Nothing feels like a true C though... loving the GPs.

Hey kitesurf-ripper,

A couple of weeks back Damo Leroy held a cabrinha demo at our local beach. I can tell you that IMHO the chaos is way better then the SB for wakestyle, it doesn't matter what board you use.

Of course the proper board/kite combination will give you the best performance. I have the LF dlx and still have my influence , I currently ride the Combat and previously had hifis and I can tell you this: C-kites and medium or high rocker boards go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Probably Dre would have a more in depth insight about the chaos.

BTW, once you unhook, c-kites handle gust better than SLE's.

Hey BamBam,

I was all amped to go and buy the SB based on what jelico wrote and now with what you wrote I still confused on whether I should go SB or Chaos. Why you found the Chaos better? Was the wind range and low end pull good?

The wind ranges that Cabrinha post on their web site is all BS... they write that the Chaos 11 has a bigger wind range than the SB, which is harder to believe really.

Andre is still ridding the SB and not the Chaos and cabrinha are still marketing the SB as the kite for boot.... but this is all marketing BS I guess to sell SB.

Hey Dre drop a line to the troops and let us know what the scoop is with the Chaos.

I wish I could demo the motherfuckers so I could made my mind.....

Sorry to make you second guess, but I'll try to clarify.

I found the chaos somewhat similar to the rpm, it is a very c-like bridled kite. In that sense, the unhooked sweet spot is bigger which means that the unhooked wind range is bigger. So, there could be more wind variation and you will be less affected when doing tricks. Also, it has more slack than the sb, so you can be lit pop hard, land at a normal riding speed and do handle passes with more ease. So they pull hard when you have tension, but if you let off your edge and go downwind they stop pulling as much, sle's don't, they keep pulling and accelerating. Sle's are very boosty so yeah they can also pop hard, but you end up landing like a bat out of hell specially when you keep the kite low.

As far as wind range I was not able to confirm that, I think they are similar, if anything the chaos would have a bit less, but it is not a big concern.

I'm not saying that the sb is bad, I think it is a decent sle for wakestyle, but in my opinion there are better kites out there, regardless of the conditions you ride in (choppy or flat). If you didn't like the sb 2008 there's no reason y u will like the sb 2013, just get the chaos or any other c-kite and you will see how much you will progress.

Cheers dude for the info. It is decision time now....

You will most likely be happy with either kite, both are great unhooked. In the right wind conditions the Chaos will feel great.

I spent a week riding both kites in lots of different sizes, in lots of different winds. For me there is no question. Back to back the Switchblade suits boots/wakestyle boards much better than the chaos.

Basically if you plan to ride a flatter rockered board, or straps (or are very light weight) and like to do kite loops or PKRA style freestyle then the the Chaos might be nicer.

If you are riding a board with rocker, ride in boots or ride in mixed conditions then in my opinion the SB has the edge.

Over to you, I am sure you will enjoy either. Just decide what you want from the kite and go from there.

2008 - 2013 kites are VERY different.

Felt similar as far as slack goes. The newer sb's do have those attachment points to fine tune the kite. I feel the complete opposite of what you mentioned though. Like with everything it all comes down to preference and riding style. I got used to c-kites again, and the chaos is closer to that.

so what did you end up with?
Too busy riding for a re-cap?

Holler out to the ether.

I'm with Jelico 100% on this one. Rode both and I think the Chaos feels light and weird. The switchy is more heavy on the bar and predictable.

I would choose the Ozone C4 over both of them hahaha. But seriously, you need to try kites and make up your own mind.