Crossbow analysis

TravisBickleRex · Since 30 Jun 2005 314 Posts Taxi Driver

Yes, I've tried it. No, I'm not ready to bow to the 'Bow. I'm simply not convinced it's the best thing since the 4 line was invented. I don't recall who posted a review of the Crossbow and compared it to the Windwing Rapture, but whoever did, is very much onto something.

Purely in terms of range, the Crossbow is a great kite. It has more impressive strengths; word-of-mouth marketing generated by Cabrinha reps liberally offering free demos. This is especially smart for a kite that looks so different. It gets a lot of attention at the kiting sites, and lots of kiters have demo'd it. There is no substitute for actual hands-on flying the kite at your local spot.

Again, I'm not saying that the kite sucks. It's a good one. My question, or rather, observation, is that there are equally excellent, if not better kites available which cost less, don't have a bridle system, but have not gotten all of the attention and hype because it was not marketed to capitalize the kite's inherent strengths. The Windwing Rapture is such a beast. ...A bit of disclosure for the doubters, I don't fly Windwing, I don't work for Windwing, I don't have any real bias for or against Windwing. I'm just a cheap-ass kiter who is so cheap that I can't see even spending so much as $500 on a new kite. That's my story, more about the kite.

The Rapture is amazing. It has the same range as the Crossbow, is built bomber, does not have bridles, does not need a fifth line (because it doesn't need one), and is very inexpensive compared to the Crossbow.
I'd like to see a show-of-hands; who of you who own the Crossbow have ever flown the Rapture? Maybe I'm just not on target with my analysis, but my guess is that Windwing has dropped the ball by not taking the Rapture to the people...

KiteKarl · Since 02 Mar 2005 213 Posts Stockton, California Stoked

I was seriously considering buying a rapture before I bought my 12M crossbow. The reasons I didn't were 1) didn't demo any where the bow was all over to demo and 2) They've (WW) had issues with both their bars and leading edge stitching issues. Despite these issues, I think the 06 rap will be a good product since WW r&d is always testing their products and has excellent customer support.