2011 Rally , Changes ?

1surfer · Sat Dec 25, 10 4:49 pm **2011 Rally , Changes ?**

Does anyone know if the 2011 Rally will have any changes from the 2010 ?[/b] I have a chance to get a new 2010 Rally 14 but I want to know if there will be any major changes making it a better choice to wait and get the 2011. Will the 2011 RPM have any changes ? How about split struts on the RPM ? ( that would be cool )

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Nope, no changes. In fact the Rally you saw in late 2010 was a 2011 kite.

They will run out of stock on these in the spring and then release the 2012 version on late summer, early fall.

1surfer · Mon Jan 03, 11 1:08 pm **Rally TE**

I have used the 14 and the 10. I love most everything about the kite and the way it fly's except for the trailing edge flutter. I have also observed the 12 doing the same thing.
When you dive the kite you get a serious TE flutter. It does it on all 3 sizes, every time you dive the kite. It does not seem to have an ill effect at the time of flutter. My fear is that over time it will just wear out the fabric on the TE, and is sort of loud and I dont want to listen to it. It is very profound in nature. The flutter occurs consistantley every time the Rally's are flown.

Im sort of bummed because I like everything else about the Rally's. They fly great. I would love to purchase them but I cant live with the flutter. ( the kites were inflated to 10 psi at zero degrees F )

They need a super light stick on TE batten about 12 " long.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Hey, I spoke to Chris Schey at SS and he had a few good things to say and I agree.
He said if the kite flutters while just kiting along then their may be a problem with it. If so bring it in and I will get you fixed up.

However if it only does it during dives, loops and sheeting in/out then this can be normal. Older designs ran a tighter trailing edge (TE) but new SS designs run a looser TE in order to get a better pocket in the canopy.

Yes they could add a bunch more struts or battens but these things add weight and are a hassle in packing up the kite. Notice the Rally does have scalloped TE between struts in order to keep flutter to a minimum.Don't worry about a little flutter wearing out your canopy, it won't and if it did SS would likely stand behind it. Hope that helps.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Rally review here.

http://www.kiteroam.com/news/gear/3431-Gear_Review_Wednesday__2011_SS_Rally

Onad · Mon Jan 03, 11 3:31 pm

How is the low end on the 12m Rally?

I’m 205lbs and a looking for a “true” 11m / 12m to fill a whole in my quiver.

Great info on the kite performance and “flutter” - Thanks!

1surfer · Mon Jan 03, 11 3:51 pm **Rally**

I have not used the 12. The 14 and the 10 had good low end. It fly's very well and has good manners.
The TE does flutter far more than any other kite. The amount of flutter WILL have a bad effect on the fabric and TE guaranteed. Like I said, I would buy a couple except for the flutter. It is far more than any kite that I have seen since 98 or so and it is loud. I would have to consider it an extreme flutter. I am originally a sailmaker by trade and was trained by a very discriminating master sailmaker. Nothing should ever flutter like that on a regular basis. There is simply no way that fabric can take that kind of flutter on a regular basis without showing a devastating effect on the fabric .

SS could send a LE sample to Microbac and the will give a specific number of cycles until failure. My guess is one year of sailing 3 times a week and the TE will be shot.

I dont mean to be a neg, I love Slingshot products, but there is no way that extreme flutter is there by design and thus should not be there.

1surfer · Mon Jan 03, 11 3:52 pm **Sample**

I meant that SS could send a TE sample to Microbac ....

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I have the 10 and 12 Rally's. About 10 days on the 10 and 5 on the 12. I ride a 6'2" surfboard at 195 lbs. I can ride the 12 when other folks are on 15's and a twin tip. That's about as technical as I can get as I never check the wind speed. The kites are very light and efficient. The 10 is the wonder kite. I use the 12 in Baja only, basically.

I have not experienced any flutter whatsoever. In 2005 I had an 11 Fuel that fluttered like a venetian blind on crack. I took it to Slingshot and they replaced it the next day with a brand new 11. No idea if they flew it, or took my word for it. All i know is I got a phone call that said come get your new 11.

Call them.

Eric

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Ditto. I have a 10 and 12 Rally. No flutter that I've noticed.

I should also say I'm *really* happy with them. The 10m is like magic.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I haven't noticed an excessive flutter. Flown my 6 and 10 several times since Nov.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

Being on the extrem end of all this at over 300lbs, and regularly in 30nkts, any kite will flutter if flow hard throu the window, and SS is the most compliant with complaints on customer service, so dont worrie , you will be taken care of, my advice is to be the best kite flyer you can, do not drive the kite too low throu the window if not nassasary, be easy on it, do not leave it on the beach flutering, deflate and role it up. its only a second to reflate. sun and wind damage is garrentied, just try to minimize these effects, extrem fluter is most notable in over powered conditions , rig smaller. the secret agent!!

1surfer · Wed Jan 05, 11 5:25 pm **RPM**

I was looking into several other brands of kite like Ozone, Wainman and even Vari. I decided to stick with Slingshot and go with the 2011 RPM's. Looking forward to seeing one.
The split strut is going to take a great kite and make it even more BadAss.
It is nice to call a kite company and have them answer the phone.

Slingshot does have legendary customer service. They pretty much always take care of you. I like the product because it is very strong and I tend to be a bit abusive to my equipment.

Kites are like surfboards, the best one is the one that feels good to that particular user.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Onad · Thu Jan 06, 11 3:47 pm

Can anyone comment on the wind range of the Rally vs. the RPM? Specifically the 12m?

Looking at both of these kites. Tough to decide...

TX!

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

The Rally 12m will have more overall range then the 12 RPM. It won't be by much but with the overall speed and low end grunt of the Rally your best bet for total range would be with the Rally. The RPM is a close 2nd. Think of it as comparing a Fuel to a RPM that would be the same way to view a RPM to a Rally. All great kites and depends on what your after in total range, feel and preformance.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot