Sizes Available: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14m
Sizes Tested: 7, 9, 12m
Cabrinha Says:
For riders that mix hooked and unhooked freestyle tricks and like to kiteloop. The wide wind range offers more versatility than a traditional “C” shape, and offers smooth power delivery with predictable handling. The FX is designed to bridge the gap between advanced freestyle and performance freeride kites.
The FX implements an upright modified C shape design to get the best performance characteristics of a C shape with the versatility of a hybrid outline. The FX delivers a fast turn in a tight arc which makes it perfect for kite looping…. hooked or unhooked. Its lean entry and profile allows the kite to reach its zenith after a loop to give you a soft and controlled landing. 3 Strut, Modified C shape arc, Box wing tip design, Lean entry profile.
Visit for more info: www.cabrinhakites.com/collections/kites/products/fx
Our Testers Say:
“The FX is dope! Similar to the Switchblade but faster turning, stable, lofty and predictable with medium bar pressure and intuitive feel. Next level performance for freestyle and freeriding with fast turning flying performance in a looping machine.” // Justin Lord
“Stays parked with good responsiveness””this kite does just what you want it to do. Solid, stable great feeling kite that does just about everything well.” // Paul Holcomb
“Quick and responsive, this kite pulls nicely and is ready for action. Kiteloops are grunty; work it hard and it will shine, but it’s not a sheet in and launch kite. Liked the bar feedback with lighter bar pressure.” // Dray Murray
TKB Says:
The Cabrinha FX is back this year filling the niche for rider’s that lust for the olden days of C-kite performance yet have been long softened and spoiled by the advent of the SLE (Supported Leading edge) renaissance. The Cabrinha FX is a medium aspect C-shaped SLE with a mildly sweptback leading edge profile but full wingtips. Cabrinha markets this kite as a crossover machine for those that want to unhook their freestyle and attempt kiteloops, yet also desire a comfortable freeride kite with a ton of range. The FX features a large diameter bayonet style inflation valve that requires no nozzle on the end of your standard pump hose for a quick and easy pump up. It offers three settings on the front bridle for adjusting between Freestyle, Freeride, Kiteloops and the front bridle is fixed, meaning it doesn’t utilize pulleys to change the angle of attack. The bar pressure on the FX is middle of the road, perhaps slightly less than the Switchblade. As you might expect from a C-shaped kite, the relaunch on the FX was good, but from the nose down position deep within the window it took awhile for it to taxi to one side and flip into relaunch mode. Essentially the relaunch is reliable, but not instantaneous like what you might find on a freeride kite like the Switchblade. The steering response on the FX is very crisp, perhaps more direct than the Switchblade and the steering arc is a little bit wider for those kiteloop maniacs out there. Speed across the window feels fast and turning speed is impressive across sizes tested. Testers liked the FX’s power delivery and found the kite had plenty of depower when needed. When it comes to boosting lift and hangtime, the FX is very respectable, but might be edged out by the Switchblade when it comes to sheer boosting power. While unhooked freestylers will like it’s power and release for load and pop and kiteloopers will like it’s steering arc, surfers that like to fly their kite actively through the window might also like the FX’s direct and fast steering””basically, the FX can be viewed as another option for the freeriders out there.
This year we tested the FX with both the 1X with Trimlite (non-adjustable bar ends with above the bar cleat) and the Overdrive 1X with Trimlite (on-the-fly adjustable bar ends with above the bar cleat).
The Overdrive 1X with Trimlite is a dual adjustable length bar (48cm/56cm) that riders can adjust on the water while riding. This bar features a streamlined single center-line safety depower system, low V, and a fixed length PU-coated sheeting/throw line which combines above the bar tuning via a cam cleat. While you can get this bar with Cabrinha’s above the bar tuning strap (Recoil) with extension handles, the Trimlite cleat system is better suited to those riders that prefer a simpler bar layout. The center lines end in a knot and the outside lines end in loops and the bar ends are padded for those chaotic wipeouts. The floats are integrated and fairly unobtrusive and while the bar bungees are not retractable they do have a groove that you can stow them in while riding to keep them from flapping about. The Overdrive adjustable bar ends are a little bulkier than the below version, but for a person who wants on the fly adjustability the size and weight is negligible. Testers commented on the 1X’s slightly thicker grip diameter and liked the rubber texture of the hand grip. Last year the Overdrive came in two different sizes but this year the Overdrive comes only in the 45/56cm, which makes sense because you might as well get the fixed 60cm option for your light wind big kite control option.
We were also given the 1X with Trimlite 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 (the alternative power control option to Cabrinha’s Recoil system). 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 Trimlite 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. Smaller bar ends compared to the adjustable Overdrive system makes this bar a bit lighter and cleaner in your hands.
Visit for more info on the bar: https://www.cabrinhakites.com/collections/bars
