Cabrinha Spectrum 2020 Kiteboard Review

The full freeride package at an affordable price – Cabrinha proves with the Spectrum that good doesn’t have to be expensive.

Cabrinha’s Spectrum has evolved from a somewhat underestimated entry level freerider to one of the best selling boards in the range. The reason for this is probably the consequent development of the shape and construction. And the relatively low price. 489 Euro Board only is an announcement!

Performance on the water

Although the Spectrum comes with a low sales price, no savings have been made in the equipment and construction. Thus the underwater hull is equipped with a continuous single concave. Striking are the narrow edges, which should give the board more grip and guidance in combination with the large fins. A light V is embedded at the tip and tail. A successful update are Cabrinha’s H2O pads, which offer better adjustment possibilities and a good fit.

The Spectrum is fully designed for freeride use and competes strongly with the Select and Deluxe within this group in terms of features. It starts willingly and early, because the rocker line has not been excessively bent up. It underpins its good gliding characteristics with high speed. Even through larger wind holes, the Spectrum glides smoothly and flaky. The set-up appears balanced, not too tight and not too soft. All in all, the riding feel is softer than the board actually is – a plus in comfort.

Even annoying splash water doesn’t afford it. The weight distribution is not particularly choosy. You can ride it freerider-typical with a lot of pressure on the back foot. But if you load it centrally, you won’t have any problems with the Spectrum, just too much weight on the front foot is less.

Here the Cabrinha can show off its thin edge and the big fins. The grip is excellent, so that you can hold the edge and the kite for a long time, when the gusts hit the cloth ungraciously. Even beginners and intermediates praise the high controllability of the Spectrum. Even in choppy water it runs like on rails and can hardly be pushed off the track.

On the upwind course the Spectrum is slightly superior to the Select and the Deluxe. All three boards have almost a built-in automatic upwind automatic and pull upwind without difficulty. With the Spectrum we measured a few more meters of altitude gain.

A lot of grip and big fins often have a negative effect on the liveliness and turning pleasure. The Spectrum doesn’t disprove that, but it does create a good compromise. If you work from the knees and relieve the board while switching, it will turn smoothly despite the large fins. In the jibe you need a bit more power to kick it into medium or even tight radii. But large radii can be done very cleanly with excellent guidance, without the danger of the board breaking out over the fins. This is very practical for beginners and intermediates. But if you expect an explosive carving firework, you are wrong with the Spectrum.

With the Spectrum, jumps are no particular challenge in a very pleasant way. Due to the high grip, the edge can be held for a long time before the jump, even if there is a lot of cross pull from the kite. The tips with the long fins can take a lot of pressure. The jump is very easy to find, because the tips give a precise feeling. It peels cleanly, although not as dynamically as the tighter carbon colleagues out of the water. Due to the flat underwater hull it only cushions a little when landing unclean. You should take care to keep it well downwind so that the fins don’t catches on landing.

Summary

Well-balanced, uncomplicated freeride board with very good performance, which scores especially when going upwind, by comfort and a lot of grip on the edge.