Kite: Duotone Rebel 2020
Size: 12sqm
Test conditions: various days with winds from 10/12 to around 18 knots during our kite trip to Tarifa
Few kites are as long-lived as the Rebel, for years a symbol of North Kiteboarding, now Duotone. A kite that, however, has not remained the same in itself over the years but has evolved and has often also changed its character, not without some surprise. Recently it has undergone a decisive restyling in 2018, when the 5-line configuration (if not optional) was abandoned to switch to the 4 cables.
The Rebel is a sail from which a lot is expected, designed for demanding and expert kiters and it is for this reason that we too had great expectations and a lot of curiosity to try it in the water.
The measurement we had with us for our test was the 12sqm, the preferred size by Jeremie Tronet in the Rebel 2020 range ... and surely a little something understands!
We used the Rebel with both Trust Bar and Click Bar , both with 24-meter lines (bar tests will be published in a dedicated post).
The Rebel 2020 has as usual 5 Strut. The main differences from the past years concern the materials (lighter fabric), the reduction of the leading edge diameter that contributes to making the kite faster and a flatter profile in the center to give even more power.
The Rebel has the "Airport Valve II" inflation valve that connects directly to the Duotone pump tube and can also be used to deflate the kite.
In the air, the Rebel is a kite that remains stiff thanks to its 5 struts and does not deform or wave.
On the bar it transmits a precise pressure, not very light but that we could define as intermediate. A little more present than the Dice or the Neo.
Acceleration and power are perceived immediately: just pull the bar to feel the power increase. At the same time the Rebel 2020 always manages to convey this feeling of shooting and power even with the wind at its limit (12 poor nodes) and this happens at every point of the flight window, even at the edge of the window. Pulling the bar clearly indicates acceleration in pace.
In this regard we have found that the Rebel has a very large flight window that allows excellent boline, without never giving the impression of being positioned too much on the edge of the window.
The stability in the air has really hit us a lot. With very light wind the kite gives the impression of floating in the air and exploiting every knot of wind to the maximum.
But let's talk about the jumps, or rather about the saltonos, which are the real "raison d'être" of the Rebel.
All the power that is perceived on the bar is transmitted to the jumps: invert the kite and the Rebel catapults you into the air, pull the bar to you while you are in the air and you will feel a further input upwards. We all agreed that Rebel probably made us do some of the highest jumps ever made, but the point is not just height. Once in flight the Rebel remains stable and controllable. You always know exactly where it is, the kite accompanies you and supports you by transmitting great confidence. The landings are then incredibly soft and slow, thus transmitting even more safety.
We therefore found a truly exceptional lift, great stability in flight and in general great power both to exploit the lighter wind and for the jumps.
On the other hand, depower, the ability to completely foil, is not so marked. Even the speed is not extraordinary, although it cannot be defined as a slow kite, even considering that it was a 12.
We tried the Rebel with both twin tip and surfini and hydrofoil boards, although with a directional board and hydrofoil a smaller size would have been more appropriate, even in light winds. With the twintip the kite is expressed at its best, allowing you to have fun with big air salts.
With the Surfino you feel the lack of a bit of depower and speed of the wing, but above all you feel the need for a smaller kite.
Even with the hydrofoil the size of the kite was excessive, but with the wind very light, his floating skills in the air were really appreciated.
In conclusion, the Rebel was really appreciated by all intermediate or expert riders who love the salt, but also by those, beginners or experts, who simply wanted to make borders and surf with few knots of wind.
TESTER
In addition to us at Tabularasateam.it, they tried sailing with their impressions: Luca @ Sapotour and the kiters who participated in the September 2019 kitetrip in Tarifa
Here are some testers' opinions:
"Powerful kite but also manageable, unloads very well. I laced it well. Incredible lift, I was just hanging in the air. Impressive for being a 12" Il Grana
"I liked it so much. Compared to my 12 Switchblade I found it faster, softer and lighter on the bar. It doesn't tire you at all." Jade
"I found it a bit tiring on the bar, although softer than in previous years. Nice lift, but I also thought something more. Overall a nice fun kite even if it's not my thing. I would recommend to a beginner " Luca
"I really liked the Rebel 2020. I found it manageable and I also found that it has good speed in changing direction" Dario
Thanks to Duotone @soulridershop for availability and collaboration
Pubblicato il 28 settembre 2019 | Blog > Reviews: KITESURF