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CABRINHA FX
Sizes Available: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14m
Sizes Tested: 7, 9, 12m

Cabrinha Says:

For riders that mix hooked and unhooked freestyle tricks, love huge jumps and kite loops and like to surf powered with a kite. The all new FX kite effortlessly bridges the gap between freestyle and freeride to create the perfect crossover kite. The new and highly responsive platform gives you the much needed power for explosive acceleration and the perfect amount of boost for huge lofty airs. The modified C-shape arc allows you to throw aggressive kiteloops with the ability to hit the zenith in time for a soft landing. Its lightning fast turning speed, direct steering and quick relaunch make it perfect for intermediate to highly advanced riders.

Visit for more info: www.cabrinhakites.com/kite/fx.html

Our Testers Say:

“The 12 meter was easy to control and super responsive to rider input,” Tom Fristoe.

“Smooth power delivery that shines in the high end power range,” Dray Murray.

“With a steady, grunty pull, it’s got lots of power for its size,” John Dixon.

Meet the 2016 TKB Test Team.

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TKB Says:

The 2016 FX is a 3-strut low to medium C-shaped SLE kite that Cabrinha markets as a great crossover between hooked and unhooked freestyle, surf and general freeride. The FX uses a large diameter bayonet style inflation valve that requires no nozzle on the end of your pump hose for a quick and easy pump up. There’s two wingtip steering settings to choose between shorter depower/direct steering and long depower stroke/light steering impulse and the front bridle is a single setting fixed bridle with no pulleys. Testers commented on the FX’s comfortable bar pressure, which is slightly lighter in feeling than the Switchblade and quicker steering response and turning. The FX feels lighter in the air and has a very smooth power progression along its sheeting/throw that is very calming. The FX generates plenty of power with its low to medium aspect ratio but feels incredibly nimble in its broader arc style turns. Testers commented on the FX’s solid boosting power and good hangtime. Compared to the Switchblade, when unhooking the FX is a little more forgiving and seems to provide more slack on unsent load and pops. Overall, testers recommend this kite for those that are looking for a high performance freeride kite that can crossover into unhooked riding and can also drift and turn well in the waves.

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Cabrinha offers three control bar options for the Switchblade: 1) Overdrive 1X with Recoil (Adjustable bar ends with spring/tuning strap) 2) Overdrive 1X with Trim Lite (Adjustable bar ends with cam cleat tuning) and 3) 1X with Trim Lite. We will discuss the 1X with Trim Lite here and the Overdrive 1x with Recoil in the Switchblade review.

The 1X with Trim Lite is a fixed length bar (44cm, 52cm and 60cm) that features a streamlined single center-line safety depower system, low V, and a fixed length durable plastic sheeting/throw line which combines above the bar tuning via a cam cleat. This is likely Cabrinha’s answer to those riders that prefer a simpler bar layout than the spring/tuning strap (Recoil version.  The plastic push away quick release can be cocked off to the side for easy reassembly and incorporates a below the bar hand swivel that doubles as a travel guard. The center lines end in a knot and the outside lines end in loops. Compared to the adjustable bar ends of the Overdrive, the 1X with Trim Lite is overall lighter and requires smaller floats. Testers commented on the 1X’s slightly thicker grip diameter and liked the rubber texture of the hand grip. Cabrinha also offers this bar’s adjustable length bar ends (Overdrive) with the Trim Lite simplified cam cleat tuning system instead of the spring/tuning strap/extensions of the Recoil tuning system.

Visit for more info on the bar: www.cabrinhakites.com/controlsystems/quickloop-1x.html

[GALLERY]