What is the top end of you 9 REV? (and some T3 chatter)

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Hey Folks,

Seems to be a lot of loyal SS riders on this forum, so I was wondering what are you finding is the top end of the 9M REV?

The highest wind I'll see a few times of year is the low 30s (mph) w/ gusts into the high 30s. Most of the time high wind kiting for me is high 20s, with the occasional gust to 30ish, with my normal wind range being light (12-19mph) for Maryland & Delaware kiting.

I'm 180lbs and am thinking of making the 9M REV my small kite.

So, my only question is above, you can ignore the rest of this post, but if you want more details... Smile

the issue is that I currently have a 9M/14M T3 quiver (own the 14, demoing the 9). The T3 9M has a great low end, but I'm wondering if the REV 9M might have a better high end?

The question is do I go with a 9R/11T/14T quiver to get a little more on the top end? Best I can gather from the SS charts is the following suggested wind ranges

9REV 23-34.5mph
9T3 17-32mph (but I find at the high end gusts can be a handful
11T3 15-29mph

The other option is to go with 7R/9T/14T, which gives me the widest spread and the risk of likely never being blown off the water. That's a good thing and I'd be much safer kiting in the higher winds. However, there is a spread in the high teens where I would be getting at the top end of the 14, and the bottom end of the 9. If that is my predominate wind I would rather have a kite like an 11 that is dialed for that wind range. But tell me if I'm wrong.

Which brings me back to the 9R/11T/14T quiver, but just wanted to double check the 9's top end.

More info than you probably needed, but I really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

-todd

FWIW, I posted a review of the T3s on our local forum, here.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

The most I've ever had the REV 9 out in is probably the upper 20s gusting to ~30ish. At that point I'm overpowered (still in control), but unless you weigh 250 won't be doing unhooking. This is where we normally switch to 7s, which will be decently powered, but nowhere close to what the 9 was like (takes 35-40 to get my 7 like that).

Also, you should have more shut-off with the T3, so if you're looking at REVs, you're probably going to have to go with another smaller one like you mentioned. Though, if you already have T3s, why would you not just go with a T3 7m? To decide, I guess it depends on what wind you're in more often... 11 or 7m.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 13, 08 9:16 am

I'm around 200lb and ride a 137-41 board. I have flown the 9m in the low 17-20 and also in the high 20's, with regular gusts into the 30's. For me, the Rev really likes to generate allot of speed and power so if you like to ride fast the 9m will seem pretty overpowered at around 27 or so. It can handle gusts well but you have to sheet way out and adopt the toilet stance which is not that much fun, that or really stomp your edge and lean Waaaay back (which gets tiring).

Put it this way, every time I have been out on the 9m it has been between 18-30 and only a handful of times did I actually trim the kite out to get more power. Almost invariably, I have it sheeted all the way in.

You explained your high wind and low wind conditions but which do you see more of? If you have a decent amount of days in the 20+ range, I would probably steer you towards the 7m Rev and a decent size board. I will say this though, you will definitely enjoy the Rev more than the t2's. I don't really dig on the t2 bar pressure..

good luck and don't worry too much about it. Smile

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Without knowing how much you weigh or what kind of riding you do it is a hard question to answer.

I weigh right around 205. I think for what you consider high wind the nine meter would be fine for me, although I typically switch to 7 meter when it gets close to 30.

If you are really interested in covering the whole range I would get 7m 11m rev. The 11 actually has a ton of high end.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i think tony was on his Rev 9m out at Rooster rock, the saturday a couple of weeks ago, i think it was probably blowing 30 - 45mph that day. i could have been on my 5m fuel.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

seems a 9 as a smallest kite is abit big when it cranks being overpowered sucks and un safe the 7 rev or td has big range....i think of it as 2 numbers up and down....meaning a 7 breaks to a 5 and opens to a 9...works for me i ride surf boards..makes a differance.....also when its real windy...i find a deeper bowl kite is not as twitchy....and a slower steady pull is better than a caffinated..lurchy ride......i ride 5 rev 7-11 td2 but have lately been sliding to all revs 7-11 ......11 as biggest but 7 is the most ridden.......also nothing worst than going to ride but cant cuz its to windy just my 2 cents try a demo 7 rev or t3 oh ya for full effect try rideing fixed ...with the stopper ball set thats the best way to feel how much power these kites have.......but be careful cuz fixed means no depower try in water not on land......... Exclamation

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I think having small rev as your only rev would be hard because it would be so fast if you are used to t3. I would just get a 7 t3.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

I have the 9rev as my small kite and when it starts gusting over 30 I'm feeling overpowered. Like someone else said...not out of control because you can depower but it's starts to lose shape.

I think the 9m for me at 190 lbs is perfect for mid-high twenties.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Kataku, good advice. Thanks. I'm in 11M wind more often which is what is leading me to the 9/11/14 idea, but, it sure would be nice to be comfortably powered in the high wind and not at the top end of a 9!

A 7 T3 may be the way to go, tsansbury. Add on an 11M T3 and I should be very well covered. Problem is...I was hoping to get a small REV so that I'm one step closer to an all REV/REV2 quiver for next year! Laughing

So much for planning ahead, I guess.

Very good feedback folks, thanks. Pretty much other than MM's 30-45mph report, it sounds like most people move on to smaller REVs when the wind hits the high 20s. That's good to know. I'm 180lbs which has me in the same ballpark as many of you.

I'll try not to think about it too much, but you know how it is...it is more fun than thinking about work. Smile

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 13, 08 2:29 pm

this point was kind of glossed over in the posts above, but the Rev's are F'in sweet.

Yeah, the T3's are nice and all, but if you asked almost any of the above people would you rather have a quiver of Rev's or a quiver of T3's, most would say Rev's.

Having both 2 REv's and a T2, I would not even think about buying another turbo; 2 or 3. The rev's are just that nice. Believe me, the depower more than enough and man do they like to jump!!!

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Hi, I'm Tony
I'm about 200lbs
and Damn it, I'm an Alcoholic....
And yes, I also ride the 9Rev as my small kite...
Since I hurt my knee, I've been a puss and only used it once...
Downwinder - from Dalton to RR....
winds from 20-35+...gusty as hell....
Survival was the mission...
Gusty, yeah Gusty...it's da Gorge right....
Besides, bullet proof, those revs have a sick range....
I could have easily been on a 7 and be just fine...
Back to kiting 101, if you find your self over powered, fu**'n, just bring that shit low-further to the edge and you'll be just find....Seriously, Come'on guys....I can't see anyone having more than 2 Revs to satisfy there Quiver....2 Revs and 2 boards is all you need....
The next kite to throw in the mix will probably be the 13m rev....
Just my 2 pennies.... Wink

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

What the hell is a REV...?

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

hey i didn't mean to put ya on the spot tony. i was just thinking abotu the other day, i was posting saying, you can really increase the upper range on kites by knowing how to edge hard with the board and control all the power in the kite through the gusts. just thinking the top end for a rev 9 was well, pretty top end Cool

i love my new 13m rev. funnest lightwind sesh ever on friday. Very Happy

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

"i love my new 13m rev. funnest lightwind sesh ever on friday. Very Happy

[/quote]"

13m Rev....Dude, thats sweet.....
Hey Adam, whats the top end of that 13M Rev for you.....
So I'm thinking your about 185lb.....

I'm going to charge it and grab me another Rev later in the summer...Just wondering if I be just fine w/ a 13M rev instead of the 11m.....

I'm about 200lbs in the winter and 190-195 in the summer....So I'm thinking I'm just gonna get the 13M....I bet the 13 and the glide can stick to any light wind situations.... Wink

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Do the 13m, Tony... Tomas is close to you in weight, and that's his quiver (9/13 REV) this year.

When I was down in SPI, we were filming Mark Doyle riding a REV 13 and Glide in about 10mph. Pretty much T2 14 low end once you get the kite moving!