What's the deal with Revs?

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

It seems like a rev is the go-to kite for most people. what is it about them that makes them such great kites?

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

First of all, its a slingshot product, the majority of people ride slingshot stuff mostly because its one of the local companies.

Second, it was slingshot's (as far as I know) first kite that was good in every way: Everybody from advanced to beginner got REVs because of the new safety features, easy relaunch after flagging the kite out on one line, fast turning, light bar pressure, good depower, etc. Lots of people bought them, so now the used market has quite a few of them as well.

I don't actually have a REV, but this is what I've observed.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

My 11 and 13 are Revs. I like them for a number of reasons:

- Stability
- Unhooking feels great!
- Relatively light bar pressure
- easy relaunch - even in light winds.
- Very durable.

Your TDs are fine for the level you are at - assuming you don't mind the bar pressure. I would just stick with what you got. Your TDs have more wind range than the revs.

And as Spike pointed out, its a SlingShot product, they are local, and so plenty of people buy them. People ride slingshot for a lot of reasons - but, if you are into buying used kites then slingshot is the way to go - plenty of them out there and you can generally find good deals on them. And selling them is not too hard, because there is a pretty good demand for used slingshot gear. However, if you go other places they never even heard of slingshot. In hawaii they ride Naish for the most part (cus they are local). From what I understand the midwest is all about Peter Lynn kites (cus they are local). Go over to europe and they ride different stuff.

Locality is huge.

green turtle kiter · Since 11 Jul 2009 48 Posts

I got into the sport in 2008. Although I live in Florida I find this forum to be the most informative of many forums that I read.

I bought my first two revs in 2008 - an 11 and a 15 - based on the opinions expressed here. Since then I have bought some 17 kites. Some out of necessity and some to try other brands. I own cabrinha, LF, ocean rodeo, flysurfer, north as well SS kites.

I think that ocean rodeo makes the most durable kites. Cabinha is second in durability and first in innovation. All the rest seems about same. My guess is that they are made in the same Chinese factory.

I think rev is most user friendly. It is pretty predictable and safe. The kite flags out asymmetrically as opposed to cabrinha and north's symmetrical flagging. The kite flies a little less forward in the window than my rebels. Relauch is easy - the kite wants to fly.

I think I have two of every size that SS makes. I have several kites that are down. The mangroves around here like to eat kites.

I just got back from cabaret. I think I saw two other revs out of hundreds kites flying there. Same was the case in Aruba last month. One advantage is that my kids can pick out my kites easily.

I find the term bomber being used to describe toughness somewhat annoying. I think that revs are somewhere in the bottom half as far as durability. In fact the zipper of my fairly new 11 broke and I have the opening taped. The same thing happened with my 13 while I was in usvi in march. The bladder herniated and popped.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 02, 10 7:19 am

They are really good kites and one of the first kites to blend that c kite smootheness and depower of a SLE. The simple and clean bar helped as well. They are good for beginers and advanced kiters as well. I think I would agree durability wise, they are built well but there are other kites out there that are more bomber.

But that was 2008 and now it's 2010 and kite technology has edged forward a bit. Most notably, the new release systems are pretty slick and are easier to get back together. The newer kites (some not all) also unhook allot better than the revs did.. They were never that good to begin with.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

"Midwest is all about Peter Lynn kites". Funny.

SS is big because they make good kites with durability. Too bad their leash sucks shit, but the rest is all good.

Chooch · Mon Aug 02, 10 3:10 pm

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

The Revs are great kites, but definitely not my favorite. They're turny, but don't have much low end power, so you have to work them pretty hard to generate enough grunt at times. The low bar pressure has its positive aspects, but I find that it is pretty sensitive and can be a little punchy in gusty conditions. They're also not as floaty as other kites when jumping, IMHO.

Every kite has its pros and cons and how much you like it depends on your riding style. It's good to buy local and support your local brands. I'd say the RPMs and Rebels are the goto kites in the Gorge these days.

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

The Rev was Slingshot's apology for the Link. An apology everyone in the Gorge was happy to accept.