2013 Rallys- changed for the worse?

drussell30 · Since 20 Jul 2011 5 Posts Gorge Kook

Flew the 2013 Rally 14M last night on the Glide in 7-13kts at the Event site. All I know is that I was fully planning and having a blast with a locked in kite for 2 hours when other were scratching to get off the sandbar. I had a few "elevator ride" jumps that were just plain ridiculous for such light wind! When you involuntarily bust out laughing in the middle of a jump - you know something good is going on.

The 12 and 14 sizes are big, high aspect kites and they turn like it. In light air, this kite carves and generates power in the turn. It doesn't do a stalled pivot around the wingtip. If you want it to spin, a quick tug on the float will flip it in a radius of 1.5 x span.

Full disclosure: I work for Slingshot.
I have about 20 sessions on the '13 Rallys so far - all sizes. Plain and simple: I'm loving the kite and picked those for my personal Gorge quiver.

Oh, and yeah - I still like to dangle...how can you not?

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Glad they work for you, I'm going to Demo soon and maybe I'll let you know what I think with name, rank and serial number .

Rock on Piano man!

WS · Since 08 Aug 2011 9 Posts Kook

Anyone know when the 2013 RPMs are hitting the market?

PieroPDX · Since 22 May 2006 109 Posts Stoked

I thought fall but I heard feb/ march is the cycle for that model.

Mr.Nacho · Since 16 Jul 2011 109 Posts TheHood Stoked

I’ve “personally “ been riding SS Rally’s for the past two years in the Gorge mainly strapped on a 5-11”pit so this is my opinion of the SS Rally’s 2012 vs. 2013. I must admit my first impressions of the 2013 Rallys was mixed but I did not let the 1st, 2nd or 3rd session bias my opinion just yet, first impressions can sometimes be misleading. Now I’ve have had at least 25-30 sessions on the 2013s I really like the redesigned 2013 Rallys for what they are, a more powerful performance kite.

My first mistake, the 2012 Rally 8m is not the same as the 2013 8m, the 2013 generates more power and for that matter all the sizes have more respective power. Thanks to some of the obvious – larger reflex wing tips, mini struts and forward attachment points the canopy is rock solid and less forgiving than the 2012s, it doesn’t twist, flex or over sheet and larger riders will like that. When you demo the kite consider sizing down, of course use your best judgment but think smaller kite if you’re on the fence.

The first thing you might notice is the slight increase in bar pressure, your well established muscle memory for the 2012s Rally bar won’t work, it requires more bar input than your use to. And yes, in my opinion, the kite does not pivot turn as fast size for size (think smaller kite = faster turning speed). However it will turn fast enough it just requires more bar input than your use to. So, try a slightly wider hand placement on the bar and/or use more force. I’ve also tried the 10m (wider) bar on the 8m; it helps but the 10m lines are 3 meters longer and add an additional element.

Now, what do you give up? Well, if super turning speed is the most important attribute you must have then the 2013 Rally might not be the kite for you. However what do you gain? It generates more power, better low-end grunt, wider wind range, precise handling, better upwind capability, easier kite relaunching, bigger more explosive airs, better loft and hang times, softer landings and it drifts perfectly…

So are the 2013 Rally’s right for you? Demo once, twice, three times have an open mind without expectations and have fun. Find out what the kite does rather than holding on to expectation of the past. You might find, as I have, I can live without the “super fast” turning speed of the 2012s, but all that I have gained I really like. For me this is a great kite for the characteristics it does have, it might not be what you expect but give it a chance and relish in all the new attributes it does have. So visit Windance here in the gorge or a Slingshot dealer near you and form your own opinions.

Here’s more on the topic:
https://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2377040&p=763142

Cheers!

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Great review, but I know in one session whether a kite works for me or not. I either like it or I don't. I get the feeling this is no longer a dedicated wave kite, more of an alrounder designed to appeal to a larger group of buyers.

I understand that its a business, but then understand when I don't buy one.

If I wanted longer hangtime, less pivot in the turns, I would have bought a switchblade. I buy the 2012 Rally for its wonderful turning speed in the waves, more upwind does me no good on a surfboard that rockets upwind. More range? Deltas have enough and then some for my taste. Better low-end? Yeah, but at the cost of what I liked in the original. I bet the drift is affected as well.

Back to the surfboards, just saw Patrick Rebstock in a video talking about the increased strength of the new sticks. Who would have guessed?

Mr.Nacho · Since 16 Jul 2011 109 Posts TheHood Stoked

Thanks Lurk, Sounds like you have a handle on it. Better grab some 2012’s before their gone. Best of luck in your quest for the perfect wave kite, I’m sure Slingshot will be sorry you moved on but maybe your cries for a faster kite will be heard for 2014.

I’m surprised you were able to heel dent the SS Bamboo construction in the waves; I’ve never heard/seen one with “heel” dents here in the Gorge or Mexico. Anyway I thought a good heel dent was a sign it’s broken-in like an old set of Birkenstocks? I guess a heel dents are better than it breaking in half. I’m loving my new 5-8” Tyrant in the WVX construction which It’s the bomb☺

Cheers!

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Thanks Mr. Nacho I will get me some 2012's before there all gone, your review was well done too.

As for the bamboos, I hope SS goes back to heavy epoxy for durability. I have seen two broke in half, and a bamboo veneer over pure styro is not going to last no way. Its the best preformance, but my last name is not Romney... but for those who can it is one sweet ride.

My old SS board hit the rocks for over 20 minutes and only needed some marine- tex to look like crap but work like new...

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

So...Only votes for, are SS diehards and PIMPS ???

Disclaimer: dont care where your company is based (they are all made overseas, produce one in the US that flies like a pos and melts when it hits the water I just might buy it) just give me something that works.

Mr.Nacho · Since 16 Jul 2011 109 Posts TheHood Stoked

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

No shit? All the more reason he would know... I think the board line needs two versions, one epoxy and the other bamboo veneer for 1 percenters like you.

WindLogik · Since 09 Feb 2009 95 Posts Hood River

I rode a 2013 Dialer EPX on the coast in great conditions for a couple of days. Great board, totally thrilled with it. I'm not sure how the construction could be much better. I chose EPX because it seems to be more repairable. Slingshot is putting a dampening strip in these EPX boards. The board didn't feel chattery at all, and it was as smooth in the water as my hand-made poly board. Also, the mount channels are gone, and the straps mount with screws - real easy.

Thanks Slingshot for making such awesome products! Can't wait to try a new Rally. I'll bet it's pretty sweet.

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

I like all the talk about the new Rally's. I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but am a pretty stoked user of a mix of 2011 and 2012's, and am excited about some of the changes. It will sure be nice to have a bit more pull through the turns especially.

There have been a few comments about the extra "mini strut" to help out with some of the softening that takes place over time, especially when being ridden by a heavier rider. I just wanted to point out that I had this problem on a couple of my 2011's and found a pretty good solution. If you move the outside lines to the middle or first (closest to the middle of the kite) attachment point, you eliminate that deformation/sketchiness that can happen especially when you're lit. I've been riding both kites this way for the last 2 months now, and the kite is pretty rock solid since I made the change. I don't think you have to worry about it so much with the larger sizes, but this has made a big difference on my 8 and 10m's.

Mr.Nacho · Since 16 Jul 2011 109 Posts TheHood Stoked

Vancougar, you have that exactly right on the placement of the outside lines on the 2011's Rally's, I found the same changes made a big difference. SS made changes with the bridles on the 2012 to reflect that issue, so you can now leave the pigtails on the last knots... As toddjb mentioned it's real important to have the kite inflated properly, nice and firm to get optimum performance....

Enough said!

lewmt · Since 04 Aug 2010 182 Posts MT Stoked

Colored lines tho Wink