2018 Cabrinha FX Review
Cabrinha says the FX is “for riders that mix hooked and unhooked freestyle tricks and like to kiteloop. The wide wind range offers more versatility than a traditional “C” shape, and offers smooth power delivery with predictable handling. The FX is designed to bridge the gap between advanced freestyle and performance freeride kites.”
We test rode the 14m 2018 Cabrinha FX over the course of July and into August. We rode this kite in various conditions to get a true and accurate feel for how this kite performs. This is what we found.
2018 FX Shape
The FX underwent a design change for 2018. It is still a 3 strut, modified C shape arc, box wing tip design.
Conditions
We test rode this kite for a month in various wind conditions. Here’s what we found to be the ideal wind conditions for our weight range:
160 lb rider – 13 – 22 mph
110 lb rider – 9 – 16 mph
*** It’s important to note that with this kite shape you can hold it down in windier conditions.
Our Review
Out of the package, the 2018 Cabrinha FX feels very similar to the 2017 FX. The standard setting it comes on is “A” on the wingtips and “Kiteloop” on the bridle. The subtle difference on this standard setting is snappier turns and the kite is quicker to clime to the zenith. The wingtips still have the “A” and “B” setting, A setting has less bar pressure than B setting, but the important thing to mention is the settings on the bridle. There’s 3 settings within 5 inches of each other, “Freeride” “Kiteloop” and “Freestyle”. For our review we left the kite on the “B” setting on the wingtip and modified the bridle setting.
*** There is a noticeable difference between the three settings that riders of any level can feel.
Freeride Setting
The Freeride setting delivers smooth turns and the least bar pressure of the three settings. If you’re a lighter rider looking for the best lightwind performance out of this kite, this would be our recommended setting. This setting is also perfect for performance freeriding and foilboarding.
Kiteloop Setting
The Kiteloop setting sits between the Freeride and Freestyle setting. It has a little bit more bar pressure than the Freeride setting. This setting is ideal for big hooked in tricks mixed with some unhooked tricks. The kite is smooth through the turns so if you like to throw some controlled downloops, you’ll get the precise control you’re looking for. You get excellent kite control while boosting on this setting and if you’re looking for the easiest setting for kiteloops, this is obviously it.
Freestyle Setting
The Freestyle setting really does change the characteristics of the kite to feel more like a true C kite. Out of the three settings, this setting has the most amount of bar pressure. This setting is excellent for unhooked freestyle because it wants to stay parked in position. You also get the most line slack on this setting making handlepasses easiest.
Overview
Having the three settings allows a variety of different riders with different riding styles to not only ride the same kite but appreciate and get the most of that kite. Reconfiguring the bridle to change it from setting to setting can be done effortlessly within 60 seconds. When the wind dropped to 11 – 15 mph and I switched kites with my girlfriend, I was able to switch from Freestyle to Freeride mode without having to walk out the lines again. There is enough of a difference in feel between the various settings that it is worth configuring the kite to the style of riding you want to do. When demoing this kite make sure to try all the different settings!
